I am uncertain that I have packed everything that I really need for this trip, but am about to throw up my hands and quit worrying about it.
One slight change in plans was the pedals I am bringing along; turns out I don’t own an Allen wrench big enough to remove my road pedals (I will correct this upon my return), and they cannot be removed with a pedal wrench. Additionally, I did not purchase the correct size pedal wrench for my mountain bike’s pedals. In the end I was able to remove the pedals from my mountain bike using an old-fashion Craftsman hex wrench. These pedals are dual-sided — clipless on one side, and flat on the other — so they may be a better option for this trips after all.
I have (finally) managed to secure a hotel room in Düsseldorf for my arrival tomorrow. The hotel is not far from the main train station, and should put me in a good position to transit to the hash hotel in which I will be staying Friday and Saturday nights.
I will attempt to take and post photos over the next two weeks. I think that ITP-Reader Stacy may have become Former ITP-Reader Stacy, given a lack of comments from her over the past couple of weeks (maybe I should up my blogging game). I sincerely hope not.
US Fail
As I do for any long trip I submitted a Hold Mail request for the duration of my trip with the US Post Office. Actually, I always start tip he hold a day early to ensure that the post office is following orders. Imagine my dismay when I arrived home last night to find my mailbox filled with mail.
I am now trying to decide whether or not I should leave a note in my mailbox asking the letter carrier to take notice of my hold mail request.
The High Cost Of Living In The Future
I’ve been doing some back-of-the-envelope math in preparation for what may be happening for me in the future and damn it costs a lot to be a homeowner / car owner. Before any food, entertainment, incidental, or travel expenses I estimate that I will spend over $14,000 for a six month period. Yikes!
Here’s the breakdown:
Mortgage: 840 × 6 = 5,040
Home Insurance: 600 x 1 = 600
Property Taxes: 3000 × 1 = 3,000
Estimated Water: 26 × 6 = 156
Estimated Electric/Gas: 200 × 6 = 1,200
Cell Phone, Internet: 210 × 6 = 1,260
Car Payment: 179 × 12 = 2,148
Auto Insurance: 750 × 1 = 750
Recurring Subscriptions: 50 x 6 = 300
Total: 14,454
Feel free to remind me of what I forgot to include in these calculations. I hope that it’s not much more…
Next blog from Germany!
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Your car payment is only $179 a month? Did you lease it? Or, did you make a big down payment?
And – your mortgage is way less than ours, but I’m guessing you are still on a 30 year plan, where we switched to a 15 year loan a couple years back.
Did you get the grass cut?
Have a great trip!!!! I hope you will blog or re-activate FB or something so we can see what you are up to over there.
I put $10,000 down at purchase, so my car payment is $358/month, I make $179 payments every two weeks.
My mortgage is thanks to buying in 1999 in an “up and coming” neighborhood. My current mortgage is a 20-year (after a refinance about 13 years ago), and I do not escrow any money for insurance. Oh shit, I forgot to add home insurance… Going to add that now.
Cut the grass yesterday morning because I didn’t want to chance waiting until today.
There will be a nearly daily blog, hopefully with photos, as long as I can find Internet access.
Have a great trip! And why on earth would you add that up right before you leave on vacation?? Our home insurance is twice that, we may need to shop around.
Looking forward to blogs from Germany!
These numbers only represent the next six months, so everything is double annually. I also haven’t added in health insurance, which I will have to get if I go through with the Grand Experiment.
It’s sobering to know how much I will need, as it *may* help me spend less over the next two weeks.
A good Games meeting last night, though rather long, as I had to stay to the bitter end and then some, to meet with some late comers. Then they work on 85 south of the airport, beginning at 9 every night. Funnel the traffic into 1 lane- always fun.
I woke up with a bit of the vertigo this morning. I hope this is the worst of it. Maybe a walk at lunch will help.
I hope your trip is extraordinary, your language skills are sufficient and appreciated by the locals, and you locate some good beer.
Safe travels.
-FP
Have fun on your trip, that plane ride sucks though. I hope you brought enough to read/watch.
Safe travels and looking forward to the photos.
Oh, I probably have a month’s worth of content (or more) for this trip. I even overpacked my data! 🙂
Yeah, you could’ve just used your ATM card once you got to Germany, the exchange rate is the same and it saves you yet another errand when you’re already flustered getting ready for an overseas trip. Wish I’d thought to sell you my leftover euros from my trip last week. Oh well!
Also, AmEx does not care. Doesn’t that make you feel safe? Not.
Happy travels!
And what are you doing with the M6? We would gladly take care of it and save you a bunch of parking.
Where did you go, Jenka?
I probably have too much cash for this trip, or at least I hope that I don’t spend it all in two weeks. My philosophy was to get too much, and keep whatever I have left over for another trip. If everything goes to plan I will return to Europe at least once by the end of next year.
I’m doing something I rarely do, trusting Society. I am leaving it parked at the ITP Estate. If it gets stolen while I am away then it will be the final straw for me at this address and I will start thinking about moving.
I will be hiring an Uber/Lyft to take me to the airport.
If they haven’t stolen it by now… and remember today’s cars are much harder to steal than when we were boosting cars.
And remember, check into the International Terminal.
Steve – he’s flying international – I hope he will go to the international terminal. But – it is Paulie……….
Hey now. I may be a dork but at least I know there is an international terminal. 🙂
I just beat some rain while waiting for my Lyft, which was 50% off today!
However, my first (and hopefully only) setback has occurred — my flight has already been delayed by 50 minutes, and I wasn’t due to board for another two hours.
Why so early? First, it’s who I am. Second, TSA PreCheck was a snap!
Woot woot! I still don’t know how I get PreChecked, but I’m not pushing it!
Perhaps a little walk around the new terminal and a malt beverage??
Partaking in a malt beverage at this very moment. At some point I may find a quiet nook and so some reading.
Just realized that I forgot to pack a water bottle. I guess I will be buying one in Germany before the bike ride. Pity I know that I won’t be getting one as a hash giveaway.
We went to Slovenia and Italy. 2 days in Ljubljana and then took the train to Venice, Florence, and Rome. Just got back three days ago!
Oh wow, sounds like an adventurous trip.
I’m still an ITP-reader. 🙂 It’s just mostly been about bikes lately and I really have nothing to add to that conversation. Safe travel wishes!
Dude, if your property taxes are $6,000/year ($3,000 x 2), you’re getting royally screwed by the City. Even $3,000/year feels high given your descriptions of the ITP Estate. Either way you should do some homework and potentially appeal your property taxes.