Blog Archive: March 2021
Vilgāle apt update: Window Casing, Drywall ceiling
| Home Remodeling | 11 seen
Now, when the floor is poured in and hardened enough, contractors continued works.
As usual, we spent these days in Jūrmala and communicated with contractors only via phone. I really love it. Next month we are planning to leave for Georgia, and I hope all will keep going as smooth.
The only thing that concerns me - I have a little cash drag now, all funds are almost dried up and new ones are not yet coming in. The biggest problem I have a negative cash balance in the stock market and cannot take out my profit, Hope to solve this in coming months.
Anyhow, here are the latest pics from the renovation project
Kitchen corner
In the future, here will be a modern kitchenm area, with cabinets, fridge, oven, dishwasher, sink and of course a nice dinning table, but for now some gaps are filled, windows casing is built and drywall ceiling with rock wool is installed
Preparing to install drywall wall
here a central heating wood pellet stove will be installed, and storage for wooden pellets will be built.
Living room
Now, this looks awesome already
Living room
The window casing is made. here it is planned a flat-screen TV on the wall and a huge coach
Master bedroom Under construction
Almost done here, left is to finish windows casing and wall around it, and some paint job can be started soon
for the next weeks, it's planned to finish installing drywall ceiling and finish window casing
Cost so far:
- Water plumbing: EUR 60
- Sadales Tīkls: EUR 60
- Electrician: EUR 155
- Architect: EUR 800
- Removing walls and floor: EUR 775
- Chalk removing, / wiring: EUR 500
- Wall plastering/frame for drywall ceiling (bedroom): EUR 875
- New windows: EUR 1,252
- Window replacement: EUR 200
- Estrich floor with an underfloor heating system and all plumbing: EUR 1,916
- Rock wool for the ceiling, drywall constructions, drywall, and some wiring: EUR 866
TOTAL: EUR 7,459
Former Archaeological Museum Building in Tbilisi from a Drone Flight
| Tourism objects | 15 seen
The former Archeological Museum Building in Tbilisi is a great example of Soviet architecture in Georgia.
I was first introduced to this place by amazing Brutal Tours back in 2017.
Music by: Scott Holmes - Inspirational Outlook
Filmed and post-processed: September 20. 2020
Vilgāle Apt Update: Windows replaced, New Floor with underfloor heating installed
| Home Remodeling | 7 seen
At the end of February, I got a call from the windows guys, informing me that windows are fabricated (in Poland), delivered to Latvia and they are ready to install them.
We agreed they will install them on Monday morning. As we kept spending our days in another part of Latvia, I asked to send me the final images.
After windows were replaced, a new concrete floor with an underfloor heating system was installed. Here are some pictures
New windows installed
These are so-called 6-pane glass windows
Plastic windows from the inside
This one is the kitchen window
Once the windows were installed, contractors moved on and started preparing the floor for dry concrete (Estrich) with underfloor heating
Preparing floors for dry concrete
The pipes visible outside from the floor in the future will be the backbone of the heating system
Master bedroom under construction
In the future, it's planned to install here hardwood flooring (parquet)
Pipes for underfloor heating
Bathroom. during the construction process, we decided to install a small sauna later here (instead of a bath tube)
Sand mixer machine
It was a convenient way to pour in concrete using this compressor aggregate and making all concrete outside
Some special laser aggregate to pour in the floor in a right level
Pouring in new concrete floor
new concrete flooring with underfloor heating system
I was told that a total of 8 cm concrete floor were poured in
for the next weeks, it's planned to install drywall ceiling and finish window aisles
Cost so far:
- Water plumbing: EUR 60
- Sadales Tīkls: EUR 60
- Electrician: EUR 155
- Architect: EUR 800
- Removing walls and floor: EUR 750
- Chalk removing, / wiring: EUR 500
- Wall plastering/frame for drywall ceiling (bedroom): EUR 700 ( EUR 175)
- New windows: EUR 1,252
- Window replacement: EUR 200
- Estrich floor with an underfloor heating system: EUR 1,500
- Rock wool for the ceiling, drywall constructions, and some wiring: EUR 250
TOTAL: EUR 6,227 ( EUR 175)
With that said, the total cost for the purchase and renovation (so far) has reached EUR 10K. So far we have spent around EUR 109 per square meter for renovation works
Narikala Fortress & Mother Georgia from a Drone flight
| Tourism objects | 15 seen
Narikala Fortress and Mother Georgia are one of the most visible tourist attractions in Tbilisi.
It was at the end of August 2020 - I made a sort but lovely drone footage (DJI Mavic Mini) at both of these places.
Narikala Fortress & Mother Georgia
Circuit cinematic flight around St. Nicholas church
Music by: Scott Holmes - Together we stand
Made with Love in Adobe Premiere Pro, Tbilisi August 23, 2020
The White Dune At Saulkrasti
| Tourism objects | 18 seen
The White Dune is one of the landmarks of Saulkrasti, on the Vidzeme gulf coast. The dune offers a splendid view of the sea, the mouth of the Inčupe River and the vast beach.
Probably, best visited in Summer, we made a short visit here in February 2021
The White Dune formed as the wind drove beach sand over the clay silt of Baltic Ice Lake. Its white 18 meters high sand outcrop once helped local fishermen find their way home. The dune got its name from its white, hardened layers of sand which look like sandstone.
Baltic sea near Saulkrasti
Landscaping has been conducted in the area, and the slopes of the dune have been reinforced. Although the dune is covered by a pine tree forest, its steep slope, which faces the sea, is still visible.
The White Dune from a drone flight
On your way to the White Dune you will see linden trees named after Russian Empress Catherine II. Legend has it that Catherine II planted the trees while vacationing at Pabazi seaside.
The White Dune at Saulkrasti
The approximately 4 kilometers long Sunset Trail winds from the White Dune to the center of Saulkrasti. By walking this trail you will be able to see the landscape typical of the Saulkrasti, its wide, sandy beach and fore-dunes, the Pēterupi River and tall pine trees growing. Beautiful views of the river valley and the sea can be observed from several vantage points on the trail.
Gergeti Trinity Church from a drone flight
| Tourism objects | 10 seen
Gergeti Trinity Church is a must-have to visit destination in Georgia. The church is located at an elevation of 2170 meters, under Mount Kazbegi some 160 km North of the nation's capital Tbilisi
Gergeti is one of our favorite spots in Georgia, as a rule of thumb, we try to get there at least twice a year. Many thanks to Nata Avsa and Johann Kritzinger for hosting us at their little Paradise
Music by Scott Holmes: Never Miss a moment!
Taken with DJI Mavic Mini
Vilgāle Apt update: Wall plastering, Wiring, Preparing to Install Drywall for Ceiling
| Home Remodeling | 6 seen
Here comes another quick update from renovation works at our Vilgāle apartment
This week contractors have plastered most of the walls, finished wiring, and have started to prepare to install drywall for the ceiling.
Just like in the previous weeks - I was absent from the works and spent our days in Jūrmala
Master bedroom under construction
Almost done here, except just windows, drywall ceiling and flooring is missing (should be done in the next few weeks)
Living room
walls are plastered here
Kitchen / dining area
most of the upcoming works will be in kitchen/bathroom
Renovation works
a huge accent has been put for the max comfort of the electricity plugs and switchs (the more, the better)
Vilgāle apt renovation works
for the next week it's planned to replace windows and pour in new floor
Cost so far:
- Water plumbing: EUR 60
- Sadales Tīkls: EUR 60
- Electrician: EUR 155
- Architect: EUR 800
- Removing walls and floor: EUR 750
- Chalk removing, / wiring: EUR 500
- Wall plastering / frame for drywall ceiling: EUR 700 ( EUR 175)
- Window replacement : EUR 1,252 (230)
TOTAL: EUR 4,277 ( EUR 405)
Batumi Botanical Garden from a Drone flight
| Living in Georgia | 14 seen
Batumi Botanical Garden is a must-have to visit tourism attraction site when in Batumi.
Botanical Garden is actually located at the place called Mtsvane Kontskhi ("The Green Cape") within a distance of some 10 km from Batumi city on the Black Sea shore, it is one of the largest botanical gardens in the former Soviet Union.
With kiddo at the kindergarten, I now have some time to post-process some older files. Taken with DJI Mavic mini, August, 2020
Music by Scott Holmes: Positive energy
More to come
Ice Fishing on Lielupe River
| | 11 seen
It has been already the second winter we are spending in Jūrmala, and there is one cool thing we have noticed while driving to Riga via Lielupe bridge (next to Rimi) - Ice Fishing on the Lielupe River
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice fishers may fish in the open or in heated enclosures, some with bunks and amenities.
In today's Piece of Life series - Ice fishing on Lielupe River taken with DJI Mavic Air 2 drone, February 17, 2021
ice fishing on Lielupe River
Bridge over Lielupe river
February 2021 Dividend Income Report - $62.69
| Investments | 46 seen
Welcome to the forty-sixt (#46) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks and peer-to-peer lending in February 2021.
The last February we spent in Latvia, did some huge progress with our apartment renovation works in Vilgāle. Torn down walls, get electricity wiring, new windows installed and new floor with underfloor heating installed. Huge progress.
Vilgāle apt renovation works
From the perspective of dividend income - Last February was not bad nor good. The thing is it is about a year already I'm not focusing on dividends at all, instead, I'm growing my total portfolio using options trades. In total, we took just shy $62.69 in dividend income last month.
Compared to the previous February in 2020, when we took $251.15 in dividend income, our monthly dividend has decreased by -75.04% (-$188.46). A year ago we did set a goal to take at least $320 this month, now this didn't happen.
Luckily, an additional $4,808.86 was made from options trading.
As options trading is not a passive form of making money while you are sleeping it wouldn't be fair to include them in dividend income reports.
Check out our options income report here: February 2021 Options Income Report - $4,808.86
Interest income in February 2021
From the stocks and peer to peer lending we got the following income last month:
Ticker
Earnings
FGB
€23.83
O
€8.26
RA
€7.01
Mintos
€5.00
EDF
€4.51
ET
€3.22
AAPL
€0.44
Total EUR 52.24 / USD 62.69
Monthly income
I've been tracking my journey towards million dollars in a savings account since January 2017. 4 years already.
Monthly dividend Income chart as of February 2021
The cumulative earnings for 2021 now are $113.64 which is exactly 4.37% from my goal of 2021 ($2,600). On average, it would ask me to generate $248.64 every month for the next 10 months to reach my goal. Right, now this goal looks pretty hard.
2020 in Review and Financial Goals for 2021.
Goals for February 2022
This is my favorite part of the reports - trying to forecast/set goals for the next year. But before setting a goal for 2022, let's see what I forecasted/said a year ago (February 2020)
For February 2021 I have a goal to reach $320, to get there will add more quarterly stocks paying dividends in Feb (like FBG, PBCT, and T) + also a few monthly paying dividend stocks. From today's perspective looks quite possible.
nope, month after month I keep missing my dividend income targets. When setting goal for February 2022 I will go with a humble $100
Guest House Laidi
| Hotel reviews | 11 seen
Guesthouse "Laidi" is located in a beautiful place in the Kuldiga region. The guest house will welcome everyone who wants to relax from the daily rush, enjoy a swim in the beautiful pond or organize any important celebrations.
We found this awesome place as it offers a sauna rental for just EUR 40 for about 3 hours
Guesthouse Laidi
Situated next to the private Saulieši lake, guest house Laidi offers a guest, house, boat rental, sauna, camping.
Sauna house at Guest house Laidi
We have agreed to come here for more sauna for the next few Saturday's