How do you pay for big household jobs?

[Upsy1981]

Firstly, let me say I am a very anxious person and money is one of the foci of my anxiety so I don't always see things clearly. I've been awake in the night worrying about how we would pay for e.g. new windows in our house if we needed them. Do you save up for them? Or what if its something that you need urgently? I'm not completely stupid, I promise. I just get overwhelmed with this type of thing and can't see the wood for the trees.

For anyone, it's either use savings or borrow the money if savings aren't available. I can't think of any other options.

I was also advised growing up to try and have three months take home pay in the bank and this advice has always held me in good stead.

Save or borrow.

Most house maintenance tasks won’t be an emergency. Your boiler might break but if it’s older you’d anticipate that and save. Your windows are unlikely to need replacing urgently all at once - ditto roof etc.

I'm lucky enough to be able to save an amount per month to have a pot of savings for surprise household expenses. To do this I choose not to go on holidays, have a very quiet social life and clothes shop in Primark. However, like you I'm quite anxious about managing to afford big household/repairs so I'm happier to have the savings - I've managed to save around 8K which helps me with the worry. I'm very conscious that many people living hand to mouth just can't spare anything for saving though

We sold our house, and took a dip in the value smaller than the bill for replacing the boiler, refitting the kitchen, and redecorating the hall and landing. Because we're bone idle.