$1,000 - what to use it for... - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

gigimac · 03-09-2012, 11:56 AM

Kelly, also, there is nothing so fine as planting, say, a sitting/garden area, where you plant three in a group of ornamental trees that bloom in your area, and put an irregular bed all around those trees where you can put hostas, azaleas, flowers, bulbs, and butterfly-attracting plantings, and then you gravel in a nice round area next to it, and set a seating bench out there, maybe even eventually a koi pond or at least a birdbath, and then make a path out there to it, just make sure it's all in the shade with a view, and you can walk out there and sit in it and enjoy it, and really it will mostly take you physical labor, get young small plants that will grow and they are cheaper as another poster said, and you won't even spend half your money and yet have this fabulous improvement to your property. There are lots of these sorts of ways of expressing yourself out in your yard, forget about doing "landscaping," just do something fun, just for you.

I am so sorry your husband is being apparently stubborn and lazy about this, not to mention he simply does not know how this type of outdoor sharing is so simple and so pleasant and actually romantic. Maybe he's trying to protect his hands if he's a surgeon or mechanic or something, or maybe he's just tired from too much work. I have interests diff from husband, but there's a few things we like together, and one of them is the great outdoors, planting stuff, we built a whole two-story deck together one time (ages ago) and until recently always had a rather large vegie garden. He likes to dig and plant and hammer and nail. But he also does not share my interest in home decor, but that's okay, I'm in control like it is!!!

Now, sounds like your man wants to get into his fish. I'm assuming he has his own cash, and he has enough to do that. And I'm assuming your windfall is yours to do with, too. But if there's any chance he's holding out for you to pay for HIS interests, then ONLY if he will wholeheartedly share in yours, then consider it and do NOT hand over more than 1/3 of your cash. See, in the end, you should only spend your 1/3, and hang onto the last 1/3 for when you suddenly think of a new brilliant idea this summer (like an above-ground pool!? or a pretty fence for part of the yard & future puppy!?).

OH HECK, JUST GET THE POOL! Smiles. GG

Okey Dokie · 03-10-2012, 01:54 PM

I'd go with the landscaping. Just start off with some basics. Drive around and see what other people have. Get a couple landscaping books from the library so you can identify what you see. You don't have to do it all at once - a few low evergreens or other smallish plants around the foundation - a medium size tree or taller evergreen on the front corner of the house. Maybe a "real" tree for the front yard (doesn't have to be huge to begin with.) You can add more in later years. Do take a picture of your "small" tree when you plant it. In a few years you'll say, "Wow, look how much that tree has grown!"

I agree with previous advice to skip the Central Vac. My former home was plumbed for it, and I never did buy the power unit. And I didn't miss it. If you've got a two story house and don't want to drag the vacuum up and down the steps - get a second one for the upstairs.

haggardhouseelf · 03-12-2012, 04:03 PM

I'm an admirer of people who plant food, rather than ornamentals. Little seeds or even seedlings don't cost much but will produce lots of food for you and your family that will save you money and taste better than store-bought, to boot.

You could spend $1000 establishing your food and herb garden, but in the long-run save even more than that. Use the money you saved to do the other stuff... maybe even work out a trade in the future --- save your seeds and swap them or trade a crop of broccoli or greens for... I dunno... a coffee table that someone else doesn't want?

For example... kale in our area (organic) can cost as much as $4 per bunch. A little packet of kale seeds that will grow 100x that is around a dollar.

It's good to try to grow the things which are expensive in the stores... artichokes, asparagus, leafy greens, herbs, etc...

Just something to think about!

WyoNewk · 03-12-2012, 05:04 PM

A good landscaping plan is essential. Before you go too far, get a plan and put it down on paper, talk to a landscaper, get ideas. Then proceed. If you need shrubs and trees and know where you'd want them, that's the first thing to plant. Buy small and get them growing. Next year they'll be worth twice what you paid for them this year, simply because of their growth. Save a little for your flower garden. Flower gardens can be very inexpensive and still look nice.