Three important words

[Jokarva]

There are three important words to remember when you move to your retirement homestead and find it needs a new roof, a new kitchen, new furnace, floor repairs, plumbing repairs...

It's only money

[Shamrock]

Ouch. That's a good attitude to have, though. (The one about the money, not the crying.)


shamrock

[emdeengee]

That is a great attitude. When it comes to repairs I hope that four words you will hear are "I don't know how". I have a husband who is not afraid to say he does not know how to do something so will find out how or if necessary hire someone. I have a BIL who would rather die than admit. Their house repairs always end in a huge mess - physically and financially.

[Harry Chickpea]

Originally Posted by Jokarva

There are three important words to remember when you move to your retirement homestead and find it needs a new roof, a new kitchen, new furnace, floor repairs, plumbing repairs...

It's only money

NOT a good attitude to take. It is only money until you start to run out of it and you need to buy food or medicine. The three words to remember are:

FIND IT CHEAPER.

New furnace - Craigs List? New roof - three competing bids minimum? New kitchen - really? Floor repairs - DIY Plumbing repairs - DYI / barter.

The first price you get on a lot of this stuff is the sucker price. It is YOUR money. YOU earned it. Let 'em pry little bits out of your fingers instead of opening your wallet.

[Yvonne's hubby]

Fix stuff cheap only when you cant fix it for free.

[Jokarva]

You underestimate my cheapness...

New roof was needed, got the best bid from a reputable guy - lots of fly-by-night repair people here in methville. Avoiding shoddy work is cost efficient.

Other stuff is mostly DIY, but even with that things like toilets...cabinets...appliances...all cost money. We can afford it, but that doesn't keep me from crying as I'm writing those checks.

[Harry Chickpea]

"You underestimate my cheapness..."

I like that. A lot.

[Rusty'sDog]

Before you start any major renovations, check out the "ReStores" (Habitat For Humanity). They often have stuff like cabinets, doors, windows, etc at a fraction of the retail prices. It also serves a worthy cause.

In US: Environmental Initiative: Habitat ReStores -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l

In Canada: Environmental Initiative: Habitat ReStores -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l