Macgirl's "Stop Procrastinating and Get on with it" Diary

hypno06

I'd not heard of the "inner brat".....but I know that there is one lurking within me too

How about putting a different slant on things - keep your eyes open for a repossession, for example, that would be significantly cheaper than other houses? If you can get where you want to be, but by doing it a slightly different way - saving money as you go, rather than spending it, for example then might that work?

Have you tried doing a spreadsheet to include the amount that you will not be paying for nursery fees etc to see when you could realistically be debt free and with enough money to do the work that you need to do to the house where you are?

How much do you need to finish off the house you are currently in. How about making that the focus of your MSE money (rather like my emergency savings pot, it is amazing how quickly it adds up)? rather than borrowing more money to do it?

Sorry, am rambling, just trying to brainstorm!

elantan

maybe chart your progress too ...it really helps to visualise things ...where you were at the start where you are now ...what you want etc etc

kissjenn

Hi Mac,

Does your OH have the deposit you need already saved up elsewhere because if you were hoping to get somewhere just under £250k that's around £50k minimum especially as he's self employed and your salary is all tied into this house?

One thing which may be useful would be to talk to some financial advisers to get their opinion on availability and costs of mortgages for your particular circumstances. That way even if you stay put a little longer you will at least have an idea of the income they will be looking for from the business, possible costs etc.

Also if you just fixed for 5 years you will be probably subject to penalty clauses if you remortgage now, do you know the costs of changing the term, amounts or even ceasing the current mortgage?

Like Hypno, I don't mean to be a downer but house costs can be astronomic and if there's no reserve fund then it all has to be found from somewhere which means potentially more on the cards or the mortgage.

macgirl

Thanks so much everyone!

The short answer is no, neither of us have £1000's saved up anywhere, so equity would have to be released from this house for the deposit.

I'm pretty sure we can scrape together the cash for fees, moving costs and stamp duty. And as you say Hypno, I think there are ways of getting together the cash to finish the house, rather than borrowing it, which I really want to avoid.

It's ironic that DH has always been anti-borrowing and now advocating it. I've been through the pain barrier and in my gut I know it's wrong to borrow on the future..... time to grow up.

Flylady says your inner brat is like Nellie from Little House on the Prairie - the blonde ringleted one. It's the person inside who thinks they have a right to things, but ultimately causes trouble and misery - by being a brat. It's an interesting concept - you should take a look. Flylady proper is not just about cleaning

In fat world - ran 3 miles and lost 2lbs! :j I should done 4 miles, but I bumped into a friend who had me in stitches for 20 minutes, then gave me a lift home. He's invited us round for a "few bottles" of wine this evening

Have a good day and thanks again.

hypno06

A friend who makes you laugh, gives you a lift/shortcut from a run, and invites you round for what sounds like a good evening is the sort of friend we could all do with!

Enjoy x

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Hi diet buddie! Well done on 2lb fab! I went over yest but under overall for week.x I am loving it thanks for introducing me to it.xx

macgirl

Shame on me.

I set my alarm last night to go for my 10k this morning. Got up fine at 6.45 (5.45 :cool:), got ready and set off. About 5 minutes in I thought "S*d this, I really can't be bothered today", so I TURNED BACK! :eek: I've never done that and feel so lazy!

I really need to have the carrot of a race dangling in front of me, otherwise it's very hard to motivate myself. Even the promise of thinness does not do it. So MSE it is! (Though I might have to do the ironing to atone for my sins )

Off to the Coast today, so will make the packed lunch in a bit, then we always have fish and chips on the way home - Mmmmm!

Off to scratch....

hypno06

I can soooo relate to all of that!!

Enjoy the seaside, and the fish and chips - I've got to cheer DS on in a football match this morning, then will do the ironing that I put off yesterday.......highlight of my day is my Tesco shop being delivered!

Happy scratching!

macgirl

Ha Ha! Thanks. 20p gleaned from the scratches - thought I was going to win £500 for a second, but sadly not.

Think my resolve is weak because I was out last night. I didn't drink much, but drank more than I usually do before a run, so think that's it. I'm just mad with myself, because this is long run day. Will have to do a short one in the morning instead. Had a good time though, so it was all worth it!

It's a nice morning here - hope it is there, to make the football cheering more bearable

Still in my high-vis vest, so better go and get changed

hypno06

Its dry here so far, but still too early to tell how the day will pan out.