Balancing not just the budget

RosaBernicia

Thanks Buffy and DIA...



No new diary, just distracted, though I have been considering it!



All is ok, just settling into new place and job. I'll post an update in a bit




Rosa xx

doingitanyway

When you are settled maybe a new diary is a good idea as you are definitely in a new phase of life. Anyway whatever you do its good to know you are ok

beanielou

Good to see you :wave:

Buffythedebtslayer

glad all is well XXX

EssexHebridean

Glad all's OK with you!

RosaBernicia

Hi all, just dashing in to say hello and hope you are all safe and well.

Things here are ok.  A bit of a case of not knowing you're lucky til afterwards.  It took much, much longer to sell the house than predicted which was really stressful, since I couldn't have kept paying both mortgage and rent.  I had to let it go for much less than I had hoped.  Was about to finalise something here and backed out just before lockdown - very relieved I did.  So will get back to house options when everything has calmed down a bit, and am just grateful that I have it sorted and can stay renting here as long as I need. 

Work is very busy and all plans have changed.  I'm glad to feel I'm in a place to be useful and grateful that my income is stable.  Moneywise, I got the Firefox extension for YNAB and am mortified by my groceries bill but it's not likely to change any time soon nor is it a problem, so it's not exactly a priority right now.  I have the house money in a high-ish interest account, and split out an emergency fund to try and rebuild my buffers.  Slowly moving some savings into premium bonds, more for the entertainment value of potential prizes than because it makes any financial sense. 

The situation with the house was upsetting but not so much from the financial view as about the time I gave up - decorating and fixing, scrimping to shave time off the mortgage, skipping time with people and events all to no eventual gain.  I'm not going to make that mistake again - now that I've moved, it's possible to buy without stretching myself so now it's absolutely all about value, not money.  

Stay safe everybody

Rosa xx

EssexHebridean

That's reassuring that the roof over your head currently is "safe" anyway - although yes frustrating to have to let the house go for less than hoped. At least it did sell though rather than you being left in limbo now I guess - I do feel for people in that situation. 

Glad to hear you're OK generally too - it's an odd situation we find ourselves in for sure.

RosaBernicia

Thanks EH.  I felt bad about backing out but couldn't be dealing with the possibility of paying for a house I couldn't move into, and had no way of knowing what lockdown would mean.  I may still reconsider it when things are clarified, though tbh I don't feel I want to stretch the budget that far any more. 

Hope all is well with you, will hop over to your thread for news 

Rosa xx

bellevie

Hi Rosa, I don't know where to find all the threads I had initially subscribed to - just noticed in notifications you had commented so was able to trace back that way!
Glad to see you are well and have a roof over your head, still with savings to potentially buy again when things have calmed.

I think a lot of people are really going to re-assess their lives after this, rethink whats really important to them, and you are right, you are all set to make a move in future, so it gives you freedom to enjoy life a little more when we get out of this. 

Do you still have your camper?

xx

RosaBernicia

bellevie said:

Hi Rosa, I don't know where to find all the threads I had initially subscribed to - just noticed in notifications you had commented so was able to trace back that way!
Glad to see you are well and have a roof over your head, still with savings to potentially buy again when things have calmed.

I think a lot of people are really going to re-assess their lives after this, rethink whats really important to them, and you are right, you are all set to make a move in future, so it gives you freedom to enjoy life a little more when we get out of this. 

Do you still have your camper?

xx

Hi Bellevie

Thanks, yes I still have my camper and love it even though it has cost me ridiculous amounts of money and isn't getting much exercise!  It has been well looked after for its age so I plan to carry on looking after it and just make sure I do use it.  I did briefly consider selling it when I thought the house situation would get difficult but I don't fancy my chances of finding one in as good nick for the same money - and it has become my little haven, furnished with cushions and blankets and pretty enamel mugs and all sorts .  I'm actually more inclined to sell the car, as the van is small enough to use every day if I chose and it would save me the double running costs (just might not look terribly professional taking it to work ).  Something to review later in the year. 

I think you're right about people reassessing things, it's a bit of a weird one for me as I had kind of already got there with the move.  Hopefully the right house will come up as things settle. 

Rosa xx