SLLM (Single Lady Large Mortgage)

Sistergold

@PinkFairyDust2, living together after agreeing to go separate ways is a bit stressful even if things are even amicable. One more month is not too long to completion so fingers crossed. It is challenging when previous owners did below standards diys or did not get decent tradesman in. My last renovation the “builder was a bit hit and miss. So now I am in the process of trying to correct any botched jobs and I am slowly getting there. Due to a few diy training courses I have since done I can sort some problems myself and keep up with Maintanance myself. 

For now it might be worth you holding to as much cash as you can, do the house to the standard you want and then if some money is left and you still want to reduce the mortgage you can overpay a lump sum as most mortgages allow 10% each year? 

Sistergold

Thanks @dawnybabes for the feedback, will see if I can get the upper end insinkerator waste disposal. Will see if I can order one today. I am trying to get all the gadgets I need in so that all I will pay for is labour. 

Sistergold

@dawnybabes
I have seen these two or is that overkill? I can also see cheaper one or is it better to just go for the more expensive? 

Or should I go for the cheaper models? 

PinkFairyDust2

Yeh I will probably keep the extra as a safety net for security. What diy courses do you recommend could do with learning some more things! Thanks

Sistergold

@PinkFairyDust2, I was so fresh at diy with regards to using power tools. I was okay with being an assistant to my then husband so I would help paint etc but he would do the drilling, cutting etc. so I had to start from scratch.
 “Day in a drill” course, 
Plumbing
 kitchen fitting
carpentry 
I generally do a course on a need basis. So the day in a drill helped to know how to use drill, when and which drill bit for which surface etc. how to use electric screw driver, how to screw into wood, brick, porcelain etc. I think the drilling/power tools course is a must as it gives confidence to do most jobs round the house. Needed drilling and screwing for fitting blinds in whole house. 

Also enjoyed the carpentry and kitchen fitting course as learnt how to use a router etc. 

I must say the plumbing course has really been useful in getting me out of very sticky situation. First Christmas Eve woke up to a blocked sink, felt a bit stressed but told myself I can do this. The funny thing was I had just completed the plumbing course the weekend before this blockage happened. Took a video and pictures of the pipe work under the sink, dismantled the pipe work, took attachments in a plastic to screwfix and bought like for like. Fixed the plumbing and did not need to call in plumber. 

slm6002

My XH would not let me paint or do anything other than hand him tools or make him coffee in DIY situations - not that he did much over the 15 years.  Now I am slowly working my way round the house.  I have mended parts in the toilet (using youtube for help), mended fuses for my washing machine the other day and with the building work have become much better at painting!  I am not about to attempt anything major but can do a few bits now

Sistergold

@slm6002, so much we can do when we have to. When something needs doing now we check if we can do it ourselves before calling someone else in. 

dawnybabes

Unless you’re a family of dozens I wouldn’t spend that much - I’d go for a mid range one

Blinky2010

Hi Everyone

I’m new to this forum and stumbled across this thread! Would love to join being a single female with a soon to be large mortgage as some motivation to help bring it down as well as to relieve some anxiety on taking on such a large commitment alone!

Sistergold

Thank you @dawnybabes, just a further question though, the expensive one seems to crash bones and all the midrange ones seem to only mention normal/soft waste? I guess with midrange I can do the normal waste and maybe chuck the bones into the bin? 🫣🤫🤷‍♀️ I really don’t want to keep the food bin anymore! 😷 the smell can be off as you use plastics and it seems a waste to chuck out daily a plastic with a few food bits.