2011 Make or break time

the_harrys

Actually I jsut realised DS only has trainers for his snowboarding trip so I suppose I'll need to get something else for him.

I have absolutely no idea about snowboarding- I assume that the boots they wear to strap onto the snowboard are like ski boots so defintely no use for walking around the resort- anyone been snowboarding?

pennywisepoundstupid

Not sure hun, no idea about snowboarding, Maybe walking type boots! could you ask his friends parents or get your son to ask his mate what he wears.

Glad you managed to get jacket etc, price seems reasonable and thats brilliant using the paypal money to pay for flights, i'm sure with extra ebaying you will make the money back, can you sell the ski jacket etc on ebay when DS gets back or will he need it again.

the_harrys

He's growing so fast atm there is no way he would fit anything next year, so will sell it.

The others are finally awake so off for a day of action- swimming, orienteering, drama (hopefully only of the planned kind!).

millionaire_in_training

Would he wear bright pink lol as I have a lovely ski jacket he could have !!!!

millionaire_in_training

and you have sun !! I have slushy freezing cold snow :-(

the_harrys

Thanks for the offer MIT- when DS very first tried skiing we did borrow a friend's very pale pink snowsuit for him - he was only 3 at the time but it was only a weekend so I refused to shell out for a new one and I thought he would be too young to be traumatised but I don't think I'd get away with now he's 14!

I'm working from home today, but refuse to put the heating on so I'm in front of the wood-burning stove- nice and toasty.

I've used 33% less gas this month than last, I'm hoping they won't put up my direct debit in May despite the price increase so I'm trying to be super good. I'm also having a diet soup for lunch and haven't touched a drop of alcohol since last Wednesday- must find that hair shirt next...

millionaire_in_training

:rotfl:@ hair shirt. It feels like that sometimes mind you. My electricity DD is going down but no movement on the gas unfortunately:(.

:rotfl:@ the pink jacket. I didn't think so but hey if he changes his mind it is here

debtfreewannabe321

Hi the_harrys :wave: i've just had a read of your diary, well done on tackling the money issue with your mum. I have similar problems with my dad, he's very wealthy and just expects everyone to do as he does, i have tried to tell him that not everyone lives in huge houses, has 3 spare & 4 cars outside their doors but we just end up falling out everytime :doh:

I have 3 children too, our eldest DS is at boarding school and I have a lot of extra expenses there....they have a trip to Africa in yr 8 or 9 that costs 12K!!! SO when your child starts in yr7 they ask you if you would like to start saving for it then!!! HAH i don't think so! I don't spend that much on a family holiday never mind a month long one for just one of my kids lol

I've started on a DMP route recently so not really tackling my debt with the same vigour as a lot of people on here, we instead are trying to save (this will be the first time in 13 years we have had savings :eek:) alongside paying off the debt and have NO overdraft!!! ... part of our agreement starting on the DMP route was to cancel all credit, which actually is very good for me as otherwise i get very bored in the evenings when DH works away and end up on ebay, catalogues etc!!! Can only spend what we have now (and i'm very good at doing that! )
...just last week we got some money owed to us and I bought a set of bedroom furniture that i 'NEEDED'...

I also keep a daily spend diary and it is amazing where those pennies go! I have also signed up for the grocery challenge and the NSD challenge....it all helps to keep me on track (kind of)

Anyway i'm going to subscribe to your diary to see how you do! We can cheer one another along lol! Good luck

the_harrys

Thanks for dropping in to say hello dfw123. What an unbelievably expensive trip - it must be hard having a DS a boarding school as I know from friends of ours there are now significant numbers of overseas pupils- children of super-rich Russian/ Chinese/ Indian etc. backgrounds with one of Daddy's credit cards for company during term time which must cause some tension with "normal" boys! How on earth do you manage school fees on a DMP, especially now scholarships are an "honour" rather than of any real value?! My friend's son was awarded a 10% boarding scholarship but the offer letter gave them the option to turn down the money associated with it to help more needy children for bursaries! (She didn't- they are making big sacrifices to send him).

the_harrys

MIT- appreciate the offer :-) - your amazing weight loss has finally kick started me into action. I 've lost 2 lbs (underwhelming I know, but at least it's a start). And still no alcohol or chocolate- 1 week down, 5 to go.