i'm expecting an extra $2000 from the city. let me keep it under that, max, total.
i'm not close.
oct 12th:
plastic drawers: $30, and i'll use these for something else. this was regular $40. (delivered)
fan: $20, which i needed anyways. (delivered)
shoe rack: $10, which i need anyways. (delivered)
thermometers/alarm clock: $20. i broke my mercury thermometer and had to replace it, and the other weather station and clock is unnecessary, but was $10, and i think i'll use it a lot. (delivered)
==========================================================
$80*1.13 (tax) = $90.
oct 16th:
- wide bagel toaster: $15 (i needed a new toaster, as my old toaster is broken). this was regular $25. (delivered)
- mini fridge: $100 (i've been meaning to get a second fridge for a long time as my fridge is always packed). this was regular $200. i could have bought a used fridge for $60-70ish, but then i'd need to get it delivered. it made more sense to pay a little bit more to get it delivered for free by walmart, and for it to be brand new. (delivered)
- mini indoor grill & sandwich maker device $30 (well, now i can make the chicken in the freezer, and we'll see if i use it for things like bacon) (delivered)
- extension cord: $5. this is for the laundry area. (delivered)
=====================================
$150*1.13 = $170.
as of oct 16th: 90 + 170 = $260
oct 17th
knife holder: $10 (with shipping), it's cheap and i've been looking to get one for a long time (delivered)
kitchen/computer table: $60. this is regular $160. i need one that is 20"x48" or very close to it and lets me put something under it, and this one will do that. i don't have a table that size. (delivered)
==================================================
70*1.13 = $79
as of oct 18th: 260 + 79 = $339
oct 21st:
new kitchen scale: $17 + hst is $17*1.13 = $19. this would be regular $30. my old kitchen scale is damaged, and this is something you have to replace every few years. my last one was bought in 2021, i think. (delivered)
new bathroom scale: $16 + hst = 16*1.13 = $18. this was also regular $30. i've been looking to get this for a long time, too. (delivered)
========================================================
$37
as of oct 21st: 339 + 37 = $376.
i can use all of this when i eventually leave. i won't need to leave any of it here or find myself unable to do anything with it, in the end. further, i've found a fair bit of furniture on the curb recently, so i guess it balances out. i'd rather have bought the table used, but i couldn't find anything the right size, and this one is kind of perfect. it's a cheap and overpriced table that was marked down, but that's fine. so long as the legs are sturdy, i don't really care that it's made of composite. it's easy to clean, which is a bonus if i'm eating on it. the counters are composite. i won't have anything close to the 265 pound maximum weight on it. i simply didn't need a solid oak or otherwise expensive or fancy table in that space, i needed something cheap and functional.
i was looking at what are called console tables with a built in extension cord, but i couldn't find one that was the right size, and they tended to have metal crossing under the table to keep it sturdy, because they were so thin. i want to put a coffee table with a stereo system under the kitchen table, to save space. the kitchen table just needs to have a computer monitor, speakers and a laptop/chromebook on it, and space to eat. i will likely move the coffee warmer / induction plate to it, and maybe some other random kitchen things. 20"x48" should be fine for that.
the sturdiness issue will reduce to the legs, and i'll have to see about it. i think it looks fine, but it might be challenging to move without breaking it.
still to go:
wood plank: ??. 34" x 12" for under sink shelf & book case pins to hold it up. i need to call rona tomorrow.
that is likely everything for the kitchen.
tonight, i'm going to get everything out of it's temporary spaces and into it's right place and see how much more shelving i think i still need. i think i need another standard wall mount, but i found a third shelving unit the other day, and i may be able to just rest it on a table. i'll have to run that by the owner, who i told i would contact before i screwed anything into the wall. the wood plank is almost 100%, but i have to have a 36" piece cut at the store and i don't know if they'll deliver it. home depot's website is useless.
oct 23
i just set up the kitchen table. it's a little more sturdy than i expected. unfortunately, the table i wanted to put under it is a little too big, so i bought a three tier side table to put under it that is a little smaller, instead. it was cheap, and a three tier "industrial" table sounds like the right thing to put my stereo system on. i can then move this system, with the two tables and the stereo/laptop system, as a unit when i need to.
a package of three items disappeared this afternoon. i think my neighbours stole it, and i think it's because they might not have understood that i bought this stuff. if there's free stuff at the door, it might as well be theirs. right? except that's not how this works. i'm asking fedex to double check. it was about $30 worth of makeup and cleaning supplies on sale. i want the items back, but i may have to ask for a refund, and i'll keep an eye on them about that.
i also just purchased $100 worth of stackable cubes that are intended to function as shelving and that i will use for shelving textbooks, mostly, as well as a portable closet for the walk-in closet area, a monitor stand for the kitchen system and a two-way wired video doorbell system for the complex door way, which prevents people from knocking on my door, which is fine. i got a wired system because the wireless systems don't work very well, and are easy to hack, which is worse because you have to connect them to your home network. if the cable is 10 m, that should be enough, but i may have to buy an extra cable if it isn't. this system comes with it's own lcd monitor and acts as a doorbell, a video peephole and a two way intercom and it has a night vision function as well.
oct 23rd:
power adapter for alarm clock: $5, after rebates. it was supposed to have one but didn't, so i asked for 50% off and got it. (delivered)
three tier 13"x17" side table, for mini chromebook and nad stereo system under the kitchen table: $40 + hst is 40*1.13 = $45. this was regular $50 + hst. (delivered)
thirty modular, stackable 15x12x12 cubes for book shelves: $102 + hst is 102*1.13 = 115. this would have been regular $171 + hst. (delivered)
portable closet: $40 + hst is 40*1.13 = $45. this was regular $53 + hst. (delivered)
monitor stand: $19 + hst is $22. this was regular $25 + hst. (delivered)
wired video intercom system: $51 + hst = $57. this was normally $102 + hst.
two motion sensor night lights for entryway: $16 + hst = $19 (delivered)
======================
$308
as of oct 23rd: 376 + 308 = $684.
still to go:
wood plank: ??. 34" x 12" for under sink shelf & book case pins to hold it up. i need to call rona soon.
tweeters for celestions: ??
this is almost everything i need for the walk-in closet, the bathroom and the bedroom, as well.
i should also note the items i've recently found for free:
tall dresser for walk-in closet: free, left by previous tenant
two tier coffee table: free, left by previous tenant
low storage shelf: free, left by previous tenant
large clothing rack on wheels for walk-in closet: free, left by previous tenant
large ironing table (but i won't use it for that) for walk in closet area: free, left by previous tenant
electric kettle: free, left by previous tenant
coffee warmer: free, left by previous tenant
cutlery and dishes, including sharp fsih knife: free, left by previous tenant
ghetto hutch used as spice rack (two cabinets stacked on each other): free, found on curb
large craft table for laundry area: free, found on curb
matching set of wood speaker tables: free, found on curb
stove side cabinet: free, found on curb
utensil holder: free, found on curb
i can also add a few items i bought before i left the last place and will add that on at the end:
three level console table for voip (phone & zoom) and some kitchen storage: $40 (delivered)
sewing desk: $20 (delivered)
metal chair with leather cushions: $5 (picked up)
coffee machines: $46 (picked up)
=======================================
$111
$684 + $111 = $795
i will struggle to spend much more than this, i think. if i can get in under $1000 to really set this place up, that's pretty good.
oct 25
i need a few extra shelves in the kitchen. i don't need a full cabinet, just a few extra floating shelves. i have l-brackets, a drill and a studfinder, so i was just going to go ahead and drill the l-brackets in, but there seems to be some kind of metal plate behind the wall that's making it hard for me to make sure i'm not drilling into the electrical.
i instead bought a pack of 15 glue on pegs for $9, and a bunch of shelving pegs for another $10. they'll be here tomorrow. the glue on pegs will help me put up more floating shelves, maybe in the bathroom, with this pile of rectangular wood i have.
my big order from yesterday will also be here today, so the only things i'll be waiting for are refunds on the cleaning supplies (which i'll reorder), a package of j-cloths and the video intercom system.
i was looking at a dedicated zoom compatible videophone yesterday but think i should wait. they've come down in price a lot. i'm also there but not quite yet. this place is big enough for two voip phones, that's fine.
oversized adhesive wall pegs: $10 with tax (delivered)
bookshelf pegs: $12 with tax (delivered)
======================
$22
$795 + 22 = $817
the last thing to do in the kitchen before i can pictures up late tomorrow will be to call rona today. that's step one, just about done.
this is crazy stuff for dirt cheap, in some cases. a two way video intercom for $60? so...inflation? what's that? i'm experiencing the effects of technology losing value, and the effects of superproduction coming from china, and it's decreasing prices, while my income has come up. i've probably never been better off.
i think the missed point might be that the inflation is happening in bourgeois goods and lifestyle products, while commodities for budget items are actually coming down. it might be more expensive to be rich than it ever has been, but it's probably never been cheaper to be poor.
(...)
i have now received the five items i bought at amazon yesterday, and i have mostly set up the stereo in the kitchen, and tested to see if it works by grabbing the first cd in the pile. which was cleanse, fold and manipulate. this is appropriate for the industrial strength table. i also finished cleaning the stove and started putting away loose items. there's not much more left to do.
i've been working on designing spaces like this for a while now, and a lot of people will consider this to be a sort of dream kitchen. i'm excited to post the pictures. soon.
(...)
so, i set up my computer stand and realized the keyboard is too big. this keyboard is missing a few keys and is held together with electrical tape. i have newer ones, but keyboards are things you use up and replace, so you tape them together until they're unusable, knowing the next one will break, again.
i just bought a smaller one for $15.
kitchen system mini usb keyboard: $15 + hst = $17 (delivered)
=========================================
17
as of oct 25th: $817 + 17 = $834.
the monitor stand in the kitchen is now setup and i've run an ethernet cable to it. i've now set the system up, and am eating some salsa and watching the most recent fall of civilizations.
i'll be going back to the oversight committee project and starting over again imminently, which is here:
oct 26th
i got the rest of my stuff in this afternoon and i was able to get three shelves up, which was the last thing to do, for now. the four packages that came in were the mini keyboard, the adhesive pegs, the bookshelf pins and some j-cloths.
the last things left are the doorbell and the big wood plank. next, i need to finish some bulk purchases that i'll probably do via uber and then take a run to the bulk barn this week to fill up the spice shelf.
i'm going to take some pictures and start writing a post up.
oct 27th
my kitchen costs ended up being:
total cost for kitchen, including items previously purchased for last apartment, but not including food or cleaning supplies, including hst or shipping per item:
console table: $40
plastic drawers: $34
knife holder: $10
adhesive wall pegs for shelves: $10
computer desk (main table + side table + monitor stand): ($60 + $40 +$20) + hst = $136
metal and leather chair: $5
mini fridge: $115
indoor grill: $35
wood shelf: unclear
--
kitchen scale: $19 <----replacement item
bagel toaster: $17 <-----replacement item
single serve coffee maker for cappuccino grounds: $23<-----replacement item
12 cup coffee maker for regular grounds: $23<----replacement item
mini keyboard: $17 <-----replacement item
--
ghetto hutch: $0 (curb find)
stove side cabinet: $0 (curb find)
extra utensil holder: $0 (curb find)
--
kettle: $0 (left here by previous tenant)
coffee warmer: $0 (left here by previous tenant)
extra cutlery, dishes, mugs, pans, tongs, juice maker, fish knife, scissors: $0 (left here by previous tenant)
============================
$385 new items + $99 replacement items = $484 + wood shelf, probably $20-25
oct 30th
the next space to set up is the laundry / walk-in closet, along with the bathroom. both areas require soe venting work, which i'm waiting on. unfortunately, i'm still working on some legal documents.
this morning, i just bought another $300 worth of cleaning and bathroom supplies, after getting about $40 back on refunds for missing items. i'm buying everything in bulk, and it's actually cheaper, in the long run, but it means spending $130 on makeup and $120 on dish soap, which i also use for air freshener. i won't need any for quite a while. like, two years. i have 4x the amount of everything that i'd normally buy.
i also just bought a $39 five tier metal table for in the bathroom. these metal tables are inexpensive right now, and i wonder if it has something to do with the tariffs. that's fine; it's better than plywood, for the same price, or less. the other option in the bathroom was plastic, but plastic warps in humidity and under weight. this metal table will have no problem holding it's shape under the weight of 20 lbs of shampoo and other items. i also bought another $10 worth of adhesive pegs and a $16 wall mounted 6 outlet extension cord with bonus usb power outs for in the garage area. i'll need to run that from upstairs to downstairs, and it should be enough to power the work area, which i need to get a series of tables for.
i've decided to move the desk i bought as a sewing desk into my bedroom and use it as a writing desk because i found a big, sturdy craft desk outside when i first got here and that makes more sense in the laundry room and walk-in closet space. the walls are not drywalled, but they're old stone. it's not bad. i do need something on the floor, but a number of rugs were actually left here. otherwise, i think i have most of the furniture for in there already, because there was also a tall bookshelf and a low storage shelf left here that i can move into that area for that function.
bathroom shelf: $39
extension cord: $16
adhesive wall pegs: $9
=====================
$64*1.13 = $72
as of oct 30th: $834 + $72 = $906
here's my update in terms of the next two spaces.
laundry items:
tall dresser for walk-in closet: free, left by previous tenant
low storage shelf for laundry detergent: free, left by previous tenant
large clothing rack on wheels for walk-in closet: free, left by previous tenant
large ironing table (but i won't use it for that) for walk in closet area: free, left by previous tenant
large craft table for laundry area (sewing table): free, found on curb
closet organizer: $40 + hst - $45
wall mounted socket extension: $5 + hst
rugs: ??
vacuums: ??
lights: ??
there is a working washing machine and a working dryer with no exhaust that i will borrow, as a tenant
===============================
$50 * 1.13 = $57
bathroom:
scale: $16 + hst = $18
metal shelves: $40 + hst is $45
two mirrors: ??
wood for window, probably: ?
make up table: ??
lights: ??
====================
$63
these are the remaining spaces:
bedroom:
matching speaker tables: found for free on curb
shelving for books: not clear yet, i probably don't need more
writing desk: $20
alarm clock / weather monitor: $15
tweeters for celestions ??
======================
$35
in-unit garage:
motion sensor night lights: $16
extension cord to wall mounted new downstairs outlet: $16
video intercom: $51
===================
$83*1.13 = 94
side hallway:
console table (same as kitchen): $0 here, added there
shoe rack: $10
lights:
front hallway:
items for charging table:
probably where i'll put stationary for indoor bicycle
probably where i'll put cd and book shelving
couch area:
videophone:
studio:
not clear yet; probably don't need more furniture.
the kitchen required the most work, as i didn't have a kitchen table, and i needed to replace, update or buy some new small appliances. i also had that console table, which i'm adding to the cost.
still to go:
kitchen: wood plank: ??. 34" x 12" for under sink shelf & book case pins to hold it up. i need to call rona soon.
garage: space heaters:
garage: big tables for in-unit garage:
garage: bicycle rack:
bathroom: bathroom mirror:
bedroom: tweeters for celestions: ??
as all i really need to do for the laundry/closet area is clean it, i could potentially get some pictures up by monday. but i need to go back to the court documents for a few days.
total list, as of oct 30th:
(0a) through amazon site:
- power adapter for alarm clock: $5, after rebates. it was supposed to have one but didn't, so i asked for 50% off and got it. (delivered)
- three tier 13"x17" side table, for mini chromebook and nad stereo system under the kitchen table: $40 + hst is 40*1.13 = $45. this was regular $50 + hst. (delivered)
- thirty modular, stackable 15x12x12 cubes for book shelves: $102 + hst is 102*1.13 = 115. this would have been regular $171 + hst. (delivered)
- portable closet: $40 + hst is 40*1.13 = $45. this was regular $53 + hst. (delivered)
- monitor stand: $19 + hst is $22. this was regular $25 + hst. (delivered)
- two motion sensor night lights for entryway: $16 + hst = $19 (delivered)
- oversized adhesive wall pegs: $10 with tax (delivered)
- bookshelf pegs: $12 with tax (delivered)
- kitchen system mini usb keyboard: $15 + hst = $17 (delivered)
- bathroom shelf: $29*1.13 = $44 (on way)
- extension cord: $18 with tax (on way)
- more oversized adhesive wall pegs: $11 with tax (on way)
========================================
$363
(0b) through walmart site:
- plastic drawers: $30, and i'll use these for something else. this was regular $40. (delivered)
- fan: $20, which i needed anyways. (delivered)
- shoe rack: $10, which i need anyways. (delivered)
- thermometers/alarm clock: $20. i broke my mercury thermometer and had to replace it, and the other weather station and clock is unnecessary, but was $10, and i think i'll use it a lot. (delivered)
- wide bagel toaster: $15 (i needed a new toaster, as my old toaster is broken). this was regular $25. (delivered)
- mini fridge: $100 (i've been meaning to get a second fridge for a long time as my fridge is always packed). this was regular $200. i could have bought a used fridge for $60-70ish, but then i'd need to get it delivered. it made more sense to pay a little bit more to get it delivered for free by walmart, and for it to be brand new. (delivered)
- mini indoor grill & sandwich maker device $30 (well, now i can make the chicken in the freezer, and we'll see if i use it for things like bacon) (delivered)
- extension cord: $5. this is for the laundry area. (delivered)
- knife holder: $10 (with shipping), it's cheap and i've been looking to get one for a long time (delivered)
- kitchen/computer table: $60. this is regular $160. i need one that is 20"x48" or very close to it and lets me put something under it, and this one will do that. i don't have a table that size. (delivered)
- new kitchen scale: $17. this would be regular $30. my old kitchen scale is damaged, and this is something you have to replace every few years. my last one was bought in 2021, i think. (delivered)
- new bathroom scale: $16. this was also regular $30. i've been looking to get this for a long time, too. (delivered)
- wired video intercom system: $51 (on way)
======================
$384*1.13 = $434
(0c) items purchased at previous apartment:
three level console table for voip (phone & zoom) and some kitchen storage, now an entrance table (kijiji): $40 (delivered)
sewing desk, now a writing desk (kijiji): $20 (delivered)
metal chair with leather cushions, now a kitchen table chair (kijiji): $5 (picked up)
coffee machines (walmart): $46 (picked up)
=======================================
$111
(0d) items left by previous tenant:
tall dresser for walk-in closet: free, left by previous tenant
two tier coffee table: free, left by previous tenant
low storage shelf: free, left by previous tenant
large clothing rack on wheels for walk-in closet: free, left by previous tenant
large ironing table (but i won't use it for that) for walk in closet area: free, left by previous tenant
electric kettle: free, left by previous tenant
coffee warmer: free, left by previous tenant
cutlery and dishes: free, left by previous tenant
(0e) items found on curb since may and grabbed for apartment fix up purposes:
ghetto hutch used as spice rack (two cabinets stacked on each other): free, found on curb
large craft table for laundry area: free, found on curb
matching set of wood speaker tables: free, found on curb
stove side cabinet: free, found on curb
utensil holder: free, found on curb
(1) for kitchen:
console table: $40
plastic drawers: $34
knife holder: $10
adhesive wall pegs for shelves: $10
computer desk (main table + side table + monitor stand): ($60 + $40 +$20) + hst = $136
metal and leather chair: $5
mini fridge: $115
indoor grill: $35
wood shelf: unclear
--
kitchen scale: $19 <----replacement item
bagel toaster: $17 <-----replacement item
single serve coffee maker for cappuccino grounds: $23<-----replacement item
12 cup coffee maker for regular grounds: $23<----replacement item
mini keyboard: $17 <-----replacement item
--
ghetto hutch: $0 (curb find)
stove side cabinet: $0 (curb find)
extra utensil holder: $0 (curb find)
--
kettle: $0 (left here by previous tenant)
coffee warmer: $0 (left here by previous tenant)
extra cutlery, dishes, mugs, pans, tongs, juice maker, fish knife, scissors: $0 (left here by previous tenant)
============================
$385 new items + $99 replacement items = $484 + wood shelf, probably $20-25
(2) for walk-in closet/laundry:
closet organizer: $40 + hst - $45
wall mounted socket extension: $5 + hst
tall dresser for walk-in closet: free, left by previous tenant
low storage shelf for laundry detergent: free, left by previous tenant
large clothing rack on wheels for walk-in closet: free, left by previous tenant
large ironing table (but i won't use it for that) for walk in closet area: free, left by previous tenant
large craft table for laundry area (sewing table): free, found on curb
rugs: ??
vacuums: ??
lights: ??
there is a working washing machine and a working dryer with no exhaust that i will borrow, as a tenant
===============================
$50 * 1.13 = $57
(3) for bathroom:
scale: $16 + hst = $18
metal shelves: $40 + hst is $45
two mirrors: ??
wood for window, probably: ?
make up table: ??
lights: ??
====================
$63