WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

WantToBeSE

Afternoon All Feeling much better this afternoon Just a bit bunged up and very tired, but still alive and fighting

So, the search for a car has started I think I am looking at saving another £1000 for a car (if my current car lasts that long!), meaning I'll spend about £2500 on a car.

Any suggestions on make/model? I need:

5 door
At least a 1.4
Petrol
Reasonable size boot

Not a long list of must haves, but obviously the usual; in decent nick, no dents, at least some service history and a bit of MOT and Tax left.

Have been looking on Auto Trader and have seen a few that I like (Ford Fusion, Seat Ibiza, Renault Megane). Its nice to be able to look, knowing that I can afford it for a change!

WantToBeSE

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I think I am looking at saving another £1000 for a car (if my current car lasts that long!), meaning I'll spend about £2500 on a car.

how many times can I say 'car' in 1 sentence!?

MissOptimistic

That's good to hear you are feeling a little better :j
I don't really have any advice regarding a car, although I know if you do your research you can get more for your money if you buy at auction as this is where dealers get rid of most of the cars they take in part ex. It is a risk though if you don't know what you're doing. My OH who is a car nut says you can always tell on Autotrader, if they've taken a pride in how the car looks in the photos then they've probably looked after the car too (he wouldn't entertain looking at a car if they had taken a photo of the inside for example and it wasn't immaculate & they hadn't bothered to straighten up the steering wheel before taking the photo!)

tattycath

Well WTBSE, I have just sat and read the whole of your diary.
Wow! What an inspiration you are.
Well done so far and continued good luck on your journey.

WantToBeSE

Evenin' All

I am having a lovely relaxing one this evening. The housework is done, the kids are upstairs playing with their tablets , the cat is asleep and I am treating myself to my 2nd glass of wine..and on a school night too!

Hiya tattyCath Thanks for reading and posting. No more lurking for you either..feel free to join in I see by your signature that you are aiming to be MF, do you have a MF diary? I'd love to pop over and say Hi!

MO- you seem to be the same as me when it comes to cars. Re the auction, I would be far too scared! I am going to take my time I think. It'll be another month at least until I have £2500 anyway..as long as my current car lasts that long!

Decided against the GP visit, as am feeling much much better this evening. Phew!

Jo- spry I didn't reply to your last post. Maybe just go shopping alone next time? I hate taking the kids shopping, as they want all sorts of naughty things. Jaffa cakes always get chucked in the trolley, along with tortilla chips etc.

Roll on Friday!!

tattycath

I do have a diary on the debtfreewannabe board.
I have had a few fraught months and lacking in mojo.
I won't be a stranger.
I'm another who would like to live in Cornwall at some point.

atush

tatty, a question-

what is your mtg rate? And what are you sacrificing to be MF? Instead of savings/pension?

tattycath

atush wrote: »

tatty, a question-

what is your mtg rate? And what are you sacrificing to be MF? Instead of savings/pension?

Our rate is 2.5 at the moment.
I really do need to up pension really if I'm honest.
As for savings...I desperately need us to have a cushion-so I'm trying to save at least 5k this year. Fingers crossed.
Our income is erratic so I just pay off what I can - over and above the normal payment - when I can.
I am concentrating more on savings right at this moment in time though.

cathybird

WantToBeSE, good to hear that you're feeling a bit better.

JoJoC

WTBSE- we've had a Ford Focus in the past which was five door, 1.6l and really reliable! It might be one to look into!

Kia's are also really popular now because of their 7 year warranty so might be worth looking into.

NSD for me today .

I can't remember if I mentioned, but I rent a parking space outside someone's flat near my work. He told me that he's moving out at the end of the month so our contract would have to end. Everything I looked at was at least £30 pm dearer and further away!!

I happened to be speaking to a girl in work tonight and she said that her friend lives on the same street as my old space and has a space free! Even better, she wants £20 pm less than I was paying!

Just need to iron the details out now but fingers crossed it all works out. One less thing to worry about. Xx