The Car Repair Fund & Other $$$ Goals for 2008

With little fanfare and lots of honesty, here are some of my goals for 2008:

1. Income: 225 percent increase

I've started working as a stringer (freelance reporter) for Money magazine and Florida Trend. I will continue to look for additional sources of income.

2. Establish Car Repair Fund: $1,200 yearly or $100 a month

This is a top-priority. The family car was replaced this year, but not before three-rounds of major (big-ticket!!) repairs busted the budget. We have a newer used car, but I'm budgeting for repairs.

3. Florida 529 college plans for my elementary and middle-school children.

4. Vacation Fund: $1,200 yearly or $100 a month

5. Emergency Fund: Increase by 500% percent

Other Goals:

1. Write 500 words of fiction/poetry or creative non-fiction per day

2. Shorten the to-do list; but complete more items on that agenda

3. Arrive on-time for appointments and assignments

4. Spend more time with my children and extended family

5. Increase blog traffic by 300 percent.

6. Write letters to friends & family

7. Relax, meditate & pray more

8. Stay in the moment

9. Be grateful

10. Laugh more

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Previous Posts

Today:

Hearts, Diamonds & Dollars: Tips from Warren Buffett & Cotton Threads
Yesterday:
10 Little Budget Hits from Bankrate.comHow Worrying Costs Me $6,500 a YearAirhead vs Workaholic: What I Learned about Money from Writing

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Home Repairs: When to DIY; When to Hire a Pro

When our sliding glass door gets stuck, my husband blasts the track with WD-40, a popular lubricant. But not all home repairs are so simple. Home improvement experts offer these guidelines.

There are a number of basic repairs that homeowners should master, according to Stefano Bello, manager at A1 America's Handyman in Miami. ''A normal person should be able to patch a wall,'' Bello said. Painting and pressure-washing of outdoor walls are other simple tasks.

EASY REPAIR PROJECTS
Here are some additional DIY projects:
• Fix a loose or stuck toilet handle. The online how-to library at Lowe's (http://www.lowes.com/) has an extensive and illustrated primer on the mechanics of different repairs. To repair a toilet handle, for example, Lowe's outlines these steps: 1) Take off the tank cover; 2) Remove any buildup or residue from ''the mounting nut,'' which is inside the tank, just behind the handle. Apply vinegar with a brush to remove limestone crust from the mounting nut. 3) Check the tension in the handle chain. Loosen or tighten the chain by hooking the chain on a different link.

• Basic drain repairs. Consumers should be able to clear drains with a plunger or replace drain traps. For those tasks and other basic plumbing projects, Home Depot has a step-by-step guide at http://www.homedepot.com/, click on "know how" guide.

READ THE BOX
For these next three projects, follow directions that come with the product. If you still have questions, call the toll-free number or ask for help at a hardware store:
• Change door knobs and locks.
• Remove and replace a sink faucet.
• Install a sink stopper.

Consider A Pro
Attempt these intermediate-level jobs if you have the necessary skills, knowledge and equipment:
• Insulation installation. A novice should not attempt to handle and install fiberglass insulation in walls or a roof. ''You have to know how to protect your hands and your eyes,'' Bello said.
• Bathroom tiles.
• Tub installations.
• Low-voltage installations. Home Depot offers an online guide for installing a telephone extension and a jack for cable television.

Hire a Pro
• Installation of windows or glass sliding doors.
• Electrical installations of major fixtures or wiring

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.
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