Help Hawthorn get a better house!

miss_phish

Hi Hawthorn, I thought I recognised the avatar (elsewhere I'm known as Hedgecomber...;) )

Got to the end of your thread and sighed with relief. My thoughts.. House prices are coming down and with that means rental prices will too be coming down. I wouldnt be surprised if in a couple of years you can get a bigger house for a similar price as you are currently shelling out.

In the mean time good luck with the chaos... have you tried meditation??! Doesn't matter how big or small the house is then!!!

Hawthorn

Well hello there Hedgecomber. I have tried meditation yes - sometimes it's successful, other times my mind races so much that it's impossible. Yet other times, I just fall asleep LOL.

All of that said, it has occurred to me that perhaps I'm trying to run away from the problem by moving, when in reality what will help a ton is not having any debt at all.
We've been clearing it slowly but I think now it's time to really start hammering it.
I did a quiz yesterday, and a £3000 debt can take 41 years on a minimum payment only. Sobering thought. I'm going to aim to be debt free, or thereabouts by this time next year, then we can look at saving/moving. Maybe things will be a little more stable too by then.

Thanks for all the advice folks, it's really appreciated x

mineallmine

Hawthorn, you've made best decision. Just remember it's not permanent, when the time is right you will be able to move on. Had lots of experience of private renting -oh my goodness, what a nightmare.

Focus on your debts, the quicker you can clear them the quicker you can move onto other things. Think of them as the fog, which will in time lift.
In the meantime, try and make the best of what you have. Try and look at your place with fresh eyes. Could you and a friend take a look at the kitchen, are you making the most of all your cupboards, are there unwanted utensils/ gadgets cluttering things up? Could some things you want to keep be stored in the understairs cupboard or loft? Could any furniture be rearranged or sold if not needed.

And try to get a job, this will help with finances. Get in the habit of looking in windows in your local area for details about jobs. Could hubby do overtime? Every little helps as they say. This site talks about snow-balling debts. Take a look around the guides on this site as well.

And very best of luck,

miss_phish

mineallmine wrote: »

Focus on your debts, the quicker you can clear them the quicker you can move onto other things.

Here here! And what was that I heard about expensive washing powder AND softener...?? Vinegar does the job you know :rotfl:

Have a wonderful crimbo and rejoice in the chaos around you xx

PS I have a CC to clear next year if you need some moral support!

ceridwen

Hawthorn wrote: »

My parents think I'm nuts and paranoid LOL. They say I worry too much.
I say, it only takes Hub to get laid off, and benefits to take a while (or be scrapped altogether), and we are without food if we haven't thought ahead. Bills can wait......feeding the kids can't

Humph!!!! Lots of people told me I worry too much.....well...they used to...but now I sense a whole new lot of "respect" for me having done just that and envy that they arent as "prepared" as I am to weather any storms.

I know an awful lot of people used to work on the basis of "THEY would never let me starve/go homeless/etc. We have a Welfare State" and some of them still do. Oh yes....THEY would...believe me....Welfare State....huh! Not when you really need it - I dont think so - its looking pretty threadbare from where I'm standing....and I do think its fair to expect to take a reasonable level of forethought/responsibility for oneself anyway.

Hawthorn

miss_phish wrote: »

Here here! And what was that I heard about expensive washing powder AND softener...?? Vinegar does the job you know :rotfl:

:rotfl:


I know this. I do. It's an addiction Hey, I've improved - I used to use those Comfort Creme ones Now it's down to ASDA concentrate bought on offer :rotfl:
When my powder runs down (I buy it on offer at least ) I'm going to look at the smart price for Whites, and boost with wash soda, see what results that gives me.
Not sure about coloureds yet - I still have to dig around for the best thing for coloured clothes (important for the sake of OH's uniform)

I was traumatised last month. Traumatised, I tell you. I bought Daz instead of Ariel. It was most unnerving :rotfl:

Edit - Ceridwen, people are starting to get worried around me too. Trouble is, the people that are, are struggling, and now can't afford to get any preps behind them

A wonderful Christmas to all of you lovely people too

Miss_Phish, moral support, always good. Lets slay that visa dragon together

BARGAINHUNTER!

Don't forget that a bigger house means bigger bills! The council tax will be more and it will also cost more in gas and electricity to heat and light! Remember to factor those costs into your budget and not just look at the increased costs of the rent!

Hawthorn

Strangely Bargainhunter, the council tax would go down, as we would be moving into the city main. Council tax is about £30 a month less (although that could change with the coming tax year)
You are right about the fuel though, and ours is scandalously high as it is

oystercatcher

Why not see if you can save an extra £300 a month for a year or so (extra to allow for bigger bills etc). If you can then that proves you could pay the extra rent. Use what you have saved to pay off the debts in the meantime.....or put it towards the deposit on a house when the prices have gone right down.

We're squished into a tiny house too but my reckoning is that the boys will all be gone in just a few years and then we'll be rattling round. At least I know this house is warm and cosy and cheap to run!

Oystercatcher

miss_phish

Hawthorn wrote: »

:rotfl:


I know this. I do. It's an addiction Hey, I've improved - I used to use those Comfort Creme ones Now it's down to ASDA concentrate bought on offer :rotfl:
When my powder runs down (I buy it on offer at least ) I'm going to look at the smart price for Whites, and boost with wash soda, see what results that gives me.
Not sure about coloureds yet - I still have to dig around for the best thing for coloured clothes (important for the sake of OH's uniform)

I was traumatised last month. Traumatised, I tell you. I bought Daz instead of Ariel. It was most unnerving :rotfl:

Edit - Ceridwen, people are starting to get worried around me too. Trouble is, the people that are, are struggling, and now can't afford to get any preps behind them

A wonderful Christmas to all of you lovely people too

Miss_Phish, moral support, always good. Lets slay that visa dragon together

I understand the addiction, truly I do. Tanglefoot is the same, softener in every load INCLUDING towels... Now you & I know that it makes towels less absorbent right? So what does he do... wraps himself in a big fluffy SOFT towel then dries himself of with a bleeding HAIRDRYER!!!!! :eek:

Shall we slay the dragon on LSG...? Think I've got about £1200 left to clear...