Nearly there!

GreenSaints

Where's this update?

January20

Sorry GreenSaints, I am just a lazy moo I spend more time reading other people's diaries and posts, than writing!

Right, so I finally got my new contract at work, which means that instead of having 2 part-time jobs, I now have one full time job! Yeahh! The hours are good and the money is much better than I was getting doing 2 jobs. I will have to work hard thought but that doesn't really bother me. I'm finishing at the end of this week. Can't wait. Friday will be emotional but I can't wait!

I still don't have an oven and I blame ML for this as I can no longer make a purchase without thinking about it for ages, even if it's spending just £5 lol! the plan is to buy a mini-oven and in about 6-12 months time, when I have saved up enough money, I will get the kitchen done out. I have taken photos of the present kitchen, and will make a plan with measurements and start looking at what is available and what it would cost me. It's a small room and I'd be happy with spending just 1k, or under, or am I just deluding myself?

I'm also planning the bathroom. Same principal: photos, research online and in the shops. Take my time about it... 6-12 months. I'm going to have to live frugally, but I'm used to that.

I treated myself to a new sewing machine. (Again, it took me months to decide which model to choose, how much to spend, best place to get it from etc ). I enjoy making patchwork and particularly patchwork quilts. My machine was old and difficult to use. The new one is a dream and I'm working on my next project: a quilt for my dd's boyfriend. I have just finished hers, and also a cushion floor for the cat so he can watch tv with us :rotfl: :rotfl:

I'm still living life quite frugally. I'm happy that the tools I learned to get rid of my debts are still there. I still have a spending diary. I still think hard about every purchase. I still try and find the best price for everything, check online and in the shops. I still check my bank account online every day. I also have regular savings for those bills that recur every year like tv license, car tax, etc.

And this is all because once the default has dropped from my credit file, my kitchen and bathroom are refitted, minor diy issues put right, I'm putting this place up for sale as I want to buy a small house with a little bit of outdoor space, somewhere, where I won't have to worry about the yearly service charge, and other people irresponsibility and lack of respect for communal property costing me money.

How is that for an update? :rotfl: :rotfl:

GreenSaints

When we did our kitchen it cost us £900, but that company were investigated by Watchdog!

I think you can get some real deals from the big DIY places on kitchens, particularly if you don't want all the fancy features. Howdens might be a good bet.

For bathrooms, I bought my stuff from Better Bathrooms . com. Reason being was because we don't have a bath anymore so we need to get separate deal. Very good and pretty cheap too.

If you have your normal sink, toilet and bathroom set, then again all the big DIY places will have deals on them. Pretty sure you can get a suite for well under £1k

January20

That's exactly what I was hoping for GreenSaints. I'm saving up the money and then will go for it when I see a deal. It may be that getting them both done at the same time with a big diy company (but not B&Q as I've had a dreadful experience with them) will get me an even better deal. I was thinking about just having a shower in my bathroom because I never use the bath tub but then for re-sale purpose a bath tub might be a good feature. Another thing I'll have to do, contact estate agents and see what the consensus is!

I thought Howdens didn't deal with individuals but only with traders?