The Best Is Yet To Come

joedenise

I found with my girls that once they had to use their own money to buy things they were actually much more careful!  It was almost as if our money grew on trees but their own didn't🤣

slm6002

Fingers crossed that is the case lol.  I'm just very aware of the way their dad is and how it seems to be a similar thing.  Only way i was able to control our money was if I looked after it myself.  I don't want them to end up in the same situation so hoping some of the bad bits of what they have seen of his spending habits have taught them too.

joedenise

I hope so too.

Kitten868

Phew! I'm up to date. Sorry. I keep thinking I can't catch up. You have been so busy. I am so impressed. Congratulations on the job. It sounds like a brilliant move for you. Can't believe how quickly you moved on and found something that works so well for you. Just fantastic. I didn't think there were any term time jobs out there any more. 

As for the move. I think its a yes but it's a not yet. Wait and see how your wages pan out. Also I think after the massive boom the housing market is going to be slow for a bit. There will be more interest and more options later. 

You enthusiasm for your kids is so brilliant. You're so great at encouraging them. And brilliant news on the bank accounts. Maybe get them onto online banking so they can do their own savings too xxxx

slm6002

Thank you Kitten.  So much has gone on in such a short space of time.  I must admit I would really like some quiet time to just live a quiet life without anything major happening.
Thank you for your opinion on the move, I do appreciate it.  I have some money to use so thinking the fences and gates to secure the garden and to stop random neighbours wanting to come in the house might be the way to go!  I need to get some more quotes and get it done.  It's just finding a builder that doesn't have a years waiting list that might be the issue.  If I'm staying put for a while I might also put a new carpet in my new bedroom and my DS's small room.  Might as well be comfortable if I'm staying here.

slm6002

This morning I have emailed a couple of builders in the are to see if they can come and quote for the fence and gates.  While they are here I have also asked if they can quote for the downstairs toilet and also to see if they can see where a 4th bedroom can go.  You never know they might come up with something the other 2 builders didn't.

There is a small patch of land next to ours that the builder (of the new house that got planning permission behind our house) owns but will now no longer be using for their new house.  It would fit 2 small cars on it and i wonder if i could purchase it from him.  It would solve any future parking issue I then have with this house.  My only issue is that i am sure he is not happy with me (or my neighbours) as we put up a lot of objections for the 3 houses he wanted to build (now only allowed 1 house).  With the 3 house application he planned on using this bit of land, but now it will remain wasteland so maybe up for selling.  Sure price would therefore be placed higher than needed.  Might be worth a email to him though.  Still no sign as yet of him starting to build. 

I'm very curious as to how much I will get in my pay packets this month from both employees.  Old job I should get fewer hours (as i was doing less because of new job, plus also had a day off when DD1 came home to self isolate) plus some holiday (i hope) and then redundancy.  New job I will get reduced hours but for a month and 1 week, but basic rate tax and maybe pension taken off.  Both lots of money are going to be a total surprise.

I am just very keen to move to next stage and no longer be in limbo re the house

Kitten868

New pay is never good the first month. It'll all work out once your p45 is in and hmrc are happy. Just the waiting for it. Hope its alright for you. 

Its obviously worth trying to buy the land. I expect he will make it hard for you as you say. 

Great to get your fencing up. Any improvements that will improve how sellable your home is is a double win. You get to enjoy it for now and it'll sell easier. Xxx

slm6002

Many thoughts over making this house better over the past few days. I've got one of the electricians coming to quote for electric in the garage and to put new fuse box in.  Another lined up to call once he is free.  General builder also going to call when free about fences/gates and downstairs toilet.  DS and I also cleared the junk out of the loft yesterday, in case builder can work something out for loft conversion.  Hoping with the amount we removed he will at least be able to see the size properly now.  Trip to the tip this afternoon to dispose of bits we no longer need

I also had another thought re parking.  We have a long front garden that slopes and is very exposed to surrounding houses so we never use it.  If i were to get a drop kerb put in i think there is enough room for the extra 2 parking spaces.  It would be cheaper than buying land from unhappy builder, plus it would make the layout of the house more normal....parking at front, garden at rear, rather than its current layout.  This was one of the issues the few people that did view the house last time mentioned.  I would still have a smallish front garden and then i would be able to lay grass in the back garden.  There are lots of rules and regulations I need to get my head around, but hoping my uncle will help with that when he visits in the next few weeks.

We are off for a swim shortly.  Older 2 get theirs for free as well as a free lunch from the cafe - part of the Free school meals scheme.  Tomorrow we are off to a local town to see a display of historical events made in lego.  Not sure if it will be any good but they like lego so hoping it will be fun.

Kitten868

Obviously I've never seen your home to make suggestions but that definitely sounds like a good idea. We turned our front garden into a driveway. We have lavender down the sides and then a bin store on one side of the front of the house and a big rose bush the other. It can still look nice. We haven't managed to sort out the drop kerb yet as we have to find a company to do it and trying to get a quote is a nightmare. Most areas you just pay the council and they just do it. I would much rather just pay the council so have a look on your local council site about it. Plus make sure you know your plan before you get the fencing so you can lay out your back garden properly. Plus you can all relax without prying eyes. 
We went for block pavers for our drive as we could get them cheaply on fb market. You can definitely look at other options xxx

slm6002

We have just returned from the lego exhibition.  It was good and even DS who never enjoys any outing said he had fun.  Translated that means it was the best day out.  We then stopped off for carvery for lunch so everyone full and happy.  The best way to be.  Since getting home they have all gone back to their own devices, but at least we had some family time off line this morning lol.

I looked at the council website re the drop kerb.  I have to apply and pay £300 for the privilege even if the application gets turned down.  There are a lot of hoops to jump through when applying so going to get uncle to read through them with me.  If it gets agreed they let us know the suggested companies that they allow to do the work.  Our road is a one way road until you get to my house.  I don't tend to drive past the front garden as i turn into a road to go around the back, but today i did and to be honest it would be quite a tight turn to get into the space and from the front it may only fit 1 car rather than 2 wide.  Will take a better look when uncle is here and we have the tape measure out.

Nothing too exciting for the next few days.  Just mooching around the house trying to imagine how it might look and tidying ready for the builders to come and take a look.  Next electrician is here sat am.