I will be 72 in September, and my answer to the question is “not much.” My first career as an Army officer I did everything I could to save money. But my second career, as a consultant who traveled extensively, I needed the house to be looked after even when I wasn’t home, and the pets cared for. So I have had a lawn service and home cleaning team for 30 years, and I would miss meals (I don’t) to keep these. I take my car to a car wash, and hire window cleaners once a year. I’ll change a light bulb, that’s about it. Life is short, spend the money.
At 72 my list of projects I can’t do or don’t want to do is increasing. I was on my roof cleaning my patio cover the day before I turned 72. That is probably the last time for that! As a women raised in the 50’s and 60’s I always felt compelled to be self reliant or at least try to do things once! Such as change the oil in my car and put on snow tires but once was enough! Hate house work so it is sorely neglected. But love being outside so I landscape and garden. But need a Task Rabbit person to dig some post holes so I can build my next fence. If I can do it (wire a light, paint, assemble IKEA furniture) I usually do to save money for more fun stuff!
I do our travel planning, manage our finances, and do our taxes. I also plan, shop for, and cook our meals (most of them, anyway).
I have outsourced housecleaning since I was a young professor with young children. When we had a yard, we had a gardener. Neither one of us is the slightest bit handy, so we pay people to paint, do repairs, install things, and hang things.
Grrr! There has to be a better way to authenticate me than going thru 6 pictures.
DIY. I am now a widower and do most things in and out of our house. Laundry, groceries, cooking, housecleaning, cutting grass, blowing leaves, clearing brush and bamboo, caring for our 2 acres of land, and anything else that is needed.
I do my own taxes, financial planning and business related stuff.
I have always done interior and exterior painting but will hire that out next time due to arthritis in my hands. My son is a remodeler and has remodeled almost all of our 52 year old home. I helped him by doing demo, which I am good at, but not so good at the renovations that followed (other than painting/staining).
What do I not do anymore? I limit use of ladders to step ladders. At 80 years of age, even that may not be wise. Also, most things that require power tools. I used a chain saw for many years, but retired from that after trying to cut my leg off (22 stitches).
I will be 72 in September, and my answer to the question is “not much.” My first career as an Army officer I did everything I could to save money. But my second career, as a consultant who traveled extensively, I needed the house to be looked after even when I wasn’t home, and the pets cared for. So I have had a lawn service and home cleaning team for 30 years, and I would miss meals (I don’t) to keep these. I take my car to a car wash, and hire window cleaners once a year. I’ll change a light bulb, that’s about it. Life is short, spend the money.
At 72 my list of projects I can’t do or don’t want to do is increasing. I was on my roof cleaning my patio cover the day before I turned 72. That is probably the last time for that! As a women raised in the 50’s and 60’s I always felt compelled to be self reliant or at least try to do things once! Such as change the oil in my car and put on snow tires but once was enough! Hate house work so it is sorely neglected. But love being outside so I landscape and garden. But need a Task Rabbit person to dig some post holes so I can build my next fence. If I can do it (wire a light, paint, assemble IKEA furniture) I usually do to save money for more fun stuff!
I do our travel planning, manage our finances, and do our taxes. I also plan, shop for, and cook our meals (most of them, anyway).
I have outsourced housecleaning since I was a young professor with young children. When we had a yard, we had a gardener. Neither one of us is the slightest bit handy, so we pay people to paint, do repairs, install things, and hang things.
Grrr! There has to be a better way to authenticate me than going thru 6 pictures.
DIY. I am now a widower and do most things in and out of our house. Laundry, groceries, cooking, housecleaning, cutting grass, blowing leaves, clearing brush and bamboo, caring for our 2 acres of land, and anything else that is needed.
I do my own taxes, financial planning and business related stuff.
I have always done interior and exterior painting but will hire that out next time due to arthritis in my hands. My son is a remodeler and has remodeled almost all of our 52 year old home. I helped him by doing demo, which I am good at, but not so good at the renovations that followed (other than painting/staining).
What do I not do anymore? I limit use of ladders to step ladders. At 80 years of age, even that may not be wise. Also, most things that require power tools. I used a chain saw for many years, but retired from that after trying to cut my leg off (22 stitches).
When I was younger, I did everything, now, I mostly write checks for everything.