Preparing for the biggest move of our life

bellevie

Two more days til payday

I'm not sure why it makes me so happy, its the same amount every month and my rent comes out on the same day leaving only a quarter of it left!

Yesterday I used my amazon voucher from S&S to get DD some wall mural stickers. We used them in our last place and it made such a difference to the room.

We haven't got round to it in this place, though she has been sticking pictures up with have tons of blue tak marks all over the place!

I will pick up some tester pots to try and match up the existing paint, it is magnolia but the pot the previous resident left behind isn't an exact match!

When that's all done we can stick the stickers up to brighten up her room.

I'm going to take the old hoover left behind by the resident to the tip, having checked I cant see it in the inventory, I haven't used it in the 18 months I have been here (I have my own) and its just taking up space. Very worst case scenario I can leave my hoover here to replace it when I leave, which hopefully wont be any time soon.

We went to a beautiful park yesterday, the sun shone the skies were blue and it was just spectacular. DD & Mr T Loved it!

Its only round the corner I didn't realise how close, or beautiful it was!

It made me think on my drive back from it, I truly love love love where I live.

So maybe I've been thinking about this the wrong way. Rather than looking to move out to get more for my money etc. It will be better surely to stay where were are happy, even if we end up in the tiniest place going.
I will keep saving in my help to buy Isa, and if a really cheap resale shared ownership place comes up perfect.
Otherwise I might just need to rent for longer. I would hate to move for a home and not feel about the area the way we feel about this place.

You never know, I may one day be in a position to buy direct from the landlord, that would be a dream come true, assuming he doesn't sell any time soon.

That said, if he puts the rent up next year as much as this year, I may have to move but I would look to stay as close as possible.

I don't think it will cure my rightmove/zoopla obsession - and if I can buy in the next few years perfect. Right now though, I just want to enjoy what we have

MuffinTops

Hello bellevie,

I completely agree that the location is incredibly important on where you create your home. Wouldn't it be amazing if you were in a position to buy the place you're in now. I found that what you're doing is definitely the best thing. Preparing for however the future unfolds.

MTxx

bellevie

DD had the pool to herself today as the person she was swimming with had an outing planned. I spoke to reception afterwards and managed to get DD on for weekly lessons 6pm on a Friday. It should be *just* doable. We usually get home at 5.45-5.50, but we pass the pool on the way to ours. I figured a Friday isn't such a bad day to have an after school event as she can sleep in the next day if she needs to. Getting on the course, gives us priority to rebook the same lesson, to second priority to choose another day so if it really isn't working we can try to move to a Saturday class.

Popped to a garage on the way, one of my brake lights went - again!! He said it had melted which makes sense as I smelt a burning smell earlier yesterday before realising one of them was out. Mechanic said it might have been just the wrong type used for the car, or a faulty batch of bulbs as they have all come from the same garage. If the same happens again they can look into it further. There was nothing obvious that they could see wiring wise and the unit was completely dry.

After swimming we stopped off at the range, picked up a tester pot to cover up marks on DD's walls and a set of mirror butterflies that stick on walls. We put them up on our back wall where the lamp stands & dining table is - it looks really nice and cost £1.59!!!

I weighed Mr T today, he is double the weight he was when we got him, and I've noticed he has suddenly got a lot taller, cant believe how fast he is growing! I think he must be nearly done height wise unless he is going to be super tall for his breed, weight he has around 3kg more before being around expected weight.

I can not believe its already Thursday, my week off has flown by!

Payday tomorrow, very excited about topping up my savings

bellevie

Pay Day!!!
Transferred my pre-planned savings across first thing. Should be able to transfer a little more over the next few weeks but that all depends on sticking to budgets so I will move it over each week that there is a surplus!

Last day of swimming for DD - well the crash course at least. I said at the beginning if she tried her very best I would treat her to lunch at the end, DD chose McD's so we will be going there at lunch time!

Still a couple of things to take to the tip whilst I have the time, so Im going to try and load the car before swimming so we can go there straight after - I've got a box of batteries that have been building for months I really must get those out today!

bellevie

Fantastic day so far, and we still have hours left!!

DD managed to swim un aided on her back!!!! I thought the day would never come The teacher held her for the first couple of meters then stayed close so dd could see her but slowly let go with DD blissfully unaware. I think its just a matter of confidence now. DD's always been happy in water but recently her kick has become a lot stronger which I think is helping her realise it will keep her afloat.

Fingers crossed she continues to improve with the weekly lessons.

Got my things to the tip straight after - realised I had left the darned batteries at home!

After the promised McDs, done top up shop straight after - this time remembered the batteries and found Tesco had a giant recycling bin for batteries, bulbs cartridges etc.

Top up shop was £16 (fruit, veg, yogurts, bread, packed lunch bits) plus DD chose some new school shoes £15.

I'm done!

On a not so good note, my tumble drier is one of the ones on recall, apparently I should be getting a call within 10 weeks. The whole situation has made me quite weary and as much as it is convenient I'm not sure I want a tumble drier at all to be honest. I put in the serial number a couple of months ago, it said mine was not at risk, then I had an email from next telling me otherwise, so I put the details in again and it definitely is at risk.

We also signed up to the free trial sky movies via the now TV box to make some cheap movie nights, after that its £9.99 a month, which I may or may not continue depends how much use we make of it.

Off for a little tea break before I finish the rest of the housework!

bellevie

Quick trip to the town I work in - nearest Wilko! They had the flash pads on half price offer so picked up a couple of boxes and topped up puppy pads. I looked all over whilst off internet, supermarkets etc Wilkos are definitely the cheapest - even cheaper than Amazon which surprised me!

I also rather annoyingly had a reaction to a deodorant I picked up yesterday, my armpits where on fire within seconds. Nivea wasn't on offer so I picked up the next cheapest 'sensitive', see how that goes. I hate it when that happens, feels like I've just thrown money in the bin.

DD paid money into her bank account for the first time, she had quite a bit of money in her purse but chose only to put in £1 - I tried to encourage her to put a little more in, but she was already reluctant - are you sure it will be safe mum? They wont loose it, or muddle it up with someone else's money? She did make me giggle, perfectly reasonable concerns really! I plan to show her online when interest is added so she can see its worth while and hopefully become a better saver than I was!
I filled in her paying in slip - first we have used as I normally transfer money online....only to find this branch of Barclays only had one cashier and lots of paying in machines. The man showed dd how to use it, so there she was tapping in her account number and sort code onto a touch screen pc. Suddenly made me feel very old! On the odd occasion I had money eg birthdays, I loved getting a stamp in my paying in book. How times have changed!

Feeling a little glum that I only have one day off, the week has flown by and was been so enjoyable, I want it to carry on for a little longer!

Off to make use of the free sky movies trial now

catriona79

bellevie wrote: »

Pay Day!!!
Transferred my pre-planned savings across first thing. Should be able to transfer a little more over the next few weeks but that all depends on sticking to budgets so I will move it over each week that there is a surplus!

Last day of swimming for DD - well the crash course at least. I said at the beginning if she tried her very best I would treat her to lunch at the end, DD chose McD's so we will be going there at lunch time!

Still a couple of things to take to the tip whilst I have the time, so Im going to try and load the car before swimming so we can go there straight after - I've got a box of batteries that have been building for months I really must get those out today!

Whoop whoop for payday!!! They are the best! Have you seen on FB there's a page you can like (and millions have), called Getting Paid :rotfl::beer:

Mr T is doing well in the growth department!!! You must be feeding him very well.

DD and her swimming - she's getting good at it! Proud mum?

Well done on continuing with your savings.

I read your earlier post about the future and the area you want to be in etc. if I may offer my penny's worth. If I were you, I'd get out of renting as soon as possible, even if you don't get to be (initially at least) in the exact area you want to be. House prices are on the up and the longer you wait, the more difficult you're making it for yourself in the future, as you'll have to pay off a bigger mortgage.
Also, you have a car and can get to all those places you talked about by driving to them, especially as, like you say, you didn't even know they were there.
I know that's very direct, but meant in an honest way - you are such a brave woman, you have dealt with so much - make this one easier for yourself.
And you can even return to your current area later, when you are on the ladder, as your career progresses.

bellevie

That's a good thought Catriona - the one that keeps coming back to me.

I was just having a look today, trying to calculate how far I'd have to move out to be able to save without my savings going on fuel.

Theres also the issue that school breakfast clubs tend to open at 8, and after school club finishes at 6, so Id have to be able to make it to / from work within an hour during rush hour, as the town I work in is stupidly busy, it doesn't give me much time once I'm out of the main town centre.

Id be concerned about moving dd to a different school in a different town only to pull her out to a completely different area again for school.

So I was thinking, realistically what I could afford on my wages. The properties coming up tend to be in 2 towns in the same direction, about 45 minutes from work. So if I can find somewhere to rent that allows me to save and be in the area I can afford to stay in, it gives me longer to adjust to the area, settle in before dd starts school.

Only a miracle would keep me in this beautiful place, even on the housing officers salary which is quite an increase from min, by myself I couldn't afford to stay.

The thing is to move, I need 6 weeks deposit, initial months rent, admin fees & removal costs. Usually adds up to around £3000, Il get just over half that back from my deposit in this place, and the extra amount if I save £100 a month on rent (assuming fuel doesnt eat into this) then I'd make up spends in around 10 months. Or If I get my £3000 target in a year, this stays put and I'm a year closer to my target.

I have contemplated leaving completely and restarting everything, cheap area to rent and to buy but I couldn't leave without a job and its hard to go for interviews long distance and get back for end of school!

Oh I don't know. It just goes round and round in my head!

MuffinTops

Hello bellevie,

Isn't house deciding a mental torture? All I can say is that you definitely sound like you're covering all bases with your thoughts and so whatever you decide will be based on good knowledge so will be the right thing.

When relocating, do companies not offer video interviews using Skype etc to prevent you visiting unless it's really necessary? I know the company I work for offer lots of flexibility in that respect.

I hope you're all having a great weekend.

MTxx

bellevie

Hi MT, I know my company have offered interview over VC in the past, I hadn't thought of that.

I was speaking to DD today, her dream (as is most 7 year olds) is to live by the seaside!

Out of interest I done a quick search, and we could indeed live by the sea, but it would be 1hr 15 minimum drive to work, with no direct or easy train routes.

I would do that commute as I done for years when working in central london, if I didn't have the pressures of getting back to the school before 6. So a move in that direction would have to be when dd is at secondary school by which time she would probably declare war if I took her away from her friends!

I was having a chat with a fellow mum at the pool lessons this week, she said she along with many of her friends have only managed by saving and waiting for something that needs work doing to come up.
Then I remembered that pretty little house that came up a few months ago, and a ground floor maisonette shortly after - easily affordable I just didn't have the money there and then.

So I'm back to thinking, its silly uprooting dd whilst she is so happy and everything with a bit of effort just works for us.
I am still going to save hard, and be prepared if my landlord increases the rent next year to move. If I have to move at that point, I will rent in the area I know we can afford to buy in, so that when we do come to buy a house we wont be uprooting schools etc.

If he doesn't put the rent up, or its a minor increase it will be worth staying put to continue my savings instead of paying for all those removal fees, admin fees money I wont get back.

I already feel I see so little of DD, I don't think I could cope with a longer commute just yet.

If I can make this property the last one I own, there will at least be a nice amount that's tied in the deposit to help us settle into our new home!

Can't quite believe how fast this week has gone, tomorrow will be a shock to the system!