Renovations and Repayments.

Somehow it's 3rd July. :eek: This month is going to be a little difficult financially but we're aiming to pay £1,000 from the debt.

My son hasn't been well again and hasn't been to school today. The weekend wasn't as planned due to son not being well but I have carried on with the new bedtime routine, so have been going to bed early.

armchairexpert wrote: »

I have heard that theory before as well!

Alex, when did your son start playing - it's the piano, isn't it? My younger daughter is only five at the moment, but I thought about looking into music lessons for next year (I limit them to one extra curricular each and she's chosen hers for this year already) - I assume your son had already started by her age, would I be right?

Also, if I do go with piano lessons, can I get away with just a keyboard for practice at home? My old piano was damaged beyond repair years ago and I no longer play, and I can't really justify buying one just for a child who may get bored of it again in a year.

My son started violin and piano at the age of 3 but he was very interested and we go at his pace. I want him to enjoy music. He doesn't have formal music lessons as I teach him on an ongoing and continual basis. Five / six is a good age to start, though to learn an instrument properly takes a lot of time, patience and practise.

I have a few pupils with only a keyboard at home and whilst I would rather they had a piano, they get to play mine once per week and I try to give them opportunities to play other pianos too and it seems to work until the pupil gets to c. Grade 1 or 2 at a push.

CathT wrote: »

Thanks for posting that explains those Caz, I tried to explain it to someone recently but didn't put it as well as you.

Lovely to read bright happy posts such as this Alex. Our children are small for such a short time and I love to take note of all the things they come out with. Their world is so literal.

I have every confidence you will keep up with those debt repayments, first chunk gone so onwards and downwards.

It seems like ages since I've seen your name, Cath. I hope you have now fully recovered.

I think I have enough material to write an amusing book with all the things my son and pupils say.

I am trying to remain as positive as possible. Still get quite a lot of negative thoughts but I write down and spend ten minutes per day reflecting upon and thinking how I could have thought about the situation in another way. Sometimes it works. Also trying not to think about myself as a depressed, anxiety ridden mess. Latest one is trying to think of myself the way I would like my son and also pupils to. :rotfl: Yes, it's crazy but it is working and getting me to bed earlier - staying up until 2am is not setting a good example.

£1,000 planned repayment this month. Onwards and downwards, indeed.

A_Frayed_Knot wrote: »

I once heard a little one say - after kneeling whilst playing for a long time.

"I've got bees in my knees" :rotfl:

obviously meaning "pins and needles"

:rotfl:

July Targets:

Organise Summer holiday: 1. Trip to R.W. 2. Holiday. 3. Agricultural shows x 3.
Debts: Pay £1,000 (/ £4,000 to pay)
Total Grocery Spend: £55 / £400.
New bedtime routine: 6/31. Went to bed after writing last night. Not been out this evening but am a little later to bed. Will be following my new routine after writing this but not going to count it towards my target as it is later.
Meditation: 7/21.
Keeping organised: Slowly getting there.
Spreadsheets / Money tracking: Tomorrow / Sunday is update day.
De-clutter and Sell: / 3 items. Including the car I've been meaning to sell for a couple of months now. Really struggling to motivate myself with this.
Books read for pleasure: / 3. Almost through one.
Prep tasks for course: / 4.
Learn something new or refine a skill: 1. Continue learning and applying new knowledge to create more sophisticated and streamlined spreadsheets. 2. Learn a new piece of repertoire.

Just had a relaxing day today. Have been walking and enjoying the weather, so not spent hardly any money. Unfortunately, I've not been as bright as for the past week or two but both yesterday and today I've had a few glasses of wine (not too much by any stretch of the imagination), perhaps it has had a bit of a negative impact, even so. My parents haven't been easy to deal with for the past few days, either. This morning when I went to the house my mother told me she had decided now is the time I need to move home. I told her it isn't going to happen and get the "look how much we've provided for you and what we can provide that you cannot for your son" lecture. We're all there for lunch tomorrow, so hoping nothing will really be said and things are a bit more positive.