I'm just saying -- trending shmending

So I just confirmed why I have no interest in buying a microwave.

I was staying with somebody and went to fix myself some rice and veggies.

It took 20 minutes to cook in the microwave what I could cook on my stove in 10 minutes. Microwaves don't save time and because of their electricity demands, they don't save money. They're not trendy any more and they are not only not indispensable, they're a waste.


I bought the veggies at the grocery because the restaurant food was hopeless. It took me 5 meals to eat up some General Tso's chicken and there were only two measly pieces of broccoli in the entire order. Restaurant food is not healthy and it's too expensive. Create the experience in your own home instead of beating your brains out trying to get a table in a trendy restaurant.

I heard a real estate advisor talking out of both sides of her mouth on the radio this morning, one second admitting that trends change fast and the next saying you have to keep up with trends when selling your house.

Her other problem is she had to point out that trendy stuff isn't high quality. Bamboo floors -- NOOOO.

Then she talked about a trend to use wallpaper not paint. Do you know how much it costs to replace wallpaper, even if you're going to stay with wallpaper instead of paint? MUCH more than just  painting over a paint color you don't like, because you should take off the old paper first.

Why? Because mold and mildew breed in every imperfection in the wallpaper. You MUST get rid of the mold and mildew and replace the wallpaper, not just put another layer on. Unless of course you like spending months with a doctor finding out why you're so desperately sick or experiencing mental disturbances.

And you have a kitchen and bathroom. NEVER wallpaper these high-humidity rooms.

When a real estate "professional" tells you to spend $$ following the trends, fire him or her. Paint the walls light colors because it won't show through when the next person comes in and does a fresh paint job. Take out the nylon carpet and put down hardwood tiles. HARDWOOD. Not bamboo or pine. Except the kitchen and bathroom which get linoleum. Plant cheap hardy bright flowers for curb appeal. Bring plumbing or wiring up to code so it's not a money pit. Get an inspection to catch any stoppers that the buyer's inspector would find.

But don't get wrapped around the axles spending YOUR money to suit somebody else's idea of what's trendy. That's crazy talk. No matter what you're talking about -- food, decorating, clothing...

I'm just sayin'...

© Patricia Jo Heil, 2013-2018 All Rights  Reserved