Chali

I am planning to have a custom home built and am curious about other people's experiences with being the owner/contractor on a home build. I have enough background knowledge to know the required permits and the order of the subcontractors. I also know that it is not an easy thing.

If you built your own home, is there anything you would change about the process?

Did you hire a general contractor for over-sight?

Did you pay in milestones but pay out to the sub contractors yourself or let the general contractor make those payments?

How far over budget did you go?

Thanks in advance.

Every few years my mother and sister donate their hair to the children. This year I have grown my hair out (to my waist, about 24 inches from my neck) for just this purpose. I haven't been able to donate because of my travels, not to mention the unintentionally bleaching in central China.

I just wanted to poll, a simple yes or no.

Have you ever donated?

I am visiting my family after 6 years of living outside of the U.S.. The choices for me are:

Stay with relatives

Buy a trailer

or Rent a house.

I will only be in the states for a month and I will be returning to my never ending travels and pursuit of adventure.

It would cost me about 2,000 US to rent a partially furnished house for a month.

or

I can buy a cheap trailer (yes it is a nice one) for the same amount.

I don't want to stay with family. I like them, but there is a reason I travel around. I don't like being around people constantly and find that traveling lets me be alone in a way that can not be achieved when surrounded by family.

I own land in the U.S. and purchasing the trailer would add some value to my land, as it is considered an improvement. This would be a real investment. However, empty trailers do tend to attract problems. I would be leaving after a month. On the other hand, I have someone who has said that they would watch and care for it when I am not there (as in use it but make sure not to trash it). The trailer is a single wide, formerly lived in, in good shape and great condition. I have even had it inspected. It is worth a LOT more than they are willing to sell it to me for. More importantly, it would be there when I finally return to the states permanently. Which I do plan to do but not for several years more. I like it out here.

If I rent a house there is no investment. But there is also no muss, no fuss. It would be a quick rental and give me a place to go to take a breath as I am visiting the relatives. Utilities would be included and once I leave I don't have to think about it again.

I am torn.

And I could really use the advice.

Thanks in advance.

I have two very good job offers.

One is in Abu Dhabi and pays $52000 US with housing, children's private school, health, travel, yearly vacation with plane tickets round trip, return ticket stateside and relocation costs. The position includes a three year contract and I would work 40 hours a week. The cost of living is average or comparable to the US. Abu Dhabi is a desert, but is at the coast. Sports and swimming are available. My husband would be able to get a job if he wanted.

The second is in Majuro in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It pays $30000 US, health, travel and return ticket stateside, and relocation costs. The position includes a 2 year contract and I would work 20 hours a week. Majuro is an atoll (an island of sorts). Cost of living is high and it is third world country environment. The kids education would cost $6000 a year out of pocket. There is no guarantee that my husband would be able to get a job. Majuro is a tropical island and I do love scuba diving!

It starts out a brown ball or pod that opens into five segments that look milky white, lined with fuzz. It is perhaps 1 inch across in diameter. The pod (or flower) is one of several on the plant, on long tall stems. It is growing in a garden pot in an alley near my home. Thank you.