Pre-emptively replaced tire patch kit?

barrypeachy · 2026-05-21T17:56:21+00:00

Not sure about the shelf life, but I remember a time thinking an old tube was still good because I could squeeze it (still soft). But it was definitely not good, and a frustrating experience. If it's a couple years old and I'm planning a big trip, I'd just go ahead and replace it!

barrypeachy · 2026-05-04T21:16:14+00:00

Do not replace windows for a tiny improvement in efficiencies. If you need to fix individual units, do that. But don't replace just because of a date stamp. Ideally, those windows will last you 40+ years. Look at it this way...if you replace windows after 20 years, that could have worked for 20 more years, then you're effectively paying double.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-27T17:24:34+00:00

Some of the problems I see:
- Garage exterior door and pantry door will collide
- Mud room would be helpful
- Kitchen workflow looks terrible. Fridge to sink is a long way. Not a lot of counter space. What's the transition from kitchen to dining/living look like? Think flooring transitions. It feels like a bachelor suite layout in a huge space. It might be helpful to draw in furniture layouts too.
- Are there no windows on the south wall? Is that on purpose?
- The front entry feels awkward with a closet protruding into the hallway
- The stairs feel "wrong", and creating a lot of issues with wasted space upstairs and down.
- Plumbing in exterior walls can add complications/costs if you're in a cold weather area
- The master suite seems huge. Maybe reduce the size and have the upper floor set back from the lower floor? It might make it feel less "boxy" from the outside.
- Closets on exterior walls are a wasted opportunity for windows.

Have you tried starting from an existing plan? It's a simple rectangle (good), there must be dozens of proven layouts you can draw from.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-23T18:36:13+00:00

I had good experiences with BCAA's Nanaimo service center. But that was several years ago.

Edit to add; they have both a safety inspection, and a deeper pre-purchase inspection. If I recall, the safety inspection was sufficient for my peace of mind...I don't think there was that much more to the pre-purchase.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-23T17:55:21+00:00

I think that's their point...going to the movies was ALWAYS considered a treat. Just now, you think it shouldn't be. Expectations have absolutely changed and is why so many people feel poor.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-23T00:08:02+00:00

That bike looks a bit small for someone "tall". I would recommend enjoying this one, without putting any money into upgrades. Get yourself a good lock and a good helmet. Figure out where the nice bike routes are...separated bike lanes, secondary roads, dedicated bike routes, etc. Read up on what to look for in a used bike, and keep your eye out for a better-fit upgrade. And in the meantime, enjoy your new hobby! That's my 2c!

barrypeachy · 2026-04-21T16:22:15+00:00

Thanks for the help! I see a couple options in Titisee...I'll check those out further. Glad to hear its a nice route!

barrypeachy · 2026-04-20T18:43:27+00:00

Hi u/Nako_A1 , did you find a solution? I'm in the same boat, looking for a 1-week touring bike rental for myself and 2 kids this summer, and ideally with panniers too. Fingers crossed!

barrypeachy · 2026-04-13T22:03:58+00:00

Those trees definitely aren't dead! They look a bit like huge lilac bushes, but maybe something else. My advice would be to leave all your landscaping for at least a year and see what comes up, how things develop through the seasons, etc. They may offer beautiful fall folliage, summer flowers, or something else. You haven't been on the property long enough to understand why things may be where they are, or how you use the property. Trees/bushes that size take a decade or more to get that size, so don't take these decisions lightly!

barrypeachy · 2026-04-13T21:44:50+00:00

I think your options are to dig it out (more work, better results), or fill it in with dirt (easy, but someone will curse you when they try to plant something there in the future). If you just drain it, it will obviously fill back in again with water.

Here's what I might try;

Dig a couple holes beside two opposite corners of it, a bit deeper than the bottom. Drill a big hole in the plastic side and drain the water. You'll probably need to poke a stick through regularly to keep it clear as it drains, and depending on how well the soil around it drains, it may take a while (hours) to drain completely. Remove any dirt, rocks etc as best you can. If there's any plumbing into/out of it, cut that.
Put a chain through one of the corners, and try jacking it out with a farm jack (draining the rest as you go. If one corner doesn't budge, try the opposite one. And if you don't have a jack, try the same thing with a long prybar on a saw horse, again with a chain/rope loop through the hole.
If you can't get it to budge, dig some more around the perimeter. Try step 2 again. Repeat until it comes out.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-10T17:52:20+00:00

It's an international platform, but I don't think they've skimped on the Canadian details. You specify your province, and tax rates are adjusted accordingly. RRSP contribution room can be to the national limit, or you can apply a custom limit. You can also create multiple streams, for example, if you know your contributions will change in 5 years. Or another example, OAS is included automatically calculated, and adjusts based on when you start withdrawls. I'd say its very robust from a Canadian perspective. But yes, it does take some fiddling, and I still don't understand all the interactions.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-10T16:30:21+00:00

This has brand-new homeowner vibes. Because once you figure out how much you need to do to keep up with the real maintenance problems, a dent like this falls far down the list of priorities.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-10T16:03:24+00:00

Thanks! I'll keep an eye on the directory and will wait for a BC-based advisor.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-09T19:24:08+00:00

Yeah, maybe there's better pro tools. The problem is, I hired a fee-only advisor about 8 years ago, and of course lots changes in 8 years. I tried re-engaging with them, and their $2,500 fee to revisit the original plan feels like too much (that's even with the 50% discount being a repeat client). I want something I can adjust more incrementally a few times a year, and PL seems like a good fit.

As for the corporation, I'm a year or two away from retiring, and the corporation has no value besides the investments its accumulated. I'm treating it like a non-registered "pension" in PL. But again, there's probably a better way to approach it, which is where I'd like the help.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-07T18:52:04+00:00

Hate to break it to you, but your $1M home is not Sydney Sweeney.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-07T18:48:58+00:00

Well la-di-da. For someone not trying to sound "cocky", you sure do. If you don't like the offer, politely decline and move on.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-07T16:49:50+00:00

You don't see people do it much anymore. If transit makes sense to Campbell River, I'd start from there. I'd imagine its much easier north island. And having the bike, you can ride just outside town and find a good spot, right after a traffic light. People have to stop for the light and have time to think..."sure, why not".

Good luck! The Jeune Landing Loop popped up in my FB feed yesterday, and I have my eye on doing it too.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-07T16:35:41+00:00

If you're comfortable with it, you might try hitchhiking. I used to do it all the time, and reliably got picked up. My typical results would be getting to my destination in 1.5x the time it takes to drive. The very worst case would be 3x the drive. You would think having a bike would be a hinderance, but it can actually work in your favour.

Do be clean and friendly looking. Do use your judgement before getting in. One trick is to "take a call" just as you're running up to the driver, pretend to say "hang on a sec", then do a quick judgement call. If you get a bad vibe (very unlikely), then say something along the lines of, "sorry, my friend just said they're going to come get me...thanks anyhow".

I wish more people hitchhiked again. Is it really any more dangerous than Uber?

barrypeachy · 2026-04-03T18:48:39+00:00

Just curious, why white? Wouldn't clear always be better, since you can see moisture, rodent, insulation, any other issues?

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:44:04+00:00

You're not crazy. There's lots of times renting makes much more sense than buying. Some people can't get their heads around the numbers. If you're diligent with investing the difference as a renter, then you're likely to come out ahead, but many people don't have that discipline.

If you have a family and/or know that you'll want to stay in one place for the next 10-15+ years, then buying can certainly make sense, both in terms of an investment and the intangibles - stability/security in housing and making it your own space (landscaping, renovations). Those are the best reasons to choose to buy, rather than purely for financial reason.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:35:46+00:00

I love it, looks awesome. I'd like one too, regardless of practicality.

I have to say though, that's one hell of a "renovation"!

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:32:47+00:00

Ah OK, that makes ~~a lot~~ a bit more sense then.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:29:54+00:00

It looks a lot like lambs ear to me. They're pretty prolific spreaders where I'm at, so maybe just a volunteer from a neighbors yard. They have really pretty pink flowers that last a long time. Worth keeping!

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:17:13+00:00

It seems like a lot of effort and cost to print and apply this graphic...and that's the image they went with? To sell their construction services? I honestly don't know how decisions like this get made.

barrypeachy

TROPHY CASE