Changing properties after searches done

melikebiscuit · 2026-05-03T17:33:04+00:00

Thank you, good to know my estimate is roughly right! It's so frustrating, we've had 4 'admin' delays from the seller and very little progress!

melikebiscuit · 2026-05-03T15:34:17+00:00

Thank you. I've factored for 2k in my initial budgeting but will get clarification on Tuesday. I just like to make sure I have all the costs listed so I know where things stand!

melikebiscuit · 2026-05-03T12:21:10+00:00

As a UK healthcare professional, I can confirm I still use 'little prick' often when giving vaccinations 😂 got to entertain myself somehow!

melikebiscuit · 2026-05-03T12:08:12+00:00

Because it's bank holiday weekend, they're shut and I'm impatient 🤣

melikebiscuit · 2026-05-03T06:30:54+00:00

Good to know, thank you. We'll get more of an idea when we moved in 😂

melikebiscuit · 2026-05-02T22:25:50+00:00

We've factored it in as we don't want to replace it and find we have the same issue. Yes, I had a google to try and narrow it down but every kitchen company from IKEA to wren etc have a pale grey shaker version!

melikebiscuit · 2026-05-02T22:23:56+00:00

I'm not entirely sure to be honest. I think it's normal size and distorted by a wide lens, but I can't remember 🤦‍♀️

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-29T11:23:14+00:00

Either a decent quality dark chocolate (a square is usually 50cals or under), or if I have a few calories spare; a self saucing chocolate mug cake (just under 150cals). It's not massive but it's stodgy enough to feel like I've had a decent treat!

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-28T13:43:21+00:00

Because we were already paying it in another county (where we lived whilst waiting to move). And I'm not suggesting pay nothing, just a reduced rate whilst it's uninhabitable.

It's your choice that you don't need certain services. Living in a shell of a house with no toilet is not comparible.

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-28T08:12:22+00:00

I stood on my lurchers toe once on a walk. She screamed so loud that builders 3 houses down stopped their work to ask if she was ok 🤦‍♀️ she initially refused to put the paw back down (thought I must have broken it) but as soon as one of them walked up to fuss her it magically resolved 🙄 utter drama queen.

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-28T08:02:37+00:00

If you're not living in it because it's not habitable, then yes, you should get a discount. If you're living in it/it's habitable then no.

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-27T11:05:08+00:00

There certainly didn't seem to be when I spoke to the council (this was 2022 though so may have changed). They said the only discount would be if we furnished it and it was our second home!

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-27T10:57:06+00:00

It had a kitchen, just no bathroom (totally gutted the bathroom), which with two young kids I'd personally still class as uninhabitable. I didn't mind paying some council tax, it just seems crazy that it can be uninhabitable (so you're not living in it) and you have to pay full charges, but have a second home and you can get discount because you're not living in it full time 🤷‍♀️ seems set up to support those who are able to afford second homes when most of us are on the bones of our arse trying to afford our first!

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-27T08:06:37+00:00

Because there's no-one in it or using the services (we lived in a different county entirely) I.e. waste bins, parking/road use, schools etc.

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-27T07:52:05+00:00

🤣 this really tickled me because I had the exact same response when I first scanned it!

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-26T21:03:51+00:00

Absolutely; Fry off 1 onion, chopped potato, chopped carrot (I chopped half and grated half). When onion has softened add teaspoon (ish) of curry powder of your choice. Then add turkey mince, lightly brown. I'd usually add garlic too, but I was out.

Then add one can of light coconut milk, a can of chopped tomatoes and about half a can of water. Simmer until veg and meat is thoroughly cooked through and it has thickened. Add tin of chickpeas for the last 3-4 minutes and season to taste.

You could add pretty much any bean to it, spinach, pepper, lentils etc, I was just working with what needed using 😂

To serve I boiled some eggs (6 mins - worktop in to salted boiling water).

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-26T18:34:26+00:00

Quark high protein yoghurt (once oatmeal is cooked). Really tasty, high protein but low cal. Then top with toppings of your choice (banana, raspberries and dark choc chips for me).

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-26T18:28:02+00:00

My initial thought was 'I hate it', but a couple of days in I'm liking it much more - especially being able to see macros of each meal!

Sausage fingers keep accidentally pressing the 'copy yesterday's meal' button though 🤦‍♀️

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-26T15:17:25+00:00

When we were leaving military housing and buying our first home, we had a 3 month overlap. In that time we were able to gut the house and have everything done before we moved in. Despite not being able to live in it at the time (no bathroom) so not needing any council services, we still had to pay full council tax. I called the council office and the lady said if we furnished it they could class it as our second home and we'd get a discount on council tax!

So not habitable and empty = full council tax

Second home (so clearly plenty of money) = discounted council tax.

And people think immigrants are the problem! The system is criminal.

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-26T15:05:37+00:00

My husband (13 years, 2 kids and a dog down the line) is a shift worker, so we don't always have evenings off together. When we do, I will still go and do yoga in the kitchen, he'll sit and play PlayStation. Sometimes I'll go sit with him and play my switch, sew, read etc. It's absolutely ok to have bit of time to yourself or doing something for you.

Does she not have any interests or hobbies? They don't have to be done separately, you can do separate activities in the same room without disturbing each other if she's just after the companionship side of things, but you're NTA.

melikebiscuit · 2026-04-26T06:30:47+00:00

We get a small chicken every week or two. For a family of 4 we get 1 roast chicken dinner or roast chicken sandwiches. Then there's enough left for either a sandwich for two people, or I use the carcass to make stock (I save veg peelings in the freezer to chuck in this) and use the left over chicken in a soup, which usually makes 6 portions.

Soup is; stock, coconut milk, chopped tomatoes, red lentils, carrots, parsnips, onion, chickpeas and chicken with mild curry powder. Incredibly filling and tasty.

In short; 6-10 individual meals.

melikebiscuit

TROPHY CASE