The second hurdle - Nichelette v the huge mortgage

Nichelette

Contacted broker, lowest rate at the moment is 4% with barclays so we've gone with that for now. Hopefully as the interest rate decision was close it will reduce slightly next time they meet and we might be able to get something slightly lower before we have to renew.

I'm considering using some of our savings to OP a bit. I think we have more than we'd possibly need, and I'll continue adding £500 to the moving fund so that will still grow. We also have access to kids money in an absolute worst case scenario as it's in our names (12.5k), though I don't think we'd need it (and obviously wouldn't want to touch it unless absolutely necessary). All in I think we've got access to about 25k at the moment so could probably spare a bit.

beanielou

Great idea to pay a chunk of savings off the mortgage.

Nichelette

Got a call from nursery yesterday. DS2 went in slightly blotchy but fine in himself (not chicken pox as he's already had that). They thought he should see doctor. Doctor says hand foot and mouth. Have kept him with me since then. Had intended to keep him home for the week, but he's absolutely fine in himself and there is no exclusion period if they're well, so he's going back tomorrow. I absolutely hate trying to juggle working when kids are ill but don't have much choice as not enough leave otherwise.

My brain is so destroyed at the moment I only realised it's half term next week this afternoon. I don't even know how I managed to do this (probably sleep deprivation), but I thought I'd booked the Wednesday to split the week and take DS1 to one of the museums in London. Unfortunately I realised I've screwed up and somehow confused it with March. My deputy has the Tuesday to Friday off. I could have had the Monday or even the Wednesday under usual circumstances as I have someone else who is great and would cover, but we've got a big change starting at work on Monday so no hope. Ended up crying a lot. Disproportionately to the actual situation. Think trying to juggle everything has finally come to a head.

I'd been looking at jobs at our local hospital this morning. They're looking for bank admin. I'm going to apply and see how it goes (probably won't get to interview). It's £14 an hour compared to the £23 I'm on so significantly lower, but if I can do a minimum of 2 days I get to keep the funded nursery hours which is my big concern as I want to make sure DS2 goes to preschool. He's clingy and I don't think FT with me and straight to school would be good for him, but this would mean he could go 3 days and have 2 with me. This may be stupid, and I was wondering if I'm better waiting for new tax year in case it brings more redundancies as I'd get about 20k, but nothing is certain and I can still say no even if I'm offered anything. If they can't offer 2 days I couldn't take it anyway.

Why is life so hard 😂

Nichelette

Payday today so I've put £1100 into nursery account. I'm considering paying the rest of my salary off the mortgage and trying to survive on DH money alone. We'd have credit cards available absolute worst case, but I think having more available makes us less cautious. I'm going to have a think about it.

Also no council tax this month so we're already up £250…

South_coast

Good plan 👍 You could hide it in a savings account for now so it's there in case of dire emergency, and then move to the mortgage ahead of next payday?

Nichelette

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81882470#Comment_81882470

Good idea! I might actually split it as really shouldn't need it all unless am being wreckless.. I've got 1.7k left, possibly OP 1k now and save the 700. Going to see what we've got to pay and make a decision later.

Nichelette

Went food shopping today. We didn't even go properly last week. Was a bit of a disaster, though I suppose a money saving one. We got to last Monday when I was in the office. DH told me he'd bought a load of veg on his lunch break so we just based meals around what he got. It actually worked quite well but fridge was quite bare today. Don't think we did too badly. Was £79.85 but included steak, two lots of chicken, dishwasher tablets and unplanned pop up peppa pig tent (which DS2 is loving) at £7.99. This is quite a lot for us as it's half term and DS1 is a bin 🙃. Some will give several meals like the chicken which I will make several portions of curry with and there will still be some over.

Qualified for our giant bag of potatoes next week too 😉

edinburgher

Every time I make potatoes now I mentally raise a potato toast to you 🤣 We can't even eat 7.5kg in a month 😅

Nichelette

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81885704#Comment_81885704

I blame DH. Actually DS1 too. Clearly his child. He'd live on jacket potatoes and pesto pasta if I let him 😂

beanielou

Love a wee baked potato or two!