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Post by krazykatlady on Mar 5, 2015 19:04:05 GMT
A couple of days ago there was a post asking for advice on whether to paint/re-do flooring, kitchen do-over, or something else, can't remember. As usual the recommendations were all over the place. Well, I have a new one for you. What do you do when you and your spouse don't agree on how to disperse the money?
If you had a chunk of change to make some improvements to your home which would you choose, something inside or outside? We are suddenly faced with this opportunity and my DH and I are on different sides of the coin. I'm not talking about major remodels but more along the lines of freshening things up. To be honest in a perfect world we'd either move or totally gut inside and out and start over. Unfortunately that's not an option.
Some of the details are - we've lived in our 40+year old home for 24 years. Carpet and kitchen linoleum was put in when we moved in so, old as dirt! Kitchen appliances - stove is new, DW about 5yr old, refrigerator - 18yr old. Laundry room - dryer is about 4 yr/old and washer is 28! Our living room furniture is old, old, old ... has survived 2 sons and a number of cats and is obviously showing much wear and tear. I think the obvious is to replace the washer(only runs on one cycle) and refrigerator which runs fine but who knows how long it will work. After that I'd really like to buy new living room furniture because frankly it's embarrassing to have people over. Flooring would be my last option.
My husband on the other hand is more concerned about what the house looks like on the outside. He wants to have it painted (last done 5 years ago), landscaped (including taking down a couple of trees) and the driveway repaved (we have a circular driveway that we cannot drive all the way around on because of tree roots that have broken through the pavement). My thoughts are who wants a house that looks nice on the outside but a dump on the inside?
I have to admit we are on a very limited budget normally and this money is out of the blue and gives us the opportunity to "fix" some things that have been neglected for way too long.
So, how would you and your spouse resolve the issues? And, what choices would you end up making?
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Mar 5, 2015 19:10:38 GMT
My husband is more concerned with the outside like yours. We've always been in agreement on the house. (I hope I didn't just jinx it.)
Because you are embarrassed to have people over I would suggest the furniture first.
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Post by gar on Mar 5, 2015 19:13:08 GMT
I can see both sides but I think in the end, you don't spend much time outside looking at your own house and I'd rather enjoy what the money was spent on more than just when I arrive home  |
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 14:41:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2015 19:18:08 GMT
I would first replace the washer and refrigerator as they are essentials, not overly expensive and will not last much longer. Plus, a refrigerator that old is sucking up a ton of energy. Replacing it will save you some money on your electric bills.
Then I would go with flooring. It's expensive to replace, but 24 year old carpet frankly grosses me out. Plus, flooring is a huge first impression issue and if it's in bad shape, it makes everything else seem shabbier.
Removing the trees could be high on my list depending on the why. Are they in bad shape and at risk for damaging the house? If so, I'd bump that way up on the priority. I wouldn't paint if it was painted 5 years ago. I wouldn't do the driveway until those trees were removed. I would want to get that done in the not too distant future, but
Furniture would be last on my list. It's not a maintenance issue that keeps the value of your house strong. I would replace items one at a time as budget allowed.
IMO, the priorities are the things that save you money (refrigerator), reduce the risk of damage to the house (trees, washer if it breaks and floods), and keep the house in overall good repair (driveway, flooring).
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conchita
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,141
Jul 1, 2014 11:25:58 GMT
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Post by conchita on Mar 5, 2015 19:20:25 GMT
Is it possible to choose one thing indoors and outdoors? Like having the drive repaired and a new washer?
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Post by scrapnatya on Mar 5, 2015 19:21:57 GMT
I would get a new washer since it only runs on one cycle and shop around for a bargain sofa. Then I would check into the driveway situation.
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879 
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Post by likescarrots on Mar 5, 2015 19:26:52 GMT
In your situation i would get a new washer first, as that has an effect on your everyday life. Then i would fix the driveway. Mostly i would fix the nonfunctional things first, then cosmetic things.
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Post by krazykatlady on Mar 5, 2015 19:29:51 GMT
The thing about the driveway is it's useless to do unless the trees are removed first AND they aren't even the trees he wants cut down! Since we are able to use the part from the garage to one of the street entrances it's really last on my list!
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Post by utmr on Mar 5, 2015 19:33:12 GMT
I'd do the outside. Trees, then driveway. Can the paint be power washed instead of repainted? That might free up some money toward the inside.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,175
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Mar 5, 2015 19:34:23 GMT
I don't know how much money we are talking here but, I would get a new washer for sure and then probably a fridge as I am sure it is not very energy efficient.
Next I would go with new flooring and paint.
Maybe you guys can compromise and do a little inside and a little outside. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Mar 5, 2015 19:35:08 GMT
as we could afford it, we fixed up the inside of our house first because that's the part we were going to look at the most. the outside was a mess, but we made it worse when we ripped the front deck off, then left it for about 2 years. lol. It was a big shock to see it from the outside and then come in and see it with cool wood plank floors, granite counter tops and a full built in bar. When a storm blew through and screwed up our roof, it forced our hand so we started working on the outside. So, since I didn't actually answer your question, I will.  I'd do both. But on a smaller scale. Paint. Start with paint. It's cheap and it's a nice freshen up for any house inside and out. The deal? Gotta do it yourselves to save money. You can also do most of that landscaping on your own. I'd probably then buy new flooring for the inside because 24 years is a long time for carpet. Don't go crazy, that might mean a lower grade carpet or laminated wood, but it will look nicer. Again, I'd consider doing it myself. I would also do a major purge (because I know you have a ton of crap, you've been there accumulating for 24 years!) and buy or make new curtains. Maybe get some nice area rugs and toss all the old towels and get new. See what you can freshen up in your house with a can of spray paint like old light fixtures, hardware in kitchen, end tables, etc. keep the washer until it craps out. It works, who cares if it's brand new or not? If it looks crappy, paint it with some appliance paint. If you've saved enough, then I'd work towards getting that driveway sorted out. That may mean that you only get the roots cut out for now, or that section dug up. Again, you'd be surprised what you can do on your own. |
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Post by krazykatlady on Mar 5, 2015 19:49:48 GMT
freebird I love you, you're a girl after my own heart. I love do-it-yourself projects though as time goes on physically its not so easy. Thanks for all the advice everyone. I appreciate ALL the input!
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Post by eebud on Mar 5, 2015 20:18:35 GMT
I would not spend the money on furniture. I would see what I could find on Craigslist if I had that many needs and not enough money to go around. You might find something that is nicer and newer than what you currently have for free or for a very low cost. I have donated barely used furniture that was bought for rooms that we didn't use a lot and now the furniture doesn't fit with what we currently have/want. One was a couch that had barely been sat on.
I would buy a new fridge and washer but in both cases, I would not go overboard fancy. There are perfectly nice refrigerators and washers that don't cost an arm and a leg.
Does the house NEED to be painted outside? You said it was painted 5 years ago. I have seen some 5 year old paint jobs that look good and others that don't. If it does need to be painted, can it be painted the exact same color so that one coat will easily do the job? Then, paint it yourself.
I would want new flooring. That will freshen up the rooms quite a bit.
But, before any of this, if there are dangerous situations that need to be taken care of, that needs to take priority. If there are situations that are going to cause other major damage then it also needs to be taken care of. I am thinking of the trees. Are the tree roots potentially going to damage the foundation of your house if they are not taken out? If they will, this needs to move WAY up the priority list.
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Post by monicad on Mar 5, 2015 20:22:48 GMT
I'm really into curb appeal; I'd hate to have a really nice house that looks bad on the outside. Most of the time, that's all people see anyway. But that's just my opinion. Is there money to do some work on the outside and do a little work inside? I'd definitely do the couches and the washing machine.
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Post by finally~a~mama on Mar 5, 2015 21:29:56 GMT
If the trees are causing problems (or will soon) I would do that first. Followed by either the driveway or the washer and fridge. I would probably leans towards the appliances unless the drive way was dangerous. Appliances that old don't have much life in them.
Next I would look for furniture on Craigslist or FB. I'd research options for carpet. Do carpet places clearance that stuff out? (Mine is 10 years old and is going to need to be replaced soon, but I'm waiting a couple more years since I have a toddler. So I don't know much about flooring options!)
I'd do landscaping myself. In my case it wouldn't be as pretty as a professional job, but you know, priorities. LOL
Last on my list would be repainting the outside of the house. If it was painted only 5 years ago I would think it would still be in pretty good shape.
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Post by ahiller on Mar 5, 2015 22:27:43 GMT
I would start with the carpet and linoleum for sure. You'd be surprised what a huge difference fresh, new carpet/flooring will make in your home.
I'd replace the washing machine and refrigerator if doing so in the future would be a hardship when they die. At the very least, you can set the money aside for the new appliances, even if you don't need to use it now. Let them run until they die but know you have the money tucked away when you need it.
After carpet/linoleum, I'd tell my husband to pick something he wants to do outside, whichever is most important to him. If there was any money left, I'd check the clearance center of a major furniture retailer and replace the couches.
ETA: Do you have any family members/friends who are handy who could help you? Maybe you can trade with them and help them out with something you are good at? If you have a friend who would be willing to help paint or lay carpet, then perhaps you and your husband can help them with projects at their house.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Mar 5, 2015 22:39:03 GMT
Compromise and split the money between inside and outside projects. Buy the materials and do the tear out and install labor yourself.
I think carpeting is disgusting, I would tear it out and if you don't have hardwood underneath I'd consider laminate which is affordable, looks great and hold up well in area's where you don't get a lot of water use.
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Post by polz on Mar 5, 2015 22:49:44 GMT
I live in my house, so I would fix inside things. I don't care if the neighours think my house is ugly.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 5, 2015 23:13:12 GMT
I would first replace the refrigerator and the washer, both are old, energy suckers and are likely to not last much longer at the stage they're at. Replacing them will save you in energy costs right now, and you might even be able to get an energy rebate for the refrigerator for replacing it.
Next I'd take a good look at the trees. Are they just ugly, or are they looking like they might fall on the house? Former, they can wait. Latter, they need to come down. We've had trees taken down at our lake place and it can cost into the THOUSANDS of dollars for bigger trees so if it's not a true need, I would wait on it.
If you decide the trees aren't an emergency situation, I would look at the flooring next. It's something that will freshen up, update and add some value to the house, plus putting in new anything will make it easier to keep clean. I agree with others that 24 year old carpet is nasty!
Exterior paint should last 10-15 years at least, that would be the last thing on my list. It would be a toss up for me with the driveway and the furniture. What will enhance your life more, the furniture or the driveway? The answer to that would be my next choice.
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Post by jmurray on Mar 6, 2015 12:15:08 GMT
Unless you're planning on selling in the near future I would do the inside then outside. I live on the inside, and frankly don't care what anyone thinks of the outside (as long as it's not a complete eyesore and is kept neat and clean). Curb appeal really is only an issue when selling. Having said that though, there are many ways to brighten up the outside without spending a ton of money. But the tree roots would be quite far down on my list. It's not preventing you from accessing your house so I wouldn't put that in the top 3.
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
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Post by likescarrots on Mar 6, 2015 19:14:00 GMT
The thing about the driveway is it's useless to do unless the trees are removed first AND they aren't even the trees he wants cut down! Since we are able to use the part from the garage to one of the street entrances it's really last on my list! But you asked for our perspective, not what we think you want to do (we already know that from your OP). |
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Post by smokeynspike on Mar 7, 2015 4:39:02 GMT
My home is meant for ME so I would be fixing up the inside. You know, the stuff YOU have to live with every.single.day. of your life! This would be even more so if I felt like having the money to spend on it didn't happen all that often!
Melissa
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
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Post by Rainbow on Mar 7, 2015 5:00:13 GMT
I would do the inside. (I kind of ignore the outside.)
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