Project Mortgage Neutral Begins

Watty1

Re the fan I would interview you tube first (my go to) and then review.

As you have savings, if you can find the trades (and I appreciate this is a very big if) then i would seriously consider just getting the work done so that 2024 becomes a new year for you.  Easy suggestion to dish out I know but you, like me, have been in some kind of limbo for so long now.    Lets make 2024 a great year!

ajmoney

I confused my numbers... I have around £900 left from the house sale not £9000

I will have to eat into my savings more than had I realised for the damp works. I know it still makes sense to get all the works done while I am out of the house but it will deplete things a little. I need to go and look at the figures. The only thing I am keeping in my head is that I will do this decoration at some point anyway so at least if I do it earlier while I have a well paid job I can work out bolstering my savings after.

Watty1

Also, having a "home" makes a difference.  i survived living in my rental because it was "home".  Quirky yes, a lot of things didn't work (to get hot water in the shower, kitchen or bath you first had to turn on the handbasin was the funniest) but it always felt like home because it was beautifully decorated and furnished (the stuff they gave me to furnish it belonged to the owners mother who had died but much of it was so lovely I wanted to buy it at the end - didn't because who knew where my future would be).   

"home" rather than "a base" makes a difference and maybe while you are earning and have the opportunity to live elsewhere whilst the work is done is perhaps the right time? Just my thoughts?

ajmoney

I have won £100 on the premium bonds this month

SuperSecretSquirrel

Congratulations on the win! 🤑

ajmoney

I am heading away out of the country with work tomorrow for a week. I am desperate to get away at the moment so I am going to try and make the most of it and try and get it out of my system. I think it might be a good reset. 

I have a bit of time off when I get back so have some things I want to tick off. Inspired by @Watty1 I am going to spend the week batch cooking and filling my freezer with homemade ready meals to make my life a bit easier. I am planning to spend a day out doing some window Christmas shopping to get some ideas and hopefully finish it nice and early. I also have some jobs I want to get done in the house and garden.

I have found a company that I think may be able to help with all my interior jobs once the damp issue is sorted. They have a showroom so once I am back, I am going to go and see them and chat about what I want. Hopefully I can get a quote and an idea of a timeframe thay can work to so I can see if it is feasible. Fingers crossed they can do everything for a good price, they do everything so I am hoping the can coordinate the work easily enough.

Watty1

Congratulations on the win and on finding a company that might be able to do the work.

I've had another company measure up for the front door and then not come back to me!

ajmoney

Watty1 said:

Congratulations on the win and on finding a company that might be able to do the work.

I've had another company measure up for the front door and then not come back to me!

How frustrating! I don't understand it, if they don't want the work then why come out in the first place, if it ends up not being worth their while I would rather they were just honest.

ajmoney

The electrician I use appears to be one who answers emails etc. I sent a query about the bathroom fan last week and only got around to sending the photos he requested this evening. I received a reply really quickly, it counters what the surveyor said last week but he believes there are some things we can try that will not mean moving the fan so I am willing to do that! Maybe it is because I know his mum but repeatedly he has been helpful, not only with electrical stuff but also giving me advice with other things I have asked. I just wish all the trades people I found were like him and his company!

ajmoney

I got back from my work trip last night and am absolutely exhausted. I have unpacked, done one load of washing and made a big pot of soup. I bought my food processor years ago and only today learned how to use the grater attachment. Getting the carrots prepared for the soup was done in no time at all.

I had a little wobble on the plane on the way back yesterday. While I am away on holiday or with work I can forget about my life at home and just be so knowing what I am coming back to with the house works next year was a little overwhelming. I don't know how to replicate the feeling while I am away but I will try.

I have received the quote for the basement works, it has come in for just under £9k. I am seeing a couple of companies about some other works over the next couple of days and have another to get in touch with. Once I have an idea of the other costs I will get in touch with them to book this in. Having a home that I enjoy living in will certainly help me to feel much more settled.

I have a low work week for the rest of this week before a long weekend off so I am going to spend the time making plenty of meals for the freezer.