Saturday 11 July 2015

Why is it that we have so many unexpecteds?

  On Thursday I was doing the ironing and suddenly the electrics failed.  The trip switch had tripped.  I reset it and again started ironing and again the switch tripped.  When it happened a third time I knew my ironing session was over.  And when I saw steam coming from a part of the iron where there should have been no steam emerging, I knew the iron was over too. 

I’ve had it quite a few years and although I knew that it couldn’t last too much longer I hadn’t really planned on buying a new one yet.  I like a steam generator iron as I find it easier to use especially when I am doing dressmaking but steam generator irons are not cheap.  I checked the reviews, I checked the prices on various sites.  I sorted cashback and I placed my order. 

And that was totally OK.  My younger self would have gone into panic mode at the unexpected expenditure but these days I budget for them.  I don’t know what the unexpected will be (how could I!) but I know that there will be unanticipated expenditure of some sort.  This year I have already had to have emergency repairs to my car, trundle truck and sewing machine and I have replaced the fridge and now the iron.  Almost every month there is something unforeseen.

 And yet the budget remains steady.  The younger me would have found that amazing.  The older me finds it boring and frustrating – and yet a source of pride because I know I have been prudent and set money aside for the inevitable rainy day.


And I know that I am indeed fortunate to have both the money to set aside and the self-discipline not to spend it.

1 comment:

  1. I know exactly what you are talking about -- something is always going out! We just had the water dispenser on our fridge break -- the repairman will be out Monday. I think it is appalling that our goods are just not made as well as they used to be. When my parents bought appliances -- or anything, really -- there was a good deal of life in them. We have had this fridge repaired twice and it is only 3 years old. I think the manufacturers could/should do a better job.

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