tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post6109292568024535911..comments2024-03-26T19:10:34.328-08:00Comments on The "Make Do" Homemaker: When Life Gives You Lemons...: Goals for 2021Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"http://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-89220047484873474182021-01-20T09:05:27.444-09:002021-01-20T09:05:27.444-09:00I live in South Central Alaska in an area referred...I live in South Central Alaska in an area referred to as "The Valley". Do you live in the Nome area of Alaska or are you in the North West of the Lower 48? Either way, super happy to hear you aren't having problems with shortages there! Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-10446267751159845142021-01-19T19:26:21.838-09:002021-01-19T19:26:21.838-09:00I'm curious whereabouts you live (in general)....I'm curious whereabouts you live (in general). There are no shortages of any product where I am in the NorthWest. Ellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06918153566288679035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-18944255282183415892021-01-16T15:20:18.430-09:002021-01-16T15:20:18.430-09:00With the loan, it very well might depend on who it...With the loan, it very well might depend on who it is through. I don't have a lot of experience with those things :).<br /><br />Glad you found the Cooperative Extension helpfull. I've been really happy with ours up here :).Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-79711504056116476812021-01-16T15:18:10.961-09:002021-01-16T15:18:10.961-09:00Crud, Lea! I accidentally deleted your reply, so e...Crud, Lea! I accidentally deleted your reply, so enjoy this copy and paste version with my apologies!<br /><br /> "Thanks for the recommendation for Alaska Cooperative Extension Service - the info is VERY helpful for the rose hips! I'm in MN and ours wasn't anywhere near as helpful for that topic.<br /><br />So interesting about your loan experience! I wonder if it depends on who it's through?<br /><br />Have a great weekend! Lea"Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-47414553616602633002021-01-15T10:20:15.183-09:002021-01-15T10:20:15.183-09:00Wow, that was like the exact opposite of our exper...Wow, that was like the exact opposite of our experience when we got our loan. All they harped on was the equity we had in the house. Bizarre. Thanks for the input though, it is definitely good to know.<br /><br />With rose hips, I've made jam, syrup and fruit leather with them in the past. Check out the Alaska Cooperative Extension Service online for some recipe ideas :).<br /><br />We have a Re-Use it place, yes. So far we haven't found much there, but we will keep looking!Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-36474834148753151332021-01-14T16:20:32.066-09:002021-01-14T16:20:32.066-09:00I'm really interested in your rose hip process...I'm really interested in your rose hip processing. I have three rose bushes and loads of rose hips each year but I've never done anything with them. <br /><br />I would imagine keeping the pantry stocked is huge challenge and every little bit from the garden helps so much. Did you ever solve your moose invasion problem or is that just not possible? I've had experience with deer but not moose. <br /><br />For the work you need done on your house, do you have Habitat Re-Use It stores up there? Here we can get cabinets, counters, fixtures, drywall, trim, paint, doors,windows, etc for super cheap. All items are donated and profits go to Habitat for Humanity. Some items are new but most are high quality salvage. We donated our old cabinets there with our kitchen remodel - they were solid hardwood and, while very nice and very sturdy, we're far too few for our new kitchen. <br /><br />We also found that paying off the unsecured debts (credit cards, medical debt and personal loans) were the biggest help when we refinanced our mortgage or took out the home equity loan. No one really cared about the mortgage (other than us actually having equity and paying on time) but they sure cared about the credit cards and medical debt! <br /><br />I'm looking forward to seeing how your goals progress this year! I always enjoy your blog, Erika!<br /><br />LeaLeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15818367328227570371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-32097686057558234942021-01-12T10:29:52.316-09:002021-01-12T10:29:52.316-09:00We might do just that. Everything is still tentati...We might do just that. Everything is still tentative as we wait to see what taxes will bring. After that we'll reevaluate. If we pay down the mortgage once the mortgage insurance is gone we'd build up more equity which will get us better rates on building loans for things like redoing the kitchen and such so we are still figuring out which way will work better. Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-45575880866184568262021-01-11T17:25:36.357-09:002021-01-11T17:25:36.357-09:00I’m sending you a huge hug over there in Alaska. W...I’m sending you a huge hug over there in Alaska. We were in the same spot you feel you’re in, back in the 80’s. It was not easy but we dug out. It took time. You have a partner and you know how to spend wisely so you’re way ahead of most people. Be patient with yourself and keep putting one foot in front of the other.<br />No goals, here. I’m just trying not to get too depressed. I did join an informal YT slow sewing group. You make one little project a week. Right up my alley! I decided i just need to stay busy. I still work three days a week for which i am very grateful. <br />Stay well! <br />DebbieUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11719499030188672096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-35204335019450514362021-01-11T17:15:35.868-09:002021-01-11T17:15:35.868-09:00Wouldn't it make more sense to focus most of y...Wouldn't it make more sense to focus most of your extra money on paying down the home equity loan as quickly as possible? Paying down a mortgage is fine, but mortgage rates are usually better than loans. Perhaps you could commit to paying all the $200 each month to the home equity loan for the 1st 6 months, then switch to part of the month towards the mortgage and part towards the rest of the loan. Another alternative is to pay $150 extra on the loan and $50 extra mortgage payments. With all the repairs you need to do, you will likely need wiggle room on that loan to pay for everything when the work is completed.Rhonda A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00448188064878559345noreply@blogger.com