Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

jwil

Sounds like a good day yesterday

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie, KK, tryharder and Jwil

I enjoyed the art class. I want to see if I can reshape the back of the hare as I've not rounded it enough and still need to improve its nose and eye but definitely recognisable so happy with that. I then want to try and make it look like snow in the background so need to play a bit more.

I got p1p this week so just cleared all my in month spend CCs ready for my mortgage company conversation. I've also opened a Nwde saver and put in £200 (8% interest rate). This is effectively putting in £ early that I would normally put in savings next month but thought I might as well max the rate.

My 0% spend card period is about to expire which is unfortunate

Next pay period is going to be interesting as I have the following to pay for:

• conveyancing bill of £450 - will initially pay on CC and then clear before interest becomes due. One of my savings accounts matures at the end of the month so may take it from there. Hopefully some positive interest will cushion the blow. 
• car insurance - over £350 bill next week - will pay on CC and then clear about a week later
• mot and service - allowed £200 but who knows
• possible cattery that's not in my budget - checking out one at £9 a day - so could be around £73
• holiday spends - I've allowed some but whether it's enough I don't know

savingholmes

I've spoken to the conveyancing company. I've emailed the 2 EAs with my solicitors details so hopefully that will all move okay now.

I've realised I'm being too hard on myself trying to find the conveyancing money in month - so will either use savings or CC. I should have enough to pay it off in November if I use CC. So may pay food, fuel etc on CC for a month - and keep chipping away at the balance - so it remains 0% cost.

I'll try and ring cattery next.

savingholmes

I've done some forms and had a chat with a (free) broker so I could confirm I had funds to proceed with the purchase. I had to take a bit of flexi time off but worth it. I've now got the right Memo for my purchase - just need my EA to do the same for my sale. The broker sent me a different quote for conveyancing and thankfully it was a rip off compared with the one I've gone with so that was weirdly positive. I didn't want to be second guessing myself. 

I've provisionally booked a cattery. Just need to fill in some forms. Cheapest I could find £72 for 8 days - but it simplifies things.

So this weekend I need to get on top of the garden in case the buyers come back for another viewing post Memo - and continue phase 2 of streamlining my belongings so I only move what I really need. I'm so grateful too that I'm due to have a decent chunk of money left after my sale and purchase - so don't need to be as strict on myself as I'd have felt I should if I had purchased something more expensive. I may make myself mow the lawn next as it's one of the few times I've looked out this week when it hasn't been raining.

Once I've tackled the books on the sofa - I will review what's in my wardrobe - and see what of any surplus to immediate needs items I can fit into the boxes in DD's previous cube unit in her wardrobe so I can start packing stuff. I'll also review what else I can sell, give to charity/family and what needs to go in the bin.

To Do this weekend

1. Mow the lawn
2. Streamline books on sofa
3. Declutter main bedroom wardrobe
4. Make art (improve last night's hare)
5. Possible trip to Swedish shop
6. Cattery forms

I showed my hare to someone at work today and they were stunned that I'd been able to do that. Obviously I've been doubting myself unnecessarily and I need to update my internal self view!!

WelshmansDaughter

I like the sound of the art class 

beanielou

You have been a very busy bee. 

Hope you have a quiet weekend. 

savingholmes

savingholmes said:

To Do this weekend

1. Mow the lawn
2. Streamline books on sofa
3. Declutter main bedroom wardrobe
4. Make art (improve last night's hare)
5. Possible trip to Swedish shop
6. Cattery forms

Caught up with my Mum on the phone after mowing the lawn. Had a nice evening. Been to the Swedish shop. Came home with a new lamp, 8 white cube boxes, a couple of white metal bins, a couple of plant pots. £75 lighter plus had a mini meal at McD for just under £4. I'm planning to use the cube boxes as part of my packing. DD had some grey and black ones which I'll potentially use outside the cube storage itself - and use my new white ones inside the furniture where hopefully they won't get dirty.

I had a wander around the kitchen section - but no-one there spared me the time of day so was seriously unimpressed. You have to pre-book an appointment which seems ridiculous - so even though you want to discuss spending thousands of pounds - they can't be bothered speaking to you or even manning their own help desk.

The bedroom people were better but I don't have good enough measurements to be sure of what to do in those. I did really like the idea of ottoman bed storage - it seemed light to use. I figure that could be a good solution for the Xmas tree and decorations - as it would be out of sight. I just wanted to get ideas and price things up today.

I looked at their sofas but wasn't overly struck. I did really like a yellow wing chair but although it was comfortable and not that expensive - I'm not convinced it would be practical. It was very cheerful though! I'm still debating what type of furniture to have where in my new house. I am also going to have another look on FB MP to see what's available now I have some names of things. I'm considering having a comfortable rocking chair somewhere in the house. 

MovingForwards

It's great news your chain is complete and being a small one a lot easier to manage. Don't be surprised if your buyers start pushing for completion before Xmas.
Have you checked the solicitor accepts CC for the searches?
With the survey you tell the mortgage co what one, pay them and they organise it. Some people have the basic survey through the mortgage co and organise an independent fuller survey themselves.

Don't rule out 3b-y and g-tree for your Swedish items too.

Very exciting times ahead over the remainder of the year. 

LadyWithAPlan

How exciting!  Sounds like this is falling into place wonderfully with a short chain 

Great you can be thinking of kitchen and new furniture! 

I read recently about buying standalone  kitchen units like dressers etc as they are often much better made and cheaper as not bespoke - so 
That may not be a look you like but it’s definitely something I am considering 

I am planning to view 2 flats this week - first time in over a year 

savingholmes

MovingForwards said:

Have you checked the solicitor accepts CC for the searches?
With the survey you tell the mortgage co what one, pay them and they organise it. Some people have the basic survey through the mortgage co and organise an independent fuller survey themselves.

Don't rule out 3b-y and g-tree for your Swedish items too.

Hi MF

Before Christmas would be great if achievable but trying to manage own and family expectations. I am hugely relieved about the length of chain.

The searches are paid via £ supermarket so I am hoping they accept a CC. If not I have savings.

I am planning a £600 survey through mortgage company. That seems to be their best one. The house appears to have been built 2002 a little later than I originally thought which is positive.

Thanks for the reminder on wider markets for nearly new stuff. I need to resist temptation I think as much as possible and make such buying decisions once I am in.