My partner wants to renovate, I want to clear debts.

TempUsername2307

Hello,
Previously I was on a DMP so me and my partner were renovating the house, replastering, skirting, flooring etc. We managed to do the living room, bedrooms and hallway. I then decided that I wanted us to be debt free, I suggested that we should put the renovation on hold for a year to pay off debts and then continue with renovation once debt free. We have around 10 months left until debt free, however she is unhappy with the kitchen and bathroom, I am equally but I don't mind waiting a year. She wants me to go back on a DMP so we can have a new bathroom and kitchen. I don't want to owe more money, I want the debt gone. Anyone else experienced this situation? What should I do? I feel there is no right answer as the bathroom and kitchen do need work doing, it isn't just a want, it is a need also. 
On my old DMP agreement, it would have been 6 years until debt free. Under my own agreement with creditors, it will be 10 months until debt free.

ryanm8655

Personally I wouldn't be entering another DMP to have a new bathroom and kitchen assuming it's livable. How are you going to pay for the kitchen and bathroom? Will you be able to get more debt to pay for it if you're on a DMP?

TempUsername2307

ryanm8655 said:

Personally I wouldn't be entering another DMP to have a new bathroom and kitchen assuming it's livable. How are you going to pay for the kitchen and bathroom? Will you be able to get more debt to pay for it if you're on a DMP?

No, nothing we have done to the house has been on finance/debt. The bathroom and kitchen just looks dated in comparison to our other modern looking rooms. As I'm paying debts off there is less money for renovation, maybe 400 to 500 monthly for renovation.

clive0510

personally I've never been in debt because I never had what I cant afford. so I dont know. I think clear your debt now and then start again.

enthusiasticsaver

No brainer.  10 months until debt free or go on a DMP would mean I would go for debt free first before spending major money on the house.  If you have managed to do up the rest of your house while on a DMP if you had focused on the debt rather than that it would be gone by now. Do you want to have this over your head for years? Does your partner earn?  

Socajam

Agree with everyone, debt free, then do up the kitchen/bathroom
Does your partner not realize that we are living in a twilight world, where we have no idea what next year will bring?  Who wants to have debt hanging over their heads whilst things are so uncertain. 
Stick to becoming debt free, then do up both rooms.

shoppingobsessed2020

Clear the debt,  I lived for 7 years with a horrible kitchen, we only got a new one and a loan to pay for it because it was that damp we could press the wall and it would dent.  It needed doing as the cabinets were damp and a couple were unusable due to the damp.   The only reason we got it done was I tripped and put my hand out to stop me and there was my handprint in the middle of the wall.  Couldn’t ignore the problem after that. If I can live for a few years with a kitchen that bad the I’m sure your wife can manage another 18 months or so till you have everything cleared and saved something towards it.

MovingForwards

Clear the debts first.
A kitchen is a place to cook food, prepare drinks.
A bathroom is a place to wash, brush teeth and go toilet.
Neither of which are going to kill you in a dated room.

Tell your OH to get real, grow up and stop acting like a spoilt madam, they will get done at some point when you are financially stable.

(This is coming from a woman whose bathroom has the original pipes from 1910, sink / loo from goodness knows when but old based on the height and quite probably a shower unit that's 20 - 40 years old)

poppy811

no, clear the debt.  old story of wants versus needs.  your friends come to see you not the new klitchen/bathroom.  you are doing so well, don't spoil that now

fatbelly

I still think my previous answer was a good one

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6151034/paying-off-debt-in-a-year#latest

HummingBird76

MovingForwards said:

Clear the debts first.
A kitchen is a place to cook food, prepare drinks.
A bathroom is a place to wash, brush teeth and go toilet.
Neither of which are going to kill you in a dated room.

Tell your OH to get real, grow up and stop acting like a spoilt madam, they will get done at some point when you are financially stable.

(This is coming from a woman whose bathroom has the original pipes from 1910, sink / loo from goodness knows when but old based on the height and quite probably a shower unit that's 20 - 40 years old)

100% this!  I'm honestly surprised you're even asking the question!!