For the third time in the last 9 months, my laptop is on the fritz. This time it’s the hard drive and the DVD-CD/RW drive (multi-drive).
Total cost to repair and recover my data: $350
- Hard drive and data recovery: $150
- DVD-CD/RW drive: $100
- Labor: $100
Replacing the hard drive is self-explanatory. Why do I have to replace the multi-drive? It’s how all the software will be loaded back onto the computer. Without it, I’m screwed. I’ll have all my data but none of the associated programs.
I would say this is unexpected, but it’s really not. I’m lucky the hard drive and multi-drive lasted over 4 years. They usually don’t last that long. I was just hoping the hard drive would hold on until fall when I have less time to work online and more money coming in from tutoring.
Plans
As soon as the bankruptcy is over and my income stabilizes, the first thing I’m saving up for (after a baby emergency fund) is a Mac Book. They are about the same price as a Windows machine now, and I soooo miss my Mac.
Productivity
My productivity isn’t what it would be if I had my own computer in my office. I’m back working on the desktop computer until they get my laptop fixed. In the last 9 months I’ve had my laptop in working order for about 6 months. That’s 3 months of lost work.
If I’m going to make a living online, I’ve got to get a reliable computer. I’m praying that keeping the Toshiba going for 6 more months will do the trick and turn the tide on my earnings. I’ve been improving steadily over the last 3 months, but I’ve got to improve exponentially over the next several months to replace the full-time income I’m earning at two part-time jobs.
I still plan to continue tutoring part-time regardless of how much I earn with any other endeavors, online or off. I enjoy it and I would do it for free if money were no object.
Technorati Tags: hard drive, laptop, multi-drive, repair cost
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June 27th, 2008
Posted by
joubess |
Maintenance & Repairs |
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UPDATE: The bee man came this morning and took care of the bees. Two large hives cost $350, but the bees are gone! Now we don’t have to run for the mail anymore!
We have an unexpected cost this month, at least $200. There is either one really big bee hive or two somewhat big bee hives under the siding of the two-floor portion of the house. The bee man said they are probably also in the space between the two floors.
The bee man is coming at 7:30 in the morning. He thinks he’ll have to destroy them because they are really hard to get out of spaces like that. He may be able to capture some and place them in the wild, but likely most will have to be destroyed. I hope he can also seal up where ever they are getting in so a new hive doesn’t come in and take the space over again.
The bees are not completely docile honey bees. They are a bit aggressive. A few chased my son into the house this week and one stung him. About 50 swarm around the outside light each night. We can’t get in or out the front door without letting a few in the house. There are a lot of dead bees on the front porch and I can’t sweep them up because they come over and investigate anyone staying on the porch for more than a minute.
I’m not sure how the mail carrier delivers the mail, but he/she does, and so far hasn’t been stung. I also manage to get the mail, but it has to be during daylight and I have to move quickly. I guess the mail carrier moves pretty quickly and doesn’t attract their attention.
Technorati Tags: bee problem, unexpected cost
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May 22nd, 2008
Posted by
joubess |
Maintenance & Repairs, Unexpected Costs |
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Hey everybody,
I’m so happy!!! I finally got my laptop fixed. It spent a month at home waiting for me to save the money to take it in, then spent another month at the shop while they got what I needed done confused. But, all is well and I’m writing this post on my laptop.
Total cost to replace the CPU cooling fan: $174.38. That’s a lot less than originally quoted and budgeted for, so now I have a little extra money. I’m very glad I chose to fix this computer. I’m also glad I got the desktop machine back in working order. Now I’ll just have to keep a closer eye on it to keep it running smoothly.
The extra money will help pay court costs and attorney’s fees when I file bankruptcy in the next couple of weeks.
It’s been a long week. It’s dead week, the week before final exams. My students are panicking and scheduling lots of extra sessions. I’m not sure whether I’ll be done Wednesday or Thursday next week. Thursday is the last day of exams, so that’s the absolute last day for this semester. I’ll have about 10 days off before I start summer tutoring for the 8th grade LEAP test.
During that time I’ll be working on my blogs, writing my son’s 7th grade homeschool curriculum, and drumming up more tutoring clients for the LEAP. I’ll keep you posted!
Technorati Tags: cost savings, laptop, money left over, repair
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May 16th, 2008
Posted by
joubess |
Maintenance & Repairs |
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