UTILITY BILLS - can anyone help me plan a budget please???

[looneytune]

Hi there

Hoping to move house, just working out what we can afford each month. We currently live in a 2 bed semi and as I'm a childminder, we're home-based a lot so use lights, computer etc etc. during the day.

We want to move to a 3 bed semi in same area. If we plan to use the same equipment for the same length of time etc as we currently do, wouldn't the gas and electric bills be pretty much the same? Or is there something I'm not thinking of here?

It's only because my mum mentioned that they've always asked people when they've viewed places what they pay. I would have thought it's more down to circumstances (i.e. if you're at work, at home more etc).

What do you think?

The one I will check about is water as this will depend on whether or not they are metred like we currently are.

Also, would things like buildings and contents insurance go up? My dh has always dealt with this side of things so I'm not sure what info they ask about the house when you ask for a quote. We're looking at a house with 1 extra room downstairs and an extra bedroom.

TIA

I always ask what their averages are (although their usage may be different to yours it can give you a starting point...- ie the central heating boiler may not be the most efficient so it will cost you more...)

Great, thanks. Been suffering with a hangover this weekend so not thinking straight - never thought about central heating so many thanks

Ideally we want to save some money each month out of our incomings. We've never ever done this before as not been able to. How much do you save each month for emergencies? Would we really regret it if we didn't save (if turned out couldn't afford to in order to get mortgage we want)?

you can get an insurance quote for this place from a few online agents even if you don't live there yet!

good idea, thanks for that

council tax might go up too

yep. i'd gone on internet and looked up thinking oh no, go from £120 - £210 but my friend lives on same road and today confirmed £130 a month so I've budgeted for £140

looneytune - hangover or not you sound really sensible and financially responsible
one thing you might be able to consider- we have never had enough cash/will power to save for emergencies so we have a draw down mortgage - our agreed mortgage facility is bigger than the amount we have actually borrowed so in the event of an emergency we can use that money if necessary without requiring any additional permission/valuations etc

Yes, this is what I'm trying to avoid, getting in a big mess. Here's everything I could think of so please let me know if I've missed anything. I haven't listed business expenses as that's not really relevant to you guys. We're about to go on our first holiday as a family and dh & I have only had our honeymoon in the 10 years we've been together so I've made sure we save for that as I can't go all that time again without a holiday (we're off in my parents caravan next month - Skegness - and I can't wait!)

Mortgage
Gas
Electric
Water
Council Tax
Phone
Mobile Top Ups
House Insurance - Buildings & Contents
Life Insurance
Broadband
TV Licence
Sky TV
Household Shopping
Tobacco for dh
Road Tax (2 cars)
MOT savings (2 cars)
Car Insurance (2 cars)
Petrol (2 cars)
Birthdays + Other Presents
Christmas
Holiday Savings
Other Savings (incl. hair etc)
School - snack fees
Going Out
Dental plan
Clothes/Shoes etc.

Do you really save on your dental plan, can you go and get checked out, scale and polish both of you then cancel it to free up some money. NHS dental is alot cheaper.

Why are you not on email today? Your car insurance could go up depending on the area you could be moving to.

Not on dental plan at the moment. Always paid as and when. This was just put on list for worse case scenerio as my parents suggested it. Dh now has gum disease and can't do anything without paying hundreds/thousands - his brother has too and has lost one of his front teeth, can't afford to do anything about it and can't talk properly as a result - makes you think, that's all! I'd rather actually put it in budget if can afford to than have a massive shock when something needs doing!

Haven't gone onto email today, been rushed off my feet tbh!

I had news today which you will want to know.

Does he see a hugienist?

He has done in past but not every 6 months like they suggest although I'm going to make sure we both do! What news? Send me an email and I'll look as I want this thread to stick to my utility bills to see if anyone else thinks of something I've missed