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

My ex practically lived with his parents on the hillside. The house always felt a bit like an old farmhouse. Everything was very dark. His room had a great climate, but was dark nonetheless. But surely something could be done with large windows. They had everything related to storage and technical rooms without windows or with a light shaft in the hillside. That was actually well executed. Upstairs there was a living room with kitchen and dining area, and the attic was converted with 2 children's rooms/1 children's room, parents’ bedroom, and a large bathroom.

Regarding financing with child(ren): We moved in in 2017. The construction cost us a bit over €300k (loan monthly €1800 thanks to additional financing, otherwise €1400). We entered together with almost €6000 net income, had 1 child (my husband had to pay maintenance for 2 children - €700). Our junior was 2.5 years old, so we paid €450 per month for daycare. We absolutely didn’t save anything during that time. Everything, absolutely everything, went into the house and the garden. It is surprising what little things keep coming up and you look in disbelief at the empty bank account halfway through the month. Our daughter joined us at the beginning of 2019. I started with €1800 parental allowance for 10 months. We couldn’t afford more. At the end of parental leave it got tight. From August we paid €790 per month for daycare, in November the little lady started (we had to pay for nuts for 3 months). The first months really hurt, I work 80%, which meant €800 loss. By now it’s going quite well (thanks to a pay raise). But it feels like you spend more money for children when you have the space for their stuff. Slide, pool, sandbox, mud kitchen, the children’s room can hold more toys… So really don’t underestimate that, even if grandma and grandpa like to sponsor.

By the way: Both children went to daycare from 10 months old. My son was tough. He kicked me out of daycare after 5 minutes and I stood crying in front of the door. He couldn’t get rid of me fast enough. My daughter had a bit more difficulty. She went to my son’s daycare, so she knew everyone. We had been going for breakfast in her group once or twice a week for months. Still, she was much clingier. When it came to final adjustment, though, she was uncomplicated as well. I would have liked to keep her at home for 2 more months but it somehow hurt not being able to afford that financially. By the way, saving for that was not possible because there was always something for the house, or the car, or the washing machine, or or or

if you have the space for the stuff. Slide, pool, sandbox, mud kitchen, the playroom holds more toys... So really don't underestimate it, even if grandma and grandpa like to donate.

"Stuff" is the right word for most of it. Children have the most fun outside in nature, where the toys just lie around and are part of the world. The "stuff" isn’t, and is therefore quickly uninteresting. Especially the classic "play equipment" you see in gardens. Mud and water, on the other hand, are always popular. But they also don’t cost much to buy. For larger garden toys for children, you can save best.

Saving up for that was out of the question anyway, since there was always something going on with the house, or the car, or the washing machine, or or or

The classic, it’s exactly the same for me right now. After half a year in the new house, in May I had the car inspection, new summer tires, and the old washing machine broke. Spent 1,000€ just like that.
In the next few days comes the next classic, a new lawn mower.

a new lawn mower.

Lawn mowers are available used in good condition. Because there are always people who want the latest model. The old ones are better and still good to use. New and good ones will be somewhat expensive.

Lawnmowers can be bought well used.

I actually just got a mower that was standing at the roadside to give away. Unfortunately, the height adjustment is broken and set to a low position. The cable also bothers me, and I want something with a battery. Since I only have a very small lawn area, it will probably be a cheap Einhell model for under €150. The hassle with used equipment is not worth it.

Children have the most fun outside in nature, where the toys are just lying around and are part of the world. The "junk" is not, and is therefore quickly uninteresting.

Yes, try telling that to my kids. :D 5 and 8, and if you really want to torture them, tell them to play in nature. The older one completely refused the forest kindergarten. Most kids are – no matter how much their parents wish otherwise and live differently themselves – colorful consumption junkies.