Pay off mortgage and start having fun!

newgirly

Thanks ali ok, don't know some of those so will look them up. Like the idea of a bit of gambling The best game I ever bought at xmas was bop it, totally addictive and the only game I can beat them all at ( strangely the more alcohol I had xmas day the better I got )

Was also thinking of getting jenga again, we used to have it when the kids were little.

It's a a matter of luck getting them all at home, awake and keen to do something at the same time. :rotfl:

Dh is doing a promotional show tomorrow, just for museum and library staff who hold the purse strings, all great contacts some of whom have used us over the years. Fingers crossed it leads to more work.

AlexLK

Some great ideas for cheap nights in on here! Especially like the card games night, I remember such things from my childhood, will have to try that with Mrs K and son.

Every few weeks we have a Jazz night here. Each of us has parts to learn: me on piano, Mrs K on alto sax and son plays a simple harmony part that I've written on violin. Not sure if you and family play instruments, though?

Most nights we play LPs, read, Mrs K does drawing and painting and I do work for my MA. Before son goes to bed we do music practise, reading and art. We are also slowly making a model railway, so there's lots of scenery to make, I imagine your daughter would like that?

newgirly

Alex that all seems very civilised, I feel like a philistine now! I am more likely to be found watching coronation street and mooching on mse than playing an instrument. The kids have only played violin briefly (dd) and the recorder (all 3) I Did play the violin until age 12 but only because I was too scared to tell the teacher I wanted to quit for years :rotfl:

The model railway sounds cool, my dd is more into.writing than making but its a lovely idea


I've decided to cheer myself up by starting a savings pot for a holiday/ break for either a family trip or couples break. Not budgeted for from usual funds ( doing ok with that so far, don't want to b*gger it up !) but from money thats earned from selling stuff, loose change, birthday or xmas money I might get, probbly can't put much more than 10p in this year but maybe next year can squeeze a bit. Even if its a premier inn night away its a bonus

Darpett

Hi NG,

To be honest I don't know if it was considered learned or genetic but the fact is that when following up on those children as adults over decades that behaviour is set. If that is the way you are wired you won't look at savings like me and think 'Whooppee I want MORE!' (evil cackle, rubbing hands..) you will want to spend that money.

The thing is when you know that you maybe need to think of different ways to use your money to generate wealth, certainly paying off debt will work for you, lots of little rewards, and daft as it sounds 'hiding' the money, 'out of sight out of mind' really does help, that includes everyone on the scale so make sure you try to 'hide' that holiday pot somehow or think of the fun you will have, have a Blue Peter style saveomenter with pictures of what you can afford when you get to different amounts of savings. Yes, it really does help!

Have fun with Eric II

ourcornercottage

You are doing superbly wel, and your DH is too. Bound to be feeling the pressure after the year you are having.

We always have a holiday fund on the go, popping bits and bobs into it and even if it's a night away camping we manage to do something. Premier inn can be so cheap if you book at the right time and good for a night away. TBH if I was you I'd go just the 2 of you as teens rarely want to actually go away with their parents if they are being honest. I remember having to go to Spain with my family aged about 16/17 and hated every minute of it!

Good luck with the contracts, as I always say to my BF, keep plugging away because you might not land the first 99 but the 100th one might be the best ever

Ps just got miniOCC a bop it for his birthday. He already loves it

Goldiegirl

Ali-OK wrote: »

How about card games too? Using both hands so no snacks just drinks We used to play Chinese Whist, Murder and Newmarket (with 1p's so maybe not a good MSE one!) Always a fun family night that us kids looked forward to rounded off with building a card house and my DB still does it with his DW and two 20+ year olds

At Christmas, usually the nearest Sunday to Christmas Eve, my nan would have a big family gathering and the highlight after tea was when we'd all settle down to the cards. Newmarket was a big favourite, and also Chase the Ace. We played for pennies, but you can also play for matchsticks or any small objects

newgirly wrote: »

The best game I ever bought at xmas was bop it, totally addictive and the only game I can beat them all at ( strangely the more alcohol I had xmas day the better I got )

Bop It is great. My friend has one, and she bought it to work one year just before Christmas, and the whole office went crazy about it

greent

Goldiegirl wrote: »

At Christmas, usually the nearest Sunday to Christmas Eve, my nan would have a big family gathering and the highlight after tea was when we'd all settle down to the cards. Newmarket was a big favourite, and also Chase the Ace. We played for pennies, but you can also play for matchsticks or any small objects

We always use to play for SMarties


One game we all like to play (adults, teens and even the 6 yo) is Rummikub (other versions are available!) - we can play a slightly harder version if the small ones aren't involved. There's some skill involved with being able to figure out moving things around in order to get most/ all of your pieces out and it can get quite competitive.

smallholdingsister

Love Newmarket!

AlexLK

newgirly wrote: »

Alex that all seems very civilised, I feel like a philistine now! I am more likely to be found watching coronation street and mooching on mse than playing an instrument. The kids have only played violin briefly (dd) and the recorder (all 3) I Did play the violin until age 12 but only because I was too scared to tell the teacher I wanted to quit for years :rotfl:

The model railway sounds cool, my dd is more into.writing than making but its a lovely idea

I've decided to cheer myself up by starting a savings pot for a holiday/ break for either a family trip or couples break. Not budgeted for from usual funds ( doing ok with that so far, don't want to b*gger it up !) but from money thats earned from selling stuff, loose change, birthday or xmas money I might get, probbly can't put much more than 10p in this year but maybe next year can squeeze a bit. Even if its a premier inn night away its a bonus

:rotfl: Mrs K used to like watching trash TV whilst doing work on her computer. I used to hate it and was rather glad when the TV stopped working. Very thankful she wasn't bothered about replacing it.

Slowly I'm teaching my wife to play the piano in the hope she'll get good enough for us to play some violin sonatas together. At the moment I've learnt the accompaniments and recorded them onto cassettes, no doubt someone more technically minded will tell me there's a better way to do this.

I thought your daughter made sets for theatre?

newgirly

Lots of good game suggestions I shall be googling

Darpett, hiding the savings is a good idea, actual cash perhaps in 1ps would be safest

Hope mini occ has not beaten my bop it triumphant high score of 84

Alex dd has done a bit if that amongst many other things while at theatre, whatever needs doing really.



Its been a long day but I feel happier:

Dd has won an award at college for basically being kind and volunteering for loads of things to help other pupils and tutors, we have to go to an award ceremony at the civic centre and she has to go up and will get £250 :T what a star

Visited gran, she is settled in her care home, its nice for a home and very close by, I will go much more hopefully.

Ds2 has a newish friend whom I have to say I am not so keen on, overheard him on the phone at the weekend to Ds2 being rude about me, including swearing :eek: aparently I am too strict and controlling - er yes its my job anyway, ds2 told him I overheard and he rang up tonight to apologise to me.

First time I've ever had issues like that and its really been playing on my mind! Time will tell, but I appreciate the gesture.

Dh did well at the show, won't know how well until the phone starts ringing I guess.