Spend or save?

I am another married to a competent electrician. He has rewired two properties, one in England to British standards and one in France to French rules. Both signed off.

When we built an extension on our previous house DH was working alongside the professional electrician who had no problems with it

What is the chance you'll need expensive care in older age?

Spend it. Get your new kitchen and furnish it with new appliances that are efficient and energy saving. Choose ovens that you don't have to bend down to put stuff in and take out and are easy to clean. Don't skimp on lighting, taps and storage solutions; put as much as possible that's easy to reach without having to use a step stool. Just do it;
and choose something you truly love and you'll get pleasure from every time you walk in the room and use it.

There are no pockets in shrouds. What you don't spend now, the tax man will spend when you're dead.

Well, this winter we were sat in our living room in chairs and sofas we were beginning to struggle to get out of. The consequence of that conversation is that we are renewing with the exception of a couple of bits of fine furniture the whole of the ground floor. Not the kitchen, as that was done a couple of years ago.

Like you we dithered but then realised that it made absolutely no sense not to ensure that our living accommodation was fit for purpose. It gives us a comfortable living standard and seating that is higher, so all easy chairs have gone in every room - to be replaced by higher easy chairs. I have in effect carried out a Swedish death clean, and the family have put in requests for various stuff. Everything else has been charitied. I have kept only what I need. 80 years of accumulation is gradually being peeled away, and very happy is it making us feel.
Rooms have been changed around and dining furniture purchased to accommodate the smaller room, because I have announced to the family that I will no longer be hosting huge family get togethers but only to a maximum of 6 people.
At present we are sitting on garden furniture😄😄 As our existing furniture has been swept away (charity etc). It has also enabled us to give our parquet a thorough spring clean (rugs mostly gone) and it has responded beautifully. Just the hall left to do.

I initially felt guilty about the cost, but my goodness every penny has been earned and saved. Money simply sat in the bank is so sterile. We will ensure that there is enough for things like a new roof etc.

So if you are like me - go for it. We are having such fun planning colours, wallpaper, paint, new rugs etc. searching for particular vintage dining furniture - we have now some crackers - the most beautiful table and sideboard.

Happy spending😊😊

Yes go for it - but £10 k seems cheap for a new kitchen . Does that include the fitting? My SiL is just getting a new IKEA kitchen ( so not the most expensive) and its costing almost double that when you factor in new flooring, sink, taps , ,dishwasher, lighting etc

I agree. Go for it !

M0nica

There are no pockets in shrouds.

Or tow bars on a hearse!

I have become less and less concerned about spending the little savings that I have. I am not talking major expenditure like a kitchen, but smaller things - a new kindle, a recliner chair, a profiling bed - all things that improve the quality of my life while I've still got it.

I was brought up on the post war Waste Not Want Not principle and it has influenced all my expenditures in life.

I am into the Oh To Hell With It phase now. I'm just about to buy some new garden furniture having been of the mind that the rotting wooden heaps in my garden would "see me out" but now I think why not get something comfortable and enjoy it.

My children will benefit from the proceeds of the sale of my house, assuming it has not all gone on care home fees ......

Live for the day and enjoy planning and using your new kitchen.

Yes, do it! We bit the bullet six months ago and had all the doors and worktops replaced, new lights, new sink and taps, a plinth heater and built-in recycling bins. It cost us just over £8,000, but we did not replace any appliances. Do get at least 3 quotes though as we found there was a huge difference between companies for basically the same thing.

I'd say that as long as the layout, electrics etc. are working for you as they are and the cabinets themselves are sound, it's a great way of getting a new-looking kitchen without all the disruption of ripping out all the units and starting again. We did have to empty everything out of the cupboards but the whole process took just 3 days and was so worth it. I love my kitchen now, I just can't believe how much lighter and fresher it looks and for the first time in over 20 years I didn't spend the winter months shivering while I was preparing meals!

If you have the money and it will bring you happiness go for it

Can't take it with you,and to be honest the thought of someone else spending my hard saved money makes me cringe 😬 🙃

Please take care my friend had a company who replaced doors and worktops they were a nightmare so as others have said get a few quotes or better still personal recommendations
I look at my mum who’s 90 she’s got so much savings and is like a miser. So try and enjoy life a little while who can.

That is a good price to be fair !
Our financial adviser told us recently we need to start spending some money as we are in our 70s and what do we save for? We have helped out the children as we were in a position to do so , so they are ok
I say enjoy the new kitchen as you obviously deserve it ! Or have a great holiday to make new memories

Just do whatever pleases you today if you can afford to as tomorrow is not a given particularly as we age.

Rosemarysage - look at this way - you and your siblings are going to be pretty well-off😂 Sorry, that was crass.
But really, at 90, there’s not much she can spend her money on. If she has a good appetite, ask her to go to nice restaurants with her family and friends and she can pay for it all. But if she is a ‘miser’ she won’t do that either.
The fact remains, it’s too late for her to change .

Spend, treat yourself to a beautiful kitchen.
Don't go on holiday while it is being done though. We made that mistake a few years ago. We returned to an empty room where our kitchen had been. Nothing had been done other than the room being stripped. Never again.

Norah

dollydaydream68

Thanks for your encouragement. My head says spend, may heart's not so sure. I know if it all goes on care home later I'll be mad.
I know we can afford it, just scare about what it's?
We have good savings but also conscious that it can't be replaced.

I assume your kitchen is fit for purpose?

If so, continue saving. I've no need for a new 'nice' kitchen.

Opinions vary.

My kitchen was built in 88, it is dated and worn and some would say needs replacing. I am however 82 so have no intention of upgrading at this time of my life. I do not spend a lot of time in the kitchen these days, do not entertain, have few visitors and never for food, so what is the point. If I had family visiting and entertained regularly it would be a different issue, but not as I live. As Norah says opinions vary. I am however decorating the. whole house inside as it has not been done since 2006 when we added a top floor, so like a new build where cracks start to show. Just emulsion and paint, but it will be nice when it is done. Fresh & clean all around. Others would rather have a new kitchen and fresh paint or perhaps they would do both if the money was there.!!

What you saving all that for Kids, government?

Look at it as “future proofing” make your kitchen manageable for you when you can’t reach the higher cupboards, stand over the cooker for long, reach down into the oven. Have somewhere to sit! Even my sink is too high now and I have to stand on a step. Would say it depends on your state of health but you can’t predict the future. Do it and enjoy it.

To be honest treat yourselves. You will only pay tax on it!

Spend

dollydaydream68 I had my kitchen doors replaced 2 years ago. I just want to say that I used a company - Kitchen Makeovers and they did NOT do a good job. I had to get another kitchen fitter to rectify the problems. It was very costly. Be sure that you choose a good company. Best wishes.

Enjoy your new kitchen.
It is quite hard when you grew up with no money, both at home with parents and in married life, to change mentality to spending money when you are used to saving.

I don’t spend money for the sake of spending.
I couldn’t ever bring myself to spend money on designer handbags for example, or pay £2000 for something I can buy for £200, but I don’t hesitate to turn the heating up on a chilly day.
I am only just starting to allow myself to not count the cost when planning a holiday. It is more important that it is suitable for me than that it is within a certain budget eg I am paying quite a hefty single person supplement for a certain holiday I will enjoy rather than one without a sps that I don’t fancy.

Dont bother with the kitchen, who cares at our age, the young wont like it anyway, probably rip it out when house goes, just go on a couple fab holidays instead, life is short, my hubby died in 5 short days from being as fit as a fiddle, I have a lot of regrets not doing more leisure, never seen a gravestone with " they had a lovely kitchen " on it

jakuss

Dont bother with the kitchen, who cares at our age, the young wont like it anyway, probably rip it out when house goes, just go on a couple fab holidays instead, life is short, my hubby died in 5 short days from being as fit as a fiddle, I have a lot of regrets not doing more leisure, never seen a gravestone with " they had a lovely kitchen " on it

I'm sure that new owners would rip out our lovely new kitchen if we sold or carked it, and I'd make major changes if I was younger.

However, I like my new kitchen and I'm going to enjoy the ease of the drawers etc