I really would ask you to reconsider taking in a lodger. I have one and it is working out great. She is a friend so things are great between us. Its an extra €600 a month for me. Things really would be a struggle otherwise. I know you want your privacy, but it is not worth the risk of losing your home and having a bad credit rating.
I am quite shocked at your attitude though. You seem quite immature to me. You are worried about making your first mortgage payment, yet you went on holiday before Christmas! You really need a reality check. I am not a frugel liver by any means, but you really just have to take stock when you have a property.
I like to keep up with the latest fashions as well, but when I moved into my apartment I realised the amount of stuff I actually have! Style is not about keeping up with whatever junk is in the shops, but about making the most of what you have and putting things together creatively. Try this before you go running into Oasis, Topshop etc in the future.
I would also suggest going through your clothes, shoes and jewelery and selling some of it on ebay. You could make a few quid on there. I would also recommend doing a spot of babysitting in your locality. Most times the kids are in bed, and you can charge around €10 I think these days. Could be very handy money.
Forget about going on holidays this summer also, until you are comfortable with the mortgage.
Bring your lunch to work. Stop getting coffee etc in the morning. Cut down on taxis. Have friends around to yours for dinner and drinks rather than going out. These are all things that can free up a bit of money. However they are not going to make a huge impact.
Best of luck with it.
I am quite shocked at your attitude though. You seem quite immature to me. You are worried about making your first mortgage payment, yet you went on holiday before Christmas! You really need a reality check. I am not a frugel liver by any means, but you really just have to take stock when you have a property.
I like to keep up with the latest fashions as well, but when I moved into my apartment I realised the amount of stuff I actually have! Style is not about keeping up with whatever junk is in the shops, but about making the most of what you have and putting things together creatively. Try this before you go running into Oasis, Topshop etc in the future.
I would also suggest going through your clothes, shoes and jewelery and selling some of it on ebay. You could make a few quid on there. I would also recommend doing a spot of babysitting in your locality. Most times the kids are in bed, and you can charge around €10 I think these days. Could be very handy money.
Forget about going on holidays this summer also, until you are comfortable with the mortgage.
Bring your lunch to work. Stop getting coffee etc in the morning. Cut down on taxis. Have friends around to yours for dinner and drinks rather than going out. These are all things that can free up a bit of money. However they are not going to make a huge impact.
Best of luck with it.