This week the microwave blew up and the boiler broke down.

One was easier to fix than the other. A phone call to Scottish Gas, the quoting of our Maintenance Contract number and the mention of a ‘vulnerable adult’ meant that the boiler was up and running again the same day.

As for the microwave – I’ve never been a fan and hardly ever use it. But on this occasion I wanted to defrost something and it seemed the perfect tool. It was only a plastic tub of pasta sauce, so no idea why the thing complained. But complain it did, and then put on a fireworks display which was very clearly its swansong.

I don’t know whether to buy a new one or not. Is it worth it, or can we manage without?

It’s the same with the cooker – an uncooperative appliance that has never been great, but is just about OK for a limited repertoire  – although you have to keep the dial pressed in while you grill, which can be awkward.

The fridge isn’t much better – it sounds as if it has a coop of pigeons nesting somewhere in its guts. It bills and coos, chatters and clucks. And if it’s not pigeons - which I agree would be something of a stretch - I can’t imagine what's causing the noise.

And then there’s the television – an ancient behemoth which takes an age to warm up and has a perpetual buzz when it finally does. No such thing as channel hopping in this house – more of a trek to a different station than a hop or a skip.

We have joint custody of a lawnmower with Ruth, our upstairs neighbour. It’s the flymo equivalent of a giant cart horse that only wants to go in one direction. Hard bloody work.

But I can’t quite bring myself to pay out for new things. Especially big items like fridges and cookers.

I did buy new towels after I saw that some of ours were not just threadbare but actually had proper holes in them. I asked for new towels at Christmas, but we ended up with yet more pyjamas and no towels. So I went to the January Sales and bought some. Apart from that, and a few new bottom sheets, we’re making do with the existing linen, some of which has been here since this was a busy family home.

The house could do with a lick of paint, and a few cracks being Polyfillered. And some of the carpets being replaced – although with any luck that orange and brown combination will be back in fashion just at the time we’re having to sell up.

But all of these things are better left for the next people in. They can have the fun of choosing new paint and updating the kitchen.

Although I seem to have been saying that for years, since Mum died in fact, and we all thought Dad would follow soon after. Over the last six years the house has grown increasingly tired, and unloved looking. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s a false economy to keep the ‘make do and mend’ mantra so close to my heart. 

Since we took out an equity release to pay for Dad’s care all our money is borrowed, so the less we spend the less we have to pay back at an exorbitant rate when we finally sell the house.

Nevertheless I think I’ll investigate new cookers and not replace the microwave. And hope that we get our money’s worth. What’s the worst that can happen? We get the benefit of a brand new cooker for a short time and then someone else can have it. It wouldn't be so bad.

I am undecided about the other big items; the fridge is curiously companionable, and we’ll manage with the lawnmower I’m sure – we’re already past the longest day, so autumn will be here soon enough.

There is one thing that I’ve definitely decided not to stint on. Good soap. We have our hands in water one way or another, so many times a day here, that I can’t make do with the stuff I usually pick up in the supermarket. My hands looks like I work in the Steamie, and even if I remember to put on hand cream, it’s not enough. So I’ve bought some luxury, triple milled soap. One with extract of rosemary and lavender, the other ginger and cardamom. It’s wonderful and makes such a difference.  Yes it is more expensive, but I did buy it on special offer, in the sales.