The trials & tribulations of a 1st time landlord & investor

TallGirl

Had the day off today really looking forward to spending it playing golf with dg as she had been away all week. She didn't play well so it wasn't exactly relaxing. I might play with the ladies on Sunday really miss playing in the comps.

Checked my car insurance renwal and Esure cheapest which I'm with so they price matched it saving me £19.43 which I am very happy with. A bit naughty but I haven't changed my address as I also need to change my license. Anyway migth still do it just not now.

So job closed on Monday and no sign of an invite to the interviews which would be next Friday. On their portal it still says my application is being considered so I think on Monday I might contact the person I spoke to and ask for feedback I really really thought I would get a chance of an interview at least as it's almost an interval job.

Chilling this evening need to go to Lidl and do the shopping. Lift is still broken has been limits three weeks so can't get an office chair delivered or my dining room table I want to use as a desk. So annoying to say the least.

Been crap with lattes and eating out this week and no gym. At least I played golf today which is something.

TallGirl

Didn't even get an interview not strategic enough. Well feels crap for a four month job part time but good feedback and I can do something to rectify it so that's good. Going to have a long weekend down South Friday and Monday off can't wait. Refocus on current job and make the most of my time left in London.

Dg is slowly cheering up and I hope that continues. Need to do some studying too. Diet and money needs reining in but otherwise onwards and upwards

TallGirl

Weekend was lovely so nice to be back in that part of the world going to be fab moving back soon.

Dg mums memorial is now planned and she's going back to work in two weeks. She's agreed to do counselling so hopefully that will help. Trying to tidy up the flat so much stuff all over the place and still no office as lift is broken. I won't get my dinning room table up here we will just buy a cheap desk and leave it at that for now. Will be fab when we get it.

Dg is set on going consultant immediately she returns to work it will mean no income for several months but first step to her having her own firm. My tenant hasn't said anything more but I've told the agent I wish to sell and they said no problem so I'm not tied in which is good.

I think I'm going to start thinking about it once I know she's leaving in March its actually 29/3 Brexit day lol.

Moneywise been rubbish so many dinners and lunch out butbeen doing late meetings and not prepped lunch as dg isn't doing it either. Put on so much weight and not back at the gym so need a kick up the backside for sure.

Work is busy some interesting cases and keeping my head down with CEO for now she's got her plans I've got mine so I'll make sure I get what I want from it.

I think that's it hope all is well everywhere else.

TallGirl

Off sick everyone else in the office has had it so it was bound to find me too. Really annoying as were so busy and so many client including my clients. Feel rubbish looks like the weekend will be a wipe out as well.

Booked tickets to fly to Germany to go on the cuise in June just under £100 with luggage not bad. Not going to book seat on easyJet adds £38 seems silly at that low price

Lift is working to an extent so we now have the office chair which will help working from home. Still need desk but going to get cheap one from Gumtree keep missing out on them ironic really as we had several at the old place but obviously couldn't take them with us.

Still spending a bit too much on lunches but hopefully stop once dg is back at work. Was better this week but off yesterday and today too,

Got my pension statement my SIPP put in £53224 and it's dropped by £1837 this year that's only 1.1% and I got 20% added from HMRC so not all bad.

No news from my tenant I think she will give notice 26th Feb but we shall see. A house near mine sold for £325 it's definitely smaller than mine and the garden is smaller so I'm confident I could make £350. Not much up for sale right now seen one very ideal but it's £100 too much and I don't need that size anyway.

Somehow forgot to share that Jack one of my two cats died on the Monday after I had seen him on the Sunday. He was 9 not old for a Mainecoon but he had trouble with allergy in his mouth and struggled after his teeth came out. He was on steroids but doing quite well. He laid on my friends sons bed and had a seizure and was gone. Buried in their garden now and I know he was much loved by them all and my friend really misses him. He was a lovely cheeky chappies yesterday it was 9 years since we brought them home. RIP Jack my lovely boy you shall be missed.

Well back to sleeping this virus off all I can do really. Boring in deed and the weather is so nice

vandanfc

Hope you are feeling better soon.
Sorry to hear about Jack. His brother will no doubt miss him too.

TallGirl

Aw thanks Vandafc my friend says he doesn't seem that bothered but there is another cat and they have both been quite snuggly since. I'm glad he died as he did so hard to make that last trip to the vet and he was trusting enough to do it with the family around which comforts me a lot.

TallGirl

Sorry I've neglected my diary so much lately been busy. My tenant did give notice so leaves 30/3 and the weekend after I meet the estate agents and get a valuation. It's going up for sale as I know when dg talks about wanting to try and make it her home by making changes I'm not up for it it's too hard. The garden is also too small outside space really is what I'm missing most up here. Dg also needs somewhere for clients to visit seperate from the house like an outside office plus we want a hot tub.

DGs mums memorial was last Saturday went really well a good party actually and lots of talking and dancing. Sunday we had the bells rung for her at her local abbey and the bell ringers invited us to view them in action amazing to get to see that.

Sunday very hungover so glad I had Monday off and played golf all day really nice weather too.

Had a couple last night menat to study but don't feel like it at all regretting doing this course should just have bought a few modules not all of them but I can extend. Dg is still asleep we have golf game tomorrow so just going to range today.

All my regular savers seems to be coming to an end so sorting them out and moving money around is needed. Need to book for my passport as needed for cruise in June.

Work is ok but so so busy and struggling to juggle casework and managing. CEO is off doing her own thing again which makes it harder. Getting so many referrals and my team is fully booked up and some are off sick. Not good combo plus leave to take before new holiday year.

Dg is now backat work which is good she's seeing a counsellor and is actually finding it helpful much to her surprise not mine obviusly.

Right best get on with things plan for March is simply..

Get back in the gym or running
Study
Plan for future re money I need to see my IFA

TallGirl

Wow another two weeks has gone but all is fine. I'm back running three times a week in the mornings DG isn't with me yet but she's coping at work. She had hoped they would take her on as a consultant but they said no not set up for it so now she's resigned ithout a job to go to. She's applied for consultancy somewhere else but they didn't reply last time so who knows. I'm finding it a bit scary and would have done it differently but there is a shortage in her sector so I think it will all be ok. She's getting her sparkle back which is very good.

My job is ok less busy with casework but my team has a lot of sickness due to stress so trying to bat off as many referrals as I can. We have now got funding for another 6 month for one post so that means she can stay 3 which takes her up to end of Sep so looks like that's the time my post ends as well. That's good a few more pennies in the jar.

Booked app with IFA first weekend in April we're going down Thurs to Sun to nice long time to sort things out. I've stopped all pension payments apart from work pension and also my isa for next year.

It's going to be tight all explain more about the money situation but basically dg won't have an income so I'll have to pay the bills until she starts earning. Even when she gets consultancy it will be a while before the money comes in. Scary times as I'm selling my house and buying a bigger one. Seen a couple we both like but out of budget so need to compromise on location or finish. We can go for a much smaller house but need the garden. Anyway that's a way off really.

I've got my studies extended to Jan next year so no exams for me this Jun but need to do two practical modules instead I can start now. I've got two days off work and two workshops so need to get cracking next two weeks. Quite looking forward to it. Then once I finish work I'll crack on and do the two exams in Jan 20. Much better plan as I got behind and it's not cost me extra.

Anyway dg is awake so I'll stop here I'll come back with the budgets etc later on

TallGirl

Exhausting weekend dg had a meltdown playing in the compention Sunday. She was fine two weeks ago it was a team thing but this was singles and she just couldn't play. I wanted her to stay out and she did but it wasn't good. Then she blamed me for making her play. It wasn't good but she's obviously still struggling after her mum. I'm glad she seeing the counsellor I think she needs to continue.

Got today off to study I'm still in bed but going to start soon. I'm going to fine myself breaks to do things but crack on as much as I can.

Still thinking about how to manage financially after Aug need to use residual money in Nationwide from rental to pay income tax 18/19 kind of forogotten that and still owe £1100 to pay for this tax year but there should be money to cover all of that plus any repairs that's needed.

I've got three regular savers, nationwide, Santander and first direct all just started again. NW will be filled by residual money from rental all good the other two from my wages so that's £3700 new money to add to the pot we will have to live on. Feel like I need a challenge for the next 6 months. It's hard once the mortgage is paid off to keep motivated. I'll keep thinking and now I must go and study, new desk and chair no excuse now.

TallGirl

:So much stuff going on but all good. Did my two workshop for my course they were both excellent nd the two days I took off to study were very productive I am glad I switched the course around. Also I passed my first exam 83% that's distinction so happy about that. Two more in January but will get this course work out of the way soon I hope.

Big new dg has booked for go to bootcamp next Friday when her job is finished. That is jut the best news she's put all the weight back on and stopped excercise altogether this willl get her back on track I'm just please I'm not going. Not again but I'm running two to three times a week 30 min in the morning so that is so good.

No longer a landlord my tenant moved out Saturday and I get the keys today I'm to excited to see it all gain :j:j:j

It will be a busy weekend but super good both have haircuts and colour to be done that saves about £70 each from London prices. I'm seeing my IFA and an estate agent and the house is going on the market ASAP. I need to do a bit of gardening and book POSs some work to be done just cleaning of patio etc.

There will be fun too playing golf for free at a local course and also seeing a friend for dinner followed by comedy night locally. Cannot wait.

First I've got interesting meeting at council and then off home dg is picking me up. She's really struggling again hates working out her notice but needs must. She's booked 6 more sessions with grief counsellor which is also good. No news on consultancy for her she's put feelers out but nothing as of yet. She needs to crack on but she's still got time and I want it to be right for her. A bit scary her leaving her job without anything to go to be we will Cope this is is for the future us.

So best get everything packed up leaving late as meeting isn't until 10am.