You're telling me stuff I already know. I'm fully aware of the difference between decoration and renovation. Indeed decorating is something that's going to happen anyway but renovation, no matter what experiences you had requires money. You might have been lucky enough to get a shit load of floor boards for a good price so lucky you but If I have my mortgage to pay I also have to buy all the bits and pieces for renovating (and decorating eventually) and I also have to save for a new kitchen and/or bathroom. I'm sorry min but that's just not realistic. Not for me anyway. Maybe you were on a higher wage when you get yer hoose? Nae sure but if it was just a case of working hard then it wouldn't be a problem. More than happy (as I have been my whole life bar a dodgy spell in 2004) to work hard and do whatever I can myself. Cars for example. Rarely does my car go to a garage if it needs work done because I get off my arse, work hard, learn about them and do it my fucking self which has probably saved me thousands of pounds over the years.
Again.. it irks me that people think I want an easy ride. My point all along (as Amp has also said) is that the goal posts have changed recently making it more difficult than it's ever been.