A fresh start

chevalier

think the idea of using some of the money for running costs is inspired, and just think of how much stuff you could take to the tip with a car!

Seaxwyn

Hi all

Plodding away here, trying to make the money stretch. Last night I was contacted about two big freelance editing jobs which should bring in a few hundred pounds, but need to be done quickly, so I'm working out my quote for that - will mean working weekends and evenings til they're done.

Other good news is that my dad said he wants to give me some money towards the chidren's university fees. He mentioned a figure of £3000 and I think he means £3000 per child. I need to give him a proposal about how best to save this money, as he would not want it just disappearing into my household expenses. Any advice there?

We haven't decided about the car yet. I delegated that one to OH to think about, which means it will be some time... We can't afford the running costs and we're managing without one (loads of walking and biking going on) so I'm happy not to have a car for the present.

chevalier

Seaxwyn wrote: »

Hi all

Plodding away here, trying to make the money stretch. Last night I was contacted about two big freelance editing jobs which should bring in a few hundred pounds, but need to be done quickly, so I'm working out my quote for that - will mean working weekends and evenings til they're done. Just when you thought there would be no more of this work, two come along at once nice one

Other good news is that my dad said he wants to give me some money towards the chidren's university fees. He mentioned a figure of £3000 and I think he means £3000 per child. I need to give him a proposal about how best to save this money, as he would not want it just disappearing into my household expenses. Any advice there?

What about one of those regular saver accounts? Would that work? Though hang on I think that you can't withdraw before a year is up....

We haven't decided about the car yet. I delegated that one to OH to think about, which means it will be some time... We can't afford the running costs and we're managing without one (loads of walking and biking going on) so I'm happy not to have a car for the present.

If you don't need a car then maybe the thing to do is to say we don't need a car, but we would love the money for xyz repairs round the house or something. Or maybe they could pay for you to join one of those car share schemes. The ones where they have a pool of cars and you book one when you need one?

It is a tough one for sure though.
chev

tyllwyd

Seaxwyn wrote: »

... Other good news is that my dad said he wants to give me some money towards the chidren's university fees. He mentioned a figure of £3000 and I think he means £3000 per child. I need to give him a proposal about how best to save this money, as he would not want it just disappearing into my household expenses. Any advice there?

...

Hi! If your dad is worried about the money being kept separate, why not get him to open up a savings account himself to keep the money in, then he can give it directly to the children as they reach the right age. (But if it is in his name, it might be best for him to make sure that this was mentioned in his will, just to be completely sure.)

Otherwise, why not open some kind of long term savings account or bond - you will have plenty of notice of when you will need to take the money out, so you can go for a good long term rate. Or for the younger kids, how much risk are you willing to take? If you are willing to take a bit more risk in return for growth, why not open a stocks and shares ISA and invest the money through that - an IFA should be able to give you advice on options. Good luck with everything!

Seaxwyn

Thanks guys. I think I will suggest to my dad that he puts it in savings accounts for the children. I don't want to risk stocks and shares, even if the interest rate is low at least the money will be there when the time comes.

I haven't seen my parents this weekend, which makes me feel very guilty, but I had this big freelancing job on and I have not made much headway with that, either. Spent yesterday afternoon in the pub, which was very silly, and today have been faffing about. I have too much to do and no self discipline.

Feeling vaguely dissatisfied and discombobulated with everything at present. The kids are lovely but everything else in my life is a bit pants. It must be my age - 47 - facing up to the fact that nothing has really turned out how it should have.

Sorry for the downer post! Back to the freelance job....

ZTD

Seaxwyn wrote: »

Feeling vaguely dissatisfied and discombobulated with everything at present. The kids are lovely but everything else in my life is a bit pants. It must be my age - 47 - facing up to the fact that nothing has really turned out how it should have.

No buts - that's the hard bit. Nothing ever turns out how it "should" because a lot of "shoulds" turn out to be contradictory.

Seaxwyn wrote: »

Sorry for the downer post! Back to the freelance job....

:grouphug:

Do you know what you want in life?

Seaxwyn

ZTD wrote: »

Do you know what you want in life?

Travel, adventure, romance, to create great literature and lead revolutions.

ZTD

Seaxwyn wrote: »

Travel,

Where? What to see?

Seaxwyn wrote: »

adventure,

What kind?

Seaxwyn wrote: »

romance,

You'll only get that with like-minded people. Looks like it's a life of lesbianism for you then...

Seaxwyn wrote: »

to create great literature

Do you write literature?

Seaxwyn wrote: »

and lead revolutions.

Stick around, it'll not be long...

dfw844

Seaxwyn wrote: »

I have too much to do and no self discipline.

Sorry to be blunt seaxwyn, but having followed you for a long time, this is why I worry about you giving up your salary for freelance work again. When you are working for someone else you seem to do an excellent job, but when you are working for yourself you seem to lack motivation. I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, but to me, that means that self-employment just isn't a good fit for you. It doesn't play to your natural strengths, of which there are many.

gettingbackontrack

Seaxwyn wrote: »

Travel, adventure, romance, to create great literature and lead revolutions.

Hi Seaxwyn, I've also followed your thread with interest as our working lives are very similar. And we're of an age.

I'd also like the flexibility of working freelance all the time and am annoyed at myself for not being able to do so because of my debts. I'm trying to work out ways to enable me to take the plunge and am reminding myself of how much I've paid off and what my earning potential really is. I want to have choices, that's my rather tame ambition these days....

I guess I just wanted to say - give yourself a pat on the back for all you've done so far. You paid a lot off your debts and kept your large family going during all sorts of trials. The stress of that is likely one of the reasons you can't concentrate (I know it is with me). But don't forget to look back on all you've achieved.