Not a spring chicken!!!

teapot2

stedwell wrote: »

Hi teapot
Well we didn't buy any wedding clothes. Iwasn't really in the mood and two daughters couldn't find the dresses they wanted. We are trying to look online for them. It is expensive buying for weddings and afterwards who really remembers what you wore? I am not going to spend too much but at the same time I want to feel nice. Have you had your wedding? Ours is in July.

Yes the one we were invited to was last month. I must admit in the end got new shoes but wore a top I'd had for ages but not worn for a while. As you say who remembers ....... hope you all find what you want.

Sorry no wise words re your post about reducing the term or payments as I'm not too up on all that side of things. We've kept the same term and payments throughout our overpaying and it just reduces the total we owe. Hope am not being nosy but do you have an amount stored away/saved as a cushion in case of things like car problems, unexpected household bills etc? Its so easy to throw every penny at the mortgage but I think its important to have a bit of a backup [my OH loves his backups] in times like these. We're trying this year to keep overpaying but also build up savings a bit.

stedwell

I do have a bit of back up. One very small pot of emergency money is left over from the mortgage when we moved last year. I also have 10,000 in an ISA which was unexpected inheritance. That is ring fenced for DD1 going to uni in 2 years time. I thought I had all that covered and then they put up the fees. :mad: It is really hard not to touch it as we really need a new car....................

teapot2

Looks like every Uni is going for the £9000 fees option - not sure why the Govt thought anything else would happen. I really feel for anyone putting youngsters through Uni now [outside Scotland that is].

Sounds like you've got a bit of juggling finances to do?

Thrugelmir

stedwell wrote: »

I am 3 years away from 50 and hubby a bit older. We have 98,000 left and I hope to finish in 6 years. Anybody out there willing to give me a bit of moral support?

We're both approaching 54. Owe a slighter lower amount than you and currently have a projected finish mortgage date of 8 years and 8 months. Possibly finish sooner but with the roller coaster of life's experiences over the years. Prefer to take a cautious view.

So we maintain a balance of mortgage repayment, doing all the work on the property we planned from the outset when buying it 4 years ago and saving. By saving I mean both short and long term. As we fund everything we do when we have the cash in hand. Only debt is the mortgage.

stedwell

Thrugelmir - You are doing well if your only debt is your mortgage. We are trying to long term save too but unfortunately it is for uni fees. I keep looking at my carpets and trying to convince myself I don't mind them looking as awful as they do!:(

Teapot2 - I don't think the government have really thought it through because if everyone does charge the £9000 then they have to fund the loans which is going to be a lot of money!

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Hello,

Yes of course they all will charge the max - no-one wants to look as if they are a cheap option. Madness. And of course it is the firsdt generation uni candidates who won't go because their parents won't understand the value of it all, and nobody will encourage them to go if it is just associated with debt. Grrrrrrr.

Squirrel

stedwell

I agree SSS. I have fellow teachers who are telling me that they will not encourage their children to go to uni because of the fees. My goodness, if they cannot see the worth of a uni education then that doesn't hold out a lot of hope for parents who have not been there themselves! My daughter wants to be a journalist and she should follow her dream and not be put off by finances. (Even if it means I will be the grey and old crinkly teacher in the classroom).

ally18

My thought is this, if my children decide on careers that means they need to go to uni then I will try and back them as much as I can regardless of the cost. (Even though I can't afford the fees)
However, if they do not have a specific career in mind then I will not be encouraging them to go to uni because I see it as a waste of time and money.
A niece of mine was educated in the private sector all her life, went to university for 4 years, came out with some kind of degree in some subject or other (that I had never heard of) and now works as a receptionist!!!!!! By the way, this was not down to not being able to obtain a job, she just wanted to do this in the end.
To me that is a complete and utter waste of both a lot of money and time.

stedwell

I agree to a point. However uni made me grow up, learn to budget, find new friends from all over the UK and finally get a degree. Mine was a vocational degree (and free!). However I think going to uni should be about developing yourself as an individual in other ways as well as learning. I hope DD1 and DD2 will both go. One wants to read English and the other be a nurse. It doesn't seem that I am going to have to face the issue of it being a worthwhile degree but you never know......:o

Just to add, I popped in the charity shop today. Came out with 3 tops. Per Una, Next and Topshop! (My DD1 will be so impressed - street cred!) All for £11.50! All new but off to wash them now and put them on the line. Off to see a tribute band tonight. Might wear the Topshop one!:D

stedwell

Just thought I would report in as it is the end of the year. I read the board all the time for lots of inspiration although I don't post that often. My mortgage is down to 89,400 so very pleased with that. Well done everyone and have a lovely new year. :hello: