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| Santorini hillside |
Yesterday I mailed my check in to Los Angeles County to pay my second half of property taxes for the year. It's one of my biggest bills, so I plan for it all year. It's important to mail them early, because the penalties are very steep.
This afternoon I climbed up on the ladder and used the electric hedge trimmer to cut back the two live Christmas trees that I have planted in front of the cottage. They have really grown. The rain has made all of the plants very green, lush, and healthy. The conifers even have some tiny pink flowers this year.
It's time to clean out Snow White's chicken coop. I will shovel the soiled bedding and straw into the compost pile, and replace it with a clean, fresh, yellow layer. She has started laying eggs again! That is always a sign that Spring is coming. She is such a sweet little girl. I love her white, downy feathers.
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I, too, budget year round for the property taxes, Stephenie. It is definitely my biggest expense, these days. You've had a very productive day, trimming trees! I had toyed with the idea of keeping chickens in my backyard, at one time, but, I don't think I could do all the maintenance involved. Just cleaning out Dancer's litter box is enough! One of my neighbors used to have chickens and, occasionally, one or two of them used to come into my backyard (I used to always hope they'd leave me an egg, but, they never did!). But, one day, a raccoon managed to get into their coop and killed them all! My neighbor came to my house to ask if she could check my backyard to see if any managed to find shelter, there, but, we didn't find any.
ReplyDeleteHi Bless, That happened to my neighbor, too. It's so sad. My chicken coop has a brick floor, and it's very secure. I stopped leaving a water dish outside, and it seems to help with the raccoons.
DeleteSounds like you are doing spring cleaning! We actually get a discount if we pay our taxes early. I think there are three tiers here...the best discount is the first month, and then it goes down and the third is the actual tax amount. And then if you are late after that, the penalties begin. Andrea
ReplyDeleteThat's a good incentive to pay early, Andrea. It is always a relief to have the property taxes paid for the year.
DeleteWe always budget for our property taxes also. Ours are due in December, but you can split the payment into 2 installments and pay the second installment in April. We just pay the whole thing in December. Like you-it is our biggest annual expense. Thanks for the update on Snow White-I was wondering if she was still part of your life.
ReplyDeleteI think I might start paying it all at once, too, Anita. I do love living here, though, so it's worth it. Snow White is happy and as sweet as ever. I am baking a yellow cake with chocolate truffle frosting, using her eggs.
DeleteIt's a big bill over here too. We get two months free but in truth it is probably just worked out over ten months to make us think we are getting something free.
ReplyDeleteThat's what happens with my electric bill, too, Cherie. It looks like you take very good care of your property.
DeleteGood job getting a major expense out of the way.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that yoghurt is very good for egg laying chickens, I suppose anything that helps such a productive animal is worth trying.
That's good to know, MargaretP, thanks. Hard boiled eggs work well, too.
DeleteI think property taxes would be equivalent to rates bills here in Australia. These come to us quarterly. Being out in the garden after the rain is a great place to be though all the lush growth usually means extra jobs! Meg:)
ReplyDeleteOurs are twice a year, Meg. Glad to hear that you have gotten some rain.
DeleteI put mine into a savings account with my bank, have 2 payments a year for what you call property taxes, we call them land rates/rates, mine are 6mths apart & also my biggest bill (outside my mortgage) much easier to pay when one budgets for it from each pay. we get a discount if we pay before the due date plus i get an extra discount being on a pension. still easier than renting.
ReplyDeletethanx for sharing
I like that you get an extra discount when you are on a pension, Selina.
ReplyDeleteWe keep chickens we have 6. They are a delight and all have their own personalities. Thankfully they have laid all through the winter so that has been a real bonus.
ReplyDeleteHow fun, mm! This is the first time that I've had a chicken lay during the cold season.
ReplyDelete