Advice on what to do next?

keyser666

summerholiday wrote: »

Absolutely. But if you are out and cutting back one trick is to always order a cola in a 250ml wine glass. No one will know the difference, its cheaper and you stay sober. I do the same with cider.

I do that when I dont want to get drunk on a date with someone

hazyjo

I'm taking packed lunches at the moment, and buying multi-pack crisps and chocolate (whatever multipacks are on offer) for lunches. £1 for 4 or so chocolate bars when on offer, and around £1.50 for 6x Walkers crisps. I'd be paying at least 70p for a bar of chocolate and around 85p for crisps otherwise. It's the little things like that. If you think about how much a sarnie costs - at least £2.50 usually, you can get 2 loaves of decent bread for that. Keep them in the freezer if they go off too quickly. Have them for breakfast too, or cereal... don't grab something which costs a couple of quid. It all adds up.

I'm getting a supermarket delivery every two weeks, and include all of the above on that. Tesco have some great 'everyday' items which are soooo cheap. Don't get a basket of stuff every few days. And definitely don't go round with a trolley once a week. I can't spend under around £100 if I go to the supermarket. I'm managing to cut mine right down to around £40-50 every two weeks by being really careful and getting it delivered. I've got 57 items on my shopping list due to be delivered tonight, and it's cost me £50. My BF also gets a few frozen and personal bits in every 2 weeks and spends less than £50.

If I don't make sarnies (actually, my BF makes them for me, I'm very lucky!), I end up spending around a fiver on lunch! Plus the odd treat like a lasagne which will cost a fiver in itself.

Forget the credit card. When you've had a drink, you'll spend and spend on it - especially if it's kept behind the bar. Take cash. You will think twice about getting someone else a drink, and you will see the money dwindle.

I draw out £100 a week for spending. Try sticking to a set amount and you'll soon find yourself cutting back where you can.

I'm currently paying half the bills and mortgage (£1,250 a month to cover that) on a house bought for a fair bit more than £400k, and I'm paying for stuff while living with my BF - bills/food. Also run a car, and have a social life. It can be done... I'm just trying desperately to cut back where I can!

Jx

hazyjo

PS also be careful with 'bargains'. 2-for-1 deals on things like toothpaste or handsoap can still be over £3 for one. There are some supermarket-own products which are just as good for half the price in the first place.

I've started buying Tesco handwash for under 60p (it's nice stuff!) instead of looking for brands offering deals which still cost around £2 each, and I'm buying Tesco's all singing dancing toothpaste for around £1.50. Just don't see the difference. They have even cheaper stuff that's probably okay too!

Boots had a reduction on Aquafresh this week - £1 per tube, and 2-for-1. Bargain. Things like that, grab them when you see them. But think about the actual starting prices of things too and then look to see if you can get something cheaper as an alternative. Don't assume you've got a bargain cos something's 2 for 1.

Jx

paddy's_mum

Norfolkbor wrote: »

[I spilt up with my fiance and we had both names on the mortgage.] She then signed the whole mortgage over to me

Can you explain exactly what this means?

Did your mortgage company agree and were the Land Registry documents altered to show the changed status?

I ask only because you wouldn't be the first to make a non-binding "verbal agreement" which subsequently comes back to bite you!

Norfolkbor

The property has been transfered to me. The land registry documents are in my name.

Norfolkbor

And thanks everyone for your money saving tips... I'll give it a couple of months of cutting back to see if it gives me the money to get the things/do the things I want. If it doesn't then I'll have to revert to the original plan and move to a cheaper flat.

blackshirtuk

I know you said you were no good a DIY but.....

Why not have a go, there are plenty of tutorials on youtube etc. You have the time, its only you in the house no wife nagging to get it finished, andxat the end if you think it still looks carp either have another go or get a professional in and watch how he does it!

I have learnt most of my DIY skills through trial and error, and when you get stuck post a question on the DIY/HOME board, they are most (ly?) helpful.

hazyjo

Please don't forget to include service charge and ground rent in any budgeting costs if considering buying a flat. Also appreciate that if major works (or even pricey minor ones!) are planned, that s/c may well increase, or you may end up with a large bill at some stage.

And add the cost of moving to that equation too! That will run into thousands. And think of the future - appreciation/depretion in different areas, flats against houses, etc.

Add to that the fact you might meet someone and move them in/sell to buy with them. You really don't want to downsize/downprice only to find you want to move again within a few years.

Any thoughts on the tutoring (direct at the school rather than home tutoring if that's easier)?

Good luck!

Jx

Norfolkbor

After much number crunching I think I'm going to take the plunge and get a lodger.

I'll have to get some furnitiure sorted first though.

I've trawled the net about taking a lidger in and although a risk it could work out really well.

Dunno if I should rent the big or small bedroom out though (both are doubles). I also have a cat - thats going to put alot of people off

Fire_Fox

A cat might attract lodgers, there are plenty of people who love pets but cannot have one in temporary accommodation. It is important that your cat and house are flea free tho, might be worth zapping the house with Acclaim or Indorex just to be on the safe side? Protects the house from beasties for up to a year IIRC and a lot of people have had infestations this summer.

Let the larger room if you can, gives the lodger somewhere to retreat to if you want a break from each other. Chances are you don't spend that much time in your bedroom anyway. Price competitively and it will let, just make sure you have all the safety stuff in place - gas safety check, PAT test appliances, fire alarms on all floors, informed your insurers.