Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jun 23, 2008 10:49 pm Meaning me, not the builder!
I'm pretty apathetic & miserly when it comes to things that cost. For instance, I could care less that the interior design inside our house (currently at slab stage) matches, really. I mean, I *like* the idea but when it comes down to it, I couldn't give a fig. I HATE spending too much dosh on anything - especially when it's a luxury rather than a necessity - and even just the thought of spending extra cash on ensuring the flow of our interior design makes me shudder. I am yet to understand how people can spend so much on their interior design, but I also loathe spending more than $30 on a pair of shoes or jeans for myself. I guess in some ways it makes me angry to see so much luxury in these houses we build when there is so much poverty and suffering so close to us. Just a bugbear of mine. Fiona Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 2Jun 23, 2008 11:06 pm Hi Fiona,
I understand where you are coming from. We were brought up by my parents to buy things once. In other words, buy the best quality you can afford, so it doesn't have to be replaced all the time. Less waste. And we always wanted something. My dad believed it was a really bad idea for kids to have everything they want. I carry this idea of buying the best I can afford with everything. I don't have heaps of clothes or heaps of stuff. But what I do have I'm not afraid to pay for. I'd rather have a few timeless pieces of clothing than a wardrobe full of crap that I'll throw out next season. I really try to be conscious of the choices I make. I try not to create unnecessary waste in the name of fashion or fads. I try to do my bit, I donate regularly to charities of my choice, I sponsor a child in Tanzania, I'm building a bigger house than what we need so I can get back to doing emergency foster care. The situation there is desperate. But in saying all that. I work. Over the years I have worked hard. I believe I try to live a responsible life. I believe I contribute something to the society in which I live. So I won't feel guilty about the pleasures I do enjoy. For me at the moment this is building my new home. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 3Jun 24, 2008 12:04 am nzfiona I guess in some ways it makes me angry to see so much luxury in these houses we build when there is so much poverty and suffering so close to us. Just a bugbear of mine. My question is: why are you posting this? Are you trying to guilt people into changing what you perceive to be "wrong" with their house designs? Or are you trying to assuage your own guilt for building a new house? The poverty and suffering angle can be applied to so many things. Buy a take-away latte? Should have given the money to the poor. A new pair of shoes? Someone else needs them more than you do. etc. etc. It doesn't necessarily cost more to make sure the interior of your house looks good. I think mine will look great, and I haven't upgraded anything (except for china toilet cisterns). Please don't try and make people feel guilty for wanting their houses to be nice. Let them have their moments of joy with their house-building. It's often the only chance people get to truly express themselves. Judie Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 4Jun 24, 2008 8:23 am nzfiona I guess in some ways it makes me angry to see so much luxury in these houses we build when there is so much poverty and suffering so close to us. Define "luxury"......I'm sure for some poor immigrant whose been living on a border camp in Somalia for three years, or lives in an Aboriginal town camp in remote Australia, would consider your house to be the height of excessive western consumption. "Luxury" to them would be hot and cold clean water, sewerage, cooking appliances, and somewhere comfortable to sleep. Hell, a roof may be novelty. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 5Jun 24, 2008 9:22 am Different strokes for different folks ... it all depends on what each person wants out of life, and what their dreams and hopes are.
Some want a nice house, others want to live in a nice suburb and some others couldn't care less about either ... their dream might be to buy a boat, travel the world, work less or even do charity work. All deserve the same respect IMO. Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 6Jun 24, 2008 9:28 am nzfiona Meaning me, not the builder! I'm pretty apathetic & miserly when it comes to things that cost. For instance, I could care less that the interior design inside our house (currently at slab stage) matches, really. I mean, I *like* the idea but when it comes down to it, I couldn't give a fig. I HATE spending too much dosh on anything - especially when it's a luxury rather than a necessity - and even just the thought of spending extra cash on ensuring the flow of our interior design makes me shudder. I am yet to understand how people can spend so much on their interior design, but I also loathe spending more than $30 on a pair of shoes or jeans for myself. I guess in some ways it makes me angry to see so much luxury in these houses we build when there is so much poverty and suffering so close to us. Just a bugbear of mine. Fiona My view on this particular topic is that as long as you can afford your lifestyle then live the way you want. Whether that be a house decked out with the latest mod cons or you carry a $5,000 handbag. As long as you can afford and support it and don't expect anyone else to provide for you. [sneakersss] Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 7Jun 24, 2008 9:37 am I guess as Australians we all need to appreciate how lucky we are in materialistic terms and use our money and our resources responsibly but at the same time we don't have the right to tell others what to do with their money.
I do give part of my income to charity, I live relatively frugally and I do try to impress upon my kids how fortunate we are in Australia and how fortunate they are in particular, we are so rich in world terms. One of my pet hates is people casually using the phrase "I'm starving" (as in haven't had my morning tea yet) - no, people in 3rd world countries are really starving, we don't have any real concept of hunger, let alone starvation. I also cut short any of my kids' "its not fair" whinging, as in its not fair she got the biggest one, I had it first etc - life isn't fair, and many many people in the world have it lots unfairer than you - its unfair children die of cancer, people lose their homes and families in wars, don't have enough to eat in African countries etc etc - you not getting the last lolly doesn't rate a mention on the world scale of unfairness. My kids soon learnt to avoid certain phrases for fear of Mum' s "how lucky we are" lecture!!!!! Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 9Jun 24, 2008 10:11 am NZF....
Like Judie, Im not quite sure of your point. Are you simply suggesting we keep a more of an eye on the bigger picture? Or bashing people who take pride in their homes, or selecting colours, or putting in nice tapware? Which is pretty much everyone on here! It normally doesnt cost extra to ensure "the flow of interior design" with a consistant colour scheme and fittings/fixtures. Also luxury/necessity is a pretty big matter of perception. How is putting some nice decoration in your home any more of a luxury than say, tennis or dancing lessons for your kids? Im sure to a cash strapped family these things would be a massive luxury! Yes, no-one denies there is a heap of poverty and suffering in the world and on our doorstep. Hopefully you are contributing to solving the problems!! Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 10Jun 24, 2008 10:14 am I would never begrudge anyone doing what they want - as long as they can afford it. I have spent the last 19yrs working for a major bank and was a lending manager for 4yrs. My pet hate during this time was young 20yr olds telling me that they "needed" 4 bedrooms / separate rumpus / ducted air conditioning / granite kitchens / triple garages ........ sure if their income could cover it and they had the deposit not a problem. BUT the majority couldn't afford it and didn't have any deposit - were relying on the FHOG to cover all their costs. Not many people want to start small or save prior to building / buying - they want it NOW!
I bought my first home when I was 25 - it was a teeny tiny 2 bedroom with a 40yr old kitchen and bathroom. But you know it was the best thing I could afford and it went on to make me a fair amount of money. My DH bought land when he was in his early 20s, paid it off over 2yrs then saved for another 6yrs before building our home. Yep it was a gorgeous home - a lot nicer then most first homes - but he also saved his butt off and borrowed the bare minimum. When we got married and sold my home it paid the debt off in full which was a nice start to our married life and starting a family. Now we are building a massive home which a lot of people will think is over the top and extravagant. But we work extremely hard - own our own business as well as two investment properties which means that DH works long hard hours whilst I am able to raise our two young children. We have also worked out what we can afford and what will happen when interest rates increase. So I suppose at the end of the day - as long as we can afford it and we are not creating a burden on society then we will do as we see fit. If you are stupid enough to buy / build outside your means and then whinge about it you will get no sympathy from me. I love it when people try to "protect" their decisions by saying oh it is an investment if I buy this benchtop / bath / toilet suite. At the end of the day own your own decisions, live with those decisions but don't complain should it all come crashing down due to living beyond your means . Caveat emptor - my motto in life. Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 11Jun 24, 2008 10:15 am d@n I detest mcmansions. It's so over the top and a waste of resources. I think it's more a status symbol than anything else. D@n - perhaps you could define a "mcmansion" for us. Is a 6 bedroom double story home always a mcmansion? Or is it acceptable if 8 people live in it and a mcmansion if 3 do? Its always amusing to see the our members of parliment etc, discuss the problems caused by "mcmansions", then head off home too their Toorak "real" mansions that are probably twice the size of any "mcmansion". Are many people building houses bigger and more extravagent than needed? Yes! But theres a LOT of hypocrisy in the debate about it... Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 12Jun 24, 2008 10:26 am Agreed Vanderlay - our home is 50sqs but only 4 bedrooms - we like to think that should something ever happen to either sets of our parents they can move in with us - or alternatively DH would be perfectly happy to have our kids live at home forever he lived at home until he was 30yo and would be more then happy to have our kids do the same. Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 13Jun 24, 2008 10:36 am kyton Agreed Vanderlay - our home is 50sqs but only 4 bedrooms - we like to think that should something ever happen to either sets of our parents they can move in with us - or alternatively DH would be perfectly happy to have our kids live at home forever he lived at home until he was 30yo and would be more then happy to have our kids do the same. This type of living arrangement should be more encouraged at the political level. Each to their own, and sometimes you just don't get along, but this current mentalilty for everyone to have their own house has lead to high housing prices, higher consumptions of energy, fuel and food and long distance travel away from the family to support it all. I know I stay at home only 10 hours a day - mostly for sleeping, so I don't need one all to myself. Houses should be better designed to cater for communal living to give everyone their private space when they need it. Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 14Jun 24, 2008 10:50 am nzfiona Meaning me, not the builder! I'm pretty apathetic & miserly when it comes to things that cost. For instance, I could care less that the interior design inside our house (currently at slab stage) matches, really. I mean, I *like* the idea but when it comes down to it, I couldn't give a fig. I HATE spending too much dosh on anything - especially when it's a luxury rather than a necessity - and even just the thought of spending extra cash on ensuring the flow of our interior design makes me shudder. I am yet to understand how people can spend so much on their interior design, but I also loathe spending more than $30 on a pair of shoes or jeans for myself. I guess in some ways it makes me angry to see so much luxury in these houses we build when there is so much poverty and suffering so close to us. Just a bugbear of mine. Fiona Thanks for telling us how to live. Much appreciated. Would you like a hand getting down off your soapbox? Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 15Jun 24, 2008 11:25 am I kinda really dont understand the point of this thread.
This forum is for people who are interested in building/buying their homes. They shouldn't feel bad for asking about colours or upgrading certain items in their home. Live within your means and life should go on. Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 16Jun 24, 2008 11:44 am I was trying not to be harsh before. I really don't think Fiona was either. Her point may have come across not that well. And maybe Fiona has to realise she does have luxuries. Isn't her son attempting to get into the Australian Ballet School? Must have cost a pretty penny to get him to that point.
My point is this. Nearly everyone on here displays a really responsible attitude, Ash saying buy to last so there's no waste, Yak with his environmental ideas, people always looking at ways to be energy and water conscious. They are just a few examples. I was just trying to say that people on here may be having luxury items, I know I am, but it's not about waste. Everyone is trying to do it right the first time so there is no wastage. I don't really know what Fiona was trying to achieve but to a certain extent I understand her point. All of us feel "Westerners guilt" at some point. Try watching Hotel Rwanda without feeling sick that the world stood by and watched it happen. But I will not be made to feel that I am a shallow soulless person because I have and enjoy beautiful and sometimes expensive things. I buy once. I buy to last. But I am also accutely aware of the world in which I live and do what I can. Like Helyn I am aware of how very lucky I was to be born in this country in this time. But I will not carry guilt for it. All of us are trying to live the best lives we can, raise the best little people we can and hopefully enjoy some beauty, luxury and spoils along the way. This does not make us bad people. It just makes us people. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 17Jun 24, 2008 11:54 am joles Like Helyn I am aware of how very lucky I was to be born in this country in this time. But I will not carry guilt for it. All of us are trying to live the best lives we can, raise the best little people we can and hopefully enjoy some beauty, luxury and spoils along the way. This does not make us bad people. It just makes us people. Jo I wasn't going to reply to this post at all, but I think the comment above is very well put. Paula Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 18Jun 24, 2008 11:59 am Did anyone see Dame Elizabeth Murdoch on Enough Rope last night? What an amazing lady - she lives in a grand old place (has done for 80 years!!!! )While her place, certainly in it's day , would definitely have been considered luxurious, you cannot possibly say that this grande olde dame has not done more than her fair share for the community. Her motto has always been to think of others before yourself, and that was the advice she said she'd pass on to young girls today, and that is absolutely the way she has lived thus far. Yet, she still lived a life of plenty - beautiful house, nice clothes, luxurious overeas trips. Could you possibly deny her or berate her for that? NO, because, equally, she has done more than her fair share for those less fortunate than herself - and done it with a passion. I don't think we all need McMansions, or the best clothes, or cars, or whatever, but I also believe that if we do our part for this world, it doesn't hurt anyone to have a little "luxury", and to enjoy and appreciate that luxury- as long as it's not excessive....and I guess everyone's definition of that is different!
Right, I'll get off my soap box now!!! Solidarity, not solidity.......The Lexicon of Life Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 19Jun 24, 2008 12:03 pm vanderlay Or is it acceptable if 8 people live in it and a mcmansion if 3 do? The number plays a part but it's mainly the extreme amount of energy they consume. And visually i think they're a blight on the suburban landscape. You are spot on with the political contradictions. Re: Apathy/Miserliness in Design 20Jun 24, 2008 2:16 pm Oh, for Heaven's sake!!
Surely people can post anything in here - considering this sub-forum is called General Discussion - without being blasted for it! Did I once say anyone here had to feel guilt? Or did I mention how awful we all are for building large houses? I certainly did neither. All I was TRYING to say was how *I* feel about something - and so bloody many of you jump on me, full of recriminations! I put one teeny little bit in my post regarding the fact that there is a lot of luxury in our houses and so much poverty in our society as well. I didn't tell *you* to feel guilty - if you do, then that's your issue, surely. *I* do feel guilty at times, but I don't ask anyone else to take responsibility for how *I* feel. In fact, my post was ACTUALLY about how *I* feel about interior design! I am totally crap at it, and I could care less at the end of the day about how my house looks inside. MY house, mind you, not anyone else's. If others like to spend a lot of money on ensuring their homes are beautifully flowing with colour and design, then that's great (and in case anyone else wants to jump on THAT comment - I'm NOT being sarcastic). It's a talent I do not have, and wish I did, 'cause I tend to get that sort of thing wrong every time. The point of my post - and did I *require* a point, I might ask? - was simply stating something that was on my mind and I thought (wrongly, it so appears) might be interesting: that I - and perhaps others - are woefully lacking in interest when it comes to both the "finishing touches" of their home interiors, and really don't like spending the money. And where did I say I have no luxuries? Again show me where I said that. I most certainly *do* have luxuries - I have housing, food & clothing, my family has work and a good education, we have a television set and DVD player - we even have a car! Plus, I get to spend time with friends occasionally. To me, that's a luxurious life. There is so much want in the world and I have all that, plus the occasional glass of wine. I wasn't telling ANYone that it's wrong to spend a lot of dosh on their homes - show me where I said that. It's others' business what they do with their money and my business what I do with mine. I detest what *I* consider the wasting of money and so does everyone here! However I did not say that my opinion was to be adhered by all. If I thought everyone should believe what I believe, then I would really just say that. As for spending money on my son's activities - that's MY and my husband's business and no-one else's. I certainly have not told anyone that they ought to think about how they are spending money on their own children's extra-curricula activities. So why bring up my son? - involving someone's child to make a point is indeed a low blow. Shame on you. I cannot get off my soapbox as we don't buy soap in a box - we buy flowing soap in plastic containers, not wooden boxes. I have read so many jolly posts in this website forum from people who are just venting, or stating how they feel about something, and that's all I was doing: stating how I personally feel about something. I was harming no-one and so many of you have managed to show a lack of consideration, of thought and of humanity by forming a group attack. Well done to you all. Traitez d'autres comme vous souhaitez être traité. Good-bye. Thank you so much for the effort. We will use it to talk with builder. We also had idea of building duplex instead and seeking suggest ions. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=106744 11 13777 Once you know the basics, the rest is easy. Read my post in the thread linked below. viewtopic.php?p=1919271#p1919271 2 19473 Although I am a big opponent of using waffle pod slabs over H2/P soils under any circumstances, in your case I would certainly opt in to keep piers under central… 1 2411 |