Curbing the ridiculous 19 September 2021 at 11:40AM in Debt Free Diaries 758 replies 80.2K views

warby68

Oh, we're not moving, just an observation - 6m or more is not uncommon here.

My advice, and its non-MSE, is that if there are any more services related to moving in such as cleaning or odd job person that you can pay for that would be a worthwhile investment. You have been running on empty for a while, house moving is the most exhausting thing known to man and I wish I'd done it with our last move. My OH ended up unexpectedly and unavoidably almost totally absent for the key packing days and most of removals and moving in day. I thought I would be fine but I very nearly wasn't. Our removals team saved me - going above and beyond.

RebeccaPearson

@warby68 - yes that is probably very good advice.  We did think about getting cleaners for the flat but they are in short supply here and my friends didn't want to take the meter readings until after the cleaners had been in and it is all too much hassle.  At least at the other end there's plenty of space for us to leave boxes and unpack without pressure.  But I will speak with DH regarding it.

Scottiedog_3

I would second paying for cleaning help. 

Alchemilla

The movers might assemble your beds. Ours did, without being asked. Good thing I had planned a big tip.

BellaLasagna2018

warby68 said:

Oh, we're not moving, just an observation - 6m or more is not uncommon here 

You’re quite right. I’m in the north east. Accepted an offer on my property and got my offer accepted on another property beginning of October. Searches take between 10-12 weeks to 12-18 weeks depending on the council, and now we’re waiting for Land Registry to do what they have to do! The whole chain is held up with no end in sight! So frustrating! @RebeccaPearson I am very jealous of your quick purchase and move! (And happy for you!) 

RebeccaPearson

Awww thanks @BellaLasagna2018 but sorry yours is taking ages.  Gosh, even though I sold a UK property last year I guess because I wasn't living in it, I didn't realise how long it took!  That is rubbish to wait that long.  I guess it is much easier here!

We need CHEESE AGAIN!!!!  I just do not know what we do with it.  And at least another litre of milk even though 2 were bought last night (well, that's just so I don't have to battle to get it up the steps with 2 kids tomorrow, otherwise it could probs wait until friday).  So I will get on way to car after work.

DH has run the figures and we are about 7k less than I thought - I have no idea how.  He says it's because I don't use spreadsheets.  I am hoping it is that, and not because he has made some "investments" without telling me.  It's ok as doesn't affect the purchase but annoying to be out by that much.

warby68

I'm curious, do you have supermarket deliveries where you are? We also consume a lot of milk. A once a week 'dairy' delivery sounds like it would be useful for you as it seems like you can never go out without needing milk, cheese or yogurt and it weighs a ton !!

Sorry you're £7k out - I'd need to get to the bottom of that if it were me. Glad it doesn't affect things though.

joedenise

@RebeccaPearson - try grating your cheese - it seems to go much further!  I use the small grate and as I need to limit dairy I never have more than 30g of cheese and the small grate gives a nice big pile of cheese!

With the milk, would it be worth keeping some Long Life in stock to use in an emergency, or even just for cooking?

Scottiedog_3

I buy ready grated cheese as the arthritis in my hands makes grating very painful. It's very popular in Scotland so I can't be the only one who finds it useful. @joedenise is right that it is easier to portion out and is very good for cooking. I now make toasted cheese by lightly toasting bread in the toaster, putting a layer of cheese on the bread, then zapping it in the microwave for about thirty secs. 

QueenJess

If it helps, we were spending an average of £125 a week until very recently (this is what happens when DH is in control...).  I am slowly bringing it down and expect to get under £100 a week soon (this month is about £105 a week including all food, cleaning stuff, soaps, toilet paper etc).

I'm sure I could do lots more, but there is plenty I refuse to give up that is more expensive - like my organic veg/fruit box etc.  I find if I really concentrate on it, I can bring it down, but as soon as I'm too busy (or leave it to DH!), it goes right back up again.

I'm assuming you don't have much space where you are at the moment, but when you move, a big freezer is a must for batch cooking/saving food etc.  I did swap to Aldi for pantry basic stuff which I know you can't do, but I'm sure there is still some stuff you are able to do or able to do a bit more like making sure absolutely nothing goes to waste, batch cooking, making use of loyalty schemes (including credit card ones?), go ys shopping (if possible), down shifting some items, making things from scratch etc.  Plus your growing your own plans should help too.

However, it does take time and you are very short on that right now, so I would just give yourself a break and accept it is expensive for now and start tweaking when you can in the future.

A milk delivery sounds like a good idea for you (if possible).  I'm a fan of home delivery as it saves me so much time and I'll gladly pay up to £5 for the convenience of that!  You can get slightly longer life milk (the filtered ones) if you have room in the fridge to store that much and you can freeze (although I have never done that).