Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.

heartbreak_star

I still don't get it. I had plenty of opportunities...I swam and played badminton for my county, was in the school band, was in a winning Young Engineers for Britain team, captained a chess team, have over 200 medals and trophies for dance, and a high reading skill from a young age. You just have to take the opportunities as they arise.

However, each to their own I suppose!

HBS x

AlexLK

HBS: I can't help but feel you were very lucky to do all of that and go to a state school. You must have gone to a very good one.

heartbreak_star

Nope, I think I mentioned earlier - it was pretty rough, but I was lucky in that the teachers were willing to help those who wanted to learn. I reckon our teachers did a good job with what were essentially a lot of poor tools *wry chuckle*

The reading was natural talent (one of my very few!) and the dancing, swimming and badminton were outside interests. I had to give up competitive swimming in favour of dance when my parents could no longer afford both, but I'm glad I got that chance to do it

Just always been driven to learn - my parents instilled it in me that doing well in school led to good things...plus I get bored easily

HBS x

7roland8

Re schools etc - I think a lot of it is if the parents are interested, give the child confidence and also help them take part in loads of other activities such as sport, scouts,music etc.

AlexLK

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Nope, I think I mentioned earlier - it was pretty rough, but I was lucky in that the teachers were willing to help those who wanted to learn. I reckon our teachers did a good job with what were essentially a lot of poor tools *wry chuckle*

The reading was natural talent (one of my very few!) and the dancing, swimming and badminton were outside interests. I had to give up competitive swimming in favour of dance when my parents could no longer afford both, but I'm glad I got that chance to do it

Just always been driven to learn - my parents instilled it in me that doing well in school led to good things...plus I get bored easily

HBS x

Sorry you probably did, I do not have a great memory for who said what at the best of times. I actually thought you were the one who had a bad experience of private education.

I've no doubt that teachers mainly do a good job wherever they work. Both my wife and I think education is important, so I think we'll be OK in that regard.

7roland8 wrote: »

Re schools etc - I think a lot of it is if the parents are interested, give the child confidence and also help them take part in loads of other activities such as sport, scouts,music etc.

I'd generally agree with that. I do not want him to get picked on, I know that is a bit soft but if spending some money stops him from loosing confidence, I'm happy to spend the money.

Goldiegirl

heartbreak_star wrote: »

I still don't get it. I had plenty of opportunities...I swam and played badminton for my county, was in the school band, was in a winning Young Engineers for Britain team, captained a chess team, have over 200 medals and trophies for dance, and a high reading skill from a young age. You just have to take the opportunities as they arise.

However, each to their own I suppose!

HBS x

HBS, I couldn't agree more.


I went to a perfectly normal state school and children were given every opportunity to learn and thrive.


When I pitched up at my junior school at age 7, with a reading age of 13, I immediately had access to so many books, and teachers went out of their way to recommend books to me


Throughout my school life, there were were various clubs and activities, and children were encouraged to excel. We had county runners at our school, drama groups which produced professional actors, talented musicians who made music their career.


Many of my school friends went on to university (including one who went to Oxford). This was in the 1970's when it wasn't as usual for people to go to uni. Many went on to professional careers, or have ended up in high grade jobs in industry and the Civil Service.


That's why I'll never got my head round why such a high value can be placed on a private education.

AlexLK

GoldieGirl: Again, I think you were very lucky and with all due respect attended school in a different era. My parents are the product of a state education, they've done well and so is my wife. However, I had a more varied education with the opportunity to participate in a very wide range of extra-curricular activities. The only thing I didn't like was the church element.

slowlyfading

Hmm. I've got some questions for you.


1) You say your wife is keeping the leftover money for whatever, when she already has a spending budget in there? You both are entitled to "fun".
2) Got those things on Ebay yet?
3) As someone who went to a state school and now teaches in one, I feel sad that you have just a bad view on state schools. A child will not care where they go to school, so long as they get the chance to experience things, excel at others and make friendships. I get the feeling you will never see your son in a state school, am I right?
4) Do you think you are better than your wife, because you went to a private school and she didn't?
5) You've changed your sig - you've paid more off?


You can be a very frustrating person at times.

slowlyfading

Also, when you are debt free (notice the when, as I do believe you'll do it) you should join this thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4844519

VJsmum

I went to one of the worst schools in the country. I eventually got three rubbish A levels and went to what you call a "second stream" university ( it was a poly when I went there).

But I got a degree, I am chartered and in the last few years acquired a masters with distinction in law

I have worked hard for everything I have. My OH went to a private school, he earns more than me but isn't a better person than me. He wouldn't keep part of his earnings for himself.

My DD went to a bog standard comp - it's ok but not a "top" one. She got 2A* and 8As at GCSE, she is predicted A*AA at A level.

Why are you so hung up on private education? Especially at a "mediocre" school? Most people I know who went to one (apart from OH) are ars*s.