Carpets or savings??

skintchick

Hello peeps! :hello:

Haven;t been on for a while cos I am always working, which is kinda what this thread is about.

I was told yesterday that my time freelancing at the place I've been working will end in two weeks

I knew it was coming because the role I've been doing I'm not qualified for, and they are getting someone in to do it.

Sadly, there are no roles available that I can do, and they cannot create one as I am too expensive

So I have to leave.

I don;t as yet have anything else lined up, but I have started putting feelers out. I got a bit too comfortable where I am as I've been there four months now, and assumed they would give me a permanent job. But that's my mistake.

Anyway. I desperately want new carpets. (see, the title DOES make sense!) It will cost me about £2,000. But my old ones are from 1983, are brown and threadbare and embarrassing.

Now, I know I don;t NEED them but I do want them.

By the time I finish work in two weeks I will have saved £4,600 NOT including August's 'wages' which I will pay myself on the 1st. Additionally, I have £900 saved for next year's big bills, which I *could* dip into but don;t really want to touch.

So I can afford carpets, BUT if I don't get any work for a while I might wish I'd kept the money.

I need £1,025 a month, and there isn;t too much room for manoevre in that.

I no longer have a lodger but I could get one, to bring in £350 a month tax free.

Should I still get my new carpets?

What would you do?

Emmzi

I would wait until you know where next paycheck is coming from; and when you have 6 months living expenses in savings, and a current job, *then*buy carpets.. but not from your six months cash!

Toto

I just carpeted the entire upstairs (including stairs) of my old house (ready to sell) for £400. It's nice carpet too. I got it from Carpet right who have 60% off sale on right now. Might be worth a look. Otherwise I would plan to do the carpet in a little while, maybe wait until you do have more work before spending the money, it might only be another couple of weeks/months. Or you could maybe carpet one room now and do the rest another time. I wouldn't blow 2k right now though with no idea when you are going to have an income again, you have lived with the old carpets this long, a few more weeks won't hurt too much... would it?

skintchick

I have never had, and don;t expect to ever have, six months' wages saved up!!

I'm freelance so 'current job' doesn;t really apply - usually I work from home selling my wares (oo-er) so it is a bit hit and miss really.

I do soooo want new carpets and not these horrible brown, threadbare ones. *sighs*

skintchick

carpetright quoted me the 2k. Just had a local man come to quote too in case he's cheaper.

I want a decent wool mix carpet, see. And I need all new underlay as mine is over 20 years old!!

Broken_hearted

I would buy the carpet as you do need them. Maybe only do one room for now though, it so depressing when you come home and it needs work doing.

Emmzi

well... how about working out what 'average' income is... everything you get above that can go into 'carpet' fund..and when carpet fund hits 2k, you can have them..?

And hey..only 7 payments to DFD? You can have 6months wages saved after that...

tesuhoha

I wouldnt get carpeting. I would get a wood floor or laminate. Our bamboo floor actually worked out cheaper in the last house and its much cheaper and more pleasant, looks much nicer, smells much nicer, no dustmites or stains, easy to vacuum and clean. I am not encouraging you to spend but if you are anyway, it might be a good idea to get some estimates and you might be pleasantly surprised.

skintchick

Thanks teshuhoha but I don't like laminate, and real wood flooring would cost a fortune! I actually like carpet. Strange but true.

Think I might have to do some more saving before I can have them Unless local man's quote is low!

homersimpson_3

Sadly, there are no roles available that I can do, and they cannot create one as I am too expensive.... Now, I know I don;t NEED them but I do want them.

if you took pay cut would they give you permanent job? the issue seems to be one of your expense- this would tie you over in meantime and you could have carpet- you could give it up when something better comes along. if not or not happy with this wait for carpet- you've said it yourself - you don't need them. you need food and a roof over your head- you can live without a carpet!

skintchick

I'd have to take a pay cut anyway to go permanent, but they can't employ me as a junior when I am a senior!!

And I know I can lived with them, but I've been doing that for eight years and they are soo tatty not even rugs make them look nice any more. They don;t come up clean and are a bit stained in places, and have holes, and rips, and its got to the point where I don;t want people to visit.

I'm supposed to be having a BBQ next weekend and I am embarrassed about my house Even if it's clean it looks dreadful.

Maybe will see if I can get some temp work as a secretary to tide me over (I'm actually a journalist but have shorthand and office skills)