£14310 off mortgage 2010 lets make 2011 better

sarahevie

I've been a bit quiet as we are having school dilemmas, but very positive really as it's because all three schools are rated outstanding by ofsted. One of the three is 20th nationally for SATs results.

The best performing school is in a very 'posh' area and have had quite a few negative comments from 'friends'.

"Well what if it's cliquey, the girls come home wanting designer shoes and a pony "- that sort of thing:rotfl:

sarahevie

Was going to splash out and make the new house a home, but have decided to be frugal about it.

So far Dad has made us built in wardrobes as our christmas present so saved £1000 on the cost we were quoted.

Bought girls new beds ex display £158 for the two, slidestore as well.

£72 for a wardrobe and drawers from a landlords supply shop. (Have got these in my rental place and they have lasted three years already and still fine.)

Need a sofa for the dining room/playroom.

Also a few other bits like bookcase, lamp table for lounge etc but will buy them as and when.

sarahevie

Another two weeks until payday and we are out of money, so going to have to be really frugal.

Have viritually got all our stuff moved over to our new house, just waiting to borrow a van to take the larger items.

Not going to worry too much about overpayments next year, as we want to go on holiday (first time abroad in five years), Oh's 30 towards the end of the year, and it'll be our ten year anniversary in Sept, so it's a year of celebration/

It's all about having fun as a family, whilst the girls want to spend time with us :rotfl:

I won't be able to stop the overpayments, but don't want to be putting 75% of our income towards the mortgage, there's more to life

sarahevie

Did a food shop for the first time in 18 days, so feeling very frugal.

Spent £59 included 10% off and a £5 off voucher, lets see how long we can go before the next shop.

Need to remember to buy a little black book to record spends. I'm going to keep on track of spending dairy in 2013, I've just got to if there's going to be any hope of any OPs.

sarahevie

We've been having a few little problems with the paperwork at the 'new house.'

The NHBC warranty had gone 'missing.' Wasn't anything structural as it had been signed off for planning, building regs etc. We think as the house was a repossession, the owners hadn't kept on top of paying for the certificates.

Anyway it makes the house essentially unmortgageble for the first ten years without it, as most lenders stipulate the NHBC warranty in order to lend on a house under 10. The house is six, which would have meant waiting 4 years to pay back the parents.

Anyway lots of chasing and phonecalls and we have the paperwork. We thought we might have to pay for the NHBC, which can cost thousands but we didn't. Explained the situation and received it in the post.

Whilst chasing the solicitors we were sent the latest valuation from the Halifax at £300,000 which was used for the previous owners remortgage in April 2012. (Now we all know that lenders are cautiously valuing at the mo, so this gives us even greater hope that we have secured a really good buy.)

Brodiebobs

Glad you managed to get the paperwork sorted at no cost, I was also impressed with our halifax valuation after hearing some horror stories on here i expected the worst!

sarahevie

Well we are going back online tomorrow after being without TV or internet since 7/01/2013.

I would really recommend it, not necessarily from a money saving point of view, but I've loved not having the distraction from the kids.

I haven't missed TV at all, although 'friends' have said how do you cope without half an hour in front of cbeebies. Actually really well.

I'm four weeks into my PGCE and loving it. Probably going to have to use all this years potential Ops on childcare, but it's my time now and I want to get back into a career.

sarahevie

Trying to be even more frugal than normal as there are going to be even bigger changes this year.

I'm having another baby, due end of August, so I'll have 3 under 5s all being well.

Still on with my PGCE, I'm doing it part time and determined to carry on even with a newborn. It's only two days a week.

Will be carrying on with my usual money saving ways, grocery spends £50 a week. Won't be changing my car, getting a second car etc.

Shame I gave away all the girls baby stuff when we moved, but will be replacing essentials (with two kids already, I can see past the latest must have) second hand and as cheaply as possible.

Decided all being well to Op £4000 in April, so watch this space.

cocalls

wow congratulations and good luck!

beth111

Congratulations!!:T