One memory I’ll always remember from back in school, shortly after moving to NZ.

Way back when, we were given a maths problem, and we had to insert our own variables. In this case, the price of a hypothetical concert ticket.

I was so naive. I literally had no idea what something like that cost. The teacher said to pick something realistic, not like $20. But I had no frame of reference myself – maybe movie tickets?! – and although I heard his comment, it just did not compute in my mind. I thought maybe I misheard the number he said.

Anyway, I obviously chose an unrealistic price and felt so ashamed and silly. And it’s far from the first time I’ve experienced sticker shock in life. But that can go in any direction, positive or negative.

All that to say: stop waffling, going in circles, and just find out! That thing you’re contemplating? Get some quotes. Check your assumptions. Don’t mull, guess, panic, project, catastrophise.

My mum asked for ideas on how much it would cost to cut down the massive trees on their property (how TF would I know?) Turned out it was way less than she imagined.

Maintenance jobs I keep putting off like getting a chimney clean, gutters cleared, even renting a chipper, are often less than I anticipate.

And some are more – renting a big skip bin, a full car service, etc. Sigh.

But the only way to know for sure is to get out of your head and find out.

Get real numbers.

Price it out

You’ll often be surprised but either way, information is power.