Balancing not just the budget

RosaBernicia

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Yep - absolutely get that way of thinking/looking at things!

Where we are now is very much an "it will do" - I don't dislike it, it's a perfectly pleasant town, but it's not where my heart is if I'm honest - in part as we were forced into choosing it as a result of property in London just being too expensive, and when we bought that was before the "real" solidity of the Hebrides dream had taken hold. I don't feel any real sense of belonging there though.

Yes - though today my mood has changed and I do like the place, everything looks green and juicy and the hedgerows are in full swing. I love this time of year

RosaBernicia

Hmm, my cunning plan to put a potential campervan on a 0% card has come a bit unstuck as it seems none of the small dealers will accept them.

I could put together most of the amount I need from various savings pots, but that leaves me feeling rather vulnerable. And I'm reluctant to give up this idea for another year as it will save other costs and enable me to explore more about where I want to be. So I find myself thinking about a loan. Which should be perfectly doable, and with the :money:loan checker would only cost me about £300 in interest - less if I pay it off sooner, which I would plan to do - I just want to get a few more things sorted with the house. Part of me is :eek: at the idea of going back into debt, the rest of me feels it's very different now that it is for something in particular and that can be sold to recoup the money if disaster strikes for some reason. I suppose it might affect my remortaging options, but I've already checked where I should be at when the change is due and there should be more options than before. Hmmm again. Guess we'll see what happens if I find one I want...


Rosa xx

beanielou

I think borrowing for a specific reason like that is fine.

RosaBernicia

Campervan found - loan sorted. I tipped the holiday savings pot into this one for now so that can be built back up. Have storage booked but need insurance.



Lots of clothes, including shoes and underwear, and new PJs - summer wardrobe improved, in fact I probably have a bit too much stuff if anything - will be weeding it out as I wear things. Have spent about £300 :eek::eek: but got a lot of stuff for that and it's all things I really like and that go with other things



More audiobooks than were perhaps necessary, but was running around a lot and really enjoyed having them as was too wiped to read properly in the evenings



Lots of eating prepped stuff, and need to work on this as have discovered I am now technically beyond my BMI range.



Planning to get the van sorted and a couple more bits done on the house so there is more spending to happen... but getting there, will be on track again in a couple of months. Glad I did decide to go for the loan for the van as I feel much more comfortable knowing I've got a cash buffer available, and I can just pay back the loan asap. Hurrah for the MSE loan probability calculator :money::D





Rosa xx

doingitanyway

I was wondering where you were as your sundays are not being shuffled

The van is excellent news.

It is different getting loans when you know you can instantly pay it off if you desired.

It sounds as if you have been spendy but without regrets so all ok

beanielou

All sounding good

RosaBernicia

doingitanyway wrote: »

I was wondering where you were as your sundays are not being shuffled

The van is excellent news.

It is different getting loans when you know you can instantly pay it off if you desired.

It sounds as if you have been spendy but without regrets so all ok

I was avoiding adding it up DIA :rotfl:


I am basically mortified at the amount of money I'm spending on a luxury... but it is doable and no sillier than many people spend on other non essential things. It just still feels very odd after scrimping for a long time.

kerri_gt

RosaBernicia wrote: »

I was avoiding adding it up DIA :rotfl:


I am basically mortified at the amount of money I'm spending on a luxury... but it is doable and no sillier than many people spend on other non essential things. It just still feels very odd after scrimping for a long time.

Rosa we are in a similar position ATM of funding something with a loan (well that's the plan) in order to ensure we do also have the ability to put hard cash aside as well.

The camper van sounds amazing, can't wait to hear of all your adventures with it.

RosaBernicia

okaay deep breath and the shuffle results are in... I am waay over budget - by about £1,200 :eek::eek::(
This is because I've paid for road tax, top notch insurance and top notch breakdown recovery, first month's storage, gas bottle and several other bits for the new van all up front. It will be partly back to normal on payday and if the timing is good will just clear off the CC next month, if not I will borrow out of the buffer fund because that's what it's for.



I love the new van but it has not been stress free as on day 2 a warning light showed - hopefully just a filter change as it hasn't been serviced recently, but luckily it turns out there is a garage that specialises in these in a town nearby so it is off there this coming week for investigations. If it's just the filter that will be OK, if not then I will probably tell the dealer to take it back and look elsewhere. Can't believe I didn't find this garage when I was looking but we are where we are. If keeping it I will get them to service it asap so that any other issues are found before the warranty runs out. Torn between feeling very glad I did buy from a dealer who has to resolve any issues and that I can afford peace of mind with the best insurance and recovery options at least this first year while I get to know it, and thinking I am just pouring vast amounts of money into it. Hopefully it will be resolved soon and as soon as I get to use it will all feel worth it!



All else is on track apart from the stupid electric company who keep ringing me just not when we arranged, so have to sort that out soon too. Have been spending on books too but am not sorry :P





Rosa xx

beanielou

Hope it is easily & cheaply resolved.