So so !!!!ed off (with SOA)

slimey

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You don't have to answer this, but have you considered having your son assessed? It may be he has Aspergers or similar.

We've had him assessed several times. The conclusion is that he's not autistic or aspergic (but does show some aspergic traits - then again, so do I!), but (to quote the paediatrician) he's just "one of life's eccentrics".

We actually had his IQ assessed by Professor Joan Freeman (as seen on Ch4's Child Genius), because we'd had several local assessments (all of which we'd had to pay for), which all came to the conclusion that he was beyond what their tests could cope with - useless, or what???

whitewing

slimey wrote: »

but (to quote the paediatrician) he's just "one of life's eccentrics".
QUOTE]

That is fantastic. I love quirkiness. Get him on board with the money saving efforts then. He'll probably be extremely good and creative at it.

slimey

slimey wrote: »

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
HSBC Loan......................10128.....596.......0
Egg Credit card................7787......237.......26.9
HSBC Credit Card...............11496.....281.......21.9
HSBC Overdraft.................2500......0.........0
Barclaycard....................12300.....264.......14.9
Total unsecured debts..........44211.....1378......-

Well, it's a couple of months since I seriously started trying to sort my finances, and I thought I'd do a quick status update. As at payday (yesterday):

HSBC Loan: £9532
HSBC CC: £11362
Egg CC: £7386 (I just chucked a £500 lump at it)
HSBC Overdraft: £1800

Not sure on Barclaycard, as I seem to be suffering from the Barclays problem and can't login to their online banking.

Anyway, just amongst those, it would appear that my debt has reduced by about £1800. I suspect that Barclaycard will have reduced by about £400, which would mean a £2200 reduction! Yay! :beer:

mountainlioness

Definitely yes to question about saving up for car tax, insurance etc. Work out all the bills that are annual, total up, divide by 12 and then round up to be sure. we're with Nationwide so just move this figure into a linked e-savings account so we can instantly get our mitts on it when needed (using a cashback CC to pay for the bill first of course - buys you an extra month too)

With expenses, how bout paying them off your CC by internet banking as soon as they come in if you're likely to spend them?

Agree with other posters about getting whole family involved - siblings usually like to try to outdo each other but even if it's a collective effort am sure it'd be a rewarding joint effort. Keep track of little milestones along the way and celebrate them - the end goal may be a while off but setting smaller goals will help keep everyone motivated. Sign up for some of the DFW challenges...

(we have a 3-level house and pay £25 gas and £25 electric per month - no way you need heating or hot water on constant through the winter, probably not that good for you either - dehydrating? You can put that reflective stuff behind the rads to help efficiency and make sure the thermostats aren't too high - shouldn't be shorts weather in December )