Popular home items you never want to have?

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Dude, if it's very minimal, why waste ~$100/mth when you can just diy? ...and I'm not really talking about money, why have a stranger come onto your property handling your stuff if it's a breeze?

Chemicals alone would be half that cost.

I've had the same pool guy for 3 years...he is very trustworthy.

My point is that pools are not a crazy expense by any means and you can have one yourself for a minimal cost. Most people pay $200 on cable / streaming alone a month.

No offense but you seem misinformed on how low maintenance pools are

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

Chemicals alone would be half that cost.

I've had the same pool guy for 3 years...he is very trustworthy.

My point is that pools are not a crazy expense by any means and you can have one yourself for a minimal cost. Most people pay $200 on cable / streaming alone a month.

No offense but you seem misinformed on how low maintenance pools are

None taken, as, for sure, I've never owned one, but even ppl ITT say it's a hassle, so I dunno about your pov.

Do most ppl pay $200 for that? I don't watch tv anymore and only pay for internet ~CAD62/USD45.

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by tranquility

None taken, as, for sure, I've never owned one, but even ppl ITT say it's a hassle, so I dunno about your pov.

Do most ppl pay $200 for that? I don't watch tv anymore and only pay for internet ~CAD62/USD45.

YouTube TV alone is $80...couple that with Netflix, Hule, etc it's over $200. I know someone who has DirecTV and they are paying $250 a month.

Honestly, I would urge you to get a pool. It's the best decision I've ever made in my entire life

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

YouTube TV alone is $80...couple that with Netflix, Hule, etc it's over $200. I know someone who has DirecTV and they are paying $250 a month.

Honestly, I would urge you to get a pool. It's the best decision I've ever made in my entire life

Wow, that's crazy. Naw, besides my internet bill, I get my entertainment for free.

I'm sure a pool is great, just that it doesn't fit my lifestyle.

[vreihen16]

Basements are also on my no-have list.....

[sygazelle]

For me, it's a home security system.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Basements are also on my no-have list.....

Eh??? Basements are brilliant.

On the pool thing, I have been surprised how easy it is to maintain and how inexpensive it is to run. That does depend on how hard the mrs runs the heater but to keep the water in good shape we spend maybe $100 for the entire season on chemicals, salt water systems are utterly brilliant. In saying that, my pool gets a full day of sun which really helps.

[CTinline-six]

I'm the odd one out I guess.


I have a hot tub, and it is certainly worth it. I live in New England, so the maintenance of a pool that would only get used a few months out of the year didn't make sense. The hot tub has surprisingly little maintenance. I check the chemicals a few times a month, drain the water and wipe it down/refill it every month or 2 months depending on use, replace the filter every few drains, and that is it.

I use it a lot in winter, the water temp is usually 100-101* F. It has made a world of difference for my back and sports injuries. Great for parties too.


I don't have a fireplace, but instead have a wood stove in the basement. I enjoy cutting/splitting wood. I burn about 5-6 cords of wood a year, and always get plenty of wood for free from my own property, and family/friends. Having the right equipment (tractor w/bucket, log splitter, several saws) makes the task of firewood super easy. I also have propane heat, and only filled once this winter. There is also the advantage of being able to cook/have heat when power is lost. My house is 80* during the winter, and I can walk around in shorts.

[bagekko]

My pool has a safety retractable cover, the cover only lasts about 5-6 years at a cost of $5000 to replace. The guides wear out and first year paid the company to replace at $400, second time I did them at $100. My pool is a salt chlorinating and I maybe only spend $200/yr on salt & other chemicals. My robot which I inherited is dying that's gonna be $1000. My chlorinator died last year that was almost $1000. Original pump was nearly killed by PO and was $2000 to upgrade to a really nice one two years ago. I open & close the pool else it would be $150-200 each time. I prolly spend $1000-2000 heating the pool a year. Original filters were neglected by PO and that was $750 two years ago, I clean them twice a year but need to be replaced every 3-5yrs.

Pools are expensive and you never know when the next thousands in $ is around the corner.

If you have a good pool guy that's great and rare, as most pool guys & companies are horribly unreliable.

Originally Posted by Tyga11

Chemicals alone would be half that cost.

I've had the same pool guy for 3 years...he is very trustworthy.

My point is that pools are not a crazy expense by any means and you can have one yourself for a minimal cost. Most people pay $200 on cable / streaming alone a month.

No offense but you seem misinformed on how low maintenance pools are

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

For me, it's a home security system.

Our professionally-monitored home alarm system has saved my bacon a few times now, alerting for a failed sump pump before the "brilliant" basement (ROTFL Alfisti) flooded enough to submerge the oil boiler and other stuff down there. (This is a professionally-installed alarm system with fire/smoke/flood/security sensors all over the house and detached garage, not a DIY package from Amazon.)

As for the professional-grade NVR and security cameras that I installed myself a few years ago to watch bears and deer walk down our road and through the yard, the video from that system put a punk in jail for 25-life last August for torching a neighbors house and killing the owner. I'm sure that the family of the victim agrees that proper security and camera systems are not a waste of money, and they thanked me outside the courtroom after the trial for providing the video to put their son's killer away for Murder-2.

FWIW, we live out in the woods, not an urban/suburban area.....

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Our professionally-monitored home alarm system has saved my bacon a few times now, alerting for a failed sump pump before the "brilliant" basement (ROTFL Alfisti) flooded enough to submerge the oil boiler and other stuff down there. (This is a professionally-installed alarm system with fire/smoke/flood/security sensors all over the house and detached garage, not a DIY package from Amazon.)

As for the professional-grade NVR and security cameras that I installed myself a few years ago to watch bears and deer walk down our road and through the yard, the video from that system put a punk in jail for 25-life last August for torching a neighbors house and killing the owner. I'm sure that the family of the victim agrees that proper security and camera systems are not a waste of money, and they thanked me outside the courtroom after the trial for providing the video to put their son's killer away for Murder-2.

FWIW, we live out in the woods, not an urban/suburban area.....

If I lived out in a rural setting, I'd have one too. Good for you for being able to help put away a bad guy.

I get why people have them. I had a security system on my last house and also on the one we are in now. When it came time to upgrade to current technology, I looked into it and decided to not worry about it. We have nothing of tremendous value to steal and we have insurance anyway. We live in a very safe area. Maybe it's the wrong choice, but I can say that I'm less stressed not worrying about it.

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Wow, that's crazy. Naw, besides my internet bill, I get my entertainment for free.

I'm sure a pool is great, just that it doesn't fit my lifestyle.

Why doesn't it fit your lifestyle? You don't like the idea of a refreshing swim on a hot day? It's really something you consider.

Like I said, it is very cheap and easy to maintain. There is a lot of misinformation in this thread.

[DocL]

Built into the walls vacuum system. I know many people who's kids put small toys into it.

Automation of lights and other things around the house controlled by an app. Do I really need the fridge to tell me when I'm running out of milk? And the last thing I need is some technology company knowing my routine of when I'm home or not.

[bagekko]

It also depends on location, if you are in AZ you don't have to heat your pool which costs a lot unless someone needs mother nature to do that. In Northern climates cost per use is very high and the season is short, my old neighbor in RI maybe used their pool 15-25 times over a season, we use our pool that much in a month.

Also water can be an expense, last year from a slide connection leak I had to add 10k gallons twice, I have cheap water so it was only about $100 each time. If I was in RI on city/town water that would of costed a fortune, if you have a well probably not a good idea to pull that much that fast, can get pool water delivered but that is not cheap. During the 6m pool season I must add 1-2000g water a month, that can add up for places with high water rates.

You are a rare pool owner claiming its cheap, I know no other person with a pool claiming its cheap. It may be less some years, but eventually big $ comes. Costs also vary by pool type, in/out ground, liner vs gunite vs fiberglass, size. Our medium/large 30,000g pool is a lot of work and cost, it is only 8yrs old. My friend just installed a new pool, they understand the cost & hassle and in many areas its a sunk cost and lucky if half the cost increases your home value.

Originally Posted by Tyga11

Why doesn't it fit your lifestyle? You don't like the idea of a refreshing swim on a hot day? It's really something you consider.

Like I said, it is very cheap and easy to maintain. There is a lot of misinformation in this thread.

[Alfisti]

Two grand to heat the pool? Toughen up princess.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Basements are also on my no-have list.....

I LOVE my basement! Literally doubles the amount of living space our house has. Plus I love having easy access to all he water pipes and electrical. I wish we had basements in FL.

Originally Posted by bagekko

It also depends on location, if you are in AZ you don't have to heat your pool which costs a lot unless someone needs mother nature to do that. In Northern climates cost per use is very high and the season is short, my old neighbor in RI maybe used their pool 15-25 times over a season, we use our pool that much in a month.

This. The house in NC has a pool, didn't really want a pool, but we liked everything else. We actually enjoy the pool, but would much rather have it at the FL house. In NC we get maybe 2-3 months where the water is bearably cold. Now admittedly I'm a little bitch when it comes to cold water, but still that's way too short. Will probably have to get a heater eventually. Since it spends most of its time closed the maintenance is not to bad. During the summer I enjoy going out there and scooping the leaves (of course there is a giant tree right next to it) adding chemical etc.

Probably also depends on your situation. I work from home and have no kids, so I have a lot of time to do stuff like that. If I had to deal with kids and spend all day at work then have to deal with the pool in my free time... probably wouldn't like it as much.

Also have 2 of the inflatable hot tubs. One at each house because I love those. We had a "real" hot tub in the FL house when we bought it. That thing was always broken. The guy I had who would fix it basically gave up and said to just get a new one he wasn't fixing anymore leaks.

However these inflatable ones are awesome. No mechanical maintenance. Just throw a cap of chemicals after we use it, change the filter every so often and done. If it gets too dirty just drain it and fill it again. Plus if it does break or just starts to fall apart not to concerned at under $200.

[bagekko]

LOL, that's the wife she demands the pool be 82+, me and the kids are fine it being colder.

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Two grand to heat the pool? Toughen up princess.

[bagekko]

Sweet will tell the wife we'll get an inflatable hot tub for the new house we will be building in NC. Don't want to maintain both a pool and hot tub there.

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Also have 2 of the inflatable hot tubs. One at each house because I love those. We had a "real" hot tub in the FL house when we bought it. That thing was always broken. The guy I had who would fix it basically gave up and said to just get a new one he wasn't fixing anymore leaks.

However these inflatable ones are awesome. No mechanical maintenance. Just throw a cap of chemicals after we use it, change the filter every so often and done. If it gets too dirty just drain it and fill it again. Plus if it does break or just starts to fall apart not to concerned at under $200.

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by bagekko

It also depends on location, if you are in AZ you don't have to heat your pool which costs a lot unless someone needs mother nature to do that. In Northern climates cost per use is very high and the season is short, my old neighbor in RI maybe used their pool 15-25 times over a season, we use our pool that much in a month.

Also water can be an expense, last year from a slide connection leak I had to add 10k gallons twice, I have cheap water so it was only about $100 each time. If I was in RI on city/town water that would of costed a fortune, if you have a well probably not a good idea to pull that much that fast, can get pool water delivered but that is not cheap. During the 6m pool season I must add 1-2000g water a month, that can add up for places with high water rates.

You are a rare pool owner claiming its cheap, I know no other person with a pool claiming its cheap. It may be less some years, but eventually big $ comes. Costs also vary by pool type, in/out ground, liner vs gunite vs fiberglass, size. Our medium/large 30,000g pool is a lot of work and cost, it is only 8yrs old. My friend just installed a new pool, they understand the cost & hassle and in many areas its a sunk cost and lucky if half the cost increases your home value.

There are solar options for heating your pool which are very inexpensive.

I am never encountered anyone who says the pool is a money pit. Never in my entire life.

It's not, it's $100 a month and that's it.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by bagekko

LOL, that's the wife she demands the pool be 82+, me and the kids are fine it being colder.

We almost come to blows over it. She wants 85,minimum, it's fucking ridiculous.

As for money pit/no money pit, it all comes down to if shit breaks. Just adding the odd chemical and keeping the pump going is pretty minimal but if something shits itself, gets expensive fast.

[bagekko]

Cost is relative to each, what one person thinks it high/low may not be same to another.

In 4yrs after replacing my safety cover this summer, I am looking at $15k+ over those 4 years. Financially not a money pit to me but surely some might disagree.

My friend who just built a pool asked the company what to expect for maintenance, they we're told $1500 avg a year not considering abnormal heating, asked me about this I said electricity, water, heat are variable depending on how much you want/need. $1500 avg a year is best case, in a 5-6 month use your almost $300 a month.

I have cheap electricity and I suspect my pump costs $50-75+ a month to run, in many high electricity areas that would be 2-3x more.

All things considered there's no way a pool is $100/month in total costs for a typical person. My costs may be high and yours low, so many factors you are not considering.

Originally Posted by Tyga11

There are solar options for heating your pool which are very inexpensive.

I am never encountered anyone who says the pool is a money pit. Never in my entire life.

It's not, it's $100 a month and that's it.

[bagekko]

Right, which is why its best to think about the average over many years. In a magical year perhaps I could be at the mythical $100/month, I have had just about every possible thing go wrong, everyone I know gets hit with at least one major thing every few years. My buddy in NY his winter cover which doesn't last more than 3-4yrs is over $1000 for a new one. Screened in pools in AZ, TX, FL, etc sure are cheaper than those north of the mason dixon. Where I am in Utah, my retractable saftey cover saves evaporation, the wind can also take a 1" off the pool in a week, plus the dust would make cleaning it a constant hassle, that cover is $5000 to replace every 5-7 years.

Originally Posted by Alfisti

As for money pit/no money pit, it all comes down to if shit breaks. Just adding the odd chemical and keeping the pump going is pretty minimal but if something shits itself, gets expensive fast.