Quit everything , and start again over 50?

doingitanyway

Well done AC. You have so got this. European travel? Go for it!

anna_1977

just logged on after a weekend away!

Wow how things have moved on - well done AC, brilliant news!

Paypal interview tomorrow? At least you can tell them you're on the move and provide figures for that

All looking up :j:j:j

another_casualty

Thanks again everybody
Had rough night sleeping again last night . Was in a deep sleep and the
Phone rings . I was like a drunken mether scrambling to get to it.
It was 9am . A polite phone call from a solicitor . I asked if he could call at 10 am. Waiting to hear back . I've been inundated with emails . The calla are coming too from solicitors .
My left eye is very bloodshot this morning . Had it since sat.
I'm showered up , and soon to see estate agent . Looking at my balance , it doesn't look too sad . I have budgeted for the full payplan amount . Also, an emergency fund etc. One strange way of a comparison , is based on the sale of my property . Initially , the minimum I was going to go up to was £220,00. As I never got the £4000,000 I initially hoped for in the sale, I had to lower my expectations on how much I could afford to buy.
So, £220,000 becomes £167,000 now .
If all goes well and I move in , I will have to buy new furniture ( fitted?) wardrobes etc. I can't get too carried away , as I still have to get some sort of a job eventually .
Still numb
Thanks

MrsPorridge

AC - good luck with Payplan (I think it's today)?


No wonder you are sleeping badly and feeling a bit rough - it's very stressful moving as you remember from when you moved out of your flat in Twickenham.


Have you considered charity shop or freecycle for furniture? I was looking round some charity shops at the weekend and they had some wonderful sideboards (mind you who uses a sideboard nowadays) for around £55 - extremely well made and would last forever!

another_casualty

Thanks Mrs. Porridge
Yes , charity shops are worth looking into for sure .
Speaking of which, I intend to give my Pilates machine and king size bed to an animal charity shop if I can find one .
Saw estate agents: apparently the seller wants an end of March completion.
Not much of a problem really. I'm in this current flat until end of May .
It'll give me time to plan and get my act together .
The solicitor the estate agents are using , is too expensive .imho. Normally that's the case .
Just had 2 calls on my mobile from tea lady where I used to work.
Eventually I will block her calls . I don't fancy swallowing razor blades this morning

dreaming

Great news re offer acceptance AC. Hope the survey etc. goes well.


Don't rush into buying furniture (although second the idea of 2nd hand) until you have moved in. Looking at the floor plan I would be tempted to swap the living room and main bedroom over. They are similar sizes and it means you reduce the chances of sleep being disturbed by vehicles using the driveway late at night/early morning. Just a suggestion. If you go for fitted furniture definitely wait until you have been there a while as once it is fitted you are stuck with a particular layout. You could always turn the 2nd bedroom into a dressing room/storage.
I also suggest you stick with the DMP payments as they are for now and don't look at settlements just yet. There are always unexpected expenses when moving and it will give you a bit of leeway. I can see you will need to buy a washing machine but is there a fitted fridge/freezer (not sure what the double height cupboard on the left of the picture is)?
As always - just suggestions. I am looking at my budget again today as cat's teeth and car battery ruined January's figures, and now youngest's birthday is out of the way I don't have any major expenditure for a couple of months (I hope!) so will be looking to see where I can squeeze the pennies. I keep thinking how much I have saved by cutting out the cola habit (have only had 2 since New Year when in pub). Have been drinking water instead and feel much better for it.

JustAboutThere

another_casualty wrote: »

Speaking of which, I intend to give my Pilates machine and king size bed to an animal charity shop if I can find one

Honest question, but why can't they go with you to the new house?

Does the bed not fit in the new bedroom? In which case, OK.

But you might want the pilates machine (says the person who hasn't used theirs in ages). But I wouldn't get rid of it at the moment. Wait and see if it fits into your new life. What happens if you're not happy at the gym, but want to do some exercise?

No need to go completely all minimalist at once

harz99

AC, British Heart Foundation charity shops are generally very good for furniture both pre owned and new.

IMHO you don't need the expense of fitted furniture at all. All you need to do is get some graph paper and a tape measure, go to your new flat and make exact plans of each room in rough showing doors, sockets fireplaces etc. and of course all measurements then work out where you want to place your things.

Is the small bedroom big enough for you to sleep in with either a 3' combi wardrobe or large chest of drawers for your everyday clothes. That room would be quieter and then allows you to have one of the large rooms for a multi function dining/clothes storage/ general purpose area with a sofa bed for occasional guests, and the other large room for pure relaxation purposes - you have a blank canvas to make the best use of.

lessonlearned

AC. Great progress.

I am another one suggesting not making any major purchases straight Away and also not parting with your Pilates machine. The bed......well if it's too big and has seen better days, although might it just need a new mattress.

But definitely adopt a wait and see approach before committing to major purchases, especially fitted wardrobes. It's always best to live somewhere first so you can get the feel of it, work out what fits best where etc.

Also there is no law that says a room has to be used for its designated purpose, so definitely consider using the lounge as a bedroom if it is situated on the quieter side of the flat.

enthusiasticsaver

Not sure what a pilates machine is? My brother uses an exercise bike to help with his ms and that does not take up too much room and saves on the cost of expensive gym membership. We belong to a leisure club with a gym, pool, exercise classes, badminton, soft play for granddaughter etc etc but we use it three or four times a week so get our moneys worth out of it. If you only intend going down to the gym once or twice a week it might be worth hanging on to your pilates machine or selling it and buy an exercise bike instead.