Ya know, a cheap, surplus 8x2 LCD from ebay (or something) would probably cost the same as the 7 segment LCD, less wiring to set up, a LOT easier to code, and you can get them in a relatively decent size (as in big and easy to see) and backlit. Plus, you'd have extra character space to put more characters on there, and with the extra pins not used up by the 7 segment display, you could add more features in the future. Not to mention not having to add the extra transistors+bias resistors (or mosfets).
Just a thought...
Bookmarks