It is time to renovate. Your house does not look like a home anymore but an ancient heap of old timber and warped wood. Times are hard and you know that you cannot instantly restore your house into its former glory but you are willing to try to work in stages. Pooling your resources, you can put up the expense for secure metal gates to replace the old brittle wood that has been your barrier protection for decades. Knowing that neighbors and friends will not bother to tamper with the old gate is not an excuse for lessening security in your own home. When burglars or intruders come, they can enter your house with least resistance. You would not want to regret the unfortunate incident and console yourself with self-pitying tears when you could have done something to prevent that from happening months before.
You are trying to work your way from the outside of the house first where the damage of time and the elements did its worst then continue the finishing touches inside the house as your last priority. Your next project will be to replace the old window sunscreens with its large holes and tears. The expense was not as considerable as you expected and with your current spending, you can start on it by next pay day. Taking care of your own house is a tremendous responsibility. However, you remember the first time you held the keys to the house and you happily say to yourself that it is all worth it.