MFW by 50 years old (2020)

Charlie_H

Hi All,

It has been a very long time since I have given a thorough update for my MFW thread. One reason has been that I have been resenting my home as several things have gone wrong with it. I have been blocked and have just been overpaying like a robot. I had a leak through a roof vent in my kitchen last summer. I battled with my housing association/lease manager and developers to get the work rectified. The developers eventually sorted it out but my then the plasterboard was damaged. They sorted out the damage in March this year. They offered to redecorate but I declined as figured I’ll do it myself and was nervous about ending up with cowboys. Basically-I had no trust. I painted my last flat in its entirety and figured I could cope with this project. They provided £150 of home base vouchers for materials. The project included redecorating the main bathroom and ensuite as had halogen spotlights replaced too. I painted the ensuite-it nealy finished me off as I have back and knee problems.

The main bathroom was the next project it involved some prep as some plasterboard repair was needed. Watched several videos on youtube and started it-totally crap at it and that was when the block kicked in. Packed the DIY stuff away. Then in May had another roof vent leak and water started pouring through a halogen light in this bathroom. A blessing in disguise. Developers sorted this problem almost immediately and checked all the other roof vents and did what they needed to do to prevent this happening again. Apparently, a flap had turned inside out or something meaning that water that normally flows away flows in to the vent. This is when I decided that I need to turn this problem in to an opportunity as the developers offered to decorate again. I decided to let go and get them to finish the plastering and paint the entire room. This has finally been done today. An efficient young man arrived yesterday sorted the plastering and has now finished the painting. He worked very hard and didn’t stop for tea/drink or a break. A real star. I have a nice new bathroom that I am about to clean thoroughly and it was free. Somethings are definitely best left to the experts. :T:T:T

I’m continuing to overpay £499.99/month. 5yr fixed rate ends 30th April and hoping that interest rates will still be low to enable me to benefit from low rates for a wee while. I will be looking to fix for another 5 at some point in 2012 or early 2013.

Lunches still going well and saving a fortune by still not drinking alcohol. Really do need clothes however. May take an overypayment break May 2012 and/or obtain a 0% New Purchase credit card. My running monthly debt is approx £550 so will need to be careful about taking this on.

Good luck with your journeys

Charlie H:j