Advice on Land Use

Tango · #21 04/07/06, 02:01 PM

Well, my neighbor called and said he'd buy my cows. I'm selling all but my beloved Jersey and one dairy cross heifer to keep on her since I can't milk right now. I hope this is the right decision for us right now. I am saddened but it is really a small matter in the big scheme of things.

Appway, I guess I could also brick the hole??? And set the stove also on bricks? Okay I thnk I understand. I hoe I can find an affordable woodstove that can take care of our heating. Thank you.

Lizza · #22 04/07/06, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

I'm so sory to hear of your dd's medical challenges Jan

That's a tough one. I forgot to mention that an er visit for my son last year when he had health insurance was rejected and I just got those bills, $1400, last week (when it rains it pours

) They will be getting what I can send from my tight $350 month income.

The problem- I think it is a problem, don't know for sure- with my fireplace is that a 4 x 4 hole was cut out in the log wall to accomodate a brick fireplace. I am completely unsure of how or if a woodstove can be put there now or if a woodstove in the long run would be cheaper than a brick and stone fireplace. I already have the insert and some other parts so I am already onmy way to on etype of fireplace. If I could only find someone who could build it for me for a decent price...

Angie that is an excellent idea. Thanks, I will defintiely keep that in mind

Have you talked with the hospital about forgiving your debts? I don't know if this is just a local thing but our hospital has a grant program for people that can't pay. I think it's called a "bridge" grant or something. Basically you fill out some paperwork to see if you qualify (and at $350per month I don't see how you couldn't) and they will significantly reduce or even erase your bill to them. Have you contacted your state services department? Can they help at all? I don't know how it works in other states?

I know you want this medical bill payed off but I think getting your house done is the number 1 priority and sometimes we do just have to have that debt for awhile. See the absolute minimum you can pay on the medical bills. I'm sure down the road if you want to pay them off completely (when your in the situation where you can) they will work with you again to give you a discount for cash paid in full. I just couldn't see selling my livestock to pay for the hospital bills.

I'm sorry you've had such troubles! I hope this next year sees a much brighter time for you!!!

Boleyz · #23 04/07/06, 03:00 PM

I know I 'm taking a chance on getting flamed, but here goes...Has there been a geological survey on your 16 acres? If you're in East TN, there's a good chance that there's coal on your land. If there is, you could sell it, and allow someone to come and strip it for about 1/4 share of the sales.

You wouldn't have to provide any equipment or labor, and your land would be cleared and re-claimed when they finished. In a couple of years, you'd have a nice fescue pasture with a gravel road through it. I know this may sound extreme to enviromentalists on here, but it would sure save you a lot of aggravation, pulling stumps and sowing pasture. Around here, strip jobs save the topsoil for the final layer of the reclamation.

I'm actually living on a re-claimed strip mine, and it's very nice pasture.

Just a thought...it would solve your money problems and clear your land and sow your pasture, without any effort on your part. With coal prices UP...right now is a good time to cash in on coal.

Jena · #24 04/07/06, 04:28 PM

If you are one week out of surgery, I think you need to just stop and do nothing for a few more weeks. Medication can mess up your thinking (not that you sound messed up at all) and the stress of the surgery can just make things look more desperate than they really are.

All of your ideas can wait a couple more weeks until you are further into the healing process.

As for medical debt...been there, done that, still doing it. I have insurance, yet am rarely able to pay off my part all at once. Make arrangements, make payments and don't worry about it.

Jena

Tango · #25 04/08/06, 05:33 AM

Thank you for the advice and help Jena and morningstar. The hospital is paid for now and one less worry. With the proceeds of my cowsm, which have been purchased by a neighbor who cares a great deal for his herd, I can pay a few more medical bills and have some peace of mind. Peace of mind wil help me put things into perspective - I can be a real basket case sometimes

I am keeping my Jersey which is my favorite and theone that provides us with milk, cheese, and butter and she is due to calve in July or August. I'll beable to string up some fencing to strengthen the perimeter fence- the money won't all go to pay medical bills.

Boleyz, I feel like I've been duped with that parcel. It was selective cut about ten years ago and the son who took the timber only took the perimeter logs. Why? He pretty much took whatever he wanted on his father's land in the surrounding 180 acres and caused a lot of family strife among the other brothers and grandchildren. I think the timber information was withheld and am upset about it but not much else I can be at this point. I'm in southern middle TN, no coal around here I think

fordy · #26 04/08/06, 09:35 AM

................Tango , if you find that you still need additional income , you might consider selling the 16 acres on the installment basis . Even if you can't make a gain on the sale you can still charge INterest on the sale which is a profit in a way . Your income tax will only be on the interest portion of the payment if your profit on the sale of the land is basically a wash . This will give you an additional income amount each month over the life of the note . Hope you get to feeling better . fordy...

Tango · #27 04/08/06, 12:12 PM

I hope it doesn't come to that Fordy. I'd rather go to work stocking shelves or picking fruit than sell my land. Speaking of fruit I was thinking what I could plant there, rather than using it for livestock, maybe I can plant some cash trees. Maybe replant in pine trees. Still thinking....