"Simply not solvent!

Sea78

Hey hon - how's it all going? Any successes? The meeting is today isn't it?

Sea xxx

Seaxwyn

Hi Sea

The meeting should have been today but I remembered the children have a dentist's appointment and as I had arranged to borrow my parents' car (keys now given up for lost) it was too much of a pain to rearrange so I've sent my apologies. I haven't emailed about the unfinished work either.

Nor have I done anything about getting new work BUT I did get offered some work out of the blue - I said no as it was not right for me but it's a reassuring sign.

AND I have a meeting on Friday about the on/off three day a week job. I don't know if it's an interview or if I've already got the job and this is just to discuss details. I've had mixed messages so will just wait and see.

Meanwhile OH's honeymoon period with the art college is over. He is getting fed up with how much they are relying on him, and how much unpaid work he has to do. I hope it doesn't end in tears.

And I've just had a letter from the children's primary school asking me for a 'voluntary' donation of £37 per child. Last year I said no, we were too broke. But I have just requested a week off for DD3 to go on a skiing holiday. Don't know whether to pay up or protest. I don't think it's right for a state school to levy this fee. The parents do loads of fundraising and we also pay for all sorts of trips, visits and stuff. What do you think, should I pay?

taxi73

Hi Seax ..hope some good comes of your meeting on friday and that your OH manages to stay in his job.The voluntary donation..if it's for a trip then yes if it's just for school funds then definitely not.
Sorry to hear that the keys didn't turn up what a shame.take care xx

Sea78

So the donation isn't for trips etc? I don't think that's on really - I have been asked for £12.50 for a trip, but don't have to give an extra amount either. Depends how you think they'll take it if you say no really.

Karmacat

That sort of amount of money for general funds???? :mad: Thats appalling, doesn't matter whether you're able to take the kids skiing or not. No way.

The rest sounds really up and down, Seaxwyn - work for you both in particular. Dodgy hug all round.

Seaxwyn

The £37 per child fee is just for general funds. Trips are paid separately (and expensive) and we are also expected to cough up regularly for cake sales, fetes and the like. I don't begrudge the school money, I'm very grateful to the school for all they do, but I don't like the way they exert pressure to make extra 'voluntary' donations. We can't be the only family without much spare cash.

Karma, just noticed you have passed 2000 posts - congratulations!

hypno06

I don't think it is on for the school to ask for that money just for general funds.

The first primary school that my DD went to, asked for £5 per child per term, but then they asked nothing towards school trips, other than the residential ones. I was more than happy to pay £5 a term for this, as I knew it would be all I would need to pay, but to pay £37 AND school trips etc is just madness.

Sorry to read that OH's job is starting to be iffy - I hope he hangs on in there - we all have to do things we don't like 100% at times, especially when the money makes such a difference. Fingers crossed xx

Seaxwyn

New month so I've updated my total - and I'm £500 more in debt than I was on January 1st.

While all my DFW friends have had a fabulous January reducing their debts, we have had £2721 more go out than come in. The fact things aren't worse is due to OH's whopping December pay packet.

On the plus side, my tax savings have increased by £8.58, most of that interest!

I'm going to London shortly to see about this 3 day/week job, and have very mixed feelings about it. It would be a relief financially, but with OH working as well it will make life stressful (long commutes for both of us). And I'd have to work through half term and Easter Hols once again. Oh well... we'll just see what happens today.

OH has resolved things at the college, and they've agreed to pay him for some of the marking and paperwork he was doing for nothing. So he should be well paid for the next three months at least (so far he is only booked up til the Easter hols).

Sea78

BIg hugs hon - we all hae months like that and you are still doing eally well. i know you will lick this job usiness into shape and sort it all out. Also I am sure tht even f you do have to work through the hols, you will still find a way of giving the kids the attention they need.

Sea xxx

taxi73

Big hugs from me too...even though it's gone up that is not much due to the fact that you had so much to pay out this month and you still should be very proud of yourself...look at what position we were in last january at tax time!!!...so massive improvements there...and you are going to be well prepared for next years tax..
Well done to DH negotiating more pay for the extra work....and also good luck for the job today.