Those are very good points. Plus you have tax advantages with U.S. Savings Bonds. Obviously on a $50 bond it's all pretty academic, but as KitchenGodsWife said, they are not a bad investment at all compared to what else is out there. Instead of cashing your lonely $50 bond in, consider buying more. You can also get the Series I bonds that are indexed to the rate of inflation as well as having a minimum guaranteed rate of return. You can have money automatically deducted from your savings or checking account at intervals you choose, and bonds will be sent to you. I know a family who buys cars this way: Instead of making payments, they have $200 or so taken out of their checking account each month to buy bonds. Then when they need a new car, they cash in the bonds and pays cash for it. So they're earning interest on car payments rather than paying interest. Of course, they could invest the money in some other way, too. But I have found that at least for me, the advantage of bonds is that you see them and hold them in your hand, and you resist cashing them in until you really need to.

Hi Daisee86 I don't know if you've done a build before or not so this is based on the idea that you have not. This is an exciting journey you are about to embark on. It's a journey that unfortunately more often than not riddled with obstacles...is difficult to see the negatives without having gone through a build before, as any person who has had a pool built will attest to. Contract signers(that's you) beware! Don't assume nothing can get past you because it can. This is an earlier post, I wrote w/ a few added words, please take it to heart and keep your eyes wide open! Congratulations and hold on! Maybe you know the importance of all this already but...it bears repeating. What I'm going to say will be blunt, but extremely vital. There is only one thing and one thing only that truly matters and that is the "CONTRACT"! Anything and everything, big and/or small, make sure it is in the "CONTRACT"...explicitly.. All those involved in this adventure ...sit, talk and write out every thing you want and don't want, things you can't live without and those you can and then make sure it is in the "CONTRACT". Make sure there isn't anything IN the "CONTRACT" that you don't know about or want i.e. may not be responsible for left over dirt, owner's to replace wall, PB Logo on pool step etc. Compare your list to the "CONTRACT" and go over it again and again and take your time. The PB or salesperson can wait. **IT IS AND COULD BE YOUR SAVING GRACE**. Go to the STATE CONTRACTORS BOARD and check out the PB's license status and the list of "what to do" and "what you need to know" before signing a "CONTRACT"...IT IS WORTH IT! Do not let the rapore you may have built sway you from keeping a firm hand on the "CONTRACT" or Trust anything verbally until they have put it in writing with a valid signature and do not feel guilty for making them accountable. The PB or sales person should expect this and be used to this, if they are upstanding. If dealing with a salesman (remember all they want is for you tp sign the CONTRACT and will do whatever it takes (I think JSLWKI got it right) make sure you get to meet the PB or project manager you'll be working with before signing. Find out if they are insured, bonded etc. Find out if the PB will replace access walls knocked down, sprinklers, drains, pipes, coping, auto fill lines, gas lines, electricity, hauling away of dirt, rocks etc. all that stuff most people assume would be taken care of. Expect the unexpected, prepare for the worst and most of all Enjoy the best. It's just a harsh reality that I and many others have learned here recently. Go to the "search forum" area at the bottom of the page and type in "Concretehole" re: "OFF-CONTRACT", "Jblairgolf" or "QA4ME" or "Charlie123" for some recent pitfals. There is also a post here somewhere entitled "what you would change or do differently" something to that effect that has a lot of great info. I'm not a glass half-empty person or a knowologist or any of that.. just your average joe who has had cause to get the "CONTRACT" out and seeing some areas where I should have been more thorough. Believe me all the PB's care about after you sign is what's on the "CONTRACT". One more thing never pay up front and always hold a little back until they have completed all obligations. And have them give you a finish date. They may fight you on the money thing, but when you have everything in the "CONTRACT" you have all the power. And that's what you will need to help insure a better ride than most. you really should look at the post by JBLAIRGOLF regarding "LOGO" to get a taste of what I'm talking about. It's too bad that I had to take my rose-colored glasses off. Not bitter just a whole lot smarter. Good Luck!

Thanks, everyone, for keeping this link active with comments. I just washed 6 Sillouettes, 23 years old, using the Bissell Green Machine in 2 hours. Two of us working together. Plastic tarp taped about 3/4 way up window and onto the floor to catch water Left the shades on the windows, veins closed. For the backside, just lift the shade outward and up and stand underneath to run machine along the shade. Washed the shade in sections from the top then went back from the top to do another dry suction, one side at a time. Open the veins, might need a little shaking to loosen them, to dry. Dries in 2 hours. if you already have the machine, it is easier than taking them off for washing. Used Dawn dish soap mixed with water. It’s hard to see the before/after difference in pictures because of the lighting and shading but the suctioned water was black! Bugs in the veins - when extended and veins open, tip shades sideways and shake. Skewer with gauze wrapped around it might work but be gentle. Bugs were gone after washing.

Casper- I would offer to meet with her and if she declined I wouldn't get too offended. She may still be adjusting to the relationship. Honestly as much as I know you hate to hear it there isn't too much you can do in this situation. Even if the woman is a cruddy person do you think your Ex would stop seeing her just because you didn't give her your stamp of approval? I'm not trying to be nasty here at all, I just don't think there is alot you can do unless the woman can be proven dangerous. You are going to worry yourself sick over a relationship you are powerless to hault. I know you are concerned but this is a losing battle. If you get to pokey in the relationship you will come off as the "bitter ex" and then the relationship between you and the GF will be forever icky. Give it a little time. It may turn out that you were worried over nothing. Dealing with the ex and children from previous marriages can be uncomfortable for some folks, that goes DOUBLE if they have never dated a person with pre-existing children. When I started dating my now husband I had never dated a previously married man who had kids. It took me a little while to figure out what my role was and how to deal with his Ex wife. She was a nightmare to top it all off so it was a really tuff time for me. Maybe the new GF is having some uncertainties on how to deal. Maybe you scare her even...who knows. Relax and give it some time. Maybe she won't even be around that much longer.....