Assessment of Financing New Construction 425k € / Overall Financial Situation

So my partner’s salary will disappear and for 2 years there will only be parental allowance. One year of parental leave is out of the question because we don’t want to hand over our child after just one year. I think that’s also unrealistic – I’m experiencing this firsthand with my little godchild right now. My salary remains in full. My new employer offers 100% remote work if needed, so I can spend time with the child before work, we can eat together during breaks, and after work I am directly on site. That’s why I won’t have to take parental leave – regardless of the fact that we can’t afford it anyway.

Yes, it’s the same with us – but also consider that with the two-year parental leave, at most €900 will be left for the woman. With that, you certainly won’t be able to pay off €1,300 anymore. You really have to cobble that plan together. Will your wife get a job again after 2 years, or will she be able to re-enter the workforce? I see the bigger problems there... If there is a solid plan here and possibilities to bridge the time or gain financial structure, you can do it... Just with a much lower financing amount than you originally had in mind – but you were fully okay with that anyway :)

My girlfriend can easily resume at any time in any capacity - the municipality is not so difficult about that ;-)

Building/household contents are too low.
Buildings increase significantly in value over a few years, household contents with a bicycle and possibly a mid-range category as basic insurance are rather about double.
Inspections for heating were forgotten.
Reserves are not a topic yet, but contributions can be used for the garden and related purchases.
I see food/drinks too naively... I can easily imagine that the 50€ often spent in the drugstore (not even expensive cosmetics) will be somewhat understated. Not only water is being drunk either.
And always remember: what good is a fancy house if you gulp down cheap food with antibiotics.
I would set at least 500€, increase with a child.
Is there a reason why an e-bike was leased?

Yeah, I see it that way too. Building/household contents is a bit too low – but that doesn’t change much :D

As I mentioned before, I also see the problem in the buffer/reserves in case something breaks, a child arrives, and so on...

I don’t agree with you on food/drinks! I think the 350€ is based on the current situation – so I believe that is the consumption of the two right now. A fancy house definitely doesn’t change that? Also, a fancy house has nothing to do with the "mindset" regarding what kind of food you consume.

The two of us manage very well with 350€ for groceries/drugstore costs per month! My girlfriend hardly wears any makeup or only uses very few products, so costs are limited. We also don’t buy cheap food but always have vegetables/fruits available and also occasionally meat/fish from the butcher. That works… I can do this even at Lidl/Aldi. You just shouldn’t buy 90% at Edeka – then you won’t manage with 350€ xD

But that’s a personal attitude – but I wouldn’t change anything about that regarding the OP, or if he currently manages with it, he will manage in the future as well.

Building/household contents are too low.
The building rises significantly in a few years, household contents with bicycle and possibly mid-range category as basic insurance are rather around double.
Inspections for the heating were forgotten.
Reserves are not a topic yet, but the contribution can be used for the garden and related purchases.
Food/drinks I see too naively ... I can well imagine that the 50€ often spent in the drugstore (not even expensive cosmetics) will be somewhat understated. Not only water is being drunk.
And always remember: what good is a fancy house if you’re stuffing yourself with cheap food with antibiotics in it.
I would at least set 500€, increase with a child.
Is there a reason why an e-bike was leased?

I’ll just take that into my notes.

Household contents are, in my opinion, not a huge issue – we don’t have riches at home and what do, for example, furniture or entertainment electronics have as replacement value after a few years? I also don’t need to insure my bicycle bought for 500 € … I think it always depends on the values anyway. But thanks for the point. Maybe 60 € per year is actually too low.

My mother is a beautician and hairdresser – from that side, everything’s fine. :p

Food costs fit exactly at the moment – although I would go further, we don’t even have 350 €. And we only buy meat from the butcher :) But of course you are right, prices are rising there too and with a child it will be more.

The e-bike is an employer lease from my girlfriend. I didn’t really find it necessary either, but it’s her decision anyway :)

My girlfriend can easily rejoin at any time and in any scope - the municipality is not so difficult about that ;-)

hmm… spontaneously? I thought you always had to commit for a year, and then that applies. To my knowledge, it is checked once a year. And the kindergarten spot can only be booked annually anyway, sometimes even 3 years in advance.

what is, for example, the replacement value of furniture or consumer electronics after a few years?

The price you need for a new purchase. It’s usually the inconspicuous things in the household that make up the value, not the Ikea piece of furniture…

The e-bike is my girlfriend’s employer leasing. I didn’t really think it was necessary, but it’s her decision :)

Yeah, to each their own. But decisions like “should I treat myself or not?” are exactly what determines how much plus you still have together at the end of the month.

Meat/fish from the butcher. That’s doable... I can also go to Lidl/Aldi for that.

*clears throat* Tönnies? Butcher? Let’s not deepen this topic. That leads again to a fundamental discussion.

Yeah, I see it that way too. Building/household contents is a bit too little - but that “doesn’t make much difference” :D

No, not decisive for the outcome, but the OP asked. And supposedly little things also make a difference. It’s the e-bike, it’s the diapers, it’s the inspection, it’s eating out…, no vacation now, right? I’ll add the new winter shoes, then it gets tight with 250€/month each… so; I’m still on the small stuff. Man: if you had 5000 plus, I would be quiet here. But that’s not the case. But I already noticed it on the first pages: calculate what is left at the end. 500 minus as a buffer and then you have your amount that you can spend. And always remember with the online calculators: you basically only have the property as equity!

Yeah, the thing with food is really not up for discussion - that’s true. Everyone has their own attitude towards it - but since he manages well with €350, this item can easily be realized in the future without any problems. Just add something accordingly for the child. Yes, every little bit counts, that’s right! That’s exactly why I agree with you that a sufficient buffer has to be planned, since there are no reserves at all.