HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[chinatyke]

Not a lot of point spending scarce money when I shall be dying at some point in the not too distant future!

Me too!

[Marilyn]

Far out! I want to bang your heads together!
Just get on with living!

[Tizer]

But don't let things deteriorate too much because you'll probably live a lot longer than you expect and then will wish you'd done something about it earlier. A lot of folk fall into that trap these days due to living longer than we used to.

[Marilyn]

Exactly Tiz....I think they need to define “soon” in their estimation

[Cathy]

Groan, groan.
You’ve advised us many times Stanley
• stay positive
• onwards and upwards
• just get on with it

Guess what... Back at ‘ya!

[chinatyke]

Far out! I want to bang your heads together!
Just get on with living!

Don't worry, I think we both love life! We're just Realists.

[Stanley]

China is right, we share the trait of being realists and further, having very clear priorities. In my case, any money I can spare goes to helping my daughters through very challenging times. I would rather spend money that way than on non essential 'improvements'.
So today's tip is, when faced with a choice ask yourself which is better, a non-essential purchase or a timely gift that secures a mortgage payment or other essential bill. Given that choice, you would all do the same. That's being really positive!
There is also the peripheral matter of mortality. At my age, the only way you live with it is acceptance and concentration on what is important today. The future will take care of itself but always be aware of it. It works for me.

[Tizer]

In my case, any money I can spare goes to helping my daughters through very challenging times. I would rather spend money that way than on non essential 'improvements'.

We have the same approach but don't let the house go downhill. If your daughters are going to inherit it they won't thank you if it's declined too far.

[Marilyn]

Buggar what is left to the kids. They get what they get once we have LIVED. Our lives will be lived to OUR comfort...that is what we worked so hard for whilst taking care of them all those years and often going without for their needs. Your priorities are all wrong. We only get one life. Live it!

[Stanley]

"Your priorities are all wrong."
I'll decide that Maz, not you.
Read my post again, "In my case, any money I can spare goes to helping my daughters through very challenging times. I would rather spend money that way than on non essential 'improvements'.
So today's tip is, when faced with a choice ask yourself which is better, a non-essential purchase or a timely gift that secures a mortgage payment or other essential bill. Given that choice, you would all do the same. That's being really positive!"
My daughters and I had faced some serious events over the years and have stuck together like glue. They are quite clear about my decisions and approve. I am happy to have been of use and still pursue the same strategies. That's all that matters.

[chinatyke]

"Your priorities are all wrong."
I'll decide that Maz, not you.

Weren't Maz's remarks aimed at Tiz?

I'm sure your property is in safe hands as far as essential maintenance is concerned. Everyone changes the decor when they buy a property so it doesn't really matter about this. I'm with you Stanley on this one!

[plaques]

The old German saying.... Better with a warm hand rather than a cold one.

[Marilyn]

The best thing you can give your kids is teach them to be independent and support their own sky. This is brought home with a bump when you have them over for dinner and not one of them will get up and help with the dishes and you realise that they have NEVER helped with the dishes, even when it has been hinted at. We understand our kids are not going to put their hands in their pockets for our old age. That is fine...truly...we have got it sorted. As I said, they are welcome to whatever is left one day, after we have taken care of our needs. We will never be a drain on them. But, we won’t deprive ourselves of what we need either. ( different culture over here I think). Sorry if that offends, but that is the reality.
Money cannot buy love...

[Tizer]

My concern when I wrote `If your daughters are going to inherit it they won't thank you if it's declined too far' wasn't about money or asset value but rather that they'll be upset if you end up living in poor conditions. It's something apparent to me because of what happened with Mrs Tiz's parents. Her father had always been very capable and concerned about the state of his house but as he got less well he began to let it go and they wouldn't allow anyone to come in and do repairs. We couldn't force them to allow it. It got to a stage where there were dangerous electrics and we were in constant concern that one of them would be electrocuted. Some of the electrics had failed and there was no lighting in some areas. The garage roof leaked badly and everything in the garage got damp and declined. We all say `I'd never let that happen in my house' but when your brain slides very gradually into an early stage of dementia you don't realise it's happening.

[Marilyn]

True. I get it Tiz.
We have a modern home. Electrics won’t be a problem. Thank heavens. The worst that can happen is we let the grass grow and forget to trim the plants, but if we do retain our marbles, we can get a lawn mower man, without having to beg the kids to come and mow the lawns (and then endure their excuses).
We have given our kids every earthly thing, including deposits toward their homes and fabulous holidays. I feel no guilt that now is OUR time. We intend to enjoy our remaining years.

[Stanley]

No problems with essentials so stop worrying. My kids have always helped me, Janet even bought me this house so no problems from that end either. I think my daughters are wonderful.... the sun has always shone out of their bottoms.

[Stanley]

It's not a bad idea to occasionally rotate the dial on a thermostat back and forth across its range, they can get lazy if never altered.

[Big Kev]

Replaced mine with a combined wireless thermostat/programmer. Works very well.

[Stanley]

I don't think I'll go that far Kev, but I could well replace the old one with another manual one. I'll see how this one performs after my attack on it this morning.

[Tizer]

Do they still sell manual ones?

[plaques]

Replaced mine with a combined wireless thermostat/programmer. Works very well. The problem with the old manual thermostats was the positioning was often a compromise for overall heating and where the wiring could be placed. The wireless lets you control your favourate room rather than heat the complete house and no digging out to put wires in.

[Big Kev]

Do they still sell manual ones?

they do indeed, around £10 from Screwfix.

[Stanley]

Wonderful what rest and caution can do for terminal back pain!

[Stanley]

Don't neglect your wood burning stove for two years and expect it to draw when you need it!

[Tizer]

Dunk an old coat in oil, throw it in the fire and light it. Teach it to smook. I wonder where I got all that from?