How not to chop down a tree

This weekend we are hiring a big excavator and dozer to come help us clear the back acre (we did the math and it was cheaper for the guy to come out and level the barn site then it was for us to rent the equipment, etc.).

The one place we can save money in the whole equation is by taking down two trees ourselves. I think it's important to mention that we're sad about losing two trees, especially the maple, but we spent a lot of time laying out the barn to take advantage of the pre-existing space...and this is the best case scenario.

We promise to plant AT LEAST two trees for every one we lost (including the accidental one).

She thinks his tractor's sexy

Yesterday we made the 3 hour drive down to Hood River, Oregon to purchase our very own Kubota Tractor (Mr. Nick called up and down the coast and Sheppard's Tractors had the cheapest price by far).

We thought about it for a long time, deciding whether or not we needed to purchase one, and finally decided that yes, as owner builders having a tractor will enable us to do many things on our own. (digging the trenching for the electrical, cable, and well; digging the septic system; hauling tree stumps; leveling areas for building; digging our pond; the list goes on).

To rent the tractor for a day is upwards of $250. Kubota is offering a great deal right now: 0% down, 0% interest for 60 months. So our monthly payments are less than the price to rent it once per month--that means all we need to do is use it once a month for the next five years and we'll have come out on top.

As my mother pointed out, living on 5+ acres you will ALWAYS find a use for a tractor/backhoe. Plus, I kind of like the way Mr. Nick looks on it...I guess Kenny Chesney was right, she does think his tractor's sexy!

Temporary power pole: Just the basics

I've always prided myself in my ability to find a good bargain but Mr. Nick is blowing me out of the water with his deals lately...and the fact that what he's buying is actually necessary for the building of our house, well we won't get into that.

So what's that in the bed of our truck? It's a temporary power pole, nabbed on craigslist for just $50 (had we gone through Home Depot the price would have been $250!)

In case you were wondering why we need one of these here's the scoop: In homes that are already built the power comes in from the road into the house through a meter (underground). When you don't have a house you have to have some place to put the meter. Solution: A temporary power pole which distributes power through a circuit breaker (still underground). We're going to install it and the power company will come and connect it from the power that's in the road (after we pay a connection fee).

Once we build our house the power company will remove the temporary power pole and extend the wire to the house for our permanent power. Then maybe we can sell it to someone else just starting their building journey!

Interested in learning more? Here's a great site I found on HGTVpro.com about the basics of temporary power.

Photo Credit: I took this photo of Mr. Nick in the parking lot of our apartment complex...we're fairly confident no one will be tempted to steal it.