There is a way of checking the old utility bills for the previous year. Just call your electric company, and they should be able to give you those figures.. so at least you will have an estimate of what they will be. I know in Florida you can, maybe Seattle is different...
Good luck! And Congratulations! I am very happy for you. There is nothing like owning your own home!
Hi, LVH---Danni is right---there is always the "fear" and excitement of owning your first home. Take some comfort in knowing that your house is fairly new--no 20 yr old electric wiring or wacky plumming. Someone mentioned once to start a "fund" for those unexpected expenses---car repairs, washer on the fritz, etc. DH has $$$ in his checking for those "unexpected" repairs, i.e, dishwasher, pipes, etc. My SIL had a housewarming party (house blessing party) and folks got them stuff they needed (gently used and also brand-new stuff)--i.e., pyrex ware, baking dishes, etc. Just a thought. Whiz.
Hey! I know how you feel and it's perfectly normal. You will handle this just fine! You are already finding ways to save and cut down costs which is great!
Our mortgage is going from $475/month to about $1400/month (includes property taxes and home owners ins!) So panicing is an understatement for me! But I know it will be completely worth it to have a larger home with 2 acres in the country instead of being squished in a tiny starter home between other houses (with neighbors staring at us)in town. Aren't you so happy in your new house?
We will be depleting our entire savings for our new home, plus use the sale of our current one to buy appliances, lawn tractor, shed, and a few furnishings. Not to mention paint for the entire home. One good thing is we will pay off our car loan and my student loan too. But we still will have DH's SL which is hefty. We made a pact that we will have no more car payments ever! DH likes old cars anyway. I'll drive my Durango to it's grave! LOL! So mentally I figure no car payment makes up for a high mortgage~ I try to sugar coat everything somehow!
So, enjoy your home~ if we can do it (and 1 income is on a part time waitress's salary) so can you! Nicki ;)
My DH and I went through the same panic at the "unknown" utility bills we might have after moving in. If you are worried about your mortgage payment "eating" your first paycheck of every month (which ours used to do), you can investigate a bi-weekly payment plan (some mortgage companies offer this) where 50% of your mortgage payment is deducted from your checking account on payday. This way you have some money left over to pay those other bills which might fall on the first of the month. If the bi-weekly payment plan is too expensive (sometimes there is a fee), try putting away *half* of your mortgage payment in a savings account every payday, until you have the full amount ready to send out. Then transfer it to your checking account, pay the bill, and don't panic. =)
Don't forget that if the due dates of any of your bills fall inconveniently, you can call and ask about a different billing date. I have done this many times over the years. I've never been told 'no'.
I also encourage you to contact the utilities right away about budget billing. They will establish a flat payment amount based on previous use even though it is not yours. You will still see the actual billed amount so if you were going substantially over, you could start tucking that extra away for your 'catch up' payment after a year (my utility will not accept additional payments throughout the year but I do know how far I am in the hole or ahead every month).
LVH, I know there is lots of anxiety about a new mortgage. It is very stressful. You guys can do this. It is going to just get easier and easier. :) Panic won't help but thoughtful spending and planning will.
Congrats on your new home!!
There is a way of checking the old utility bills for the previous year. Just call your electric company, and they should be able to give you those figures.. so at least you will have an estimate of what they will be. I know in Florida you can, maybe Seattle is different...
Good luck! And Congratulations! I am very happy for you. There is nothing like owning your own home!
--Shannon
CALM DOWN!
Hey Hunnie - whether you're in Seattle or East NoWhereVille - buying your first home is *always* scary and money is *always* tight.
All my best,
Danni
Thanks for the words of encouragement... spending has slowed down.
lvhunnie2005
Hey! I know how you feel and it's perfectly normal. You will handle this just fine! You are already finding ways to save and cut down costs which is great!
Our mortgage is going from $475/month to about $1400/month (includes property taxes and home owners ins!) So panicing is an understatement for me! But I know it will be completely worth it to have a larger home with 2 acres in the country instead of being squished in a tiny starter home between other houses (with neighbors staring at us)in town. Aren't you so happy in your new house?
We will be depleting our entire savings for our new home, plus use the sale of our current one to buy appliances, lawn tractor, shed, and a few furnishings. Not to mention paint for the entire home. One good thing is we will pay off our car loan and my student loan too. But we still will have DH's SL which is hefty. We made a pact that we will have no more car payments ever! DH likes old cars anyway. I'll drive my Durango to it's grave! LOL! So mentally I figure no car payment makes up for a high mortgage~ I try to sugar coat everything somehow!
So, enjoy your home~ if we can do it (and 1 income is on a part time waitress's salary) so can you!
Nicki ;)
Hello,
My DH and I went through the same panic at the "unknown" utility bills we might have after moving in. If you are worried about your mortgage payment "eating" your first paycheck of every month (which ours used to do), you can investigate a bi-weekly payment plan (some mortgage companies offer this) where 50% of your mortgage payment is deducted from your checking account on payday. This way you have some money left over to pay those other bills which might fall on the first of the month. If the bi-weekly payment plan is too expensive (sometimes there is a fee), try putting away *half* of your mortgage payment in a savings account every payday, until you have the full amount ready to send out. Then transfer it to your checking account, pay the bill, and don't panic. =)
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Geeks on Tap: Mission Accomplished
Don't forget that if the due dates of any of your bills fall inconveniently, you can call and ask about a different billing date. I have done this many times over the years. I've never been told 'no'.
I also encourage you to contact the utilities right away about budget billing. They will establish a flat payment amount based on previous use even though it is not yours. You will still see the actual billed amount so if you were going substantially over, you could start tucking that extra away for your 'catch up' payment after a year (my utility will not accept additional payments throughout the year but I do know how far I am in the hole or ahead every month).
LVH, I know there is lots of anxiety about a new mortgage. It is very stressful. You guys can do this. It is going to just get easier and easier. :) Panic won't help but thoughtful spending and planning will.
Peg