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Free wood?

May 15th, 2008 at 02:27 pm

I wrote in an earlier post that we had some trees cut down to the tune of $750.00. They were all Oak trees. We thought we would sell the wood this winter for fire wood to recoupe (sp) some of the cost. We still have to rent a splitter at $40.00/day. The problem is that so many people are asking for the wood (for free) knowing very well our plans for selling it come this fall. I don't want to seem selfish, but I have an emergency fund that I need to build up. Smile
Vent over - sorry.

DH got paid today. After all bills are paid, we should be able to put at least $1500.00 to the emergency fund. I have really tried to watch the spending this month, but I am going to splurge and get my hair done today with some birthday money I got last week from my parents. Hope hope I feel sassy like Thrifty Ray. Big Grin

I have several cake orders to do between now and the end of the month. That shound bring in about $250.00 total. As I recieve payment, it will be added to the challenge.

9 Responses to “Free wood?”

  1. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1210862537

    RRRGH! The firewood is a burr under the saddle, isn't it? The scale is much smaller, but I have this "gimmie" problem with gardening, too. People ask for my produce and for me to give them plant divisions. They want me to root things for them, and start seeds (which I have bought!) for them, all at my own expense, time cost, and labor cost. I think they kind of see plants as something that nature just freely gives us, but they don't see the commitment on my part that goes into it all, or else they think it is really just a trifle. They see I love the work, so I must be a joy to do more of it just for them.

  2. Apprentice Fun-Frugalist Says:
    1210867831

    I'd like to think that I'd sell the firewood in your position..... why would you spend $750 dollars cutting it down, spend money renting a splitter and then give the produce away for free ??? The only obstacle would be finding something to say to the people asking for free wood.

    If I didn't particularly like the people a simple "no" would suffice. If I liked them and was afraid of upsetting them with a simple "no", I would either be honest and tell them its costing nearly a €1000 to cut them down that I don't have and/or tell them you have potential buyers lined up already.

    But then again if they were real friends, would they really be offended by not receiving some firewood that I can ill-afford to give for free. Secondly, if the shoe was on the other foot, how many of these "beggars" would be wheelbarrowing firewood free-of-charge over to your backyard that they had harvesting themselves ????

  3. gruntina Says:
    1210873956

    My husband cuts down trees for others free of charge if he gets to keep the wood. I think that is a 'win-win' on every one's part.

    Honestly I can't imagine why you would pay $750 dollars to have the oak tree(Unless there were many?) cut down and still have to deal with splitting the wood and getting rid of it. The going rate for Oak is 200 dollars a cord which usually fills up a pick-up bed.

  4. littlemama Says:
    1210875751

    tina, there were a total of four trees cut because there was a danger of them falling. They were eaten up with carpenter ants. The men who I hired would have doubled my cost had they hauled it away. I made plenty of calls before deciding on who I would hire, and I am very happy with their work. In Texas the going rate for a cord is $250.00. So far it really hasn't been that much of a hassle. The kids are working and getting outside more. We are all working together as a family, and that is always nice. Should be able to get at least three cords out of all of it.

  5. pretty cheap jewelry Says:
    1210876901

    Don't feel bad saying no. I scrounge wood for our fireplace to heat the house in the winter (in CA) where wood is pretty scarce. I do fine finding it free and putting in some sweat equity cutting pieces landscapers leave behind. The folks who need it can get it with some work on their part.

  6. littlemama Says:
    1210881254

    What really bothers me tho is these people that are wanting the wood are all financially stable.

    One is older, and has a ranch. He has PLENTY of money, but acts like he doesn't.

    I even had a man come up in my back yard and tell me to have them cut into 10' sections and he will come back and get them. Wow! The nerve! :/

    and more.

    I do have a good friend that wants some, but that's fine. That's what friends do.

  7. klbb90 Says:
    1210934472

    Its great you can sell it. In my area most folks have switched to gas. Those that haven't can get all the wood they want for free. When trees go down owners are begging folks to come get it for free and won't go near it if it isn't cut into small pieces. Just assume the people asking are trying to do you a favor and say its something that has to be sold to recoup the cut down cost but thanks anyway for trying to help us out.

  8. Amber Says:
    1210997970

    I would put a for sale sign out even though you haven't cut it yet

  9. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1211128621

    I checked around here and wood goes for $40 to $200 for a cord. But that $40 was softwood. Most homes here are gas heated, but in the winter we smell wood smoke every night, so a few of these 100 year old homes still have functioning fireplaces.

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