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Original poster

I've spent my life savings this year and it hasn't even been fun :(

11 replies

Silverdogblue · 03/10/2023 12:47

Had some hefty legal fees in order to get my ex-employer to take me seriously, that's ongoing with possible Employment Tribunal in the future.

A few weeks ago the bloody roof started leaking, water running down the walls of our bedroom, got a roofer in and every tile he's lifted up reveals another bloody problem, ending up needing the whole roof replacing, or a patch up with future costs which will be more than getting it done now...

I went up there with him earlier and it looks awful, I'm happy he's not having me on, there's holes and missing tiles everywhere with more rotten wood than not rotten.

I had almost got my premium bonds full (my life savings so far) and now I'm down to £2500.

I know I'm lucky to have savings at all, and a house with a roof on, it's just mildly disheartening to have to start over again!

I have decluttered the house to within an inch of its life and managed to raise about £3.5k from selling stuff but then just before the roof piled in, I got the sofa cushions restuffed and bought myself a bookcase (lifetime ambition!). Now I wish I hadn't!!

Just a moan as I have no-one else to whine to.

When I moved the sideboard to site the bookcase, the wall was soaking wet as well and it's an internal wall so no idea what the end result of that will be, I've put the dehumidifier on and pretended it didn't happen for the time being.

OP posts:
olderbutwiser · 03/10/2023 12:58

Life can be a bastard sometimes. Have a good rant, fingers crossed the employment tribunal gets sorted and can restore your savings for you.

PictureFrameWindow · 03/10/2023 13:01

I hear you! The scaffolders are erecting a megastructure to reach our holey roof right now! It's stressful and expensive. But think how great it will be to be watertight.

HongKongGarden · 03/10/2023 13:01

It’s hard to see your savings go, but I suppose that this is the sort of thing that you have them for.

I hope that things improve soon and that you get to start building them up again.

Original poster
Silverdogblue · 03/10/2023 13:05

HongKongGarden · 03/10/2023 13:01

It’s hard to see your savings go, but I suppose that this is the sort of thing that you have them for.

I hope that things improve soon and that you get to start building them up again.

You are very right!! Incredibly naive of me to think I could get to retirement age with them intact, thank you for the reality check Smile

@PictureFrameWindow yes, a watertight house without a "zoo" (roofer's words) in the loft will be lovely. How long are you looking at? We have a scaffolding tower on one side and waiting for the megastructure to be built on the other side. The dogs are at peace with the noise and the chaps are very considerate of the neighbours so it could all be worse.

OP posts:
dontgobaconmyheart · 03/10/2023 13:14

Sympathies OP, we've not long had the roof situation here, and a new roof has just wiped us out. Intellectually I completely agree that it being now watertight and no longer a concern is the priority and it absolutely was the right thing or it would have just cost more over time etc etc - but it's not easy seeing those savings gone from the bank account and the new roof feels like a very abstract concept when you're indoors and can't see it in the same way as you usually do when you spend on home improvements.

Of course, ultimately bloody lucky to have had the savings to facilitate it in the first place, hopefully one day we'll climb back up again.

kitkatkitkatkitty · 03/10/2023 13:27

We have just had exactly the same. House savings wiped out bar 81p to pay for a roof.

I just keep trying to think how blessed I was to have it when it went (Batons failed and it dipped in) and just try to think it's another major job done in the house ...

But I total get how it makes you feel in the moment xx

BadBadDecisions · 03/10/2023 13:31

It's because you made the glorious mistake of amassing savings. The universe always likes to find a way to put you back where you should be. I find that every time I save. Broken boiler. Car breaks down. Fridge goes on the blink.

Whatever. It's the universe keeping you in check.

Original poster
Silverdogblue · 03/10/2023 13:32

BadBadDecisions · 03/10/2023 13:31

It's because you made the glorious mistake of amassing savings. The universe always likes to find a way to put you back where you should be. I find that every time I save. Broken boiler. Car breaks down. Fridge goes on the blink.

Whatever. It's the universe keeping you in check.

Hahaa! That made me smile, yes - got to keep the natural order!

OP posts:
Spinet · 03/10/2023 13:34

It's a bummer but imagine if you had to pay for that and you didn't have savings. You'd be deep in debt now.

mondaytosunday · 03/10/2023 13:44

Yep. Got a bill for £4000 to replace front door and frame which was rotten, replace stair carpet and redecorate in hallway. Thought I could just about manage that if I used my credit card for the next few months for other expenses. Then I was told the outside of the building was due redecorating as per head lease plus some repairs to an upstairs flat and each share is £6000! So had to sell some shares (from my retirement nest egg) to pay for it.

Original poster
Silverdogblue · 03/10/2023 13:48

@mondaytosunday Ugh! Yes, this escalated from - will manage it by judicious credit card usage to... cash it all in and start again in the new year.

OP posts:
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