The Three C's - Coffee, Clothes & Credit Cards

redofromstart

Did I read something about your Dad wanting to move in with you a while back? A lot harder to refuse if you have space.

(lurking but had read back to the start a few weeks back, so my memory may be flawed)

Sarahwithlove

redofromstart said:

Did I read something about your Dad wanting to move in with you a while back? A lot harder to refuse if you have space.

(lurking but had read back to the start a few weeks back, so my memory may be flawed)

Yes he wanted us to get somewhere joint and I wouldn't rule it out in future if he needed more support. But I'd rather wait another 5-10 years ideally. Im only 35 so bit young to be having my dad move in with me long term. 

jwil

I'm another that thinks doing the work would be cheaper than just the costs of moving, so another vote for staying unless you have a compelling reason to move.  It sounds like a few more years where you are will give you the opportunity to save up, get some more equity and be in a better position to move in a few years time.

Sarahwithlove

jwil said:

I'm another that thinks doing the work would be cheaper than just the costs of moving, so another vote for staying unless you have a compelling reason to move.  It sounds like a few more years where you are will give you the opportunity to save up, get some more equity and be in a better position to move in a few years time.

Yes i think it's just that I'm unhappy with how it looks and feels like a mammoth task to get done.

Justcrackingonwithit

I felt very similar when I moved into my house, I wrote a list of things I could do, although that was very limited! And a list that I needed help with. Just doing the bits I could whilst actively seeking help and quotes with the other stuff made a huge difference to how I felt about my home.  Being proactive about it and knowing that things were getting ticked off the list albeit slowly was a great feeling. 

The other thing I did recently was bought some new soft furnishings, it’s surprising what a difference a throw and some cushions make. I got most of mine from home bargains, b and m or the charity shops, on a small budget and it has made such a difference.

Sarahwithlove

Yes i redid my living room recently with new furnishings and also painted it and now I like sitting in their in the evening. 

I have ordered a sander on amazon so I can start sanding down the skirting boards and door frames. I know that will make a massive difference. The walls are a basic magnolia so not the greatest but serviceable for now until I'm ready to do more painting. 

I am going to see if I can get a handyman in the new year to replace a floor tile in kitchen thats cracked and replace bathroom door. 

I will sort through the paint I have in the shed and see if any of it is still usable and get rid of what isn't. That way I'll know what I need to buy going forward. 

I am going to chase the quote for replacing 2 radiators so that helps with the damp issue in the bedrooms. I can also then move the cat bed into spare room where I work and put the radiator cover back on in the lounge. 

jwil

Sarahwithlove said:

jwil said:

I'm another that thinks doing the work would be cheaper than just the costs of moving, so another vote for staying unless you have a compelling reason to move.  It sounds like a few more years where you are will give you the opportunity to save up, get some more equity and be in a better position to move in a few years time.

Yes i think it's just that I'm unhappy with how it looks and feels like a mammoth task to get done.

I'm the same with our house.  It can be very overwhelming trying to get things sorted.  When we do get something done though the difference is huge and it's so satisfying.

Sarahwithlove

jwil said:

Sarahwithlove said:

jwil said:

I'm another that thinks doing the work would be cheaper than just the costs of moving, so another vote for staying unless you have a compelling reason to move.  It sounds like a few more years where you are will give you the opportunity to save up, get some more equity and be in a better position to move in a few years time.

Yes i think it's just that I'm unhappy with how it looks and feels like a mammoth task to get done.

I'm the same with our house.  It can be very overwhelming trying to get things sorted.  When we do get something done though the difference is huge and it's so satisfying.

I've made a list of things I want to tackle next year. Some are bigger than others but some are small changes that I know will make a big difference to me. 

I've booked the week off in Feb half term, will use a day to see my friend and her kids and another for my nails etc. But the beginning of the week will be 3 days to do some decorating. Before then I need to use the weekends to sand down the skirting boards and door frames, and doors in the flat. Repainting those will make a massive difference. The walls are mostly magnolia which whilst very boring is serviceable for now. I can then work on painting a room at a time. 

Sarahwithlove

I really need to stop tweaking my budget, but here goes. 

I have decided to use January's back pay to top up and start new pots that just end up on the credit card. I need to make my budget work better for me. Then once I have a budget I stick to i can start looking at places to cut back. 

Health Pot- dentist, over counter meds, and vitamins. 

Beauty pot - massage, nails, toiletries, make up etc. 

Other pot - household items and pet food. These are not everyday household items such as loo rolls, cleaning etc but one off items such as recent sander i got from amazon for skirting boards and doors. 

Buffer- i have put myself on a strict weekly budget for food and spending money but things crop up unexpectedly so this would cover it. Along with my 2-3 monthly trip to costco. My hope is I won't need to dip into it but if I have to better to come from here than from another pot. 

Travel - i have topped this up by an extra £50 so I have a buffer in there for a 5 week month of office travel or visits. 

My hope is that by maximising these pots now I won't need to add so much monthly giving me more to put in my sinking fund going forward. Of course life doesn't always work that way but we can hope! 

Sarahwithlove

Now for a general update. Yesterday I filled my car up with petrol ready for my first long journey in it on boxing day. I need to do tyre, water and oil check today. Then I did a top up food shop to get me through until the weekend. Consisted of bread rolls, snacks, milk and some j2os for Xmas day instead of fizz. 

I have £18 left to last until Friday, will need to pay for dinner out and drinks in boxing day. But will take a packed lunch and bottle of water for on the way and hopefully get into spoons before the footy game. Parking is already paid for and I will get petrol money from my cousin. So I am hoping I will have some money left still by Friday when my weekly budget starts again.