Winter 2012 Pros and Cons

Snow in 2011

"Snow" in 2012

Only 15 days until the 1st day of Spring, so lets review Winter 2012 in Kansas City.  It has been very delightful to someone who dreads driving in the snow. The reason being is my car is a rear wheel drive car. If you love snow and have a more snow capable vehicle, than you may have missed the average Midwest winter. Below is my Pros and Cons of 2012




Pros of Winter 2012:
-Saved fuel cost.  I didn't have to keep a 20lb bag of cat litter in the car 24/7 and I didn't have to add weight during a storm.  
-No lodging costs.  Saved about $60 not having to stay overnight in a nearby hotel.  
-Less stress.  There was no fretting if I should call into work. No fretting about driving in the snow.  No fretting over having the necessary supplies in my car should I wreck.  
-No missed days of work.  This is the biggest boost to my finances of all the pros.  In 2011, I missed two days of work.  I also avoided the stigma of not being ballsy enough to show up to work. 
-Our HOA is saving $1500/month not having the walks and parking lot cleared
-The environment is not having to absorb the salt and other chemicals residents and road crews use each winter
-My car doesn't have a lot of salt on it eating away at valuable parts. 
-My dog went outside!  




Cons of Winter 2012:
-No Snow Days!  No days to be stuck inside when you get to tackle projects you've longed to complete.  No days where you feel no guilt about reading, watching TV or napping.  If you do those things now, you've missed out on all the outdoor activities you could have done. 
-Desire to garden.  I usually order my seeds early December and start the seedlings shortly after for the summer's garden.  It was February before I realized I'd forgotten this entire process.  I had no longing for spring to convince me to start the garden.  
-Winter clothing.  I didn't get to wear my new parka or my favorite snow boots.  I miss tramping through the snow in my boots. 
-Bugs.  I'm fearful of the bugs we will have this summer.  Was it cold enough to kill them???
-Heat. Is it going to be super hot this summer???


There's my Pros and Cons list for Winter 2012.  It appears I feel that 2012 was more positive than negative.  If anyone gave me the choice of winters, I'd say give me Winter 2012.  The best winter I've ever known.