100% Mortgages gone - other options?

jpowell79

Idiophreak wrote: »

I don't have a dog, no...And I'd never put spending money on a pet above my ability to afford a home for my wife and (future) children, you're right. The same goes for any other luxury item, for that matter.

I didn't mean to infer, however, that you should get rid of the dog, or that it was a stupid thing to spend your money...I was simply pointing out that you pay your money and take your choice. Some people choose to buy a house, you chose to buy a dog.

I don't think you've highlighted that it's hard to make a go of things in London, but you've certainly highlighted the cost of being a pet person. If you had that £34k you've spent on your dog now, you'd have the 10% deposit people on here said you would, plus some money for fees and you would be "making a go of things". But you don't, so you aren't.

If I had a wife and children, they of course would be my number one priority too!........but I simply disagree with the description of a pet dog being a "Luxury item"......maybe a tropical fish or a pet iguana......but not a dog!

And I didn't choose to buy a dog over a house.....when I got the dog in 2007, the thought of buying a house was merely a dream! I was in £20,000 of debt, and earning less than half what I earn now...... I can assure you at the time I went to pick him up, I didn't have the foresight to think to myself, "wait a minute.....this dog is going to cost you thousands and thousands over the next few years, and seriously jeopardise your chances of ever getting on the property ladder!".......if I'd thought that, then who knows, maybe I wouldn't have decided on getting a dog in the first place.......but I didn't think that way.

Yes I know, its my problem and I just have to deal with it.

jpowell79

DannyboyMidlands wrote: »

What I don't understand though, your phone bill for example. Whether saving for a house or not, if you could cut it in half why don't you just do it? You could buy the dog a little present with the saving.

Good point. I can't quite remember the saying....but it's along the lines of "to conquer the mountain you have to take a series of small steps"

Am definitely going to do this. Also, am going to cut off the sky I think. I only have it so I can watch the premiership games at the weekend....guess I can live with match of the day replays on Saturday nights

I need to stop being negative about the small savings.....my problem is I tell myself, "what difference is £100 a month extra saved going to make towards a £40,000 deposit..... but I guess every little helps.

jpowell79

Idiophreak wrote: »

Have you thought about getting a lodger into your second bedroom?

I thought that was illegal?

Idiophreak

jpowell79 wrote: »

I thought that was illegal?

Need to read your tenancy agreement..

[Deleted User]

Remember if do end up getting a mortage, you'll look at your first annual statement after a year of monthly mortgage payments and think "what's the point of paying all this money when I've only paid back a few hundred quid out of the 200k I've borrowed?".

It's a long term thing, whichever way you cut it. The longest journey starts with a single step, little acorns and big oak trees, and all that.....

samtoby

My salary is not even half of yours and I am saving for a mortgage; its a hard slog but I can not wait for the results!

Bluemeanie_2

Conrad wrote: »

£1200 pm rent!

We have professional people that house share and live in 1 room in the South East and pay about £300 pm. The reason; they want to save a purchase deposit asap.

I'm sorry but some people seem to have thier priorities scewed very much against saving money. Do you NEED a dog?

I agree with everything you say, but please do not encourage people to treat animals away. They are not there to be bought at given away at your convenience. A pet is a commitment, much like a child.

InMyDreams

jpowell79 wrote: »

......all I was doing was highlighting the fact that its tough to make a go of things in London.....that's all

Agreed. I'm sure very few have managed it completely on their own without making some sacrifice somewhere. It's all relative.

Basically you can't tick every box. Sounds like you have loads ticked that are all important to you. Try focusing on those than on the 'sacrifices' (not having your own home in your case) that you have made to achieve that. Go you! I have a lot of respect for people who know what is important to them and go for it regardless of what others think, whether or not I agree with their priorities. Rather less for those who then dwell on what they don't have as a result.

PS I manage to feed my family of 5 for less than you spend feeding yourself and your dog (without even resorting to the cheapest budget brands) so extravagance is all relative too.

andrea1968_2

I've managed to save £9000 in just over a year, not a fantasticly huge amount compared to some but my wages are way below the national average and way way way below your £50k.

I've done it through giving up the things that I thought I needed but didn't and the things I thought I couldn't live without but I could, I just decided I want a house more than I want anything else.

I've still got a long way to go but I know if I carry on its achievable but its not easy, I just happen to think its worth it.