Future Proofing my life: Deposit saving then MFW journey in under 13 years

TallGirl

That is a big increase and a worry but having rented the same way as you I do know how crap these management companies are and I suspect the real reason for the change over is the "owners" need more revenue to tendered it out and the people who won now needs an increase to make it work. In a way it pushes you to buy which is a good think as you said the rent you were paying was not at th real levels because had it been you would have bought already. I really hope you do get a new contact soon so you can push on. The courses sounds excellent and well worth the investments. Lets hope you do not have to move that would just be such a pain for a relatively short period of time. 

WelshmansDaughter

Definitely get the reference now. 

Boo to new management 

beanielou

Definitely get the reference now from the MD. 

Scary potential rent increase. 

dawnybabes

Actually asking the bloke for a reference might wake him up he’s about to loose you …..

LadyWithAPlan

KajiKita said:

Oh crap to the rent hike … 😢 That is so exploitative after the increase last year! Good luck with the job hunting - we are heading into a tough time of year for it. Are there any recruiters or agencies you know that specialise in software builders? Or could you get some contacts / interest going through your personal network?

Re the reference from MD - yes get it now, and I might even be inclined to ask him to include some specific aspects if you think they’re important in your next role but he might miss them as unimportant to him. 

KK

The rent increase is due to these new mging agents - I just feel lucky I am not expected to move out in 2 + weeks  as some of my neighbours are... who are terrified and many dont have the savings I do. So many are off to have meetings with Shelter etc. Just before Xmas is outrageous, they are working and been paying rent on time..
I dont want to pay such increased rent nor do I really want to move twice in a few months... This is where my B practise comes in - it is keeping me feel Ok despite being clueless as to whats happening in Jan.

KajiKita said:

Debsnewbudget said:

Just thinking out loud and not done any serious investigation into it, so feel free to ignore.
 Can you use your own company as your “employer” in discussions with rent people.
If it’s a limited company then you actually are an employee.  So as long as the names are different then you could potentially produce payslips etc 

Interesting idea. I suspect the drawdown / income would still be too sporadic?

KK

@Debsnewbudget you are completely correct - its a great idea  and thx for popping in.   Sadly  as KK thought I have not issued any PAYE slips this year and am waiting on March to do it all in one lot , and the income thx to the main contract has been sporadic.
I have certainly  received enough to be 'affordable' in a smaller flat with what I have received  even at the 64% increase - so I should be ok    but they have been turning down everyone without consistent monthly... even when that freelance income runs into the ££££'s per month eg one neighbour  has a smallish normal job - never been late on his rent in over 5 years and earns ££££'s per month as a dj .. they are throwing him out..


I have just said no  after a call across the Atlantic to the cool side hustle work  in April abroad as I am not sure i can get the visa in time and right now I need to focus on job, home, mortgage, buying. My energy needs to be here not elsewhere.
I have had great luck though and got a cool 2 months abroad work next summer all sorted on my side hustle, and as long as I can work remotely  I can do both contract .. there was a gap in the middle that has now been filled so.

TallGirl said:

That is a big increase and a worry but having rented the same way as you I do know how crap these management companies are and I suspect the real reason for the change over is the "owners" need more revenue to tendered it out and the people who won now needs an increase to make it work. In a way it pushes you to buy which is a good think as you said the rent you were paying was not at th real levels because had it been you would have bought already. I really hope you do get a new contact soon so you can push on. The courses sounds excellent and well worth the investments. Lets hope you do not have to move that would just be such a pain for a relatively short period of time. 

i am also hope I dont need to pack up, as you say the cheap rent has kept me renting and also not pushing the invoice side, I could drift along... though I have saved well especially this last year with YNAB.

Worse case I am packing up and popping all into storage, getting the new job, find a house and whilst I wait to complete I will go abroad as long as there is internet - I have 2 friends with empty apartments in Europe with decent internet I could hire  or pop over to SE Asia -= London in Jan is not that fun anyway. . or is it too late to be a chalet girl?! )

 I had a v frank conversation with the main director yesterday and he has told me I am on top of the pile to be paid first - if no funds come in on Monday . there will be more calls.. Either way I need a new contract with consistent income as my new mortgage will be £2k+ pm 

I am not that much in software dev  ( I just use it or plan the new systems ) but I am amazed  at how quick I am picking the courses and process up as are the tutors so it will help me get a better rate or in the door to companies. ..

dawnybabes said:

Actually asking the bloke for a reference might wake him up he’s about to loose you …..

Good point!
Tx @beanielou and @WelshmansDaughter I will take the advice and ask Monday. Have a feeling he will want me to draft up areas of my work to remind him -  he can then amend and fluff out.

LadyWithAPlan

Freezer defrost done - I made it happen quicker as I though of @KajiKita 's Mr KK and getting the hairdryer out .. does he know he is famous KK? 
 It was kept a far and safe distance from any water. Between the hairdryer and hot water in bowls it was a quick job. Yet to scrub the fridge but at least the freezer looks better. 

Grocery
I popped into Morries on way back from gym £25.62 which included a bottle of red wine  £8 (I am popping to see friend over weekend so a gift) as I am trying to hit the  £40 per week x 4 weeks to get the extra £15 in points,
. I will go in again Sunday - I bought YS chicken legs, meat, some veg but now can refill the freezer with loads frozen veg, I will start making serious soups again in my PC.

YNAB yearly totals emerging
I added more to my electric meter ... looks like on average I spend £38.33  pm on elec   total £460 and I started and will end I think about the same balance.  -- gas heating is separate.
Water £173.08  £14.42pm
I do travel a lot so that keeps my bills down.

Vinted - lowered the price on 2 things and plan to add 5 things on there tomorrow - if I do have to move I dont want unnecessary stuff being dragged around.

South_coast

The best thing I found for defrosting the freezer was....getting a second freezer. Ram everything into to one or the other, turn the empty one off and put a towel in front of it. Come back an hour later and wipe it out. Job done 👍 Second (half-size) freezer was  about £80 and infinitely useful for storing batch-cooked meals when not waiting to be defrosted 😀

KajiKita

Mr KK is vaguely aware that this tip is making the rounds on here because I mentioned it, but it doesn’t really register with him, iyswim 😉😊

KK

LadyWithAPlan

South_coast said:

The best thing I found for defrosting the freezer was....getting a second freezer. Ram everything into to one or the other, turn the empty one off and put a towel in front of it. Come back an hour later and wipe it out. Job done 👍 Second (half-size) freezer was  about £80 and infinitely useful for storing batch-cooked meals when not waiting to be defrosted 😀

I had a second freezer (was a full size fridge freezer for free from my neighbour) but was in my study which I wanted to make into a proper office .. plus I used the fridge only for alcohol  and excess veg -as also had a giant fridge freezer in kitchen as well  so I got rid of it - plus electric bills were skyrocketing 
it was useful though and once settled into my new place I will definitely get a 2nd one that’s just a freezer - so useful as you say even though it’s just me for YS meat and batch cooking - stock and I am eating more frozen veg as well these days 

@KajiKita he is famous but it’s probably for the best  he doesn’t understand how this virtual stranger will think of you both for the rest of my life probably every time i defrost the freezer  

debtfreewannabe321

Late to catching up -I so should have married a rich man and been a lady of leisure it suits me better 💁🏻‍♀️🤣 I can't get anything important done when I work like catch up on here.

On the rent hikes- that's daylight robbery...shouldn't there be laws against hiking it up THAT much in such a short time?! It's no wonder many of us have been priced out of the capital....

And if you get a job, payslip and employer it will obviously be easier than being self employed. But when dp was looking to change jobs just this summer he enquired how many months payslips would be needed for the mortgage application and we assumed three but were told six in some cases and if new job then they need to be out of probationary period 😳 so just watch for that (it's why we were very grateful the new job opening wasn't actually ready for interview until after we'd moved!)... although you're probably already aware.  But it might delay things further.