Diary of a 30-something idiot

Debsnewbudget

So pleased things are moving on and you will soon be able to get yourself sorted.
cannot believe you have not seen inside your new house yet.
why not ask the agent to go before you exchange?  I always recommend this to people, even those who have done previous viewings,  just in case there has been a water leak or some other catastrophe before it becomes your responsibility, 
you need to check everything is OK to buy. 

Peninsula units are great, more storage and if you can fit an overhang worktop it acts as a great breakfast bar.

good luck 

SuzeQStan

Hey Fox glad you are hanging in there but like previous poster didn’t realise you hadn’t seen inside! 

When we bought our last home we asked for a last minute viewing prior to exchange.  You are well within your rights and even more so as you haven’t seen inside before!

lellybun

Hi Fox

Good to hear from you.  I would also urge you to look around inside before exchange.  We did this the morning we were due to exchange, the sellers had made it very hard for us to look around in the week leading up to it and had made more excuses that morning but we insisted that we would not exchange until seeing it.  We found out why, they had had a serious leak in a pipe in the loft and it had caused extensive and expensive damage. We didn't proceed with the house.

It would be good to check all is ok before exchanging, for your peace of mind. 

Lelly x

foxandflowers

Have been pottering with my spreadsheet ahead of Friday (due to exchange this morning -eeeeeeeeeeeek).
Couldn't figure out why my formulas weren't formulaing, but I think I've cracked it now.



Crazy to think I was nearly 50k in the hole.

in_need_of_direction

Given the cost and that you will have a car, is it worth repairing and subsequently maintaining the van?
how often will it be needed?

foxandflowers

Hi @in_need_of_direction  

It's our camper van. When things were less terrible for the Fox family, we used it for weekend getaways, and family camping trips, and generally absolutely love having it, to the point its where I got engaged. I've estimated 8k because its £7500 for a full rear axle rebuild (It's 13 years old and showing it), but it may be less, depending on what the dealership diagnose it with. I haven't been able to take it to the dealership yet, but once we have moved it will be towed there for full diagnosis and service. Ideally it will be used on occasional evenings after work to go to the country park for a paddleboard/picnic, and then in the holidays for UK based trips with the kids. 

slm6002

Have you got a budget sorted for once you move and the debts (apart from Stepchange) have been paid?  Can you make it work so no extra debts are run up?

foxandflowers

Hi @slm6002 - that's the next step, once we are in and I know what my bills will be, to sit down and figure out what I can reasonably afford. Because that £10,000 that is unallocated will go REALLY quickly if I'm not careful. But I am terrible at budgeting. I don't really know where to start. Another SOA? Base it off just my income? Include Mr Fox getting a J O B? My head hurts just thinking about it.

slm6002

Yes that will be the next step.  Mr Fox will need a job as you cant move again to wipe off debts.  Just make it realistic rather than what you think you could spend on food / petrol.  Look at what you have spent on food and stick to that for another month.  Much better to have some left over than needing to sell yet more of your things.  If you have a few months of sticking to that, then reduce by £5 or £10 a month and repeat. If you do sell bits and bobs great, but maybe put it by for Christmas or entertainment (holidays in the van or meals out).  But please do encourage OH to bring in a regular income as it will make such a difference to all of your lives.

IdaClaire

Hey, my first ever post on MSE and I just can’t seem to stop myself wading into your thread.

I have been following your diary F&F. The highs and the lows over the previous months have left me worried and exasperated in equal measures. You have at times had the weight of the world, or at least, your world on your shoulders. I felt for you more than is probably logical for an online stranger!

I am very happy to see the next chapter approach. I wish you health and happiness in your new home. However, let’s address the elephant in the room before we step into the next pages of your story.

Your absolute parasite of a husband. I’m sorry, but as a stranger, reading objectively and without emotion or real involvement, a parasite is what he is. From reading between the lines, you met, he gave up work, helped you spend your inheritance, helped you spend another £50k you did not have and then sat back and watched you work and worry your way into a near depression. And he STILL hasn’t got up off his !!!!!! and found a JOB. What a loser.

Please, please sort it/kick him out. There is a peace and freedom in single hood and lone parenting that is not regaled enough. I am proof of it. You and your little daughter could have it all.

Apologies for my complete lack of tact. But now is the time. Before he spends his way through what little you have left. Again.

I wish you luck.