Lulabelle's MFW Diary

edinburgher

We're great, thanks (and we also opted for a fairly long fix, although probably for different reasons)

lulabelle1

edinburgher wrote: »

We're great, thanks (and we also opted for a fairly long fix, although probably for different reasons)

I pondered the 10 yr fix for a while as it was higher that the base rate that we had and also removed much of the flexibility that we had in regards to being able to take back OP's etc.... but in the end we decided to go for it as we didn't want to kick ourselves in a few years time once the interest rates have gone up etc....

Did you also go for a 10yr fix?

lulabelle1

Very gloomy here today weather wise, but can't grumble as the weather over the last week and a half has been stunning.... perfect really. Love early Autumn sunny days.

We had a low cost weekend - a few family bike rides and avoided any kind of shops. Were tempted by the thoughts of glasses of wines in pub gardens, brunches outside etc etc, but resisted all temptation and didn't spend anything at all.

At one point DH thought I'd brought down the Marks and Spencers payment technology - we popped in to town as I had something to RETURN and it kept rejecting my card. In the end, the whole machine broke. DH decided that it was so used to me buying things I'd flummoxed the whole thing by wanting money back. Nuff said.

I've started a "wish list" containing all of the things that I "think" I need but can't currently afford. Maybe that'll almost be as good as actually buying the things?

lulabelle1

Oh, and in B2L news - the tenants oven is knackered, new one enroute

edinburgher

Sorry to hear about the oven Lula, did you get a decent deal on the replacement? A reasonable oven isn't particularly dear these days, hope it doesn't impact your yield too much.

Your not shopping will help to repair the damage

We opted for a 5 year fix. A 10 year fix wouldn't have been available as we were trying to free up cash for improvements and it had quite a negative impact on our LTV. Nothing that we're not comfortable with, all rates feel reasonable when I remember that we were paying 5% a few years ago.

lulabelle1

edinburgher wrote: »

Sorry to hear about the oven Lula, did you get a decent deal on the replacement? A reasonable oven isn't particularly dear these days, hope it doesn't impact your yield too much.

Your not shopping will help to repair the damage

We opted for a 5 year fix. A 10 year fix wouldn't have been available as we were trying to free up cash for improvements and it had quite a negative impact on our LTV. Nothing that we're not comfortable with, all rates feel reasonable when I remember that we were paying 5% a few years ago.

We paid £159 in the end..... we could have got a cheaper one but it would have involved having an electrician to wire it in. We bought one where it literally just plus in, so it makes it cheaper in the bigger picture sense. Hopefully, we'll have nothing else go wrong for a wee while. With the B2L, if I can cover the expenses including the tax on the so called "profit", then that'll do me nicely

5 year fix still provides a good amount of safety, well done. (and I think it's those 5.xx% rates that made me go for the 10 year fix, can't really grumble at 3.14% and no fees).

edinburgher

Our last new oven was a similar one, I purchased it for the same reason, couldn't see why so many of the like for like replacements would require getting an electrician in to fit a spur when the previous oven had survived 20 years without one!

Add in the fact that new ovens draw less power in many cases than the ones that they're replacing and it seemed daft to go for anything that required additional wiring.

I await the rebuttal from either an electrician or someone whose oven exploded while cooking a pizza

lulabelle1

The rain has finally stopped and there is a glimmer of sunshine The trees outside are looking beautiful with all of their autumn colours..... lovely!

Another day of waiting in for me - Oven delivery is due this afternoon. Waited in all day yesterday for the Plumber to come and finish a few o/s jobs - he never turned up. It's not the first time. He was booked to all of the jobs that we needed on 9th September - some still haven't been done. Mental and I'm surprised I've stayed so calm for so long. If he doesn't come today I'm going to get someone else to do it (although that is probably easier said than done).

I've decided to cancel DS1's pocket money. He's 11.5 and is bone idol. We'd agreed that he'd do some jobs around the house to earn the pocket money and apart from tidying his room (when told to, under duress) and hanging the occasional clothes in his wardrobe (badly) he does nothing. It's a combination of us being too soft and him being so lazy. On top of that, he's got a really stinky attitude at the moment and I just don't feel inclined to give him any money.
Oh, and the bright spark also lost an entire PE kit last week - we're talking new football boots, shorts, socks, t-shirt & rugby top. The whole lot. Lost. His attitude leaves me inclined to tell him to do PE in his pants, but I don't suppose that would go down well at secondary school.

By this time of year I've usually made massive inroads in to my Christmas shopping (usually finished and ready to wrap). However, I've got as far as making a list of people we need to buy for and then making some side arrangements with a few of these people to agree that we won't bother any more and just buy for the children. A good achievement but still nothing bought for Christmas! Ah well, it can wait...... plenty of time.

lulabelle1

edinburgher wrote: »

Our last new oven was a similar one, I purchased it for the same reason, couldn't see why so many of the like for like replacements would require getting an electrician in to fit a spur when the previous oven had survived 20 years without one!

Add in the fact that new ovens draw less power in many cases than the ones that they're replacing and it seemed daft to go for anything that required additional wiring.

I await the rebuttal from either an electrician or someone whose oven exploded while cooking a pizza

Long may we live without exploding pizzas :rotfl:

lulabelle1

Off in to the big smoke today.... means I can treat myself to a fancy coffee courtesy of expenses (haven't had a "fancy" coffee since the kitchen was finished as we bought a coffee machine thingy and so I have one of those every morning. I shudder to think how much we've spent at C*sta and *tarbuck*..... but we've agreed no more!!)

Yesterday was a bit spendy as we replaced some PE kit items and bought new football boots - we did however, do it is MSE as possible. DS1 has been told that if it happens again he will pay to replace things himself. (Have also cancelled his pocket money)

School photo proof came home with DS2 yesterday.... I always feel like I need to buy one of these incase I regret it down the line, however I seem to have copious amounts of school pictures!! Currently, they're all displayed in my home office. One of those things can't be avoided really and it nice to see how they grow/change from picture to picture. Especially as nowadays most pictures are taken on the iPhone and never ever printed.

Right, best get myself sorted and off to the station