First Steps to Solvency

theoretica

It looks to me that the RR decision is it is one you can park for about 3 years - whether you keep your current vehicle or change it they will want money and the sums up until April '24 don't look hugely different.  So you can keep your options open whether you are aiming for a balloon or a deposit as the direction you need to go is very similar.  So for that perhaps label the finances 'RR pot' and see how things look nearer the time.  RR might have changed their output to all electric which I guess would make the decision for you, or come out with something you love and which is less expensive (though that seems unlikely).  How much mental effort is well spent on this choice at the present time?

alt80

@enthusiasticsaverLong journeys not really an issue for us if we do go on a long journey it's in the Range Rover and not something we do regularly tbh.

Previous card debt which was refinanced didn't come from cars being financed 100 it was going mad on the lifestyle but yeah I'd agree post refinance cars became more an issue, put me into a bad position debt wise and it was at ridiculous levels recently.

Buying new cars I know isn't great from a fiscal point of view tbh I can be a bit obsessive about the 'used' element ie where someone has not taken care and there are marks/ scratches/ stuff that can't be entirely fixed and not serviced at the correct intervals etc. I know it's very easy to say just walk away from those cars but very hard to find a car that's been looked after in the way I like my cars to be looked after. I've !!!!!! up and kerbed a wheel or whatever in my time driving but something happens when I've driving I get it fixed straight away and keep all my servicing up to date / all papers etc. 

Not going to lie what people think is important probably always will be to an extent for me but I do have a genuine interest in cars. Aware Range Rovers have a bit of an 'image' and a bit of an 'image problem' ha so if I was 100 looking to impress these days probably wouldn't be driving one and def not one with the big petrol lol. Not the mechanic type petrolhead and tbh not the hardcore sports car everyday type either so can see where you were coming from. Just like what I like on the car front, not everyone's cup of tea I accept that. Generally I have a liking for nice things got me in all sorts of trouble lol I love period property/ luxury cars/ luxury goods in general always been like that 100 blame the !!!!!! Bentley my dad had when I was growing up tbh even faded glory still has something about it imo but didn't affect sister in the same way so idk maybe just how I was always going to be. I accept not everyone that way inclined. 100 doesn't mean I look down on those who aren't into the luxury goods, said before if you're happy with a Kia or whatever on your drive, good for you just I wouldn't be.

Fair point re affordability tbf it's crossed my mind - can I afford or is it justifying more BS on my part. Idk truth be told. Not going to pretend I've even got an answer there right now.

@stymied that's my no1 plan - keep current Range Rover hope not to need to refinance it though or only just under £12k of it.

The return on the BM isn't the best way to go fiscally means keeping it until the balloon is due and risking a 4 year old 440i worth similar to what a 4 year old 440i is today - new model will have been out 2 years by then so it may well not be worth what a comp is now iyswim. I do think best thing to do with BMW is VT. Just having a hard time pulling the trigger and so is wife. We have both said we aren't doing anything until April and I'm all being well in a better frame of mind and we have worked out what we're doing together so time to decide. 

@theoretica like that - just get as much money put away for whatever decision basically? Gives me time to think and not panicking too much. 

RelievedSheff

Deep down you know that the best thing to do is to get rid of the BMW. Why wait until April.

alt80

Can’t seem to get to sleep before 1/1.30am. Did sleep through until 6.45am though would have got another half hour before wife alarm clock had I not been woken by the bladder alarm clock ha. Still not quite getting enough sleep but only gets worse the more I stress about it so it is what it is. FML this becoming a sleep diary now lol.

Not touched the stuff or a drink for three weeks- oddly anxious about having a drink Sunday now. Closer it gets more anxious about it I am would like to enjoy a drink in the future but wondering if I should leave it Sunday and see if I can do a full month (31 AF days). Idk right now.

@RelievedSheff yeah think that’s the way forward tbt. Wife and I are both hoping showrooms open next month and can go and see the C300 before moving the bmw on. Wife also concerned about me going into the spiral I am too don’t really trust myself tbt.

RelievedSheff

alt80 said:

Can’t seem to get to sleep before 1/1.30am. Did sleep through until 6.45am though would have got another half hour before wife alarm clock had I not been woken by the bladder alarm clock ha. Still not quite getting enough sleep but only gets worse the more I stress about it so it is what it is. FML this becoming a sleep diary now lol.

Not touched the stuff or a drink for three weeks- oddly anxious about having a drink Sunday now. Closer it gets more anxious about it I am would like to enjoy a drink in the future but wondering if I should leave it Sunday and see if I can do a full month (31 AF days). Idk right now.

@RelievedSheff yeah think that’s the way forward tbt. Wife and I are both hoping showrooms open next month and can go and see the C300 before moving the bmw on. Wife also concerned about me going into the spiral I am too don’t really trust myself tbt.

I wouldn't worry too much about having a quiet drink on Sunday. You are allowed to have a drink when you want one so long as it doesn't lead to other things. I doubt a quiet drink in the house with the wife will lead you far astray.

The sleep will get better the more you relax about it. You do seem to be getting progressively more sleep as the weeks go by. I would stay off the devices after say 10pm to give your brain time to wind down before bed.

10pm is a late night for us. It was 9pm we were in bed last night  

alt80

Thanks re drink yeah it’s not something that would normally lead me astray in those circumstances ha. Would like to be able to enjoy a drink with my wife- unless I find it’s always leading to more I don’t really want to become teetotal lol.

Sleep is getting a bit better looking at it objectively not waking up as much or the weird dreams ha. Never been able to do the early to bed thing even as a kid I was a nightmare for staying up. Would ideally like to be getting more sleep though. Tend to not get into the relax mode (or as relaxed as I get which isn’t very lol) until about 10pm until then working / eating / dog walk / office usually / son bedtime / back to office then go and sit on sofa about 10pm. No way am I ready for bed ha. Wife goes to bed 11-11.30 never tired at that time even when I’ve been up all night lol. Not right in the head know that much - mental ha.

Mrs_F_2017

I would definitely try managing your screen time in the evenings to help with sleep, I know if I stay on my phone or iPad I could stay up for hours mindlessly looking at things.

I try and turn the TV off a bit earlier now too and just listen to the radio and maybe read a book. it definitely helps me get ready to sleep. I know you've read a few help books on addiction and the like but might be worth getting some easy fiction to help shut your brain down to sleep - I keep some easy crime books for this purpose, not my normal reading selection but I find it helps me relax and isn't challenging before sleep. If you don't want to read, could a podcast or audio book be an alternative?  My husband does this but sets a timer on them so he doesn't have to look at this phone to turn them off and he falls asleep listening to them. 

You're doing so well on so many fronts though - 21 days sober is a big achievement and you should be very proud of yourself. 

ryanm8655

Dude, you suddenly sound like a different person...sounds like you’re over the worst of the withdrawal etc. Reckon sleep will gradually get better.

Get you on the anxiety about drinking again, I had a similar feeling after I took a month or so off. I had a similar feeling about spending money once debt free initially too ha. Think it’s a sign of new habits forming.

Have a drink on Saturday and enjoy yourself with the wife. As long as you don’t overdo it on the booze then I’m sure you won’t get any triggers or anything. My recommendation would be water before bed ha. My hangovers became monstrous after I gave up drinking ha. 

Interestingly, I read 3 weeks off the booze is how long it takes for your liver to fully regenerate as long as it hasn’t been taken beyond the point of no return, so you should have a nice new liver ha.

enthusiasticsaver

alt80 said:

@enthusiasticsaverLong journeys not really an issue for us if we do go on a long journey it's in the Range Rover and not something we do regularly tbh.

Previous card debt which was refinanced didn't come from cars being financed 100 it was going mad on the lifestyle but yeah I'd agree post refinance cars became more an issue, put me into a bad position debt wise and it was at ridiculous levels recently.

Buying new cars I know isn't great from a fiscal point of view tbh I can be a bit obsessive about the 'used' element ie where someone has not taken care and there are marks/ scratches/ stuff that can't be entirely fixed and not serviced at the correct intervals etc. I know it's very easy to say just walk away from those cars but very hard to find a car that's been looked after in the way I like my cars to be looked after. I've !!!!!! up and kerbed a wheel or whatever in my time driving but something happens when I've driving I get it fixed straight away and keep all my servicing up to date / all papers etc. 

Not going to lie what people think is important probably always will be to an extent for me but I do have a genuine interest in cars. Aware Range Rovers have a bit of an 'image' and a bit of an 'image problem' ha so if I was 100 looking to impress these days probably wouldn't be driving one and def not one with the big petrol lol. Not the mechanic type petrolhead and tbh not the hardcore sports car everyday type either so can see where you were coming from. Just like what I like on the car front, not everyone's cup of tea I accept that. Generally I have a liking for nice things got me in all sorts of trouble lol I love period property/ luxury cars/ luxury goods in general always been like that 100 blame the !!!!!! Bentley my dad had when I was growing up tbh even faded glory still has something about it imo but didn't affect sister in the same way so idk maybe just how I was always going to be. I accept not everyone that way inclined. 100 doesn't mean I look down on those who aren't into the luxury goods, said before if you're happy with a Kia or whatever on your drive, good for you just I wouldn't be.

Fair point re affordability tbf it's crossed my mind - can I afford or is it justifying more BS on my part. Idk truth be told. Not going to pretend I've even got an answer there right now.

That is fair enough if those are the cars you like.  I am just thinking with my money head and trying to see how the figures could stack up.  The Mercedes is a saving so if you are both happy with that and it gives you extra money towards the RR balloon and clearing the cards then that is a step in the right direction and presumably you are then just left with the RR on finance which is  a vast improvement on your situation last year.  I think I would still aim to clear the cards asap and if necessary finance the balloon in (3years?)  although £48k is a lot to find. If you put the saving from the BMW towards the card payments then that makes £1700 approx a month going towards the cards from April/May so they should be clear by July/August  2022 then the £1700 goes towards saving for the balloon. That would take you 28 months so end of 2024 so if you need it earlier than that you could finance it with money transfer card or personal loan. Better than saddling yourself with another £120k PCP contract for another new one. 

getmore4less

What do other people do about cars.


They spend less, with a 10y life.
You are happy with £15k a year for the RR, £150k
Others might go with a £5k py car, £50k
Others go £1k, plenty of functional £10k cars.
Some go second hand letting someone else take the depreciation hit.

Drop the badges saves a load and there a some decent products out there.

There is no right or wrong it is priorities.
If you spend it on cars you can't spend it on something else.