What to do when the money runs out.

By August of 2010, I had completed the majority of the items on my to-do list. There were still a few key items I wanted to get done, however:

1. Install closet organizing system in walk-in closet.
2. Build wooden structure to create privacy on my small patio.

But I had a major dilemma... I had run out of money. This is the consequence of not creating an itemized budget before I started, and not carefully watching my expenses throughout the project.  So I had to re-evaluate my priorities. I had already bought the organizing system for the closet, so it would be fairly stupid not to go ahead and install it. But I had not invested any money into the wooden structure on my patio, so that was an easy item to scratch off the list (at least temporarily). Like I had learned with my earlier flooring experience, renovations are all about compromise.

Since I was definitely going to install my closet organization system, but was definitely out of money, I decided to do what I had tried to avoid from the very start... get my hands dirty and do the hard work myself. I recruited my family to pitch in, and I am so glad I did because it turned into a very big undertaking. With 3 of us working on it, it took approximately 20 hours to build and install my closet organization system (for a walk-in closet space of about 6' by 6')!

My advice if you ever install a closet organization system: have at least 2 to 3 people installing it, otherwise it is too difficult.