Brad @ ExpertsWrite

I am starting to remodel the exterior of my home. I work on a low amount of cash flow, but figured I would tackle this job one side at a time. The first section of the house was build in early 1900, but was added onto in about 1930, and again in around 1960. The house was last sided with Masonite in the early near the 90's and the Masonite is rotting.

I tore down a small section to find tar paper under the Masonite, then OSB, then tar paper, then wood lap siding. There is nothing behind the wood lap siding, they are nailed directly to the studs. The walls lack insulation. The inside of the house has already been remodeled (well, sheetrock over the top of plaster).

So my choices now are to rip off the wood siding, fill with batt insulation, and install new OSB, install insulation board, and then house wrap before doing vinyl siding? The batts would have to be installed with the vaper barrier outward and probably wouldn't be to effective.

Or leave the wood siding, fill walls with cellulose, install OSB, then insulation board, then housewrap.

Currently I make 700 a week and am ordered to pay 95 dollars a week in child support as well as cover my son under my medical plan. My current medical plan offered by my enployer costs 85 per week for me and my son. I live 35 miles from work. I work 48hrs a week. That's all fine and dandy, but I am changing jobs soon. My new job is only going to be paying 600 a week, but offer less hours and is only a mile from work which would allow me to spend more time with my son.

Child support obligation will change, but my main question is what do I do about my court ordered health coverage. I could persue cobra payments, but 165 a week for that is not affordable. I beleive Indiana law states I only have to provide coverage if it is affordable, at a maximum of 5% of my gross income. What should I do? The new job may offer coverage, but it won't be active until my 90 days. What if my new job does not offer coverage? Any insight would be beneficial.

I am a full time mechanic. It's a pretty physical job. I am on my feet for 11 hours a day, on concrete floors for approximately 50hrs a week. When I sit to rest, even for five minutes, when I get back up my muscles burn and my joints are stiff. When I wake up in the morning the stiffness and pain are intensified to the point where I can barely walk. I am also experiencing being tired all of the time.

I can get up and go to work or work on something at home all day (16hours) and not be sore at all, but if I sit down and rest for a bit and try to get back up it hurts. I am only 24. Any suggestions?

The gas tank is rusted out. All the used tanks are in similar condition. So if anyone has any insight on where to find a new one, please let me know.