My husband’s photo: View from Diamond Head, Honolulu, Hawaii.
In a few minutes, David will be back with chocolate covered long johns from Larry’s Bakery. Yum yum. Please don’t criticize us for indulging in sugar and carbs. After all, this happens just once a week, if that.
I sit here in front of the computer, wondering what I should write about. Nothing earth shattering has happened to me lately.
Recently, I finished reading NFL star Tim Tebow’s excellent memoir, Through My Eyes, followed by Hawaii resident Kaui Hart Hemmings’ successful novel, The Descendants. Both books kept me riveted, and I read them in two days. I recommend them highly. Now, I am trying to finish Harry Bernstein’s second memoir, The Dream, which I started months ago but got sidetracked by other projects. Bernstein was already in his mid-nineties when he wrote this second memoir. Last year, he died at the age of 101 after completing his fourth memoir. I have read his first and third. He is a terrific writer!
They say money isn’t everything, but what would we do without it? This week alone we have had our roof replaced, signed paperwork to have our aging solar water system replaced, and will be replacing our malfunctioning refrigerator in the kitchen. Our property tax is due next month, also. It’s a miracle we manage to pay off our credit card balances every month and avoid a carry-over to the following month. Yes, David and I manage our money wisely, and we do live within our means.
The state and federal governments really want homeowners to install energy-efficient solar water heaters. If you have had such a heater for more than 15 years and are replacing it, or if you are a first-time buyer, you will receive a $750 rebate plus 65% in tax credits to offset your purchase. After all is said and done, our new system will cost only $1,753. Very affordable, and think of our reduced electric bills.
Well, David is here with our long johns, so I’ll close by saying: ALOHA FROM HAWAII AND MAHALO FOR STOPPING BY!
January 28, 2012 at 8:50 am |
No judgment here, Gigi! I am so glad you are able to live within your means. It’s incredibly important for those of us who are retired, and increasingly more difficult. Thanks for all the nice comments you leave on my blogs. It means a lot.
January 28, 2012 at 9:27 am |
We considered getting a solar water heater, but decided to just stick with the photo voltaics instead of having two systems. That sounds like a great deal though!
January 28, 2012 at 10:09 am |
We get a $3 discount on our electric bill every month because we don’t have a solar water (although we do have photo voltaic). The discount is because we allowed HECO to install an energy scout meter on our water heater. During high usage periods, electricity to our water heater shuts off, but since installing it several years ago we have never been inconvenienced. In fact on top of the HECO scout we have a timer installed (to turn our heater on only during certain hours of the day). While the savings was very miniscule before, after installing photovoltaic the discount is now a large fraction of our monthly bill. Last month, our first net metering month, we saw our monthly electric bill reduced from $18 to $15. We inquired with HECO if photovoltaic will null the discount and their answer was do you have a solar water system? So in a convoluted way, we are better off not having one. And if we need more electricity, the better route will probably be to add more PV panels. Plus, another consideration is that solar water systems are usually installed near the water heater which for most homes is smack middle on the roof making it difficult to install PV panels later by limiting available roof space.
L. from W.
January 28, 2012 at 3:11 pm |
I have decided not to install photovoltaics because I was told my electric bill is so high (due to a/c) that we don’t have enough roof space for the panels we will need. So it is not cost-effective for us.
January 28, 2012 at 10:16 am |
Gigi – I didn’t know they had long johns in Hawaii. You don’t want any earth-shattering news…life is good…enjoy the beach.
Be sure and look for nails on the ground and in driveway cracks from the roofing job. Even with a metal detector, one nail still found my tire after a reroof job.
Yum, I want a Krispy Kreme donut or long john….DrumMajor
January 28, 2012 at 10:43 am |
OTOH, solar water does cut down the total amount of photovoltaic needed. Just that dang, I’ve been happy thinking since our past electric bill good thing we don’t have solar.
L. from W.
January 28, 2012 at 3:12 pm |
If your HECO bill is only $15 per month, you really don’t need solar water. Your bill is low enough!
January 28, 2012 at 10:48 am |
I’m not much of a sweet eater but if I see a nutty donut, I’m going for it. I’m beginning to believe they are a regional thing because I have only found them in Michigan. They may be other places, not not the place I’ve looked. They are a plain cake donut rolled and covered in nuts. Not just on top, all over….. So, no judgement from me.
I’ve read none of those books and I do like bios. I’ll have to look for them.I looked up Harry Bernstein’s and they look extremely interesting.
January 28, 2012 at 11:13 am |
well I’ve never heard of chocolate covered long johns! Enjoy! I know what you mean about the bills always pouring in, never any problem when it comes to spending money, even if you are a saver.
January 28, 2012 at 4:26 pm |
How I love sugar and carbs. I eat a little bit every day.
January 28, 2012 at 5:48 pm |
I had no idea what chocolate long johns were, so i Googled. They look like chocolate maple bars. Is that right?
There are those who say solar power can be cost effective here in Seattle, but I have my doubts, especially here at our house with our tall evergreen trees.
January 28, 2012 at 6:17 pm |
Chocolate covered long johns resemble chocolate eclairs. They are long and narrow and contain a creamy vanilla custard inside.
January 28, 2012 at 5:59 pm |
Hi gigi,
I am just slowly getting back to blogging and commenting.
The pic is superb, heavenly view!
And you do manage your finances quite well.
I love chocolate, so would have loved a pic of David with what he brought!
Have a fabulous Sunday both of you:)
January 29, 2012 at 3:16 am |
When I lived in Key West 60 years ago, all we had was solar hot water. Think it is a tropical island thing. Had no idea we were so ahead of our time. How nice that the govt. is helping.
Thanks for the Harry Bernstein review. I will check that one out. Amazing to have been writing well at that age.
January 29, 2012 at 4:50 am |
I have looked at all your photos of Diamand head over the past few posts and they are all beautiful. I would not mind waking up to such a scenic view every morning.
Post a picture of the long johns when you get next time I would love to know what they are
January 29, 2012 at 6:00 am |
okay!!!
January 29, 2012 at 6:57 am |
Solar water heaters are brilliant in Hawaii. We have solar panels that drive our attic fan in summer, and whenever the temps reach a critical point. This helps a lot with the electric bill. I play a game every month to see if we have lowered our usage a bit. You might feel blank this morning, but your post is not blank at all. Lots of food for thought.
Happy Sunday, Dianne