January 21, 2014 - Andy Arthur.org

Going to Have to Get the Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir Fixed

Andy | January 21, 2014

It’s leaking. I think there is something wrong with the sensor, as the windshield washer fluid light doesn’t go off, and I noticed after filling up the fluid again, that it’s visually leaking. I thought I had a problem in the past, unfortunately I think I am past the bumper-to-bumper warranty, so I’ll either have to replace the windshield reservoir myself or take it a garage.

Shouldn’t be too big of a deal, although I got to pull the accessory battery and tray to get to it. At any rate, whatever solution I choose shouldn’t break the bank. Still rather annoying to have to fix it on a 2 ½ year old pickup truck. I guess things break.

Annoying that Big Red's windshield washer reservoir is leaking and needs to be fixed.

Really Getting Tired of Renting

Andy | January 21, 2014

For almost 6 ½ years, I have lived in my rather inexpensive apartment in Delmar. It’s a fairly run-down building with mold problems, although my landlord was pretty responsive last week, my neighbor called and took care of the backed up sewer. Still the flood wasn’t that bad, but I was still annoyed about having to deal with a flood that wasn’t really even my fault.

With all the tax credits for homeownership, it really is a pretty good deal – even if I probably couldn’t find a home the size my of my apartment for purchase. Honestly though, I tend to think my apartment is too big, and eventually would like to downsize – those mini-houses you see on the various off-the-grid websites are pretty neat.

First though, I got to get out of the city and Albany. I really don’t want to own land in New York State or make any long-term investment in the state. Property taxes are pretty high and I don’t like the SAFE Act or the open burning ban. I just want to be left alone by the government and live in a place where people mind their own business.

It's cheap and in a good location, but it's pretty run down and in the city. Go figure.

Middle of the Winter

Andy | January 21, 2014

The roads are covered with salt, and generally are real cold and nasty. We’ve readed yet another arctic blast that’s going to jack up heating bills again. At this point though, the days will not be as cold as January-December, and the cold doesn’t bother me as much, so I doubt the heating bill next month will be quite as high.

I delayed paying off my credit card until the end of the month to avoid getting dinged this month for a low bank balance as happened last month. Money is always tight after saving for retirement, my lift kit, and general savings. I’ve cut way back on gas expenses, but there is always bills for supplies, rent, and utilities. This is a three-paycheck month so hopefully I can dig myself out of the hole this month, and maybe even pay back the $200 I loaned myself in December, but hell I don’t know. It’s going to be tough.

Money is tough to manage, especially when there are so many damn things competing for it.

Got My Truck Washed Last Night

Andy | January 21, 2014

Next door where I live there is a gas station and car wash where I sometimes get gas. The car wash was closed for several years when the gas station was closed, and then it was closed for a while as it was rehabilitated. It’s one of those fully automatic car washes that you drive into, the doors shut, you park and big wands go flying over the car.

I was a bit worried my truck would fit. The washer has a maximum height of 7 inches, and I think my truck is 6-8” right now, so I knew it would be tight. Probably won’t be able to use it after I jack up my truck though. But it seemed to work quite well, and now my truck is shiny clean and free of salt. I had noticed on Saturday when I went to check the oil and add windshield fluid fluid, that were some signs of minor corrosion appearing under the hood, so I wanted to get the salt off, particularly as the truck sat parked until Saturday or Sunday next week.

The truck was a little wet from the car wash when I got home. With the latest arctic blast, I doubt I will be able to get the doors open until it warms up a bit. Oh well, I wasn’t planning on driving it until the weekend or maybe even Sunday.

My truck was so salt covered, and I didn't want to let it sit for a week with the salt rusting things, so I got it washed.