Emmalee, thank you for the hugs and sharing my 'shock.' Well, yours at what I pay, and mine for what everyone else is paying! LOL!! I have a hard time writing that check out every month without thinking there has to be something better out there. Luckily, though, we make enough that I can be a stay-at-home mom, so it's all relative. But, once he retires, we won't be bringing home as much. That's the part that makes me very nervous.
Oregon is sounding pretty good! How much rain do you get? I don't like too much rain either.
Idaho...yeah, I'd like to check that out. But, I wonder, is there tons of snow? Like, would there be a lot of shoveling or being snowed in?
Frugal yesterday was going grocery shopping and really thinking about each thing and whether I needed it before I put it into the cart. I did my homework and Kroger had lots of meat on sale. Since that's what we were low on, off to Kroger I went. Got some ground beef for 1.39 a pound and some frozen boneless chicken tenders (not breaded, just plain), 3 lbs. for 4.77. Regular price 9.49. Things have been really tight around here the last few weeks so we have been very thankful for a pantry well-stocked with canned goods, rice, and pasta, and a deep freeze with lots and lots of frozen veggies and thaw-and-bake bread dough. We still have an extra turkey in there that we got for free before Christmas too. Other than toilet paper, milk/eggs, and pet food, I am planning on making the groceries I bought last two weeks. I think that's a good goal for a family of 4, 2 of whom are under 7. I spent $78.00, which is about $30-40 less than I spend at the store when I do a big trip, which is usually once a week. It's a start!
Frugal today was making things with some of the ingredients I bought yesterday and some I had on hand for snacks and lunches. I popped popcorn, baked butterscotch brownies (blondies) and lemon squares, and made trail mix out of raisins, peanuts, and chow mein noodles. My older son, who's in elementary school, loves to buy his lunch at school. Normally we let him, but since we have had to watch every penny he's taken his lunch almost every day. I did let him buy lunch on pizza day last week and this week, which made him happy, and I'm trying to make a variety of things to include in his lunches so he won't be bored. So far it's working... but I am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping that he doesn't suddenly have a "I wanna buy my lunch!" fit! I also made out a dinner menu for the next two weeks. I have done that off and on in the past, but this time I am making sure I stick to the plan so I don't spend more money at the store until I need to.
Also frugal (and healthy) today was walking each child to and from school. DS#1 is in school 6 blocks one way and DS#2 is in mother's day out 4 blocks the other way. Maybe if I keep this up I'll drop a couple of pounds a week!
Tami...to be perfectly honest our town was in Forbes magazine last year in the top 10 places in the country to retire to. We have a HUGE amount of retirees here and to top it off the town motto is "It's the climate" sooooo...
It does rain...but not as much as the "pacific northwest" in general. We are Southern Oregon and only about an hour from the California border. Valleys...moutains...a beautiful river that runs through it...literally...lol
I'll try to find a website or two to post. I was born and raised here and moved away for college and came home because not only is it a good place to retire but a great place to raise kids. My parents live about an 1/8th of a mile away and we still live on the families old homestead property.
, but like I said, nowadays, these kids drive new 28000 cars!
My brother lives near Bend Or, and they love it. A bit of snow, a bit of rain not to hot. Reasonablely priced. They live sorta in the country on 3 acres. But 15 min to Bend.
I lived in the bitterroot valley of Montana. A very mild winter they would have. It was beautiful.
Joesbaby- wow, what a good deal you got on that trailer! Im happy for you. Then could you sell your old trailer and put that towards the new one?? That would be great.
My sons looking at a 16 X 80 in great shape for $7000. And thats a good price around here. We saw 1970s ones for more than that. And they were in a trailer park.This one is on a piece of land out in the country,private, surrounded by trees and he can have his horse. Rent is $150 a month- includes the well and septic. I like it, Id live in it where it is.
HOmes are cheap here, but this is the reservation, and alot of people dont want to live on it.
I LOVE OREGON!!!! Been there 4 years in a row to visit my son in Portland, or Tigard is their addy. I have been whitewater rafting (first yr) Mt Hood is my most favorite. Up to Timberline and Meadows in the dead of winter too. Been along the coast from south right up to just south of Astoria (the beach there, can't remember now the name darn), sorry I didn't get to Astoria. I love the history of Oregon and the Northwest Passage, there is probably the most history in the west in that area. Amazing what Lewis and Clark did to open the passage across and what a feat that was in those days. Beautiful mountains........the sisters, Adams, Bachalor, Jefferson, even Mt St Helen was acting up last I was there and darn didn't get a chance to get there again as they closed everything in Oct. I even saw Mt Ranier from Portland on a clear day. Went through Washington up to Vancouver that was driving in very heavy traffic.
The scenery is out of this world and I think its just the most beautiful place on earth. Climate is perfect, rains a little and my son said two years now they were surprised with snow and ice in Portland proper but is gone in a day or so when temps climb to the 40's or 50's in a day or two. I want to go to Crater Lake next time I go next year. There is so much it will take years for me to see everything. My son does the hood to coast run and bikes and climbs and snowboards. Not much snow in the Mts. this year compared to other years he says. Boy I live in Mich and I know more about Oregon than I do Mich and been here all my life. My sons only been there going on 4 yrs. Tom says it is very expensive to live there tho. He says the property is very expensive and they have a huge beautiful new home and pay 4500 in taxes every year. No sales tax in Oregon though so buy a car there and save big. I am told though that if you take it out of state and relicense it say in Mi then your hit with a tax. Lucky you to be able to grow up in such a beautiful place.
Mich is nice but just too much snow. Im in the UP and thats worse. Summers are beautiful here and houses and property taxes are really cheap though.
Carolyn
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What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Oregon sounds perfect! If there are any websites I could check out, that'd be great! From what I've heard, Oregon doesn't have a state tax, is that right? What is the price range of houses?
Hubby can retire in 4 years, so we're checking places out.
I have about 600 sq. feet, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, and I pay $213.00 per month. That is so very good here in New Jersey, about 1/2 hour from the shore. My lot is 50X150, small by some of your standards, but with a house this tiny, the backyard is huge. I have a pear tree and a peach tree, an asparagus patch and a couple small patches for blueberry and raspberry bushes. And alongside the garage, I grow tomatoes. I also grow mint and some roses. Small roses, but roses.
I lucked into my house. My sister and brother-in-law were renting it. Then, when my nephew got a little bigger, they had to move. The woman who owned it, wanted to actually meet the person(s) renting. He had offered the house and his referral, to friends of ours, first. They turned it down. Then it was offered to me. At the time I was paying $375.00 for a rental. I junped at the chance just to rent this place.
Then the owner passed away and her children didn't want to be landlords. So we entered into a lease to buy arrangement. I paid the water bill, the insurance (and it was in both their names and my name), along with $225.00 in rent.
After I settled an auto accident, I had the money for a down payment and closing costs. So now it is mine.
My homeowners is not attached to the mortgage, and it is cheaper because I have the same auto insurance company. Also my taxes are about $1,500.00 per year. Not to bad right now, but in today's paper they are planning to add not one, but two new schools to our town.
But I also get recycling pick-up, garbage pick-up, city water (for a price), and if worse were to come to worse, I am just a block and a half away from the police station.
I am not in an urban area, like Atlantic City, and we have just a few multi-family (more than 2 families) dwellings. We have 3 apartment complexes for families, and 2 other apartment/condo areas for seniors. Most of the houses were built around 1900 when there was a large German population which settled Egg Harbor. They had large families and large family homes. Now, they are mostly 2 family houses.
My neighborhood is very quiet, and very stable. We don't have a large turnover, even in the rental market.
My appeal for living here is a) I can afford to, b) my immediate family is here, and c) I feel "centered" here, like I really belong. Having lived in Virginia, Cuba, and Florida before, I feel best right here. I had lived in this town when I was like 2, about 2 blocks away from my house now. And that has to be the best reason for living anywhere.
My first car, I bought myself, and I paid for my insurance all by myself too - a 1961 buick, in 1972. I was on summer break between junior and senior year. I was working as many hours as I could with a commitment from the company to keep me on during the school year. The car was $200 and the insurance was a little over $100 for a year. I was very proud of myself. Of course there was a major rust problem (living in Florida that can be a problem) around the rear windshield. I bought some bathroom caulking for about $1.00 and since the car was white, went for it. Those patches lasted for the two years I had the car and then I sold it, to my brother, for $100.00 and the patches lasted the whole time he had it too.
Well ladies, I better go for tonight. The temp is dropping, the snow will be here again Saturday after 10 am, or so they tell me. I have to fnish my grocery list so that I can be at the store Saturday morning when they open. I don't want to get caught without Sunday dinner.
ldyroper...I LOVE Bend...if I were to move anywhere in Oregon besides where I am now it would be Bend.
Katieflowers....Definately Crater Lake it is an absolute must!!! Beyond description...you feel like you're on another planet entirely. I too love the Oregon coast so rugged and beautiful. Come to the Rogue Valley on one of your adventures. We have a world class Shakspearian festival as well as world class acts all summer long at the Britt festival. There is hiking, rafting, fishing, vineyards and yes much history.
Tamip...I will do some surfing tonight and see what I come up with. You are right there is no sales tax. We have property tax and income tax. Car registration is cheap...hmm...I think it was around $50 for 2-3 years...can't remember exactly but not bad...no emissions testing or anything.
Crochet2...I know how you feel...my whole family is here and this is just the place for me to be.
I had quite the treat tonight...I give riding lessons to a girl in our church and on Thursday's when she comes her mom and two brothers come with her. They hang out with my two boys and play football while I do my favorite thing...teach kids how to ride...well tonight when I came back down to the house her Mom had fixed our dinner...all done...waiting to be eaten...I am SO spoiled...and they think THEY are getting the good deal...NO WAY!
All I have to do is pop the dishes in the dishwasher and we're done
Hope you all have a wonderful evening....
BTW...Joe'sbaby...I meant to say congratulations on the down payment...so glad for you!!
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high !
Posts: 1,016
KatieFlowers, I live in Vancouver. Shop in Portland sometimes. It is only about 10 min. for me to the Portland Airport, just across the Columbia River. I think the Columbia Gorge is one of the most beautiful places.
I saw Mt. Hood yesterday on my way home from the doctors. The sight was spectacular !
If someone comes to Wa. to shop, they show ID and don't have to pay our sales tax. We go over there to save tax, especially at the hardware store or Costco, places like that. It is just about the same distance for us to go there or the ones here in town.
It does depend upon the time of day, cause we sure wouldn't go during rush hour traffic over there.
