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

South_coast

LadyWithAPlan said:

The new potential flat agents called /emailed me Monday yes Dec 23rd and emailed me also today - talk about harassing people over Xmas !

I got sent my service charge bill - nothing quite says Merry Christmas like a demand for £2200 🙄! 

(Although at least they remembered this time. I didn't receive it until 29/02 this year, when they had the cheek to send me the bill and stick "Reminder" all over it!)

Watty1

Chant, listen to your instincts, chant some more.  For some reason I suspect your instincts are picking up something and the Universe could not be clearer, now is the time to find your new home.  

beanielou

Watty1 said:

Chant, listen to your instincts, chant some more.  For some reason I suspect your instincts are picking up something and the Universe could not be clearer, now is the time to find your new home.  

I agree with this. 

WelshmansDaughter

This has been a comfortable option for so long that I wonder if it has made it too easy for you not to move on. 

LadyWithAPlan

WelshmansDaughter said:

This has been a comfortable option for so long that I wonder if it has made it too easy for you not to move on. 

indeed before last years increase the maths was definitely in favour of renting so it did mean there was no push.

Ouch @South_coast £2200 has it gone up much the service charge since you moved in? I guess it does cover insurance and hopefully some sinking fund money for repairs.

beanielou said:

Watty1 said:

Chant, listen to your instincts, chant some more.  For some reason I suspect your instincts are picking up something and the Universe could not be clearer, now is the time to find your new home.  

I agree with this. 

indeed I just need a new contract first as cant rely on using my old main contact given lack of regularity in payments. So new job required almost first before I start looking hard. I dont want to get a MIP and then my mortgage fall thru cos of the lack of actual monies arriving..

Had a HUGE bday bash yesterday of a friend - we started at 12.30 lunchtime  and went on to 11pm.... So lovely to see all and it was a truly fabulous day. Champagne flowed and they made me some GF hot food.
I even flirted with a friend of hers - we always do at these big events as we both there   but nothing  ever comes of it - he cool but a handful (which could be fine as I am hardly a quiet one myself) but planning to move abroad in a few months to a place I have no interest in living (Du***) However it was fun to flirt and have some banter.

I am tired today and a bit slow So not as productive as I could be.
I am eating my way through the treats but craving salty so may pop to the local shop for crisps. Though I am trying to not buy food  til Jan 1st if possible...

I have banged my knee (from not yet sorting my study out  from using it as a dining room yet so had excess unexpected stuff in the bedroom) so its sore so have iced it and got my led face mask on it. I may need to pause going back to the EMS annoyingly  until it loosens up - its definitely a bit stiff - I cant see me walking 5 miles there/back to gym on it at the moment as its swelled up a bit..
A post disco injury!

SPENDING 2025 I looked at my emails all yelling 'sale' and thought I really dont want to buy anything as the next thing I am buying is a home... 
 I am reminded by @caeler mf diary - as she was so focused and not going out anyway in that last push. I do have to pay corp tax end Dec, SA tax end Jan plus another £1k out for some summer side hustle stuff  but apart from that I am planning an essentials only Jan/Feb

South_coast

LadyWithAPlan said:

Ouch @South_coast £2200 has it gone up much the service charge since you moved in? I guess it does cover insurance and hopefully some sinking fund money for repairs.

Hmmm, I think it was £142/month when I moved in nearly 9 years ago, and this works out as £186/month now, so not crazy. It includes heating and hot water, plus the regulars like cleaning, lift maintenance, grass cutting etc. I think they had about £80k on the balance sheet last time they circulated the accounts, so no chance of any cash call on the leaseholders for repairs. 

I actually MUCH prefer getting an annual bill and just dealing with it, than seeing it leach out of my account by standing order every month - death by a thousand cuts that way. I also paid it on my M&S credit card, so I'll get some vouchers back from it (clearing the same amount from my savings set aside for it, natch 😀)

Looking forward to hearing about your essentials-only start to the year 👍

LadyWithAPlan

@south_coast. That sounds not too bad an increase in service charge 

my essentials only buying is going to be tough - my electric toothbrush has died (after more than a decade if not 2!) - sonicare pro the most expensive one .. so I can see boots got offers on them .. so I am eyeing up the expensive one I want or a cheaper one  I could cover with boots points .. hmm - I think to not get one at all is a false economy ..teeth need looking after -  but do I need the £130 plus one hmmm (sale price)

I am trying to charge it one more time today . 

Got couple work things to do today
plus filing my corp tax ! Don’t want to be panicking tomorrow
plus seeing a friend later for coffee /chat only

I drank a lot on Saturday so still feeling like I never want to drink again

Suffolk_lass

You could make do with a Colgate traditional looking battery model while you save more points...

South_coast

Or about 80p for a twin-pack in Lidl 😀 Never done me any harm 👍 Cutting out the haribo will do much more for your teeth than a fancy toothbrush. 

Sorry, that sounds very bossy! Lecture over now!

Watty1

Is that one of the ones with an app?  There are cheaper options the same without an app I found when mine died and honestly who looks at an app to brush their teeth?   
Actually I'd love to hear from someone who does because I'm now thinking there might be real benefits in that