Here’s a list of my favorite podcasts -

History Podcasts -

Norman Centuries – A Norman History podcast created by Lars Brownworth.

12 Byzantine Rules – The History of the Byzantine Empire by Lars Brownworth.

Hardcore History – An unconventional look at history by Dan Carlin.

History of Rome – A weekly podcast about the history of Rome.

Sports Podcasts -

Dan Patrick – A daily podcast, in three parts, by Dan Patrick.

Tony Kornheiser – A daily podcast, in two parts, by Tony Kornheiser.

Bill Simmons – A podcast from ESPN personality, Bill Simmons.

Entertainment / Commentary Podcasts -

TBTL – Too Beautiful To Live by Luke Burbank.

Geek Out Loud – The OFFICIAL podcast of Geek Out Online.

A podcast is an online audio or video file, organized by release date, available for download, streaming, and subscribing.

Click here to read my post – How To Listen To A Podcast.

You know you’re getting older when you a.) spend your “off-day” doing chores around the the house and b.) you enjoy doing them.

I have been extremely busy for the past six month, twelve months, two years, forever, so it was good to take a day “off” from the world – and just focus on getting some things done around the house.

First, I replaced a broken light-fixture in our master bathroom.  I tried to simply buy a new globe for the original fixture, but that was a no-go.  I just couldn’t find one.  So, I went to the local hardware store and found a replacement for the entire fixture.  I remembered to flip the breaker, took down the old fixture, and replaced it with the new one.  First project, complete!

I then installed an 8-foot section of gutter above the backdoor.  I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time, and it feels good to have it done.  The install took a bit longer than expected, because I couldn’t find my tin snips.  Instead, I had to use a hacksaw to cut the gutter – and my blade was a little dull.  It took a couple of hours, but now the rain will be safely “guttered” into the flowerbeds, and away from the backdoor.

After that, it was time to replace several light bulbs, throughout the house.  I recently stumbled across a great deal on some compact fluorescent bulbs, and this was a good time to get the ladder out and change some bulbs.  Our new house has more than twenty recessed flood lights, and it feels nice to have all of the traditional bulbs replaced with the new compact florescent bulbs.  (Obviously, I’ll hang on to the traditional bulbs, just in case I need one.)  The compact florescent bulbs have a pretty unique design.  They’re shaped just like a traditional “flood” bulb, but, if you look closely, you can see the little curly-q compact fluorescent, inside the bulb.

Finally, I spent some time in the yard, cleaning our flower beds, edging along the driveway, and mowing the lawn.  There’s just something about doing this kind of manual labor that is, oddly, relaxing.  Even though it was, as we say in the South, “100 degrees in the shade,” I still really enjoyed myself.  It was just a simple, productive day.

Oh, one more thing.  I’ve noticed that when I go to the hardware store, I tend to get project-happy.  For some reason, surrounded by all those building materials, I can think of a hundred projects that “need to be done”.  My wife says that I need “blinders”, like those that a race horse might wear.  I could just put them on, head to the exact isle that I need to head to, pay for my merchandise, and then go home.

I live in Georgia and am a big fan of our State Parks System.  I recently visited one of our state parks and learned that there was no daily-use charge for visitors who visited on Wednesdays.  That bit of information sparked my interest and was the reason for this post.  I’ve attempted to list the daily-use fees from all 50 states and their state parks.

Alabama State Parks – From the Alabama State Parks website – Alabama State Parks offer ideal places to stay: resorts, hotels, cabins and cottages, camping; and fun places to play: hiking, biking, golf, fishing, paddling, swimming, birding and wildlife viewing or just relaxing. Clicking the above link will take you to a list of Alabama’s 23 state parks.  I couldn’t find any information about “free days” at any of the Alabama parks, but most have very, very modest daily-use fees, including some parks which charge just $1 for adults and 50 cents for kids and seniors.

Alaska State Parks – Alaska has 119 state parks.  While not offering any “free days” most of the parks charge a flat $5 daily-use fee per automobile.  A family of 6 could visit a park, spend the day, and do so for just $5.  Not a bad deal.  (Tour groups with vans or large buses would need to call for pricing information.)  By the way, just looking at some of the pictures from the Alaska parks makes me want to take a trip up north, way up north!

Arizona State Parks – Arizona has 31 state parks, with many parks offering daily-use fees between $5 and $10 per car (up to 4 adults) and between $2 and $5 per individual / bicycle.

Arkansas State Parks – Information N/A Edit:  Information Here

California State Parks – From the California State Parks website – At most parks, Day Use Fees are charged for parking only. There is no charge to walk or bike into these parks. Most historical parks and museums charge a Day Use Fee per person. The parking fees range from $4 – $15.  California has 278 state parks.  It’s awesome to see that several are free for daily-use by walkers / bicyclists.

Colorado State Parks – Colorado has 42 state parks, with most charging a flat $6 per vehicle fee for daily-use.  But, if you happen to be in Colorado on the first Monday in August – you can visit any Colorado State Park – for free!  It’s Colorado Day.

Connecticut State Parks – From the Connecticut State Parks website – Some facilities do not charge a parking fee and others charge only for weekends and holidays.  Connecticut has 76 state parks, and more than 25% of them are available free for daily-use on weekdays.  That’s pretty awesome.  Most of the parks charge a per vehicle fee of $9 or $15 for weekend use.

Delaware State Parks – Inland Delaware State Parks charge daily-use fee of $3 for Delaware Registered Vehicles and $6 per day for Out-Of-State Registered Vehicles.  Ocean Delaware State Parks charge daily use-fee of $4 for Delaware Registered Vehicles and $8 per day for Out-Of-State Registered Vehicles.  I couldn’t find any information about “free days” – but $3 for a vehicle-full of parents and kids seems like a super-deal to me.

Florida State Parks – Fees for vehicles range from $4 to $10 and the fees for individuals range from $2 to $5.  Florida offers several “free days” including July 17, September 10 – 12, and November 11.  Click on link for more information.

Georgia State Parks – Georgia has 64 state parks.  The parks charge a flat $5 per vehicle daily-use free.  Georgia has two pretty awesome ways to enjoy its parks – for free!  Each Wednesday, the daily-use fee is waived.  That’s right.  Wednesday’s are “free days” at Georgia State Parks.  Also, if you have a valid library card in the state of Georgia (link opens pdf file) – you can “check out” a park pass, and visit any Georgia State Park – for free!

Hawaii State Parks – Hawaii has 53 state parks – and not one of them (that I could find) charges a daily-use fee!  That, my friends, is very, very awesome.  Hawaii State Parks are some of the most beautiful parks in the world – and they’re free to visit.

Idaho State Parks – Visitors who walk-up can enjoy daily-use for free!  Those who travel in vehicles will be charged a $5 per vehicle fee.  Pretty cool.  Idaho, by the way, has 26 state parks.

Illinois State Parks – From the Illinois State Parks website – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources does not charge an Entrance Fee to any state owned or operated land with the exception of Wildlife Prairie Park and sites with beaches. Beaches charge a $1 a day per person for beach use only. It took a little searching on the website, but there it is.  Illinois has 60 state parks, and besides one and those with beaches, they’re all free for daily-use.

Indiana State Parks – Indiana has 26 state parks, and most charge a daily-use fee of $5 per automobile (for in-state visitors) and $7 per automobile (for out-of-state visitors).

Iowa State Parks – Iowa has 68 state parks – and all of them are free for daily-use.  From the Iowa State Parks website – Iowa State Parks do not charge entrance fees. Come on in and visit.  Awesome!

Kansas State Parks – Kansas charges between $3.70 and $4.20 per vehicle, depending on the time of year, for daily-use of its state parks.  Seniors can receive discounted fees.  Kansas has 24 state parks.

Kentucky State Parks – From the Kentucky State Parks website – We charge no general admission fee.  Awesome!  Save your money and visit one of Kentucky’s 52 state parks – for free!

Louisiana State Parks – Louisiana has 20 state parks, and most charge just $1 per adult for daily-use.  Kids under 3 and Senior Adults are free.

Maine State Parks – Maine charges between $2 to $4.50 per adult (12 and over) and $1 for children ages 5 – 11 for daily-use of most state parks.  Seniors (over 65) and children (under 5) are free.  These are in-state resident fees.  Maine has 39 state parks.

Maryland State Parks – Maryland has 45 state parks, and depending on the time of year, Maryland charges either $3 per person (at most parks) or $3 per vehicle.  The rates vary from park to park.  I could find no information about “free days”.

Massachusetts State Parks – Massachusetts charges a flat fee between $2 and $7 per vehicle, depending on park location, for daily-use.  Massachusetts has 143 state parks.  It’s amazing how many parks some of these smaller north-eastern states have.

Michigan State Parks – On October 1, 2010, Michigan will offer a $10 recreation passport to all Michigan residents.  This will allow residents to visit all Michigan State Parks for just $10 a year.  Michigan has 98 state parks.

Minnesota State Parks – Minnesota has 74 state parks and they each charge $5 per vehicle for daily-use.  I did not find any information about walk-ups.

Mississippi State Parks – Mississippi has 24 state parks and they each charge $3 per vehicle (with up to 6 passengers) for daily-use.

Missouri State Parks – From the Missouri State Parks website – The Missouri state park system does not charge entrance fees. However, there are fees associated with camping, lodging, tours, museums and certain special events.  That’s 83 state parks to visit – with no charge for daily-use!

Montana State Parks – Residents of Montana can pay $4 when they purchase a Montana license plate and their entrance into any of Montana’s 54 state parks is absolutely free.  Those choosing not to pay the $4 (when purchasing their license plates) – and out-of-state residents – pay $5 per vehicle at most state parks.

Nebraska State Parks – Nebraska charges a flat $4 per person fee for daily-use of its state parks.  Nebraska has 18 state parks.

Nevada State Parks – From the Nevada State Parks website – Permits are purchased upon entry to individual parks at a standard entrance fee of $7 to $12 per day with a $2.00 discount to Nevada residents. These permits vary by park and cover the basic entrance to a park.  Nevada has 23 state parks.

New Hampshire State Parks – New Hampshire has 75 state parks.  Daily-use fee for adults is $4 and $2 for kids 6-11.  Kids under 6 and Senior Adults are free.

New Jersey State Parks – New Jersey has 50 state parks.  Each park has its own fee schedule, depending on the time of year and / or the day of the week.  Some parks are free for certain times of the year, while most charge between $2 and $10 per vehicle.

New Mexico State Parks – New Mexico charges $5 per vehicle for daily-use and is free for walk-ins / bicyclists.  New Mexico has 35 state parks – some of the most beautiful in the country.

New York State Parks – New York has 178 state parks.  Most charge between $6 and $8 per vehicle for daily-use.  I could not find information about “free days”.

North Carolina State Parks – From the North Carolina State Parks website – Only three parks (Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake) have entrance gate fees. Entrance fees at those parks are charged to supplement operational costs and help maintain and improve the areas for visitors.  That means that 37 of North Carolina’s 40 parks are free for daily-use.

North Dakota State Parks – North Dakota has 15 state parks and each park charges a $5 daily-use fee for vehicles.  There’s no mention of whether a fee is charged for walk-ups / bicyclists.

Ohio State Parks – From the Ohio State Parks website – Ohio remains one of the few states in the country that does not charge a general admission or parking fee at its 74 state parks. Day use facilities, including trails, beaches, picnic areas, boating and fishing facilities are free of charge.  There you have it.  74 state parks – all free for daily-use!

Oklahoma State Parks – Information N/A

Oregon State Parks – Oregon has 192 state parks and most are free for daily-use.  Those few that dew charge a fee do so on a per vehicle basis.

Pennsylvania State Parks – Pennsylvania has 120 state parks and the link will take you to their pricing page.  I couldn’t find any information about daily-use and / or parking fees.  (Edit:  As of now, Pennsylvania does not charge a daily-use fee.)

Rhode Island State Parks – Rhode Island charges $6 or $7 per vehicle for daily-use of its parks, depending on the day of the week.  Seniors receive discounted pricing.  Rhode Island has 22 state parks.

South Carolina State Parks – Information N/A Edit:  Information Here South Carolina has 46 state parks.

South Dakota State Parks – Information N/A

Tennessee State Parks – From the Tennessee State Parks website – There is no access fee charged for any state park.  There you have it.  All 53 of Tennessee’s state parks are free for daily-use.

Texas State Parks – Texas has 133 state parks, some of which are free for daily-use.  Others charge a minimal fee.

Utah State Parks – Utah has 43 state parks.  They charge between $7 and $10 for daily use.  I could not find any information about “free days”.

Vermont State Parks – Vermont has 55 state parks.  Fees range from $3 for adults – to kids age 14, to $2 for kids ages 13 – 4.  Kids 3 and under are free.

Virginia State Parks – Virginia charges $2 or $3 per vehicle for daily-use of its state parks, depending on the day of the week.  Virginia has 35 state parks.

Washington State Parks – Washington State charges $7 per vehicle for daily-use at most of its state parks.  Washington has 141 state parks.

West Virginia State Parks – Information N/A

Wisconsin State Parks – Wisconsin has 66 state parks.  The daily-use fee for most parks is $7 per vehicle.  Discounts are available for Senior Adults.

Wyoming State Parks – Wyoming charges residents $4 per vehicle for daily-use of its state parks.  Non-residents pay $2 more.  Wyoming has 25 state parks.

There were a few states for which I could not locate any daily-use fee information online.  If you see “N/A” beside a state – and you have information about that state’s daily-use fees, feel free to leave a comment and let me know.

Almost every state offers an annual pass to its state parks.  Depending on the number of times you visit your state parks and the fees they charge, the annual pass might just be a great deal.

The information in this post is a summary of my findings.  All information is subject to change at any time and for any reason.  I am not affiliated with any of the institutions to which this post links.  Before planning a trip to any state park, do your own research and find out the exact nature of any fees you may incur.

This list took a long time to put together.  If you find this list to be interesting, please consider sharing it with others via Twitter, Facebook, or StumbleUpon.  Thanks so much!

The goal of the financial timeline is to plan for future major purchases.

I define a major purchase as any item costing more than $1000.

My financial timeline focuses on purchases to be made in the next 5 years.

I create a list of items that I plan to purchase.  I am careful to consider items that might need replacing, such as the dishwasher or refrigerator, larger items like a newer automobile or lawnmower, and convenience items like a new laptop or even a pool for the backyard.

I estimate the cost of each item.  This is, at best, an inexact science.  I want to be sure that when the time comes to make a purchase, I have saved enough to actually the afford the item that I want, so I usually over-estimate the actual cost, just to be on the safe side.

Using a calendar, I create a to-be-purchased-on date for each item on the list.  There are several ways to determine exactly when a purchase should be made.  Obviously, if the washing machine is on its last legs, its purchase date needs to be sooner than later.  However, if the current model is doing just fine, a replacement might not be needed for three, four, even more, years.  The goal is to plan, as best I can, when I’ll make future purchases.  Again, this is an inexact science, but for me, its better than simply hoping I have enough to buy the things I need (or want) when I need (or want) them.

I divide the cost of each item by the number of months I have to save for each item.  Each item I’m saving for becomes its very own budget category.  By dividing the estimated purchase price for each item by the number of months until each item is to be purchased, I can estimate monthly budget contributions for each item.  Obviously, once an item is purchased, it is removed from the (active) budget categories list, and more money is freed-up, and can be used to fund additional budget categories.  That’s why its important to review the financial timeline regularly, because the amounts to be allocated to various budget categories will change over time.

I make monthly payments to myself – until such time as I am prepared to make a my next major purchase. This is the fun part.  For several months, I make contributions to my savings account, in anticipation of making a major purchase.  Then, I transfer the required amount to my checking account – and go shopping!

The financial timeline is just another weapon in my budgeting arsenal.  It helps set me – and then keep me – on track, secure in the knowledge that I’m planning for my future, and not just waiting for it.

I have decided to do a series of posts, ten in all, exploring the concept of living debt free.  This is the second post in that series.

Click here to read Living Debt Free – Part 1.

Planning For Future Major Purchases

If we are going to live debt free, we have to have a solid plan for making future major purchases.  It’s never good enough for us to simply save money and hope that we’ll have enough when we need to buy something.  Instead, our goal is to be prepared – forward thinking – and ready for when those major purchases need to be made.  Here’s our process.

The Conversation

Once every three months or so, my wife and I will sit down and talk about our financial future.  We will discuss any major purchases that we plan to make, and when we plan to make them.  The goal of these conversations is to brain-storm – so that we can create a financial timeline and a better, more useful, monthly budget.

The Financial Timeline

Each purchase that we plan to make is assigned a date of purchase on our financial timeline.  This is my super-nerdy way of saying – we have a calendar and we write down when we want to buy stuff.  This helps us know how much we need to save, how quickly we need to save it, and exactly what we’re saving for.  For a goal-oriented nerd like me, the financial timeline is a super-awesome motivator.

We also use the financial timeline to map-out our savings plan.  For example, if we want to purchase a new washing machine 2 years from now, we have 24 months to save for the new washing machine.  We divide the estimated price of the washing machine by 24 – and that’s how much we save each month.  Each future purchase becomes a budget category.  This part of the planning process is pretty simple, but things can quickly get a little more complicated.

Let’s assume we want to purchase a newer car in 4 years.  We then have a choice.  We can divide the estimated purchase price by 48 and start saving now – OR – we can wait until we have purchased the new washing machine, 2 years from now, and then start saving for the newer car.  Income is finite and there’s only so much of it that can be saved.  Living debt free requires that we make these decisions, of how much to save and when to start saving, over and over and over.  That’s why having The Conversation – and having it regularly – is so important.

The Monthly Budget

Each item on our financial timeline becomes a budget category.  Each category is funded – with the money electronically deposited into our ING Direct High Yield Savings Account.  When we are ready to spend the money in any category, we simply transfer the necessary amount to our  ING Direct Electric Orange Checking and we are good to go.  We can use the free bill-pay feature, get cash from an ATM, or use our debit card.

For us, the key to remaining debt free is to build up category-specific savings.  By assigning each dollar of our savings to a specific category, we give each dollar a purpose.  By minimizing the amount of unassigned-savings, we are able to better resist impulse spending.  And, as you know, impulse spending is the arch enemy of the debt free life.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the second post in this series.  If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to No Credit Needed, leave comments, follow me on Twitter, and come back soon.  Rock on!

I have decided to do a series of posts, ten in all, exploring the concept of living debt free.  This is the first post in that series.

Defining Debt Free

Let’s assume that I take my daughter to the doctor.  I schedule an appointment, my daughter sees the physician, I give my insurance card information to the doctor’s office manager, and then my daughter and I go home.  Three months later, I receive a bill from the doctor, for the balance on my daughter’s account, the portion not covered by insurance.  Technically, this bill is a debt – a debt that I owe and a debt I am obligated to pay.

Let’s now assume that I take my son to the movies.  I reach for my wallet and find that I’ve left my cash at home – and all I have is my credit card.  The movie starts in two minutes, so I swipe the card and buy our tickets.  A month or so later, I get a bill from the credit card company.  This bill is a debt – a debt that I owe an a debt that I am obligated to pay.

Let’s further assume that  a friend approaches me and asks me to sponsor him in a 5k charity race.  I sign up for a per kilometer donation.  Two months later, my friend’s charity sends me an envelope in the mail, with an invoice for the amount I’ve pledged.  This is, again technically, a debt – a debt that I owe and a debt I am obligated to pay.

It’s nearly impossible to function in the modern world without monthly bills, future monetary obligations, and some type of “debt”.  So, for the sake of this series, here’s how I will define debt free:

I am living debt free when I can meet all of my financial obligations without paying interest or making loan installment payments.

Hopefully, the above makes sense.  Basically, I do not want to borrow money in order to make purchases or afford services.  Instead, I want to pay for the things that I want, need, and use.  Personally, I do not use a credit card – but it would be possible to live the debt free life and use a credit card – assuming one was paying off credit card balances, in full, at the end of each billing cycle.

Considering THE MORTGAGE

Now that I’ve defined living debt free, it’s important that I mention THE MORTGAGE.  (That’s how I see in my mind’s eye – THE MORTGAGE.)  A few months ago, we purchased a new house, so we have a mortgage.  Technically, we’re not debt free.  We’re debt free – except for the mortgage.  I do have a plan in place to pay off the mortgage early, but it’s always important to remind my readers that we do have this debt on the books.

For the purpose of this series, I’ll focus on non-mortgage debt: car loans, student loans, personal loans, etc.  Basically, I want to explore life without consumer-debt.

Exploring Pros and Cons

Now that I’ve defined living debt free and mentioned the mortgage, I’ll get to real purpose behind this series.  I want to share my own four-plus years of experience living debt free – and let you guys know some of the pros and cons associated with this type of life.  You might be surprised by some of the things that I have to say write.

I’ve outlined the series and I’m very excited about it.  It’s been a while since I’ve written regularly, because I had grown tired of the same-old-same-old type of blog post.  From this point forward, I’m just going to write posts about which I am passionate, exploring this journey that I’m on.  I hope you’ll stick around, subscribe to No Credit Needed, leave comments, follow me on Twitter, and enjoy what you read.  Rock on!

It’s rare that I’m impressed enough by a product to actually mention it here on No Credit Needed – so you know that I must really dig my new Black & Decker Battery Powered Cordless Electric Blower Sweeper and Black & Decker Battery Powered Cordless Electric String Trimmer.  Both tools are powered by an 18-volt rechargeable battery.  I like them so much that I’ve given away my gasoline powered blower and trimmer.  I just don’t need them anymore.

Our new house sits on roughly one-half acre of land.  The house is surrounded by flower beds, trees, and a play-set for the kids.  We also have a driveway and there’s a side-walk in the front of the house.  We also have small front and back porches.

The cordless blower is surprisingly powerful, providing more than enough sweeping power to remove grass clippings, leaves, and other debris from the driveway, sidewalk, and both porches.  It’s lightweight.  My son, who is five, loves to use it after I have mowed the grass.  I’ll never own another gas powered blower again.

The cordless trimmer is also powerful, with enough cutting power to trim around the house, the kids’ play-set, the mailbox, and the few trees that are in our yard.  We have centipede grass, so it’s nice to use the trimmer’s edging feature, to create nice, straight edges down the sides of the driveway and the sidewalk.  Seriously.  I’ve spent more time cranking my old gas powered trimmer than it takes to trim my entire yard with the cordless trimmer.

Both tools are much quieter than their gas powered counter-parts.  Also, it’s nice to be able to do yard work – and not smell like gasoline and oil.  In fact, each day when I get home, I take the blower down from the shelf, pop in a freshly-charged battery, and blow off the driveway, sidewalk, and both porches.  In 10 minutes, things are nice and neat, the battery goes back in the charger, the blower goes back on the shelf, and I go in the house.

For a small-to-medium size lawn, these tools are just the trick.  The fact that the string trimmer comes with two batteries is a big bonus, providing plenty of power for our trimming needs.

In case you were wondering, this is not a paid review.  I just really dig these time-saving (and I think money-saving) tools.  If you click on the links above, you’ll go to Amazon.  If you were to purchase them from Amazon, I’d receive a commission.  All proceeds go towards keeping No Credit Needed up and running.  Rock on!

I own a 2001 Honda Accord.  It’s a great little car, and even though it’s a decade old, it still gets really great gas mileage.  The paint and the interior are both in pretty decent shape, despite the fact that the right-front panel was recently damaged and repaired.  I like the car, but with growing kids and the fact that it has nearly 200,000 miles, it’s time to think about replacing it.

It never hurts to plan ahead – even years ahead – so that’s what I’m doing.

I’ve already started to compile a list of used vehicles that I might want to purchase.  I want to buy something a little bigger than the accord, maybe a small cross-over or a mid-size SUV.  I’ll be comparing gas mileage, insurance cost, safety information, etc.

I have created a budget category labeled – car replacement – and I’ll fund it each month.  Instead of making payments to a finance company, and paying interest, I’ll be making payments to myself, and earning interest.  My plan is to save up 100% of the cost of the newer car and avoid financing.

I have a good relationship with my insurance agent.  When purchasing a newer automobile, it’s very important to know how much it will cost to insure the automobile.  I’ll take a list of four or five automobiles to him.  My agent will run the numbers and let me know how much it would cost to insure each.

The Accord is in good shape and I hope to keep it for a minimum of 3 years.  At that time, I’ll consider selling it, trading it, or keeping it.  My oldest daughter is almost 11 years old.  In just over 5 years, she’ll be ready to get her license.  It would be great if the Accord makes it that long, even if she just uses it for a little while, as she learns to drive.

Obviously, if I want the Accord to last 3 (or more) years, I need to continue to maintain it.  I’ve recently had new tires put on it.  I change the oil and have it serviced on a regular schedule.  Fingers-crossed, when I’m ready for the newer car in a few years, the Accord will still be in good shape, ready to be sold, traded – or kept.

Living the debt-free life, it’s imperative that I plan – plan – and then plan some more.  There’s always something to think about, something to prepare for, something that will need replacing.  Saving enough cash to pay for the things we want keeps us out of debt – and in the long-run – save us money!

I am working on a new look for No Credit Needed.  I recently upgraded some of the software that I use to manage the site – and I am in the process of creating a new, cleaner, easier-to-use interface.  Thank you for your patience while I complete the upgrade.  You guys rock!

Last year, before we moved into our new house, I bought a shed.  I really like the shed.  It’s nice and big and has plenty of space for all of my tools.  I just have one problem -

I also have a lawn mower.

When I put the lawn mower in the shed, it’s difficult to get to my tools.  I really don’t want to store the lawn mower in the garage, it’s taking up to much space in the shed, and I’m certainly not going to leave it out in the rain.

In this picture, you can see the lawn mower.  While it fits perfectly, once it’s in, there’s no room to move around in the shed – or to use the shed for woodworking, painting, etc.  I could just move the lawn mower out each time I want to use the shed, but that’s a bit of a hassle, especially late at night when I just need to run to the shed, grab a couple of tools, and finish up a project.  The lawn mower needs its own home!

So, I’m adding a lean-to to the side of the shed.  The lean-to will be a little over 9 feet long and 7 feet wide.  I’m using some left-over metal roofing for the roof.

I started working Sunday afternoon, laying out the design.  I attached a 2X10 to the outside wall of the shed, to serve as a “nailer” for the lean-to rafters.  I’m using another 2X10 and some 4X4 posts to create the lean-to wall.  The lean-to wall and the shed wall will be connected by 6 2X4 rafters – and some support pieces.  All of the wood is pressure treated, much of it salvaged from other projects.

I worked for maybe an hour on Sunday – and may two hours late this evening.  It’s been raining for most of the past two days, and I’ve been busy with work and family.  Hopefully, Thursday or Friday, I’ll get the roof on, work something out for the lean-to floor, and post some pics.  (I was thinking about just leaving the floor as dirt, but I don’t really like that idea.  I have some old bricks, and I might fashion a little “parking pad” for the mower out of them.  We shall see.)  Oh, one more thing.  The mower will “live” under the shelter during the spring, summer, and fall, but once winter gets here, I’ll put it back in the shed.  I’ll also put it there when we’re expecting any especially bad weather.

As I get older, I find that I enjoy building things, fixing things up.  Working with my hands relaxes me – gives me a chance to get away from all of the stress associated with “real life”.  Plus, there’s something about taking a few boards, adding in a few nails, spending just a little money, and creating something.  It’s hard to explain, but it’s very fulfilling.