So true, lol! I bought what can kindly be referred to as a fixer-upper a couple of years ago and my daughter and I are attempting to, well, fix it up. I've learned that it is not nearly as easy as HGTV makes it look! Everything costs 2-3 times more than I think it will and takes about 4x longer than I estimate, although I'm getting a little better at it.
As for the Linux spying issue, I now live my life by two principles: 1) every time I use an electronic device I assume someone is, at the least, gathering information on me. I just read an article the other day suggesting that vendors have been given access to read the content of my gmail, for example. 2) I assume anytime I'm outside my house I'm being watched by a camera.
I'm not saying I like it (I don't!!!), but I assume it and act accordingly. I also take steps to protect my privacy. I haven't been on my Facebook account for several years and yes! life is possible without it. I'm going to delete my account because I fundamentally disagree with their business model.