Money Spent

Another post that has hung around unpublished for some time. At least I've ticked one thing off. I'm over it, and publish as is. 

In the last years before I retired, I was constantly worried about whether I would have enough money to retire. I did have enough, and then the government gave me a portion of an old age pension, the extra benefits being of many things being discounted.

Before Ray died, we had paid half for our apartment to be repainted and recarpeted. It was a long discussion about whether to change to timber boards, but we decided on carpet. 

While I delayed it for a couple of months after Ray's death, it was done.

Then money from my mother's estate came through, which meant I had money to spend on what I now see as neglecting our place for some years.

In no order over two years;

New microwave.

New dishwasher (the old one failed).

New French door fridge.

New range hood.

New dinner service.

New chair cushions. 

A stand for the desktop screen to ensure I keep my head held high, and a new mat for the computer chair, and then another after the first broke, plus a new desk chair...so comfortable.

Living area venetian blinds cleaned ( a waste as I replaced them the next year). 

Bedroom of Phyllis and Kosov window tinting redone. 

Living area blinds replaced.

Living area and a couple of bedroom window tinting redone (it decays over twenty years).

New lounge chairs.

Range hood fan replaced (the old one failed). 

Extra benchtop lighting added.

New split system air con.

A robot vacuum cleaner. 

The future may see new fan lights in the living room and at installation, have the hard wired smoke detectors replaced, done. While the fan lights are very practical, my living area lights are very old fashioned and to modernise would be adding about ten recessed LED lighting fittings. While these would make the place more modern, I don't want the bright lighting and I'm quite happy with my lamps. Fan lights are what I want.

I might have new floor tiles laid over the top of the old kitchen, bathrooms and toilet tiles. Smart looking in 2026 is quite different to 1998.  

I am adding value in some areas to my home, but I don't care about that and nor am I out to impress anyone. I am spending money to please myself.