BabyB wants to be mortgage free (or at least have more equity!)

sarahevie

all advice is that car seats should be replaced following accidents - because there could be damage that isn't visible to the naked eye. Personally I wouldn't risk it but it will probably be ok.

Car seats and mattresses are the only things I haven't bought second hand for my two.

Our insurance gave us £100 per seat to replace. (Came in halfords voucher form.) Our seats had actually cost more than this, but we got cheaper ones to replace to keep within budget.

adwat

Hi BabyB

Great diary, I've enjoyed reading how well you've done tackling your mortgage. Sounds like you need to get your boiler on a contract ASAP. We had problems with our old boiler which was on contract with British Gas, however, it was so knackered they were out fixing it more often than not. In the end I decided to bite the bullet and replace it - touch wood it has been fine since apart from one repair which I sorted myself - that was a couple of years ago. What we've saved on not having a contract on it has basically paid for most of the cost of replacing it. Not that I'd recommend anyone not having their boiler on contract with British Gas

babyb06

Thanks for the comments!

CathT - I am a little worried about my neck/shoulder - it hurts to drive and lift things, but my boyf has now persuaded me to go to doctor's tomorrow morning as he was shocked when i went out with curly hair as it was too painful to lift and hold my hair straighteners (bearing in mind it is only the 3rd time in 3 years he has seen me with curly hair as I hate it sooooo much, he is worried about me!).

Had a google about the car seat and taking Sarahevie's comments on board I will replace it, not worth the risk, I would never forgive myself if anything happened and in any event I can't see why I shouldn't be able to claim it back.

I have decided to buy a new (to me) car! Been wanting to do it for a while but then when my car needed various repairs last year it put me off buying a new one as I wanted my money's worth out of the repairs, but after putting it in the garage this weekend it needs some (non accident related) repairs soon - garage said it wouldn't pass MOT but would be OK for another month or so without repairs. Have falllen in love with a Golf 2 litre TDI SE - 2009 plate. It is a little more than I had envisaged spending, but covers everything I need and all of my wants too and is still in it's 3 year warranty (plus garage warranty) and good mileage. I need to haggle on price/trade in value though......whilst I am good at negotiating when at work always find it tough personally. I have a figure in my head I want to pay but not sure if that is reasonable or not.

Plus need to decide how to finance it - borrow from my tax account (means no interest to pay but lose out on interest as will come out of my offset account) or take a loan (higher interest to pay than I would lose if took £ from offset account BUT I can claim back some of interest paid against my tax payable as my car is approx 70% business use)....hmmmm.....decisions to make....and I am bad at that!

babyb06

PS Adwat - I have an electic water heater/boiler and seperate electric central heating system. Have struggled to find a policy to cover me as most are for gas boilers - any advice welcome!!!!

adwat

I see what you mean - I can't find anyone offering electric boiler cover. Try contacting the manufacturer directly, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

babyb06

I bought a new car yesterday - think I got a good deal on it and it is just what I wanted. Going to pick it up next week can't wait! :j Will make such a difference having a comfy car!

It does mean that my O/Ps will slow down though as I want to pay the car loan off as quickly as possible (no charge for overpayments on it). My original plan was a £10k overpoayment this year, but I increased that to £12.5k but that might not be achievable now. Not going to change my target though - a challenge is good!!

Off to Edinburgh on Friday for my birthday for 3 nights, can't wait for some relaxation time and quality time with my boyf - although I see him every night at home, it feels like I have spent so little time with him - it'll be good to catch up on gossip, giggles and snuggles!

babyb06

I am addicted! My mortgage went out today and balance was £149,067.07! Great! But it has bugged me all day, so I have just transferred £67.07 to make it a round £149,000.

Only a small payment for me, but this month it was a squeeze - less money has come in so far this month than any point in last 6 months and my spending has been through the roof - had to find £700 to add to my car purchase and just come back from 4 days in Edinburgh I am feeling the pinch. However, all my bills come out between the 1-17 of the month, so no more to pay for rest of February.

Oh and I picked up my new car on Tuesday!!! :j It is soooo much nicer to drive than my old one!

Yeah! One little problem though, I keep stalling it - now, I am not a great driver, but not that bad either! Not sure if it is me not being used to a diesel or if it is the car (when I took it for a test drive the battery was completely flat as it had been on forecourt all day with boot open and boot light on. Will have to keep an eye on it i think!

babyb06

Hello!

Just got home from a impromptu trip to Scotland. My OH's family were having a party, we hadn't planned to go but I knew he would enjoy it, was just being a little lazy as it is a long way for one night but family are too important so encouraged him into it. Spent a £170 though :eek:

Oh well, February has been a good month for o/p's and have taken £1080.69 off my mortgage and added £1335 to my offset savings to repay my grandma.

Unfortunately my grandma had a bad fall last week and broke her hip, she is in hospital at the moment and although the operation went well she is going to struggle alot once discharged and may need to go into a care home, the thought of which upsets me.

Iris_Blue

Hi babyb,

Just managed to catch up with your diary.

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you feeling better soon.
Keep every receipt -paracetomol , new car seat receipts, bank statements etc as they made be needed. My oh had some nutter run in the back of him in 2007 and its only coming to an end now.

I hope your grandma is o.k too.

babyb06 wrote: »

I am addicted! My mortgage went out today and balance was £149,067.07! Great! But it has bugged me all day, so I have just transferred £67.07 to make it a round £149,000.

This tickled me as I would personally be itching to pay the £67.08 to get me under 149k!


Iris

pammyj74

me too iris, I would have probably done £70, as i cant op pennies has to be pounds and either £5s or £10s - we're all strange arent we

Sorry about your grandma, My mum is 66 this year and when my lil sis moves out with her new baby she will be on her own most of the time and she hurt her back last year and she had sciatica. I worry that she will have a fall or something and not be able to move or get near a phone. Isnt it strange when you stop being the child and become the carer. Not that I can do much from where I am but maybe when my mortgage is paid and the kids have flown I may move back to do my part, who knows?