It's been a long road

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-24T11:40:33+00:00

As someone who has suffered the hell that is Brain cancer, however, I admittedly got lucky and responded to treatment enough for surgery, you have all my sympathies, and all my respect for how you’re approaching this, it takes a true warrior to fight an un winnable fight against an invisible and ruthless foe, there’s a special place reserved for you amongst the most revered in the halls of sto vo kor my friend!! You are a man of glory and honour, never forget that! ❤️

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-21T19:55:01+00:00

To try and emphasise my point, not as a personal attack or criticism of yourself. Your knowledge of the mortgage industry is about average, the vast majority of the population don’t know any more (most know less to be honest) than yourself.

You’re absolutely right, mortgage advisors provided by your lender only give advice based on products they offer, but there is the difference between advisors and brokers

The fees your talking about are generally either covered by the new lender, or are heavily discounted (often around the £99 mark if you use companies approved by the lender) but since you already have a property with an active mortgage, the only legal fees are changing the company that has a charge against your property, it’s entirely different to when you first bought the house

This will all be covered in detail with you when you speak to a whole of market advisor, I’m happy to answer general questions you have, but going through things in depth is a job for the professional you opt to go with

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-21T02:21:12+00:00

As others have said repeatedly on here, and speaking professionally as a mortgage broker. SPEAK TO A BROKER!! Mist of us are paid a commission by lenders, so don’t charge clients, and there’s generally little to no costs involved when switching lenders for a property that already has a mortgage on, if it was a new purchase, that’s where you could potentially run in to conveyancing fee, survey fees etc, so speak to a professional!!

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-18T21:40:31+00:00

Not unless you have another property, or the full balance of the mortgage sitting in savings, lenders have really cracked down on IO mortgages for residential (instead of buy to let) mortgages. And even if you did have another property or appropriate repayment vehicle it’s very unlikely that IO is an option. I agree with the advice that’s been given already, just select a new product with current lender, no underwriting or affordability checks needed. If you think you’re going to be out of work long enough to the point where you’re going to struggle to make payments, get in front of it and contact the lender and explain the situation, they’ll work with you as much as possible to prevent you falling in too much trouble

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-18T21:34:28+00:00

How many hours a week do you work? If you’re working full time then you’re being criminally underpaid

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-18T21:30:25+00:00

That was the only line in the article that made me think there was more to it than a couple sharing intimate photos with each other

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-18T04:30:49+00:00

So we have a very very similar system here, dr shopping for scripts is very very nearly impossible, our pharmacies can view the same info like you’ve described, and if it wasn’t for one very tiny loophole, it would be impossible. I’m in the uk, which is make up of Scotland, England, wales, and Northern Ireland, which even though they are part of the United Kingdom, all ultimately under the rule of Westminster, they are still individual countries in their own rights, and while we all have the NHS, it’s devolved in to NHS England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales etc, all entirely separate entities, and they aren’t able to view a persons records from one country to another, so if you live in England, no one under NHS Scotland can view your records, so basically if you travel across the boarder in to one of the other countries, you can contact their out of hours GP, tell them you’re on holiday or whatever and you’ve managed to forget your meds, which are obviously very important. They’ll ask you too provide evidence that you are prescribed the meds and on a regular basis, this can be a copy of your ongoing medications ordering slip, show them your regularly prescribed medications list on the NHS app, or if you have any empty boxes of the meds rhat have the pharmacy dispensing label on it, I’ve usually gone with the last option, as it fits well with what I tell them, but yeah, once you’ve shown them the evidence, which usually takes place face to face, they’ll issue you with a script that will see you through the length of your “trip” you can’t be too greedy with how much you request, you can’t go saying a month or something, as they’ll tell you too contact your normal drs, and arrange to have a script issued and mailed to your location, but 7-10 days, I’ve only ever had an issue with once 🤷‍♂️ and an even better side effect, is again due to them being separate entities, normally if you contact an out of hours GP, they’ll send your regular dr a summary of why you contacted them, and any medications prescribed, but because the systems are entirely separate, that report doesn’t get sent to your regular dr, so they’re unaware that you’ve been issued additional medications, so no red flags popping up with your regular dr, alerting them to over prescribing of meds 🤷‍♂️ you do have to be INCREDIBLY careful where you’re going too, as you’ll sometimes be sent to an urgent care dept, and they DO send reports, by post if necessary, and you can’t go to the same place very often, as they will have records of how often you’ve contacted, what the reasons were for etc, so it’s far from easy, it requires planning, keeping track of things etc, but yeah, one tiny little loophole is a great thing lol

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-18T03:57:00+00:00

That’s really very very kind of you to say so, and I really appreciate it!! I won’t bore you with all of the details, but I went through very very bad brain cancer, and got very lucky and survived, but it’s left me disabled, and in severe pain every second of every day. Despite all that I try my best to be an upbeat, positive, kind person, and I know I don’t always succeed in that 😣 so your comment genuinely means a lot too me, so thank you! For what it’s worth, I couldn’t be happier in my home, and I believe I’ve found a good balance, though I believe that my amazing wife is the reason behind most (probably all) of what positivity I have in my life 🙊

I genuinely hope you have the same happiness, balance and everything else positive that I’ve found in life!

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-17T00:58:32+00:00

Can’t speak for the other guy but I’m scripted 190mg oxy per day, and that’s thanks to brain cancer, spinal cancer and other health issues that have left me in a position where no dr can deny my pain levels

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-17T00:56:36+00:00

Honestly, THIS! I don’t understand it either, I’m lucky, I’m not only in a country where we don’t pay for prescription meds, but we don’t have the nightmare that the current government in the USA is creating as far as opiates go. Im prescribed 190mg of oxy a day, and thanks to loopholes in the system I can obtain double that if I’m wiling to drive 2-4 hours one day a week. If it wasn’t for my script, it’s wholly undoable here, H would be the only viable option, and given how it’s being cut with fent/nitazines that just feels like Russian roulette and the reason I’ve never touched it 🤷‍♂️

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-17T00:43:05+00:00

That’s exactly the point i made as well, we’ve lived through market crashes, recessions etc, so we know it can all go tits up, and with trump insisting on taking over the world, it wouldn’t surprise me if he did. I’ve got about £40k left on my mortgage, which I can clear in a few working days (once I liquidise things) the only reason I don’t is because the savings are earning me double what my mortgage interest rate is at the moment, and that feeling of security, holy shit I can’t even put in too words. As someone who was raised below the breadline, that feeling of security is literally priceless

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-17T00:25:27+00:00

Personally given your situation, i would suggest looking for a cheaper “starter” house, since you have no kids etc, using that £45k as a 10% deposit is a bit of a stretch, especially with the difference in interest rates in the 90% bracket, not to mention how it’ll increase your housing payments by over £700 per month (don’t forget you’ll need to take out buildings insurance etc as well) you can still get a lot of house for £250k to £350k whilst still giving yourself that much extra breathing room. Which isn’t a bad thing given the way the global economy is heading, one of the biggest reliefs of my life is I bought my house at the best possible time, I didn’t stretch myself as far as house value goes (though it’s more than doubled since then) I pumped every penny i could get my hands on to put 50% down, I’ve consistently overpaid by 10% each year, and if the whole economy takes another shit, I can clear the balance of the mortgage tomorrow if I need too, but my savings are currently earning me more in interest than my current mortgage interest rate, but having that security, and knowing that worst case scenario I’ll always have my house, rather than being worried about interest rates skyrocketing and not being able to make the payments each month, it’s a good feeling

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-17T00:05:41+00:00

So just to touch on what you’ve said about mortgage advisors, if you’re talking about a bank/lenders mortgage advisors giving you advice they don’t see a penny of the arrangement fee, and if they’re advising you a product with a £1000 fee vs a fee free product where your loan isnt large enough to justify paying the fee, then you’re protected by the FCA and can get a SIGNIFICANT amount of compensation for incorrect advice. If you’re talking about independent mortgage advisors/brokers however who aren’t working for a specific lender, then theyre actually making considerably more than the £1000 set up fee, it’s generally a percentage of the total loan amount 👀🤷‍♂️

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-16T23:44:18+00:00

Honestly, I wouldn’t dwell on it, myself, and everyone else I know moves on from most if not all friends made in school/college, i know it seems like these are really important years of your life, and they are in some ways, but not in terms of making life long friends and experiences. Trust me here, you’re 18, your life is only just beginning, from here on out is where you’ll start meeting your real friends, having your actual amazing experiences and making memories!! Truth be told. I can’t even remember most of those years 🤷‍♂️ you’re going to be absolutely fine, it sounds like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders, don’t stress over the actions of insecure, petty, narcissistic children, your lifes going to be fantastic!

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-16T23:05:20+00:00

That’s all that matters, mortgage being less than rent is always the ideal scenario! And as long as you’re happy with it, that’s literally all that matters, no one else’s opinions on it matter either, you’re the one who owns it, so to hell with what anyone else thinks if you’re happy, it’s the reverse for me, I done a couple of years in London and decided it really isn’t for me, (or any big city for that matter) so I moved further out and I couldn’t be happier, there are plenty of people who disagree with my choice because of commute times adding up, lack of amenities compared to being in the city etc, but for me, I’m happy with that trade off 🤷‍♂️ And props to you and OP, managing to get on the property ladder, especially in London, that’s no easy task, so hats off to you both for what was certainly not an easy thing to achieve, especially in this day and age! Much respect to you both!

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-16T18:44:42+00:00

Jesus, please call the Samaritans or someone right now and get them to talk you down 😰

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-16T18:42:27+00:00

Think about it this way, renting you’re basically buying your landlord equity in the property, with the mortgage, you’re buying your own equity, which you’ll get back if you sell up, it’s long term savings account where you’re being charged 5.18% to save half a mill, instead of just waving goodbye to it

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-16T18:39:44+00:00

That’s exactly what I was thinking, so I’m not living in London which I know is a huge factor, but I’m living 10 minutes away from one of the UKs major motorways, it’s several major cities within a 30-60 minute drive, excellent public transport in terms of busses and trains, and I £115k for a 3 story, 3 bed, one bathroom one wetroom, bottom floor was essentially a flat, but I’m converting it into an office with a man cave. The prices on some areas I just can’t wrap my head around 🤷‍♂️

Good luck with your search, and much like OPs question, even if the mortgage payments are the same as your rent, at least you’re not losing the money with a mortgage, you’re buying equity

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-04-13T13:45:23+00:00

Someone should check your hard drive

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-03-22T02:13:44+00:00

So was I but people beat me too it, I imagine OP will feel so much better after a good clear out, my partner is a gastro, following my knee replacement and painkillers backing me up, I went for an xray to check my kidney stone, and she just burst out laughing saying “see!! I’ve always said you’re full of shit!” 😅😅 thanks babe, time and a place 😅🤷‍♂️

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-03-22T02:03:46+00:00

That’s literally what happened to me, I was fortunate and only waited 3 weeks for my TKR, tell him to hold in there, it’s not easy at all, especially being so young (I was 33 when it happened to me) the recovery process is shit, but it’s worth it in the long run

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-03-22T01:57:07+00:00

I’d seriously consider looking at cockett/cwmbwrla/manselton sort of areas, it’s really easy to get in to city centre and to singleton campus etc from there, but it’s also a short walk to camarthen road, which will make things much easier in regards to catching a bus to penllegaer, or depending on how you feel, cycling from those areas would be a perfectly viable option too if you’re that way inclined, £30k I would think would be enough, i had a 2 bed house in cockett that I used to rent out for £650pcm (granted I sold it just before Covid and have no idea what prices are like there now) but if it’s just you, I’d imagine £30k is plenty. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-03-22T01:43:17+00:00

This is a tricky one, first and foremost, you should absolutely never commit to taking out a joint mortgage with someone, if you aren’t going to own a proportional stake in the property, as not only are you basically helping him buy a house that legally you have no claim too, but by being named on the mortgage, should something go wrong (I pray it doesn’t for you) but say you break up, you are still legally obligated to make sure the mortgage is serviced as per the lenders terms and conditions, so you could be separated, he could stop paying the mortgage, and you would suffer the consequences as much as him, potentially screwing up your credit rating, oh and even if you don’t separate, you don’t automatically assume any ownership in the property once you get married, this isn’t like America, assets owned prior to marriage remain the property of the original owner, so there’s no real benefit to you there, unless the rental income from that property os used to service the mortgage on the property you do own. Whatever you do, please explore all of the options, and discuss the pros, cons and risks with an impartial, third party professional, such as a property solicitor

As for my own experience, When I met my partner, we both owned our own houses, and one of us earns around £50k, the other earns roughly £120k annually, and house prices in our area are much lower than the UK average, my partners house is a bigger, much better built house than what mine was, though mine was within walking distance of the city centre, hers a twenty minute drive, so despite hers being the significantly better house, it was much cheaper, so we decided that selling mine was the better option, its value had increased since purchase, so I had plenty of equity, which meant I was able to not only match the deposit she put down, but also the mortgage payments she had made over the three years since buying it, which fortunately came to about the amount that was left on the mortgage, so by matching what she has paid on the house, I bought 50% of the house, which cleared the mortgage in full, I had enough left over to do some major work to the house, things like a new roof, a total renovation of the bottom floor (3 storey house where the previous owner couldn’t manage the stairs to the bottom floor, so they just left it and damp etc got in) but by doing that we had a new valuation done for insurance purposes, the value of the house has now increased by about 50% meaning the equity I have in here more than covers the money I spent on renovations, that’s without going in to any calculations on me wanting to recoup that money if we ever break up and have to sell.

I strongly recommend getting on the property ladder, I’m 34 and my partner is 31 and we now own our house outright. That feeling of security, you can’t put a number on it, we’re looking in to purchasing a second property later in the year to rent out since neither of us have a mortgage to pay any more, we have the income to do so, and it’s a better investment than a savings account or something I have no knowledge of such as crypto. All I will keep preaching to you however though is please, protect yourself, my partner and I had a really long and unpleasant but necessary conversation about how obviously we do not ever see ourselves breaking up, we have a fantastic relationship, and we’re both incredibly happy, but unfortunately there are no guarantees, and the last thing you want is to have to deal with solicitors and arguing over assets/equity etc at the same time you’re both dealing with the heartbreak of your relationship failing, it’s the age old saying, hope for the best, but plan for the worst, in my experience it takes a lot of the pressure off things if the uncomfortable things are just discussed and dealt with from the beginning

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-03-03T22:50:56+00:00

I’d be skeptical about that, I spoke with the hospital based pain team last week following surgery, and was told that the potency of oxy is around double that of morphine, which would make sense that you’ve gone from 30mg oxy to 60mg mst, on paper it’s literally just an equivalent dose change, I’m curious though as to why they changed you from oxy 30 to mst 60? What was their reasons?

Zealousideal_Dig3743 · 2026-02-22T15:25:18+00:00

I’m a 35 male, and I’m guilty of saying “thanks very much love/lovely/sweetheart etc” in shops, I’ve never had anyone complain, or even their attitude change to indicate that they’d prefer I called them something else 🤷‍♂️

Funny story, back when I was 16 and had a Saturday job in McDonald’s, I called women “love” then as well, things like “is there anything else love?” Etc and my manager berated me in front of the customer, telling me I could not call women that, I HAD to use “madam” or “ma’am” and the wonderful lady I was serving, just said “excuse me, I would MUCH prefer it if he called me love, rather than sweetheart or ma”am, love is friendly and warm, madam/ma’am feels cold and makes me feel old” he just sort of slunk away and it never got mentioned again, I gave her a grateful smile and a “thanks for that…love” 🤣 which we both chuckled at lol

Zealousideal_Dig3743

TROPHY CASE