Wednesday, May 23, 2012

To Do Lists

So many of us are avid list makers. See Carla's angsty post about her list making habits HERE!  I used to feel like Carla does when she doesn't get every item done on her list. But a few years ago I somehow managed to shift my mindset about my impossible to complete list. Whatever doesn't get done I put at the top of the next day's list. It'll all get done (or not) eventually.

At this time of year I usually have several lists going at the same time: one for school (not working on that one at present), one for home and one for PEI. Today I was feeling a little panicked about all of the things I need to do over the next few years to get my PEI home just the way I want it. The panicked feeling was about how to fund all of the things I need to get done, for example:

  • new septic system - the current septic system is OLD, no one really knows how old. It still works as can be evidenced by the very lush green lawn in a certain area of our acreage but a septic system is not something you want to replace AFTER it breaks down so that's at the top of the list. Once a new system is in place I'll likely never have to replace it in MY lifetime.
  • install a woodstove and all that goes along with that such as tiling the floor where it will be sitting, install a steel liner in the chimney and check to make sure the chimney is in good repair, perhaps remove a wall or partial wall
  • purchase several cords of hardwood
  • build a deck
  • level the driveway: this involves removing topsoil, inserting shale, covering with pea gravel and probably a few other things I'm not familiar with!
  • lots of items to purchase like a riding lawn mower, furniture, washer/dryer, freezer etc
  • hardwood ceiling on the front porch
  • plants: native trees, shrubs, perennials
  • tankless water heater (solar?)
  • new fence
There are also a couple of larger items I want/need to do: renovate the tiny kitchen and build a barn/wood shed/gardening shed. THAT money will come from what I can save over the next two years.  But I wasn't sure how to fund all of the smaller projects.....then I remembered my RSPs! Once I retire I will stop contributing and start withdrawing to the tune of $5,000 per year. I will have to deduct $500 from that (10%) for income tax leaving me with $4500 per year to complete all of my "extra but necessary" projects. 

I am SO glad I've got that figured out. It means I can't do everything at once but how could I anyways? The first two plus the tankless water heater are the most important, then we'll work away at the rest. 

I think I can do this...


22 comments:

  1. I am a listy also. I get bummed like Carla, but I am older and it doesn't bother me as bad as it once did.  You have a mighty long expensive list there for that cute little retirement place of yours. Get to work!  What are you doing posting and wasting time....

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  2. I too loved Carla's list post. Maybe because I am older I don't sweat the list as much. If it doesn't all get done nobody but me knows Ha, hell's bells 1/2 the time I forget where I put the durn list anyway. It does seem overwhelming getting things ready for a retirement home but breaking it down one bite at a time is a smart way to go.

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  3. Jane @The maple Syrup MobMay 23, 2012 at 12:26 PM

    We have so much to do in renovating our house too. You have to believe you can do it. ...what's the alternative?
    Jane x

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  4. And I'll be watching to make sure that you actually do.
    m.

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  5. It's funny but that post kind of "snapped me out of it" so to speak... I do have a list with my sewing orders, but other than that, I havent given myself a "list" in the last few days... If I see something that needs done I do it. But by giving myself those crazy long lists, I was setting myself up for failure over & over again. If I truly *NEED* to do something, (ie; call dr. buy milk, etc..) I'll jot it down so I don't forget, but other than that I'm trying to change my evil ways... ;)

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  6. Good list... Are you interested in a 60's table and chair set? I have one I'd deliver!

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  7. Because you used your head and prepared yourself for retirement you are going to have the money to complete your projects, so I say thank goodness for organisation and lists.
    I tend to leave my lists lying about the computer area so they are available for all to read, that keeps me motivated to achieve everything I have written down.....

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  8. We have been trying to do a few things at a time..truthfully one of those do it now so we dont have to do it in 20 years when we retire.  We have put in new windows, a new roof(which will be maintained) and new heater and ac unit.  We also want to have new insulation blown in, repave the driveway and a few other things.  

    If we can do these things now and maintain them then we will be much better off in the long run

    And for the record I LOVE lists
    J

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  9. If I lived there now I would start on getting those things on my list done but as I'm only there a few weeks each summer it's not possible. And for the record - I KNOW YOU LOVE LISTS LOL! I've noticed you use them frequently, like all the time!!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 2:13:25 AM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

    ReplyDelete
  10. Now that's a good idea, why didn't I think of that?! Sometimes I can't find my list or I just plain forget to look at it. I try to be organized but it's a constant challenge!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 11:24:27 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

    ReplyDelete
  11. Free delivery? That's a great offer!






    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:54:23 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

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  12. Glad to hear it, we don't want to be a "slave" to our lists. Sometimes I make a great list and then forget where it is or just plain don't look at it lol! Life is short - have more fun!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:15:27 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

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  13. Hey, do you have a spycam set up around here somewhere??






    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 1:50:18 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

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  14. Very true! My problem is I want it all done at once which is just not possible.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 12:26:48 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

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  15. Yes. And thank you for the evening shows!
    m.

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  16. I'm like you, I forget where I put my lists half the time - I find them in coat pockets etc long after I made them. Sometimes the things get done and sometimes they don't; life is too short to get hung up on long lists!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 12:18:34 PM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

    ReplyDelete
  17. Part of the frustration lies in only being out in PEI for a few short weeks each summer so I can't get at the items on my list! Lots of waiting involved, unfortunately!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 11:17:04 AM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

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  18. That's a long list for PEI...glad you were able to figure out how to manage it!  LOVE that you get a teachers' pension...perhaps you should also apply for combat pay?? 

    Hey, I didn't see internet access...I miss you when you go to PEI...

    By the way, are you near Centreville yet? :)!

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  19. A daunting list, but very exciting also! I'm sure you will love making the place your own even if it takes longer than expected.

    Question for you: are you certain about the 10% tax? I would have thought your marginal tax rate would have been higher. Remember that unfortunately the rate the bank/ tax guy takes from you when you initially withdraw the funds is not necessarily what you ultimately pay. What you pay in tax on the rrsp withdraws is based upon your income for that particular year you withdraw them. I hate delivering potential bad news but I also wouldn't want you or someone else to get surprised by a tax bill!

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  20. I probably am near Centreville - I've been walking and biking outside and haven't updated my progress for awhile. I agree with the combat pay for sure, wouldn't that be nice! I'm not sure yet what to do about internet as around here you can't get it just for a few weeks. Perhaps a internet stick? I'll look into it!





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 10:37:41 AM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

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  21. Withdrawal of up to $5,000          =    10% Withheld
    Withdrawal of $5,001 – $15,000    =    20% Withheld
    Withdrawal of $15,001 and above =    30% Withheld
    Jen, you are absolutely right when you say this is the initial amount withheld and it will depend on my income as to how much more I'll have to pay at tax time, if any. Which is why I'm waiting until I stop working for a year before withdrawing. My pension (before I start to receive CPP - (I'm going to wait on that to get the higher payout) will be less than half of what I'm currently earning so that's the time to withdraw.





    ________________________________
    From: Disqus
    To: j_harrison@rogers.com
    Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 10:41:35 AM
    Subject: [jamhair] Re: Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!: To Do Lists

    Disqus generic email template

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  22.  Yep, that way I can cross meeting one blogger in person off my bucket list!  Send me an email with your address and contact number and I'll be there! It also gives me an trip to the island for the day!

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