Expensive Day
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (73771)
United States
March 12, 2025 10:02pm CST
This is a photo from my walk in Broad Run Park earlier this week.
And to think, today I didn’t go anywhere, and it cost me over $600!
The electrician showed up. It was easy getting him here. The hard part was getting him to leave: he wanted $633 before he’d go! 
Oh, no, it’s not a complaint. “House problems” is redundant, because if you own a house you own problems. I did get a refund this year, so I decided to spend a little money on the house. That was part one. Part two is getting a plumber to put in washer hookups, then part three is buying a washer.
And no, I didn’t get that much back. But these are things I decided to do “for my birthday.” (Hey, I’m single, I don’t need any excuses! ) The plumber will be here in the morning for an estimate.
Then I can go to lunch. Thankfully, tomorrow’s lunch is free.
Oh, no, it’s not a complaint. “House problems” is redundant, because if you own a house you own problems. I did get a refund this year, so I decided to spend a little money on the house. That was part one. Part two is getting a plumber to put in washer hookups, then part three is buying a washer.
And no, I didn’t get that much back. But these are things I decided to do “for my birthday.” (Hey, I’m single, I don’t need any excuses! ) The plumber will be here in the morning for an estimate.
Then I can go to lunch. Thankfully, tomorrow’s lunch is free. 19 people like this
19 responses
@kareng (72679)
• United States
13 Mar
@FourWalls Ah, what day? I have one coming up on the 25th.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
Got everything done in one visit, so it’s over until the next one. 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (186916)
• United States
13 Mar
I'm thinking about remodeling the bathrooms. That will be a major expense; but I will be getting proceeds from hubby's two life insurance policies.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
14 Mar
@LindaOHio — ouch! I paid that for the entire bathroom renovation! 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (186916)
• United States
14 Mar
@FourWalls They wanted $17,000. I thought that was way too much.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (144046)
• India
13 Mar
I have always said constructing a house is cheaper than maintaining it.
2 people like this
@allknowing (144046)
• India
13 Mar
@FourWalls When you take a place on rent you do not have to spend for constructing it
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
14 Mar
@allknowing — not directly, but all of that is figured into the cost of the rent.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
Building it is a one-time, big expense. Living there is a lot of recurring expenses. But it is cheaper and more stable than renting.
2 people like this
@Orson_Kart (7289)
• United Kingdom
13 Mar
Yes, it’s costly maintaining a house. I do a lot of it myself, but some things are beyond me, and I hate getting contractors in. It’s suggested to get three quotes for everything, but once I find someone who has done a good job and not too pricey, I tend to stick with. Then they go and retire and I have to start again. 
Great you’re getting a free lunch. I thought there was no such thing!
Here, seniors can get a lunch for only £1 from the supermarket chain ASDA. Only soup and a roll, plus a cuppa, but at least it’s cheap.
Great you’re getting a free lunch. I thought there was no such thing!
Here, seniors can get a lunch for only £1 from the supermarket chain ASDA. Only soup and a roll, plus a cuppa, but at least it’s cheap.2 people like this
@Orson_Kart (7289)
• United Kingdom
13 Mar
@FourWalls Oh, a loyalty bonus. That’s great. We have those here, and it’s definitely more satisfying chomping on the “freebie”. I am in one with Greggs here and I’m only one away from a “free” savoury snack. 
Yes, paint is expensive here too. I never used to worry about getting too much, but now I try to calculate the amount needed down to the last drip. Not easy.
Yes, paint is expensive here too. I never used to worry about getting too much, but now I try to calculate the amount needed down to the last drip. Not easy.2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
I paid for six lunches to get the free one, so no, there really isn’t a “free lunch.”
I live in an older house (built in 1950), but I’ve spaced those “major upgrades” out so the house is in generally good repair. As I said, it could use some paint on the walls inside, but for the money it costs to do that I could take a cross-country train trip!
I live in an older house (built in 1950), but I’ve spaced those “major upgrades” out so the house is in generally good repair. As I said, it could use some paint on the walls inside, but for the money it costs to do that I could take a cross-country train trip!2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (145912)
• United States
13 Mar
Very nice! I've never lived in a house that didn't already have washer and dryer hookups.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
It had them once upon a time but when the sink was re-done I had them taken out. I said then that I’d probably end up regretting that.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (145912)
• United States
13 Mar
@FourWalls It's a lot cheaper to have your own washer and dryer... Our washer is down so we've been going to a laundromat and then bringing the wet stuff home to our dryer. We'll get it fixed in the next couple of months.
It's a lot cheaper to have your own washer and dryer... Our washer is down so we've been going to a laundromat and then bringing the wet stuff home to our dryer. We'll get it fixed in the next couple of months.2 people like this
but, yes,maintaining house, not easy and not cheap.@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
14 Mar
As I get older it gets harder because I can do less things myself.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (188015)
• United States
13 Mar
Houses and cars are the two things that can be guaranteed to cost money at some point.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (52244)
• United States
13 Mar
I hope that everything goes well with the plumbing.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
That was a case of $500 vs. $5,000, so you can guess which one I’ll take!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (114715)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Mar
Those workmen always have their hands out
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
I know, they’re as bad as people on the street corner!
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (84077)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Mar
And for these reasons and others I sold my house in Latvia, Boy that sure costs a lot,
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
14 Mar
Really, that’s nothing…about a third of monthly rent (or at least half). Then it’s done and I don’t have to pay it again next month.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (43340)
• United States
13 Mar
Life sure is full of expenses, isn't it? Taxes and insurance are our two biggest costs.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (108793)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
13 Mar
Thank goodness your lunch will be free.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
Absolutely! Have a great evening, and keep your eyes on the weather Friday and Saturday!
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (108793)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
13 Mar
@FourWalls I will do my best to watch the weather this weekend.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
It’s still cheaper than renting, though. That was $600, it’ll be paid off next month, and nobody will come banging on the door on the first of the month for rent (which would be, at bare minimum, twice what I paid for the electrical work).
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (163132)
• United States
14 Mar
If you own a house, yes, you have problems, but you also have a say so in how they are addressed. Good luck on all those fixes.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
14 Mar
I don’t know if I could ever go back to renting. I might have to one day, but I don’t want to. I like neighborhood cats in my backyard.
@rsa101 (38421)
• Philippines
13 Mar
Sounds like a productive (and expensive) day! But hey, homeownership definitely comes with its fair share of surprises. At least you’re putting that refund to good use! Getting the washer setup sounds like a solid investment—no more laundromat runs! I hope the plumber’s estimate is reasonable. And free lunch tomorrow? Sounds like a well-deserved treat after all the house expenses! Enjoy!
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
I try to do one “major” thing a year so they all don’t “gang up” on me. The roof is four years old, the water heater is three years old, and the AC and furnace are two years old. I put a privacy fence up two years ago (mean dog was in the rental house next door). That keeps things affordable, and hopefully they won’t all break down at the same time.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (39944)
• United States
14 Mar
After all of that, good thing lunch is free.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
My birthday is next month, but I can celebrate any time I want! That’s what the countdowns are for: celebrating songs that are old, like me.
Thanks for the well wishes! 
Thanks for the well wishes! 2 people like this
@FourWalls (73771)
• United States
13 Mar
He came early this morning, said that putting connections where they used to be would be about $500, but moving them would be more around $5,000. That’s a no-brainer.
1 person likes this
