Newbie here.. could use advice.

Well, I'm only 49 so I figure I still have time to reap the rewards of improvements, plus the satisfaction of knowing that the job was done right, not half-a$$ed.

Example, this house has steel framed single pane windows, and the one in the living room wouldn't even close all the way. For winter I made a plexi storm window and sealed it well. It would let no drafts or cold through on the worst of days. (First year I just used plastic.. NOT the way to go).

This year we replaced that window and upon inspection, when they installed the window they put no dormer over the top, then to compound the problem the corner of the window that wouldn't close was positioned with the very corner of the cinderblock above it. Now, this IS a load bearing wall, and therefore the block settled, buckling the steel frame and not allowing the window to close. Poor workmanship!!!

I got 1*2" rectangular steel tubing through work, measured everything out, and hammered the new framing home.
Window is nearly perfectly true. The guy that came to put in the window was surprised at how square everything was. Obviously he had some doubts as to my idea (and perhaps my sanity). I can guarantee you that the rest of the wall could likely collapse and that window would still be true.

If I'm gonna expend the time and energy to do something, 80-85% of the time it will be done with some measure of overkill.

One guy actually came out and suggested leaving the old steel window frame in, and just put a new vinyl window inside.

There will be more windows replaced and more storm windows made till replacements are in.

I also am a BIG fan of LED lighting, have installed 5 in the house so far. Upstairs Flouro's are next on the hitlist.
We don't use the upstairs for much, so it gets back-burnered.

Chaz