This morning I awoke and a cold dread crept over me. If I go ahead and buy this house my outgoings will be £100 a month more than what I’ve calculated as my comfort zone. It will wipe out all the money I currently put in savings each month, all the money I currenty spend on toys, plus some of the money that I’m not sure what I spend it on but it’s usually things like fixing the car or gifts or drinking or take-away.

This morning I thought: this means there is not going to be spare money for frivolities like, say, furniture or petrol, or possibly something to go with my rice. For 25 years. I see no reason to suspect I will get a 5% pay rise in the near future, nor any compelling evidence that mortgate repayments are due to fall.

I think I need to sit down and do some sums.