Finally a MFW! :D

Happier_Me

Hang on in there KolaKube, the 30th will be here before you know it. I think your experience is fairly typical of today's housing market if I'm honest. It took us almost 5 months to exchange contracts four years ago as prices started their fall. We had a short chain (we were moving into rented while we exchanged on our house) but our buyers were selling to an investor and he was in no rush to complete the sale. The waiting will be worth it in the end when you are in your new home.

cookiemonsie

Hey KolaKube, welcome to MFW!

Oh my goodness how frustrating for you that the date keeps moving! We were really very lucky buying our first house in July that we weren't delayed much - we completed 3 weeks after our planned date but at least we knew it would be 3 weeks from the start of the delay rather than not knowing.

Sounds like you're doing brilliantly MSE wise too! It's so tempting to just get a takeaway after a long day but I've found that it's amazing how much you can save if you cook everything from scratch.

I haven't quite been able to overpay yet because we needed to sort a few things out in the house when we moved in (needed a fridge, new shower, shed etc), then the bike insurance and tax was due and now this month the car insurance is due but I will OP what I can and then start in earnest in the new year

Best of luck

Cookie

KolaKube

Aw thanks for the words of wisdom guys you're totally right, I think it wouldn't be quite so frustrating for us if the lines of communication were more open - the vendors solicitor is frugal with information at the best of times so none of these date changes have come to light until ours has rung probing as to why such and such a piece of paperwork hasn't been forwarded...

Supposedly the reason the vendor wasn't able to sign their contract last week was illness (i.e. they were otherwise ready to go) - if that had been true it'd be signed it by now, I suspect that was a cover for them not being ready at that point as suddenly they're not in a position to sign the contract this time (so how could they have been ready first time round?!). I'm quite a straight forward person and would be happy enough if they would just be honest with us and commit to a date even if its next month, its the smoke and mirrors I can't stand lol.

Anyway, no point in dwelling on it :eek:

Cookie sounds like you have a lot on your plate! I suspect with me on maternity until Jan we'll struggle to make any OPs this year as the house needs a lot of (cosmetic) work, hoping to start properly in Jan Have you a diary? xx

kirstypark

hi Kola, how frustrating for you having date put back. It will all seem worth it once you are in. We recently moved to a new home at the end of July and did not think we would be able to make any overpayments for a while, but it's amazing how frugal habits last. We managed to sell some old furniture that was left behind, or that we had previously and that has funded quite a bit of decorating budget. Doing a lot of DIY has saved us heaps of cash and managed to get quite a few things in sales or reduced. Anyway, just wanted to wish you well, i will subscribe to your thread and you can help motivate me.

KolaKube

Great idea on selling the furniture kirstypark! Well done you on keeping the DIY etc affordable we have just decided to move in as is and do it slowly, a room at a time (it's liveable, just 70s lol) to spread the cost. Will be looking into doing things as cost effectively as possible!

Poor LO was up half the night with his first cold. I was up and down with him until about 3am then OH took over (I felt so sorry for him going to work this morning he looked shattered! He works a good bit away so was planning a 90 min sleep on the coach thankfully). We are just going to stay in today as its wet and blustery out and I suspect both of us would rather lounge round in dressing gowns than face the gale that's blowing out there!

So far I have put bread dough in the machine (will bake in the oven though), and making plans to eek out the last of whats in the fridge / freezer. Challenging myself to make it to the end of the weekend if possible but I can't see it. Even if we could cover today / tomorrow I'd be happy enough lol.

So meals that I can manage out of whats in:
1) HM pizza using the last of the cheese
2) Lemon and herb Salmon (freezer) with veg and garlic potatoes
3) Macaroni cheese with the last of the bacon & veg
4) Mushroom risotto (packet mix) but OH won't eat this as he's not into risotto (not otherwise fussy lol)

Baking & snacks:
1) HM bread using the last of the bread flour
2) Blueberry muffins
3) Citrus drizzle cakes (we have one lemon one past it orange to use up)
4) Flapjacks
5) HM popcorn

I hear LO up from his nap lol if I can sort the above out today I'll be happy xx

KolaKube

Made the citrus (and raspberry!) drizzle cakes and they are lovely, and the blueberry muffins which are also pretty damn good if I do say so myself lol.... leaving the flapjacks for a few days as we've plenty of sweet treats now.

Who writes these channel 5 afternoon movies?!?

kirstypark

baking sounds great - is your LO weaning yet? Hope he is feeling better soon, it's horrible when they are ill for the first time - then they seem to have a permantly snotty nose all winter - still, all helps build up an immune system! It's freezing and blowing a gale here in Scotland too - might have to give in and put heating on. Although there is a mini heatwave on the way this weekend, I hear

KolaKube

Please please please let that be true - I'd love a mini heat wave!!

Yep hes been weaning a good while now, he just eats what we eat minus any salt, honey etc. It's quite handy really and he likes pretty much everything hes offered lol.

The cold has become just the snuffles, he had another restless night but OH slept in with him and minded him so I got a full nights sleep! So kind of him, I went to bed early so the first I knew of it was waking up this morning in an empty bed at 7.30am lol.

Today will not be a MSE day unfortunately as LO needs new cotbed sheets, his mini nail clippers have gone walkies, need a pressie for BIL... will let you know how I get on lol xx

KolaKube

Very much a spend day today unfortunately...

£14.99 for cotbed sheets :eek: (needed them today and could only find them in mothercare unfortunately! they are good quality and will be well used over the life of the cotbed though)
£8.50 for a pack of 2 fleecy sleepsuits for LOn(also needed, its bloomin freezing at night here at the moment and only going to get colder)
£13 bottle of rum for BILs birthday (tried to slip through the till at £18.76 but I noticed thankfully!)
89p for a card
£1 for 3x bottle giftbags
£1 for a baby grooming kit with some new nail clippers in
£1 for a squeezy honey which OH wanted
£3.75 for a lovely fisher price whale bath toy reduced by 75% in the boots toy sale, to put away for LO for xmas
£5 for a set of cars pajamas to finish off nephews xmas present

£10.30 taking mum out for lunch (my turn!)
£6 for parking :eek:

Definitely not a great day for the old purse

I have that horrible post purchase guilt thing going on now lol, anybody else struggle with spending £ after being careful for so long? xx

my_names_dave

KolaKube wrote: »

I have that horrible post purchase guilt thing going on now lol, anybody else struggle with spending £ after being careful for so long? xx

Yes, but that's the best feeling to have!