A handyman would solve all of my relationship problems
DEAR DEIDRE: MY life would be so much easier if we could afford to take on a handyman.
I used to do all the DIY, the decorating and the repairs but these days, I’m not up to it. My wife goes on at me all the time about fixing the garage door or lopping the trees around the garden.
It causes a lot of tension between us.
We are both 79 and we live in a big five-bedroomed house which we’ve had for almost 50 years. We wanted children but it never happened for us.
My pension is OK but it wouldn’t run to getting all these repairs done. My wife is in denial about us getting older and less able to do things.
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DEIDRE SAYS: Find a moment to explain that her demands are spoiling your relationship. You don’t feel as fit as you once were and you can’t afford to employ people to help.
Your options are selling up and finding a smaller, easier to maintain home. There are other benefits.
If there’s a holiday you’ve always wanted to go on, having some money from the sale may help you to do that or you can just enjoy having some savings.
Alternatively, as you’ve no children to leave your home to when you die, you could suggest finding out about a reputable equity release scheme to free up some money to repair your home.
Contact Age UK for advice (, 0800 678 1602).