15months to debt free - I hope

jwil

It's hard to spend when you are so used to not spending.  The work will improve your house and quality of life though, plus hopefully reduce some bills so it's worth it.

I agree with the others though, do something nice and frivolous for yourself if you can too!

Blackcats

Perhaps thinking of spending to save money might help.  For example new windows will reduce gas/electric bills and certainly save money on emergency repairs if they leak and damage your home.  Or reverse psychology by setting yourself a budget for the first wave of work and seeing how much you can get done for that amount.

oh and treat yourself to something lovely as a gift from your sister and brother in law!

ladyholly

Evening all

Thank you for your comments which I have been thinking about during the day. Whilst I am reluctant to spend the money I know that once the estate is fully settled I will have a fair bit to go at so really having work done is not too much of a problem financially but having sat at the computer this morning looking at bags of gravel on line to replace what has been lost over the last 20 years in using it in plant pots and clearing up after umpteen dogs etc I think the biggest problems are having difficulty making  decisions imn case I get the wrong thing and hating ringing strangers to make appointments for getting estimates. I still havent ordered the gravel incidentally.

I am going to have to be brave and make those phone calls and hopefully that will force Mr LH to start making decisions. As I think its too late for the windows this year as I want to keep the house warm as long as possible the first thing will be having the hall, stairs and landing decorated and then a new carpet. The existing one is literally in holes and I am in danger of tripping. I would say it doesnt bother Mr LH so he doesnt see a problem but I get embarassed every time the postman calls.

I manged to get the bulbs I bought yesterday planted before the rain started.

Mr LHs first words this morning were "have you been shopping?". I hadnt but he wanted some vodka to make blackberrry vodka for the festivals next year (If it survives that long) so having suggested he could give me a lift and received no real reply I went to L**l this afternoon and got soaked while Mr LH was very busy sleeping in the chair.. I probably wouldn't have got quite so wet if I hadn't met friends on the way and spent ages talking to them. Luckily I walked rather than taking the scooter in case it rained.

I have a new case for my phone as the old one was falling apart, My dd commented on it when they came round a couple of weeks ago so thought I had better take action.

Enough drivel from me for now. Have a good evening.

beanielou

Could you maybe get your shopping delivered once a week?  Then just do a wee top up as required?
I don't think it's too late to get the windows done this year.

PennysIntoPounds

I don't think it's too late to return Mr H's car

badmemory

With double glazing they can usually do a normal size house in a day, it really isn't as disruptive as you may think.  You may also get it done cheaper at a time other people don't want the disruption.  So says the person who needs 2 windows & a door doing before I get a new kitchen done & the main room decorated & the 35 yr old carpet replaced.  I did the top half of the house & have now totally stalled.  I am even struggling to sort a tip run.

daisy_1571

I think you are overestimating the coldness from a day getting windows changed over compared to 5 months of winter.  Id be saying 'the company are coming on Tuesday,  if you want that room done they must have access'.  Then leave it, if he doesn't want it done thats fine, you get the rest of the house done.  Id rather pay for the scaffold and get the bathroom done this year before winter, then if he does want his done it can be done in a year or two, no wasted money,  just money spent when it needs to be.  

(I honestly don't know how you put up with your dh.  He's so quick to want stuff but never seems to pay you any heed like taking you to the shops but I know you love him so thats fine. )

I certainly don't think for one moment that a staircase carpet in holes is any sort of indulgence to be replacing, its just basic home maintenance so go ahead.   Get looking at lovely colours and plan the hall.  Make it beautiful for you to enjoy every time you come home.  Dont be asking him his opinion, you know he doesn't really care what the place looks like, and that's fine, thats his prerogative but don't let that stop you enjoying the process of planning, looking forward to and then enjoying the results.  Get a daughter to help or a friend if you think it will but often that just leads to confusion as they will have their own ideas and at the end of the day it's your house and you will be the one living with it.

Try not to stress about contacting people, no one loves it but ask around and see if anyone can recommend or tell you who not to contact.  Be prepared to contact several times as busy workmen often are terrible at getting back to people. 

Also try not to worry about getting the 'wrong' thing.  A good plan actioned is better than the perfect plan thought about for 5 years.  If you put paint up and you hate it, get it done again,  its not the end of the world if you decide to lighten it a few shades or darken it. 

Its your money now, dont be put off enjoying it. Enjoy it dxxxx

ladyholly

Thank you all. Mr LH does take me shopping every week and to be fair to him he would take me wherever I want to go. It's partly my wanting to shop without feeling I am keeping him waiting in the car and partly it's some independence that I don't want to give up. There are a lot of things I have difficulty doing so being able to go to the sm on my own is important plus I am a stubborn so and so. He was somewhat annoyed I didn't wake him to go today. See I said I am stubborn and hate asking for help.

MFWannabe

I always read but don’t usually comment 
I would sit down and write a plan 
List all the things you want to do/ get done 
Then plan the order they should be done 
ie Windows, painting, new carpet 
Tell Mr Lh the windows are booked to be done on X date and they will need access to the room 
that will cement a date in rather than you want the room sorted so it can get done at some time 

daisy_1571

ladyholly said:

Thank you all. Mr LH does take me shopping every week and to be fair to him he would take me wherever I want to go. It's partly my wanting to shop without feeling I am keeping him waiting in the car and partly it's some independence that I don't want to give up. There are a lot of things I have difficulty doing so being able to go to the sm on my own is important plus I am a stubborn so and so. He was somewhat annoyed I didn't wake him to go today. See I said I am stubborn and hate asking for help.

Lol, a good match for each of you then 😆 🤣 

Dxxx