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

Cheery_Daff

We had about 880 years left on the lease to our last house when we moved out, at 50p a year (which hadn't been collected for about 20 years). The lease prevented us from setting up either a steam hammer or a tannery in the (tiny) garden.

But as you say, while that's pretty common up north, I think it's pretty rare down south, and I don't think I've heard of that type of leasehold in London (definitely worth checking though!) Leaseholds on London flats seem to be far more expensive and far less fun!

LadyWithAPlan

Debsnewbudget said:

Here “up North” leaseholds are generally OK  on older houses. Never paid more than £5 pa and they are for 999 years( or the remainder of) . On the newer houses they are not so favourable. 
Always worth asking the questions before ruling out leaseholds completely. 

tx  Debs - yes I think some old council places in London are also not too bad - though I have a friend in an old Local Auth - East London build - no concierge, no amenities, and the monthly service fee is now £200 per month now.. started at £100 ..This is what worries me

@savingholmes yes a flat with a share of freehold be perfect ...

Can we discuss the weather? First day back in London after all travelling for work and pleasure - warm, muggy then torrential rain - I did have an umbrella but my sparkly flip flops were not happy - got to go back out later for class ... will take wellies
Hope everyone keeps safe out there..

My course is tonight - missed last week as was away - so scrambling to work out homework - need to get idea for a project to build during class - I know what but I am thinking - something for merchandise - but  I don't know how to do various bits ... and not sure what I need to show tonight - will figure something out

DECLUTTER
My flat is v untidy as quick pack for trips and no time to tidy - but here now so going to spend some time tidying this weekend - going for that inspiration of 'holiday cottage' - thats a lot of stuff to declutter  but restarting minimalist game and the 30 days to clean organized home again so - I am looking forward to having time here again to reset for autumn

Spending today - I did the MSE boots - get 30% off all no 7 til midnight offer  (expires wed 20/09 12.00 so be quick) - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/no7/#55062 so got my future renew day cream x 2 and night cream (3 for 2) minus 30%  PLUS my 10% off as now I have a student card so first discount there plus nearly 1000 boots points so that was a bargain at £44 (they norm £35 per jar)  - I have been waiting for an offer on this for weeks - been scrapping last bit of the jars and using old stuff.

Plus after much admiring the faux fur heated throws  last year and deciding I only wanted a  faux fur one drEAML*** heated one - £130 - and they sold out last winter - just seen them on sale at boots again for £99 (+  my 10% student discount)  = £89!! used the remainder of my bday money - for a woman trying to buy a house I am spending ..... but these heated throws are fabulous and save energy - and this was a unrefusable bargain on something I have been wanting for ages so not an impulse buy .. cant wait to cosy up in it - should arrive tomorrow

My led mask is still proving fun - I put it on in bed so stops me looking at my mobile and then add cream after .. my skin looks good but then it does - but maybe its more glowy?? I did take before pics last week so we will see in 2 months if fine lines and slight puffy eyes are better

Freezer defrost
Still not happened - just added some GF bread in there I bought on my travel rounds. I am refusing to buy much food though til I get it properly cleaned out - fridge as well - then I have my bulk money waiting to be spent


Money count down Month 1 of 13 
As inspired by another diary I am setting a 13 month deposit build countdown -or count up Starting Month 1 Sept 2023 as my next year I am planning to have bought or be v near it
so I will chart how much I save .. always as I am SE and irregular paid I always have to keep extra in banks but think I will just build a EF to cover and excess can go at the end of each month to house deposit as opposed to loitering without intent in my various bank current accts
Current I have just over £109k - £150k is the giant target but looking at all the diaries on here - miracles happen when we all stop spending money l;) I may have to go Alcohol and Harib** free for a while

Cornish_mum

Hi lovely to hear your update, your 13 month plan sounds great. I had a bad experience with Air Canada in June, North American consumer protection was useless. Fingers crossed you get some compensation. I also got utterly soaked today - ugh horrible weather. CM

LadyWithAPlan

Cheery_Daff said:

We had about 880 years left on the lease to our last house when we moved out, at 50p a year (which hadn't been collected for about 20 years). The lease prevented us from setting up either a steam hammer or a tannery in the (tiny) garden.

But as you say, while that's pretty common up north, I think it's pretty rare down south, and I don't think I've heard of that type of leasehold in London (definitely worth checking though!) Leaseholds on London flats seem to be far more expensive and far less fun!

Yep there are no tannerys down here in central London - i dont think - they will have all been priced out .. what is a steam hammer?

@Cornish_mum yes air canada was i believe involved in the United Airlines  fiasco - lets see on the compensation...

My class was quite fast paced tonight ... so a bit tired now and walked home in the rain .. ah well I will get the pressure cooker out and start making soups.
Class tomorrow as well. Cant wait for my faux fur heated throw ;`) i may never leave the sofa

savingholmes

I had my heated throw on tonight. Very comforting 

Cheery_Daff

A steam hammer is a large industrial hammer, driven by steam power, usually found in a forge 😂

https://www.worldhistory.org/Steam_Hammer/

Not something you'd be likely to make yourself and stick in the front garden of a city terrace these days - but definitely worth legislating against in Sheffield in the 1890s - I imagine they were popping up all over the place and causing havoc 😂

KajiKita

Cheery_Daff said:

A steam hammer is a large industrial hammer, driven by steam power, usually found in a forge 😂

https://www.worldhistory.org/Steam_Hammer/

Not something you'd be likely to make yourself and stick in the front garden of a city terrace these days - but definitely worth legislating against in Sheffield in the 1890s - I imagine they were popping up all over the place and causing havoc 😂

Sounds very Fred Dibnah! I think he had one in his garden didn’t he? 😂

Cheery_Daff

😂😂 gosh, can you imagine living next door?!

Sistergold

Oh belated “welcome back!” Sorry to hear that your rent went up! Good when it was low as it gave you a chance to save more aggressively. With how rentals are going And housing in general plus the rates it can be overwhelming to decide what to do. With the deposit that you have you can not get too far of the mark. 

Interesting about the led face mask! Am at that age where a bit of glow will be nice! 

Decluttering, nice once done but Eish starting is always my problem Then I get sidetracked! 

LadyWithAPlan

Sistergold said:

Oh belated “welcome back!” Sorry to hear that your rent went up! Good when it was low as it gave you a chance to save more aggressively. With how rentals are going And housing in general plus the rates it can be overwhelming to decide what to do. With the deposit that you have you can not get too far of the mark. 

Interesting about the led face mask! Am at that age where a bit of glow will be nice! 

Decluttering, nice once done but Eish starting is always my problem Then I get sidetracked! 

The led mask is fabulous and lots of great research on red led (reducing wrinkles, increasing collagen) and also near infra red so I am recommending it already - skin def extra glowy - google before and afters if you want..

Decluttering yep the start is the hardest...
They have said the rent going up but not actioned it last month nor sent me a new contract so waiting on them .. I have the excess saved in my bank acct in case.

Buying wise - I just need to get my courage up to take down my large deposit (aka safety blanket) to buy and then get on that £2k+  every month mortgage  and also it means I cant take time off as i like to be creative, travel.. however this new 13 month target is there to inspire me as it is time to take the next step for my life - Sister Gold watching your figures go down has been inspiring.
Plus everyone's OP tracking does sound like a great game... I have some cashback to put into my savings..

@Cheery_Daff @KajiKita there will be no steam hammers!!!!!  Largely as my garden if it exists at all will be small and hopefully have a tree or awnings to sit in the shade under.

Spending today - I bought some things for xmas and gifts online today plus a facial toning wand thing yes tech is me ! Just £13 but my friend who loves his led mask also raves about this... Cheap as from alibaba - he sent me link to the one he uses (he has amazing skin) - all paid for out of planned spending pots.

My course today - day 1 -  was interesting as I am self taught so far so I can see I am pretty on it in many ways  however I am looking for those gaps in my knowledge and hopefully it will inspire me to move forward on making some great cash as a side hustle .. rather than a hobby.   I am enjoying learning again as well as my student card

I do need to pick up some more income though .. just relaxing and sleeping loads after all my travel - but wfh tomorrow and then weekend to get reset. Not planning to spend much this weekend - was full on last weekend and spend loads plus travelling so much - i need to hibernate - hopefully with my heated throw when it arrives ... Cant wait!

Grocery £17.50 inc chicken, YS beef burgers and lots of greens from T*sco as there is one near college. I have become kale and spinach queen - trying to eat loads of extra greens at least once a day - as in half a plate of the things..