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Original poster

To Spend The Forever House Fund On Memories

226 replies

MyWonderwall · 21/02/2022 20:37

Just looking for advice from all you wise folk!

Me and DH have been saving for a while, we finally have enough money to put down on our forever home (with mortgage) - 4 bed detached in our dream area with lovely schools and activities for the DC. We have three DC ages 5,3 and 9 months.

HOWEVER, I would just love, love to spend this money on taking a year out and go travelling to spend some quality time with our children!

I think it would put us back 1-2 years of saving on our return but we could probably get the dream family home again eventually or maybe not but I think it may be worth the risk.

I really don’t want any death bed regrets and they’re growing up so quickly! We have this opportunity now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Especially from people who’s children have already grown up and now have the precious hindsight!

What would be the more important/best thing for our children and family please!

OP posts:
DenholmElliot · 21/02/2022 20:39

Buy the house! You've then secured a roof over everyone's head.

Then think about travelling.

MarinoRoyale · 21/02/2022 20:40

Your children won’t remember the trip, I’d buy the house now and go when they’re older.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 21/02/2022 20:40

No chance

DSGR · 21/02/2022 20:41

But the house then save up for travelling. Your kids are tiny and won’t remember it. Wait til the eldest is a bit older, they will get SO much out of it

Original poster
MyWonderwall · 21/02/2022 20:41

I forgot to say we already have a house but much smaller, near rubbish schools and not in dream location! We would be returning to this house for 1-2 years afterwards.

OP posts:
StarsAndSugarlumps · 21/02/2022 20:41

I would buy the house. You will be making memories there too. And plan some longish holidays. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing Smile

DameOctaviaOstrich · 21/02/2022 20:42

It's a buy the house from me too
Give them some security, prices are just going up & up

QuietKingdom · 21/02/2022 20:42

If it would only put you back 1-2 years saving then buy the house first and then save that up and have fun planning the perfect trip for 1-2 years then go. That's what I'd do but then I enjoy planning holidays more than going on them

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 21/02/2022 20:42

At those ages they won't really remember it. Maybe in 4-5 years.

I'm basing this on what my youngest can remember of her life abroad from the age of 2-6 by the way... her strongest memory is of the inflatable hammer toy we had in the pool...

bunfighters · 21/02/2022 20:42

Buy the house now, start saving again and then rent it out for a year to travel when your children are older. A 9 month old will get nothing out a year away....

MichelleScarn · 21/02/2022 20:42

What about work? Could you both take a year long sabbatical and go back to work, or would you have to job hunt on return? Would that affect mortgage? Does your dh/p want to do this too.

apprenticewage · 21/02/2022 20:43

I am feeling the exact same @MyWonderwall except my dc are 6 and 9. We have decided to build our house first and then save up and do the travelling when they are 12 and 14 when the can appreciate and remember it!! And most importantly when we can stay up very late and travel without them crying when they are tired! 🤣

ImInStealthMode · 21/02/2022 20:43

Usually I'm all for adventure but in this case your youngest two DC won't even remember it.

Buy the dream house, keep saving hard and then take shorter but equally adventurous trips in school holidays.

BlueFlavour · 21/02/2022 20:43

Buy the house, then rent it out and use that income to go travelling?

OutlookStalking · 21/02/2022 20:44

Buy the house and travel for one of their year 6. Year 6 is a pointless year. Do it just before eldest starts gcses. It will be ace and far more memorable qhen they are oldee.

Pallisers · 21/02/2022 20:44

Your children will remember nothing of those travels. Buy the house, start saving again and take a long summer travelling when the youngest is about 8 or 9.

Joinedforthis22 · 21/02/2022 20:44

Best thing for your children is security in a beautiful home. Why would you throw out the opportunity of a wonderful base for your children to grow and thrive in for some "making memories" bull shit?

HaggisBurger · 21/02/2022 20:45

I think unreasonable for not saying house v travelling.
“Memories” 🤷🏻‍♀️

StScholastica · 21/02/2022 20:45

I can think of nothing worse than living out of a suitcase for a year with 3 small children, and I speak as someone who took a summer out with 3 small children travelling France, Spain and Italy.

BloomingTrees · 21/02/2022 20:46

Buy the house at least then you'll have security for your 3 DC.
I agree with PP go travelling when they're older.

ffscovid · 21/02/2022 20:46

Do it. But maybe wait a few years. The kids wouldn't all remember it now which would get a shame. Your youngest needs to be 3-4 really. As long as your eldest is still primary aged (and not studying for 11+ or anything like that) they'd be fine.

WouldIwasShookspeared · 21/02/2022 20:46

If it would only set you back 1-2 years then I'd buy the house then spend the 1-2 years saving for the trip. The way house prices are going up a 1-2 year delay might put that dream house out of your price range.

Theworldisfullofgs · 21/02/2022 20:46

Buy the house. You'll always regret the rubbish schools.

AllOfUsAreDead · 21/02/2022 20:46

House first, travel later. As others said, the holiday won't be remembered by any of them right now why waste the time and money?

Morechocmorechoc · 21/02/2022 20:47

Things change in life, take the house. You may not get to in 2 years when mortgage rates may be higher. It may set you back 5 years. You've already said schools are rubbish, I'd say thats far more important.