Our forever home

beanielou

Blooming cars.

bellevie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82006239#Comment_82006239

I know! I miss my London days of not needing a car, buses never being more than a few minutes away in all directions.

We live in a reasonably big town, but trains come twice an hour, buses mostly once an hour. Not easy to be without a car.

bellevie

£106 our shop for the week likely to need top up of bread & fruit.

£21 on food to take to family day tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing everyone but honestly dreading the weather.

NW confirmed fairer share payment, and very hopeful I meet the criteria for switch payout, that'll be very welcome towards potential car work.

All very happy it's half term 😊

bellevie

120 shop this week, few extras in there.

££ on 2 portable aircon units for upstairs and down. 5 years in this house of increasingly hot summers we just had to do it. We've not got the funds for full AC, this us the next best thing. On the worst day last week our house was 30 indoors, it was just too much. Looking forward to a milder week next week, but hopefully better prepared for any more scorching weeks.

Car serviced and well needed over 1400 worth of work. Dh decided he'd do the brakes after getting advice from a friend and change the battery, that alone saved ov £400 after we'd paid for everything plus tools. It's still going in for a radiator replacement so close to 550, we did try a sealant liquid but I'm not confident it's a long term fix, I want to avoid more problems.

We did weigh up part ex the car, but we'd still need finance, DDs driving lessons would need to stop, just the wrong time.

In fairness she understood if we needed to replace the car now, we couldn't fund driving lessons. She understood, I'm hopeful she will find an apprenticeship soon after college finishes and she can take over the lessons. Hopefully within the next 12 months Things will feel easier

bellevie

The radiator cost rise by 50% it was in the garage and 2 other radiatora were not compatible. So car brand version it is. At the same time another fault code on the car, not linked £150 fix I had enough - such bad car anxiety. We pushed ahead with our plan earlier.

New car (still second hand but newer ) being picked up next week. Half deposit on credit card half savings Then 48 payments.

We dithered re part ex or selling our car, but thought again even with the radiator to do, with all the things weve done this year, brakes, thermostat, tyres, it'll be much cheaper than paying out for dds car which might need more work.

So radiator work postponed will aim to get it fixed in next few months. DH will take dd on some lessons, and reducing paid lessons to twice a month instead of weekly. That then covers the extra insurance costs. If there are ongoing issues we will sell it. Tentative plan.

We can cover the car finance no issue, I just wanted a bigger deposit to reduce monthly payments.

New car is hybrid, I've read it should reduce fuel costs quite a bit, that'll be very helpful I spend between 150-180 pm at the moment.

Tax is a little lower too which is helpful.

So now hopefully moving to.much reduced car anxiety once im used to it and focus on clearing the cc ASAP. Already moved over the switch bonus

beanielou

Happy new car.

Merlin's_Beard

Will be interesting to see what your fuel consumption does!

bellevie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82026437#Comment_82026437

In my last old car, it was a 1.6 diesel we were getting 55mpg around town, I was spending 80 a month that was only 3 years ago. The replacement was a huge shock to the purse!

bellevie

The car did not arrive, developed a fault, I got cold feet and immediately cancelled. Going from a car what's had multiple issues I can't risk this being the same.

Caused a bit of a headache administrively. Such a crap week.

We are weighing up two options, similar finance method elsewhere- the broker contacted to advise they can offer a better rate than when tied to that dealer.

Our second consideration is a bank.loan, there's a couple of considerations we each have a loan to pay off and would like to get our bathroom done. So we are considering a longer and larger loan added to our mortgagebased on house equity. Decision in principle approved, but yet to know rates, have a meeting next week to discuss with bank.

I'm conscious we'd be borrowing over a longer period - not full term but longer than the typical loan so although the rate might be lower the longer term interest would push the price up.

Lots of weighing up to do.

bellevie

So we proceeded with a low interest loan over 10 years. After weeks of searching today we put down a deposit on a car.

Low mileage, 1 owner, fsh, plus 3 years warranty - we chose to increase, I need a few years with much reduced car anxiety. Hoping we have it all wrapped up this week.

Planning to overpay to substantially reduce the term.

Monthly as it incorporates other debts it will feel a lot easier.

In other good news, DD has a great job offer, she has to wait for her dbs, but we are hopeful for August or latest September start. With her then able to take over driving lessons, that will also be a great help. So proud of her, honestly she done so well.

Very much looking forward to a family holiday in a few weeks, time to recharge and stop worrying.