DFB35 Diary

DFB35

Checked my balances this morning and could spare another 100, so that's 600 saved this month :j I've decided to finally make an overpayment to the loan, first one of the year and paid the whole 600 off :money: :j :beer:

£8,074 to go :j

DFB35

I don't know what made me change my mind and make the overpayment as I was a bit reluctant.. But I'm really happy I did! I think it's because I've not made an overpayment in awhile I got out of habit and for some reason if feels different overpaying the loan as opposed to the credit card.. Less rewarding somehow?

But I am happy I did it and looking forward to getting rid of this last debt..

Also talking to hubby yesterday we have decided to finally repair my eternity ring, I will shop around as was originally quoted over 300 to repair (loads of posts back about a year ago?). But we decided to get it done rather than buying new ones which we were also discussing..

DFB35

DFB35 wrote: »

Just got a call about my ring... Not good news! They estimate 305 to repair it. I just cannot justify this at the moment (or ever really especially considering that the independent shop told me last time that the diamonds they use are not good quality etc... Even though it was an expensive 1000 ring in 18ct gold with 0.5carat diamonds...)

Not sure what the next step would be. I am considering pawning it :eek:

It has sentimental value, don't get me wrong.. But doesn't make sense to keep it if I'm not repairing it. Or repairing it at 300 quid for it to break again in the future??

Oh dear....

stepuptothepl8 wrote: »

I'd put the ring away somewhere safe, and promise yourself to get it fixed when you've saved enough money to do it properly. It's worth getting done, but at the moment you've got other priorities, like DD's school trip. Do NOT pawn it. Focus on the result you are working towards, these little detours do not matter, you're heading a little closer to that DF destination every day xx

Just found my old posts about the eternity ring and want to say big thank you to Stepup for persuading me NOT to pawn it - I can be too hot headed sometimes (all the time )

Anyway, I tried an independent jeweller today and they quoted me 250 - still a lot but less than the 300 I was originally quoted. I am going to get it fixed and pay it out of the next month wage..

It was interesting to read some of my old posts and to see how far Ive come, but I need to keep going to get rid of the remaining 8k. Even though its very tempting just to let the loan run its course.

stepuptothepl8

DFB35 wrote: »

Just found my old posts about the eternity ring and want to say big thank you to Stepup for persuading me NOT to pawn it - I can be too hot headed sometimes (all the time )

Anyway, I tried an independent jeweller today and they quoted me 250 - still a lot but less than the 300 I was originally quoted. I am going to get it fixed and pay it out of the next month wage..

It was interesting to read some of my old posts and to see how far Ive come, but I need to keep going to get rid of the remaining 8k. Even though its very tempting just to let the loan run its course.

you're welcome. Sometimes it's too easy to forget how far we've come. Small steps really do add up but it definitely feels slow at times. You are doing great things! xx

DFB35

Two days before payday and all I need to pay for is travel for those days (£15) and hubby's lunch, he probably take out 30 to last him a week. We have 95 left in the account so doing well

I got my ring fixed and my wedding ring polished - they are looking lovely!! Will pay this off on payday! I'm so worried I'd ruin my eternity ring again though, so taking it off before washing up/housework/ sleeping. I hate taking it off as Im paranoid I'd lose it? Arghhh... The jeweller said the reason I broke it twice already is that the setting is quite delicate so easily gives when knocked, and I'm not the most careful person, always waving my arms around.... But will see how we go..

Also I cut mine and my DDs hair yesterday! We really needed a cut so I decided to have a go, not really sure why as we not that hard up (certainly in a better position that we were this time last year, and we were going to hairdressers then). I watched lots of you tube videos and looked easy enough and came out lovely and straight! It was only a trim on longish hair (I don't think I'd have the courage to cut shorter hair or a more complex cut). But a trim was all we needed and happy with the result, plus saved £35 odd :beer:

DFB35

It's payday, so just popping in to update my sig. Will do an overpayment once I'm comfortable with what we have for the month

DFB35

Some exciting but a little bit scary/ life changing financial news

After long considerations and talks we have decided to go for the house extension. At the moment we have about 600-700 "spare" each month, even more if we tighten our belts further and we believe the best way to utilise this is getting the house done!

I have mentioned in the past all the things that we need to do - kitchen, bathroom, windows, doors, garden - the list is endless! But we are in a good place at the moment with our jobs, kids are that bit older, we just paid off our car so the extension is the next step in our lives.

It feels so weird to be adding to our "debt" but I do believe this is different as it will massively increase our house value.

We are hoping to do a back and side double extension with a new kitchen and bathroom and if theres money left over - windows, garden, drive and all the other things.... But we are NOT increasing the length of our mortgage (we have 20 years) so after this I will be moving straight to mortgage free wannabe and overpaying that as much as poss!

Meanwhile we will still be frugal and gradually reducing the loan too but also saving as much as poss :money:

stepuptothepl8

Exciting times ! We've just done a similar thing by getting the windows done; it's a major outlay but the value of our house will improve and I know it's adding to the debt for a good reason. Will you get 'proper' plans drawn up etc? Do you have a builder in mind? x

DFB35

stepuptothepl8 wrote: »

Exciting times ! We've just done a similar thing by getting the windows done; it's a major outlay but the value of our house will improve and I know it's adding to the debt for a good reason. Will you get 'proper' plans drawn up etc? Do you have a builder in mind? x

Thank you stepup Ive just checked out your sig its looking fantastic!!

We will use the same builders/ architect that my sister in law used when she done hers a couple of years ago and we were impressed with the result. But first I am sorting out our mortgage on Wednesday and then we will arrange for the architect to come and do the drawings etc..

Its exciting but scary at the same time! Im going to focus on the end result - big nice kitchen, nice bathroom and we would have an extra bedroom that my son will go in (hes currently in the box room) and hopefully another bathroom as daughter is getting older so will be very handy. Plus having the money to fix all the other bits of the house and hopefully garden! And try not to think about the money, mess and the upheaval of it all :eek:

But first thing first is the mortgage consultation tomorrow

All the direct debits came out now and accounts are looking healthy but I now will be putting the money aside for the house :money:

We were also playing around with the mortgage calculators and trying to see if we can afford to shorten the length of it, we definitely want no more than 20 years (an can afford it) but looking if we can push for an 18 year one so that way I would be mortgage free by the time Im 50 (scary thought but be nice ).

DFB35

Well after 2 hour phone call we got accepted for a mortgage in principle! Now we have until September to sort out builders and quotes so the mortgage can be drawn :j

It was weird going thorough all of our outgoings because i knew them all to the penny haha

I will stay on this board just to keep myself in check and continue living frugally and will update you guys on how things are going!