Mortgage Tuesday

Countdown till the end of term. And today I go to see Julia at Southland Building Society for a mortgage so I can pay for the remaining building costs. About $120,000 but it will be good if it's less. The little expenses keep coming in so I'm hoping the over estimates I've got will offset these. I've cut my spending right down to food and essentials, and house items. We'll see where it ends up. I can't do it any cheaper unless I compromise on what I'm putting in the build. I've heard too many people say, "I wish I'd done such and such, but I didn't because I didn't think I could afford it." That's where the Southland Building Society comes in. Within reason. I'm not getting gold plated taps. Just chrome Perrin and Rowe. Julia reassures me and gives me options of ways I can meet interest payments- different terms, putting Kiwi Saver on hold.... I've got a flatmate in mind. 

The SBS have been amazing over the years. I signed papers for my first mortgage when I was in Christchurch Womens', having just had Kahu. I don't know how compus mentis I was but an SBS rep came in and I bought 22 College Ave. That was March 2002 and I was a single income household. Mark, Kahu's father, didn't have a job, just relief teaching work, so I had to go back to school as soon as I could: three weeks after the ceasarian. I taught for a week, had two weeks term holidays then went back full time, putting Kahu in Tracy Washington's care, through Barnardoes. Day care but in a home. I didn't get to be a stay at home mum, needs must. I don't know how good I would have been at it but a few weeks longer would have eased me into my new role. 18 years later, Kahu has turned out ok. I am lucky enough to have school hours and school holidays which means I get time to be with him after work. Time...spend it wisely, you never get it back.

I leave the SBS feeling, "I can do this."

I detour to Ambrose Heal on the way home. Pete shows me laundry cupboard doors in the making, and the massive book case he is putting together. At home I help Kahu finish his seminar amidst rising concern he's not going to make the deadline for delivery on Friday. He needs to learn it so he can present it to an audience using minimal notes. Chris is confused as to what his name really is.