The Last Shower.....for a few days?

Work on the bathroom is due to start this morning and I can't concentrate. I've never been through anything like this. I have a few things to do in preparation, like hide the cats.

How ironic, this is the first thing I saw on my home page this morning:

6 Worst Home Fixes for the Money: home projects that don't pay for themselves.

1. Home Office Remodel: The national cost average is $28,000 and at resale the return is 49%.

2. Sun room Addition: $73,000, the return is 51%.

3. Upscale Master Suite: $224,989 (this is more than our house) with a return of 56%.

4. Upscale Garage Addition: $82,311 with a 58% return.

5. Bathroom Addition: $38,186 and the return at sale is 60%.

6. Upscale bathroom Addition: $72,538 with a 60% return.

Five very good investments in the house are deck addition, vinyl siding, minor kitchen remodel and window replacements. These improvements will cost between 10 and 20 thousand and return about 80%.

I didn't see anything about a small modestly priced bathroom remodel. I should be happy we're not doing an 'upscale' for 72 grand.

I did our taxes yesterday. I was surprised that this is the tenth year I've used Turbo Tax. I noticed a few changes. When you finish a section and the refund increases Turbo says, "AWESOME."

You're getting a refund, "AWESOME."

You're getting a big refund.

Your tax liability is very small.

You feel guilty you're not paying more?

You can always send a donation to the government.

You're not that guilty?

Over the next few weeks I'm going to try to post updates on the work. Please hang in there with me and keep your fingers crossed it all goes well. I really don't want to dip into that tax refund.