You're most welcome darl I learnt that thing about renting the right place with good light/insulation after renting so many different places with DH over the years... the last place had such a dark kitchen (it was in the centre of the house) that we had to have the overhead lights on there all the time, no matter what time of the day... such a waste of money! Doesn't matter so much if maybe the bedrooms are dark... all the better actually... but not the main living areas.

The main thing is just not to be too proud IYKWIM. My DH's parents never shopped at Op Shops because the idea was just too embarrassing... what a shame... they had 5 kids on a single income and money was always tight... they really would have benefitted. Pride is a very expensive thing to maintain... as long as things work, fit and are not dangerous then they'll do... don't get caught up in the perfection myth or the fashion treadmill. The best things in life are free... and all that