A Retirement Predicament

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Image by Noupload from Pixabay

I have mentioned many times on this blog the concept of frugality, not necessarily with the aim of saving funds but rather to live simply, respect the planet and reduce, reuse and recycle. Mister E and I are now facing our first big test in this connection following the breakdown of the washing machine. It is nine years old and it let us down at the weekend when it succeeded in tripping our electricity every time it moved into water heating mode, although it continues to function perfectly when spinning, rinsing or undertaking a cold wash.

Our dilemma of course is do we rush out and buy a new machine as, even if capable of repair at a modest price, taking into account its age will we be simply throwing good money after bad? On the other hand, if there is actually yet life to be squeezed out of it, do we squeeze it for the benefit of Planet Earth and at what cost to ourselves?

The quandary does not of course even stop there. Pending a repair or replacement, do I wash by hand or stockpile laundry? Taking into account our commitment to reduce our electricity consumption, the provision of a vast Belfast sink in the utility room and the ability still to spin dry washing surely there is much to be said for keeping on top of the laundry basket and avoiding the inevitable backlog that will shortly start to accrue? Even in retirement though, do I honestly have the time to behave like a Victorian with a poss tub?

How much easier life's predicaments were in our previous existence when it was all so easy to justify a reliance on time saving devices and to turn a deaf ear to planetary concerns in order to concentrate on earning a living. The villains of modern life are invariably profit-making corporations where time and money are king. Retirement operates to a different moral code, sustainability is now the guiding light. The search for a washing machine repair man has, therefore, begun and hopefully he will get here quickly to avoid us reducing (the weather is warming after all) our garments or, heaven forbid, even reusing our dirty, smelly apparel.


 

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