Household improvements

Two items on my WTHIPO (When the House Is Paid Off) list recently were taken care of.  I had the carpets and a/c vents steam cleaned.  And I bought new furniture for the living room--new couch, 1 comfy reading chair, 2 end tables, coffee table, 2 table lamps, and 2 floor lamps.  All without touching my emergency fund.  It looks really nice if I say so myself.  I haven't decided what to save up for next on the WTHIPO list--maybe the grandfather clock repair or the sewing machine cabinet refinishing.

Getting the house in tip top shape is such a benefit of retirement.  Things that I have not had time to do for years can be tackled a little bit each day--cleaning out old files, scrubbing tiles in the kitchen, organizing cabinets and closets.  I love to have things organized and orderly!!

WTHIPO List Update

When we were scraping every penny that we could get together to pay off the house, I made a list of things that I wanted to do When the House Is Paid Off. It helped me remember that I was not saying "No" to these things, just saying "Not Now". The house was paid off in February and I am slowly making my way through my WTHIPO list. Here is the updated list:

1. Replace dishwasher--done
2. Replace cracked window--done
3. Window blinds & valances
4. Living room furniture
5. Tile in laundry room
6. Ceiling fans in bedrooms--done
7. Electric logs in fireplace
8. Repair wedding ring
9. Repair grandfather clock
10. Yard scooter
11. Refinish sewing machine cabinet
12. Linens--sheets, towels--done
13. Carpets cleaned

We are saving for a new vehicle so the WTHIPO list is going slowly but that is fine with me. Not sure what will come next on the list.

Curtains

I am leaning toward making the curtains for the living room and dining room myself. I just don't want to spend the money that it would take to have custom draperies made. I've made curtains before and it's not that hard. I will make simple lined rod and pocket curtains. I will get the measurements today, look for hardware at Home Depot, and check out fabric at Cloth World.

BTW, I can cross the ceiling fans off my WTHIPO list. They were installed yesterday and if I say so myself, they look perfect. The WTHIPO list item for April will be replacing the cracked window.

When the House Is Paid Off List

For the past 5 years we have been paying extra principal on the house and putting off everything that we could toward becoming mortgage free. When I would want to buy something, I would add it to my WTHIPO list. The final payment on the house will be February 1, 2010 and I will now be able to gradually work my way down the list. Here is the list ( not in any order of priority.)

1. Replace dishwasher
2. Replace cracked window
3. Window blinds & valances
4. Living room furniture
5. Tile in laundry room
6. Ceiling fans in bedrooms
7. Electric logs in fireplace
8. Repair wedding ring
9. Repair grandfather clock
10. Yard scooter
11. Refinish sewing machine cabinet
12. Linens--sheets, towels
13. Carpets cleaned

Since I have some savings goals for 2010, I expect it will take about a year to work my way through the list (unless Murphy makes one of his appearances...).