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

KajiKita

Everything @SandyShores said, especially about the move to a smaller flat. I suspect it will become clear what is the best course of action when they finally make their minds up and tell you what your rent increase is. It all sounds a bit bogus, such a long drawn out process, almost as if they are making it up as they go along … 🙄

Paddington Hard Stare to the non-payers … Time for a legal letter? If you don’t get serious about it, why should the Universe? 🤷‍♀️

Good luck with the law firm today. 

In the midst of all this, please make time to just … stop. No chanting, no meditation. Just, literally stop. You are running so hard I am a bit worried you might burn out.

KK

Watty1

Re the non payers, do you continue to work for them?  I have a couple of excellent legal letters (written by a lawyer) threatening legal action that I have found work, but, it does somewhat strike them off the continuing to give you work list.
Happy to share if it helps although I absolutely know you are super capable and probably have your own legal action letter tucked away. 

Humdinger1

Yup @LadyWithAPlan I agree that it's time to lawyer up re your unpaid invoices.   I know it can feel scary to walk away from clients- if that's what it comes to- but are they really clients if they're not paying you? Time-wasting, abusive freeloaders is the politest accurate description.  You've explained the impact it's having on your life and what difference has it made.  They need to have a reason to prioritise you.  You are as ever totally fab.  Love Humdinger xx 

TallGirl

Really sorry to read things are getting in the way of you living your fabulous life hopefully you can make the right decision for you. Only thing I would say is you have had the benefit of the cheaper rent than normal London for years and you knew it would not be forever. Although annoying right now at least you have had some great benefit for years. Now is the time for action and you knew this so you had planned for this by saving so hard. Good luck with the lawyers today as for the sharing of the flat I would not be keen either. 

As for the unpaid invoices only you know best but well done for the job interview hopefully the start of good things to come for 2025. 

debtfreewannabe321

Just catching up. Loving the jewelery talk. I had my tigers eye pendant on today for concentration and focus. I have a crystal or a pendant for every occasion 😎
I chanted a lot (although I'm not Buddhist I found it very useful to make me stay present and it helped with anxiety) when my ex and I were splitting up and I thought I was going to be made homeless..it worked and everything turned out well. One mantra I used was not Buddhist in the slightest but every day I would repeat it over and over as I took my mindful dog walk .... everything is in divine and perfect order (in my life) RIGHT NOW.

I think the universe is conspiring to make you uncomfortable (with the flat and money not being paid) because now is the time to make your move. With the flat hunting and new job. ☺️ I think it will all work out as it's meant to because your attitude is correct - intention is everything 🙏🏻❤️

SandyShores

I was just listening to LBC and they mentioned a whole block of apartments in Deptford being given Section 21 notices as they want to refurbish the building - I think there are 150 with just two months notice!  Made me think of you.  These landlords are unbelievable!

PennysIntoPounds

Would it cost a lot to move in the same building? No vans needed, just a couple of strong blokes for a couple of hours for furniture and get mates to help with boxes and random items? 
Sounds like a less pricey way to stay and be ready to buy without involving a lodger if rent is going to be cheaper. It doesn't matter if its a bit more cramped while you work out if you want to use storage or focus in a big way on buying your own place, you'd be saving money towards either option...

LadyWithAPlan

Hello all, its been a busy week and I have had the joy of hosting two dinner parties at mine - making my study into a dining room for the first time ever  (so my bedroom is packed!)  I clearly have too much stuff for a one bed - however as PIP says I could squash in for a short period.
i have things like a huge desk/table, well made lovely one off pieces of furniture, art plus excess clothes which I want to keep and basically a whole house of furniture (and all the white goods) so it means I am not having to buy things for a home as I have everything already.

At present there are no one beds available apparently though that may change in the new year.  
Either my rent goes up nearly £300pm or drops by over £100 pm , or sharing it drops it by hundreds...
So i could save £400pm but  I am not sure the cost and hassle of moving is worth it if I can get moving quickly on the buying ..

SandyShores said:

I'm glad you have options LWAP - it was the one thing I sorely missed when I was up to my eyeballs in debt. 

As someone who had lodgers for a while, I can understand why you wouldn't want to share!  Although I did have a lovely one for quite a while, I think that's a rarity.  I would seriously consider swallowing the cost of a move to smaller place - but also depends on how many months of rent saving it would then take to recover the cost of the move.

Because you intend to buy your own place soon, it may seem like staying put is the most practical option.  But if the breakeven point of cost moving is only a few months, then the pain of moving might be worth it long-term as it could take the pressure off the need to move more quickly.  But I am somehow who likes the safe option/less risk, if it all comes together for you, you could be buying your own place before you know it!

I haven't looked into chanting and buddhist living before, but it sounds really positive.  Meditation is part of the yoga classes I take, and I'm always so surprised how I can go from stressed out to wondering what the big deal is in about 10 minutes - definitely need more of this in my day to day living.

i am thinking the breakeven cost of the move vs the hassle of time etc means staying put may make the most sense but all good thoughts!

My chanting has really stabilised me and keeps me optimistic and fighting forward - it also makes me go after big dreams  and gives me peace when I am in difficult circumstances   I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo - 

@watty1 @beanielou Your support is appreciated.

LadyWithAPlan

KajiKita said:

Everything @SandyShores said, especially about the move to a smaller flat. I suspect it will become clear what is the best course of action when they finally make their minds up and tell you what your rent increase is. It all sounds a bit bogus, such a long drawn out process, almost as if they are making it up as they go along … 🙄

Paddington Hard Stare to the non-payers … Time for a legal letter? If you don’t get serious about it, why should the Universe? 🤷‍♀️

Good luck with the law firm today. 

In the midst of all this, please make time to just … stop. No chanting, no meditation. Just, literally stop. You are running so hard I am a bit worried you might burn out.

KK

Tx KK you are right, time to also find time for joy - which is why I still did the dinner parties - cooked large quantities for two groups of people so 2nd night all food was ready apart from heating ... So spending a special time with friends - many of whom have had a v difficult year was lovely, and they all said the same thing..

PennysIntoPounds said:

Would it cost a lot to move in the same building? No vans needed, just a couple of strong blokes for a couple of hours for furniture and get mates to help with boxes and random items? 
Sounds like a less pricey way to stay and be ready to buy without involving a lodger if rent is going to be cheaper. It doesn't matter if its a bit more cramped while you work out if you want to use storage or focus in a big way on buying your own place, you'd be saving money towards either option...

At present there are no one beds... and if I move I lose my I am a tenant argument ..

The barrister and solicitor say we have a hugely strong case for being considered as tenants due to various things so one person who is on legal aid is starting that process  and I am certainly not saying yes to a one bed that still has someone in who being kicked out.... due to them being advised to do so.



@watty1 @humdinger1 I could do with that scary email and will produce after xmas if needed
 I am still daily chasing both lots of money - the smaller one said the money has gone out but then was returned cos of a bank error ... so should be tomorrow  Friday - the big amount I keep being told yes and I  had a frank call today and Tuesday with them ... I am trusting it is happening but  I wont be doing any more work til I get paid.
This will be my lowest earning Dec in many years..

TallGirl said:

Really sorry to read things are getting in the way of you living your fabulous life hopefully you can make the right decision for you. Only thing I would say is you have had the benefit of the cheaper rent than normal London for years and you knew it would not be forever. Although annoying right now at least you have had some great benefit for years. Now is the time for action and you knew this so you had planned for this by saving so hard. Good luck with the lawyers today as for the sharing of the flat I would not be keen either. 

Yes I have been lucky (and wise and saved)  but discovered some never had my huge rent increases so  rents are going up for some between 60-80% !!

debtfreewannabe321 said:

......

I think the universe is conspiring to make you uncomfortable (with the flat and money not being paid) because now is the time to make your move. With the flat hunting and new job. ☺️ I think it will all work out as it's meant to because your attitude is correct - intention is everything 🙏🏻❤️

The important thing is  as many of you  are  saying  - no matter what -  I need to get to buying asap - 
 However that means a new contract as I cant trust the current people to not pay me regularly and then my  mortgage process would fail

SandyShores said:

I was just listening to LBC and they mentioned a whole block of apartments in Deptford being given Section 21 notices as they want to refurbish the building - I think there are 150 with just two months notice!  Made me think of you.  These landlords are unbelievable!

Many of us have less than that as we are just starting the affordability now and some thus were given a weeks notice that they couldnt stay..

LadyWithAPlan

Jewellery advent  --- inspired by PIP advent -  I have now started pulling out dresses as well  I have not worn in years as well Wore something last night ( was a serious fashion label 25 plus years ago)  that had not been worn in forever and yes it still fits.. I have a slight belly vs in my 20s  but it is xmas!
A friend reminded me the dress was in a pic of mine  from nearly 30 years...!

I have been gifted some new chandelier like earrings as well My friend also fixed a giant costume jewellery bracelet which is coming out tonight and actually works with the new necklace (old necklace restrung with additional stones in a fabulous way)

 Groceries - ha! I  have been buying so much food and alcohol for the parties I have had - out again to a party tonight after my database class and then out tomorrow eve for 2 more parties and then a catch up 
groceries £143.65 spent
Xmas food and drink for the parties  £126.49
I have loads left so my freezer will be bursting when I get back after xmas - leaving this weekend

Turning my bedroom back into my bedroom
Due to making my study into a dining room half of it (inc my huge shoe rack) is  now in my bedroom ,... so need to find some time to get that back to the restful beautiful place it normally is.
It does make me look at some of my stuff and question where I can downsize more...  There are some things I want in my next home eg my giant dining table i use also as a desk ... as it I get rid of it I will need to replace in a few months


JOB hunting has to step up - I do have some side hustle work for   Feb and then more  into end March in the spring which is booked in - which means I will have to work that around a new job - as in declare it -  I dont  want to say no in case I cant find a new contract... However the new big contract job is needed to get me the mortgage... I will take a 5 year deal at least so I can then be free to do the work I want.