Home Improvement?

[Crowbob]

I’ve got the itch to do some. Exterior stuff like lay down some pavers, exterior stone veneer, upgrade some landscaping.

I’ve no plans to sell anytime soon, if ever. Savings go down, taxes go up, home value goes up.

For me, doing this stuff is fun, satisfaction is high and it keeps me out of trouble. Usually.

The dilemma is the current economic situation. Save or spend?

What say ye, brainiacs?

[908/930]

The only snag is the price of some materials these days is nuts, but if you didn't know the price two years ago you would not notice.

[lindbhr]

If you enjoy doing it and get satisfaction, then why not. I still do a lot of my own work as long as it’s still fun. When it turns into real work, I hired it out. Best of both worlds.

[GH85Carrera]

It all depends on your current income. Are you taking in more than is going out, and how much is in savings, both retirement and how much is "disposable" liquid cash, and how much do you want your house to look better.

My wife is a master gardener. Since she got her degree, I have dug a lot of holes, and built a lot on new flower gardens at our house. I have already been warned as soon as we can find some of the right style of garden border bricks we will be expanding the flower bed in the east part of the front yard.

Since moving in our house went from having a little area with a few bushes in it and 4 pitiful Bradford pear trees to 9 different garden areas. Each time I have less yard to mow, but lots more string trimmer time to edge the grass back from the borders.

I put in a sprinkler system and a water well just to water the yard and the gardens. The property weighs several tons more from all the brick edging, and uncounted loads of rich-mix soil hauled in. Hopefully we will not induce the Earth to wobble and throw the Earth into the sun from our added gardens.

[Amail]

Painting is a great project. Not too expensive or difficult and big impact.

[drcoastline]

Do some projects but save.

[upsscott]

I’ve learned through experience that if I can afford it, hire out. I just make small projects big projects. We are currently getting ready to switch all of our landscaping to drought tolerant landscaping. I’m hiring out for 95% of it.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

The dilemma is the current economic situation. Save or spend?

What say ye, brainiacs?

Me thinks... It's better to have your money in property than in the bank. Have enough cash to pay for booze, drugs, prostitutes and if any left over gambling (old man fantasy talk going on - in reality doctor, lawyer, accountant), but property is a good place. And you can enjoy the new deck and landscaping.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by upsscott

I’ve learned through experience that if I can afford it, hire out. I just make small projects big projects. We are currently getting ready to switch all of our landscaping to drought tolerant landscaping. I’m hiring out for 95% of it.

For me the fun is doing it rather than having it done, though. I'm old enough now that I don't call the little screw-ups on my projects mistakes. I call them my signature.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

For me the fun is doing it rather than having it done, though. I'm old enough now that I don't call the little screw-ups on my projects mistakes. I call them my signature.

Crap, my place is loaded with signatures.

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

For me the fun is doing it rather than having it done, though. I'm old enough now that I don't call the little screw-ups on my projects mistakes. I call them my signature.

My A.D.D. makes projects an adventure.