Starting afresh in paradise

ManekiNeko

Woke up to an email from my bank saying they're increasing my savings interest rate to 1.71 AER (1.70 Gross). I'm not completely clear on what AER or Gross means (I'm used to APR as that's what I grew up with), but I think this means I'll now earn more interest by having savings than I'll pay on my mortgage (which is at 1.65 per cent). So it could be worth saving up OPs into a savings pot instead of paying them directly off the mortgage?

I won't be able to save up forever, as the DWP disincentivises savings beyond a certain amount, but it's an option for a while anyway.

Just sat waiting for the engineer, he'll arrive pretty soon now. Literally cannot wait for WiFi, I'm like a kid at Christmas lol. Once it's installed I'll probably go and grab some more stuff from the MH house, then do some online admin, particularly my wishlist as people are in a rush for that.

I found some more knitting patterns, even one for a kitchen dishcloth (for wiping counters and stuff) that's very pretty, it's done in moss stitch. You can knit it in cotton or linen. I'll have to cost it up, but I'm thinking of maybe making some for people for Christmas. It's either that or baking or something. I've thought it could be fun to make some jam or preserves too, or maybe even fudge if I'm feeling clever. I love cooking but it's been a long time, and there's lots I don't know enough about. So I'll have to experiment a bit.

ManekiNeko

I have WiFi installed 🎉💃 I'm so relieved. I can see I've got good signal strength but haven't connected yet as I've been carrying more things across to my new home, and I'm pretty tired out tbh, so I wouldn't do any jobs even if I connected. I'll do one more run tonight (making three in total for the day), which should take me to about 10k steps. That's much more civilised than yesterday, which was more like 15k.

One drawback was the engineer said my home phone will be VOIP, which I'm not too happy about, as the whole reason I wanted one was to have a backup way to phone the emergency services if I needed help in a power outage. With VOIP though, if my WiFi is down, so is my landline. The engineer reckons its the way all phones will ultimately go. My ISP had told me I could have a non-VOIP phone no worries, so I need to call them back to complain (again). I shall be angling for money off again lol.

Overall it's been a medium day for my MH, I'm stressed and can feel I'm not great, but I've been focused on a task so that's keeping me afloat at the moment. It's also starting to feel way more real that I've bought a place now that I've actually spent a bit of time there and started moving my things across, and that's making me feel happy and less trapped by the MH house.

Think I'll get going on my last run now. Then probably work on my mortgage spreadsheet again tonight and collapse in front of the TV with some food.

ManekiNeko

Okay so the last run was totally a mistake and various bits of my body (it's pot luck I think, this time my back and my knee) are acting up in protest. I had to have a lie down on the 'bed' (basically a yoga mat I slept on last night) at my new place for a rest before walking back, and it took me ages getting up because my back had seized up a bit. Fortunately, I feel totally fine now I'm laid on a proper bed, and when I've had this before I've healed quick so I'm expecting to be fine by morning. And after this, no more than two runs a day, and hopefully only one.

Was so exhausted though that no spreadsheets whatsoever are happening. Only TV and sugar. I try again with it tomorrow.

ManekiNeko

I've just OP'd another £20 off the mortgage 🎉 this time compensation from my utility company for not sending out an in-home display like they'd promised to. In theory they're going to send me everything that's outstanding by the end of next week, but we shall see. Either way, I'm pretty pleased with how much free money I'm getting in compensation!

I also took advantage of the WiFi by chasing up a few house things, especially my missing keys, and changing my address with a few more places.

Other than that ... family are being complicated. MH is as you might expect. Tomorrow I will go to craft club and try to learn longtail cast on, as I still haven't managed that.

ManekiNeko

Mission accomplished - I've finally learnt longtail and have started work! The size is almost perfect so I'm delighted.

I looked ahead in the pattern a bit and had to ask more advice, but I think I'm clear on what I need to do. I'll be learning a new technique called intarsia, which is a system of placing your yarns in a specific order, and moving them carefully during your work. It should make the reverse side look neater. However, it means I'll have up to five balls of yarn connected to my project at any time, so it's definitely something I'll need to try at home first before even considering attempting it out and about.

I also learned today about an embroidery technique that could make some lovely cushion covers, so that's another idea for crafty Christmas gifts. 🎁 I know it's really early to be thinking of it, but I've got 11 gifts to organise, so if I'm making some I'll need to start fairly soon to avoid rushing. I'm thinking of a knitted soft toy for DS' kid, so that's one definite idea.

I also realised that, out of habit, I OP'd the money yesterday directly to my mortgage, instead of to my savings. Oops! I got some savings interest today though on one account, so I'll aim to sweep that into a mortgage OP savings pot later or tomorrow.

I went for coffee today with a friend, and it made me realise I need to investigate more community spaces locally, so I know more free or inexpensive places to go and sit and chat. That'll be even more important come the autumn, but even today it was grey with occasional drizzle, despite being quite warm. I could have happily sat around all day chatting and knitting, but not in a café where there's a subtle pressure to keep buying coffees.

I've been easing into a tighter budget all month, but from Monday I'll be keeping a spending diary and aiming for £100 fun money. I'll also record my other spends, like food, and see how I do against what I've budgeted.

In other news, it's been a month since I completed on my apartment. I've no idea where the time has gone, but I'm noticeably less stressed. My heartburn has reduced significantly, and my palpitations have gone from almost daily to just a few times a week. (Admittedly as of today I'm back on antibiotics to manage the recurrent infection, but that's going to keep happening until I have my surgery.) I'm still easily overwhelmed and stressed, but I've regained a slight sense of humour about the minor tribulations of life. I feel like home ownership really suits me. I'm sure there will be challenges (and expenses), but it's really good to feel I have a home base to face those challenges from. 🏡 I also love where I live.. just walking up the high street makes me smile. There are lots of people (tourists too now, so you hear lots of languages spoken, and it feels very cosmopolitan), and lots of dogs of all different breeds and sizes. And every time you round a corner you see a new mountain, or a new angle on one. 🌄

ManekiNeko

Well, a month has whistled by and I haven't updated. The mental health house has been so pushy, I've had to file a formal complaint about harassment and pressure to leave, as well as me signing a contract under duress at the last meeting we had. (Long story.) I'm hoping it improves things, but complaining could just as easily make things worse, so I'm feeling anxious about it but relieved I've finally written and submitted it at least.

My DS had her daughter a couple of weeks ago, and I've been to visit. Of course, my dear niece is perfect and I adore her already! It's very strange to think of my DB as an uncle, and my DS as a mother, and my parents as grandparents. My dear niece also looks very sweet in the hat I made her. The blanket is steadily getting along - I'm very nearly halfway through the knitting stage, although after that there's a lot of picking up stitches to add a border, as well as about a million things to stitch together (and ends to sew in). I then have to do something called blocking, which is a fancy term to mean using water and drying to make sure the blanket looks nice at the end, with all the stitches being even, and so it won't shrink in the wash later.

Things with my apartment have been going fairly well. I've done my boiler application, but they've said they can't send out the installation team until my home looks like I live in it (something to do with their funding). So I've been on what feels like a supermarket trolley speed dash for furniture. I've now been to several charities and have got (or am waiting to be delivered): a bed and wardrobe (free), a chest of drawers (£45), a leather footstool (£15), a leather couch with manual recliner (£120, slight discolouration but I'm hoping I can fix it), a bedside table (£15), a wood effect filing cabinet (£20), a full length mirror (£10), and a coffee table (£15). Had to pay about £50 for delivery so far, but it's worth it as I shouldn't lift heavy stuff because of my wrist. I'm also hopefully getting a bookcase and two side tables from my DS, as well as a few bits of furniture from my dear partner's family, and possibly a bit more furniture when I collect my things from my mother's house. Not a stick is going to match but I don't care, it's good enough for now. I might paint some of it later if I feel like it, especially the wardrobe as I'm really not a fan, but for free I wasn't going to argue. Overall, that's my place furnished for £240 (or c. £290 including delivery).

I've also got white goods on the way. My mother kindly offered to contribute the major portion of the costs. I ummed and ahhed about whether to go for something cheap so her contribution would cover the full cost (which was her intent), but having done my research I decided to go for an upgrade to mid-range models, in the hope and understanding this would mean I get many more years of serviceable life out of them. My contribution towards them was £561.99 so she was very generous. It's all been a bit stressful getting them delivered, as my building is quite historic and the front door of the apartment block (not mine, but the main one that everyone shares) is really quite a tight squeeze. Anyway, the fridge is in and the dishwasher should arrive in about half an hour. I'm a bit upset about the fridge because it got scratched getting it in, as it had to come out of the packaging to fit. I wouldn't have minded so much as I knew it could happen, but after I read the instructions - well after the team had left - the leaflet said the doors could have been removed to make it easier to fit through. The washer dryer should have come yesterday but one of the delivery team was off sick, so that'll be next week now. It's probably for the best as I need to do some work on the plumbing first. I'll have to ring the water board first because there's no stopcock fitted to my apartment. There might be a mains one, but having been under the drain covers in the car park, none are labelled (because obviously that's useful).

As to OPs, there hasn't been a lot of news I'm afraid. I put £1.70 of savings interest aside at the end of July and August, and also £20 which I really ought to have paid as delivery for the free furniture, but for some reason they decided to give me that for free. It feels much less satisfying putting it into a savings pot compared to paying it directly off my mortgage, but perhaps closer to the end of my mortgage year I'll pay it off in one go, to make the most of my allowance.

On the plus side, staying longer in the mental health house - while a bit soul destroying - has been working wonders for my bank balance. It's meant I could afford to go out and buy all this furniture and my white goods, and depending on when exactly the boiler can be installed, might even mean I can afford to repay my DS a little lump sum. Either way, this month I've started on my normal repayments to her of £100 a month, meaning I've now repaid 2% of my debt to her. Not much, but every little helps. To be honest, I really hate being in debt (takes me back to being with my first ex, who was financially abusive and got me into debt a lot), and I'm already worrying about what would happen if we had a fight or fell out for some reason. So I'm trying my best to be thrifty and get rid of it, but recognising I have to play the long game because of how big the debt is, meaning I can't scrimp on everything.

My friend has also offered to help me with a mortgage OPs programme, but I have to send them some information, and at the minute I'm totally swamped with everything I'm trying to organise for the house (changing the locks, arranging to collect furniture from various relatives, moving my stuff out of my mother's house, etc).

Basically, I'm pretty exhausted just from the practicalities of my life right now, and there's plenty of other emotional/personal stuff going on that I'm hurting from too. I haven't done my budget yet, just paid the essential bills manually. I did however experiment with savings pots on my bank account, and I've found them really handy. I also need to investigate opening a couple of new current accounts - one with my mortgage, which would pay me about £3 a month if I set up my mortgage DD from it (though need to be careful to ensure it's funded with an SO), and one that gives cashback on spending for the first year, as I'm finding it confusing paying by CC but can't bring myself to give up the rewards. Really I need to ring my CC to see if they could switch my billing period to the 1st - 31st, too, as that would help hugely with budgeting.

Sorry that got a bit garbled towards the end, I've been up since 4am with stomach pains and feeling completely exhausted and overwhelmed. Must dash now as the dishwasher is meant to be arriving at 7am and I'm still in bed in my PJs! Really must drag on some jeans and make a coffee before the delivery team rock up at my door. On plus side, going knitting with my friend from Craft Club later on. Can't wait to do one normal, relaxing thing.

Viking_mfw

You are doing phenomenally well and I am so impressed by your tenacity and your getting to this point. It clearly has been a real struggle. I hope you take some time to celebrate - even a cup of tea and a moment of recognition.  Sending you a round of applause. 

ManekiNeko

Hey that's high praise indeed from a Viking thanks for your kind words. You are right and I shall get the kettle on in a bit when I finally drag myself out of bed 😂 I'm not good at recognising my achievements at all, it's just straight on to the next thing. It's probably force of habit at this point.

ManekiNeko

Well, the dishwasher came, and it was exactly on time. Sadly it has a small dent on the top, which means the door looks slightly wonky, so I've to email them later on about this. It's very subtle though so if they're willing to knock a bit off (and if it works ok) I might just keep it, as it would mean another OP.

I've thought about it and I think I'll also complain to the fridge company. I accepted liability for damage when they took it out of the packaging, but I didn't know that you could take the doors off, whereas I do feel the delivery team ought to have thought of that. It would have taken 5 minutes. They'll probably refuse, but it's worth an ask at least, again for the sake of feeding my OP pot lol.

I do feel a bit bad OP'ing my mortgage while owing my DS money, but it also feels daft to overpay an interest-free debt while owing on a mortgage. 🤔 I probably will pay her a bit extra where I can, as I'd ideally like to pay her back by the end of my fix (Feb 2029), when on current plans I'll still owe her £2k or just less. From her perspective she doesn't have a time in mind to get repaid by, I was just thinking it would be nice to get it done as it's extra cash freed up in case mortgage rates have increased by then - which considering I'm on 1.65, I'm pretty sure they will have.

I also know I'll get a 13th PIP payment a year (as it's paid 4-weekly), so this could end up going on something big I need/want but couldn't save for, or topping up my emergency fund again, or obviously on paying extra towards my mortgage or to my DS. Pondering on it as it'll come through around the end of the year maybe, or in January. Given how depleted my savings are, it'll probably have to go into an emergency fund, or perhaps to pay for a private vaccination I need (trying to negotiate next week to see if my doctor is willing to give it on the NHS, they usually don't but we'll see).

Tbh, there's also a chance I'll be so cold by then I'll feel the need to just put it all towards my energy bills ... it's just that the predictions are so high, I'm not sure it's worth me trying to run my heating much. I saw one news article saying it could peak somewhere north of £6k next year. My total income is about £16k. For context, my yearly mortgage payments are just over £2.6k. There's simply no way I can afford it, short of cancelling my private therapy, which is one of the few things keeping me functional. And even then, I could only pay maybe half of an energy bill that big.

So instead I'm planning on going down to my local library a lot, as well as other community places, and wearing my hiking gear at home and to sleep in. I've been wanting to get back to exercise, so it'll be a few squats or sit ups etc when I feel the cold - or something off my DIY list. I've got a sleeping bag to use under my duvet. I'll hopefully be able to afford to get an electric heater as well, as gas seems worse than electricity, so I can warm my bedroom a little before sleeping. I'll keep a bit aside if I can to make sure Christmas is warm. I did see a tip on here for an electric gilet and electric blanket, so I'll try to look for these too. I need to wait for my benefits to come in this month before I can work out what I can buy, I haven't done a proper budget in forever because of how stressed I've been 😬 so it's time to focus on it.

It's a pity I'm not in a house as I could have looked at heat pumps, solar panels, and a log burner. Couldn't afford it cash at the moment, but there are grants towards it and at least it would be something to work towards. Reasonable houses in my area, however, are currently about a quarter mil - just over twice the price of my apartment. One day I'd like a house with a garden, but I've many pounds to save & pay to get there.

I did call my CC yesterday and they can run my statement 3rd - 3rd of the month which, while not perfect (I wanted to run it 1st - 1st), is definitely less confusing than it was (19th - 19th). I'm thinking of calling them back towards the end of Nov ish and asking again, as the person I talked with didn't know why they couldn't offer me the 1st, but I'm willing to bet it was because I called on the 2nd. The new statement date means the DD wouldn't be due until the 17th of each month, but if I needed to pay early on the 1st of each month (to keep my sums straight) I could do.

I also cleaned my fridge, which is on and seems to be working. I'm leaving it alone for the weekend as I'm over at my partner's, and if it seems good when I get home I'll break down the packaging for recycling. I'm glad I bought a Stanley knife this week as the box is 6.5' high and easily 4' wide. It literally blocks my hallway.

I went knitting in the park again yesterday ☺️ I love where I live. We saw a blackbird and a very tame robin (sat right between our feet practically under the bench). They looked scruffy and my friend said that probably means they're mumma birds who've been caring for their young. A black Lab also wandered over to us a couple times. I'm constantly amazed by how many dogs I see in my town, there's one about every twenty feet lol. I'm nearly halfway through the blanket now, although I had to unravel some work yesterday as I realised I'd been using the wrong colour for one of the stars, but never mind. Bound to happen when I'm trying to knit during a stressful house move. But it is a good break and I'd really like to have it finished for when I go to collect my stuff from my relative's house (probably towards the end of this month, but subject to money as I do have an awful lot to try and pay for right now and I'm starting to feel a bit worried about it).

ManekiNeko

Oh, on a health note, my doctor put me on an iron supplement this month and I've been feeling so. much. better. I've been feeling like going for a run, I even contemplated doing some squats while waiting for someone yesterday lol. I can't tell you how good it is to feel like exercising again .. like, getting outdoors for adventure isn't just something I like to do, it's who I am. So I feel like me again.

I've also discovered that my nighttime "junk food craving" is a total lie. When I stayed at my DS' we had three meals a day and I only wanted junk food once in the four days I was there. The rest of the time I was too full. So it turns out I've been hungry which has made my body crave calories. Since I haven't been able to cook real meals in refuge I've been using microwave meals, which aren't enough to fill me up, so then I'll eat a packet of biscuits or a load of crisps etc to get full. I just haven't noticed the trend until now because my hunger pangs have been suppressed by an extended time of eating issues due to mental health stuff a few years ago.

I've been secretly contemplating entering an adventure race for a while, btw, but I've been feeling so tired and into junk food I've not understood my urges to do something like that, because 'clearly' I don't have the energy nor the willpower to eat right. But this month I've seen that's a lie. And I'm not fit enough to enter anything just now, but now I've got my energy back, once I've moved I could perhaps look at getting out a bit more, and maybe in the future who knows what could happen. Does anyone have any thoughts about how to feel comfortable exercising on my own outdoors? Like, hiking or trail running. My PTSD makes it super hard to go alone, but I also don't know anyone who wants to do what I want to, plus it's easier to listen to your body when you're alone, and the pace is always exactly what you need. 🌄🏃

There's a club I could join when my fitness is up btw, but they do an 8-mile evening run up and down a local mountain. So I've been pondering taking a daytime hike up it, and jogging parts when I can be bothered, and seeing how that goes. There's also a local park I could try, which I could run more of as it's flat.. I just feel nervous in parks. My support worker also suggested my doctor could refer me to my local gym - I think it ends up as a lower cost basically. Anyway, just leaving these thoughts here in case I've forgotten it all by the time I've finally moved 😝