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

AlexLK

maman wrote: »

I agree. I'm all for teaching children the right terminology, vocabulary, having high expectations etc. but correcting them needs to be gentle and constructive and encouraging so that they aren't afraid to have a go in the future.

I think the member of staff was wrong to get into that argument with you. You're a volunteer and so a guest in the school. Fine if she thought that you'd perhaps been too harsh or were teaching/talking way above the children's heads so to speak but to bring personal prejudice into it isn't on.

Looking back, I do wonder if I was somewhat harsh with a few of the kids. Nevertheless, I was less than pleased.

maman wrote: »

I've been worried about you this last few weeks Alex. First I'm a bit bemused as to why your parents views seem to be concerning you when they're away. And then in more general terms (taking the holiday/car thing as a current example) that you seem so firmly entrenched in your way of thinking that you not only beat yourself up but allow other people to step on your Achilles heel which I'm disgusted about.

Although you do delight in simple things (I'm told that ducks like defrosted frozen peas by the way and think of the potential for throwing them!) you constantly measure yourself against your perception of others. So what if someone else's dad has a 4x4. You choose to spend your money differently on old cars and LRs etc. or better still to pay off debts.

Really no need to worry about me.

Things are difficult at the moment, I'm struggling to stay on task in any way, shape or form.

maman wrote: »

Your parents seem constantly to belittle what you choose to do even though you're doing your best to cope with mental health issues whilst volunteering and running a small business and looking after your boy. MrsK seems to behave in much the same way by keeping so much of her salary for an expensive, show-off toy that she doesn't really need. It's like rather than helping you she's rubbing your nose in the fact that she earns more than you knowing that
you feel guilty about it anyway. I think they're all being highly insensitive to the point of being cruel. What infuriates me though is that you seem to believe them!!


I'll get back in my box now.


P.S. Hope you got LittleK to sing the alphabet. Thank goodness he loves you unconditionally.

My parents think I'm a waster, nor can I blame them for thinking that, really. My wife deserves to have her life, I do not want her to be dragged down by my actions; hope this clarifies somewhat.

I have.

mum2one

Sounds like youve got caught up in the school politics.... as a volunteer, you can leaned on a bit too much and what you think is doing a favour ie covering for a member of staff - some tend to forget that, hope today went better with your normal school experience.

Come on, hey we're all allowed down days, but you do have a lot going for you and dont you forget that, you can't please everyone all of the time, xx

AlexLK

mum2one: Thank you. Today was much better and yes, I do get the impression I was "leaned on" yesterday.

bess1234_2

New style- well done Alex, you engaged with society enough to have a professional difference of opinion on modern day teaching methods, and what a qualified teacher is doing having a go at a volunteer over modern teaching strategies is any bodies guess. But you have been able to reflect on it from all sides, and maybe take on board any constructive comments that could help next time, whilst holding onto your beliefs about standards. Top of the class, gold star, another leap forward.

Old style- enough of the poor little rich boy act Again. Money will not make you happy, it does not have emotions, it is paper and metal, with concrete definitions in your life.
Why are you in debt to your business?
How much?
How much did you make on last few weeks ebay?
Where is that money going?
When is the investment car being sold, as mrs k has her own money now, and that was bought from you debt money?
February is a short month, and ripe for a realistic yet challenging target. What is your plan?

Enough shilly shallying, get on with it man! Facts and figures mr K , facts and figures.

Both ways are true

AlexLK

bess1234 wrote: »

New style- well done Alex, you engaged with society enough to have a professional difference of opinion on modern day teaching methods, and what a qualified teacher is doing having a go at a volunteer over modern teaching strategies is any bodies guess. But you have been able to reflect on it from all sides, and maybe take on board any constructive comments that could help next time, whilst holding onto your beliefs about standards. Top of the class, gold star, another leap forward.

Thank you, I am enjoying the music project much more than I thought I would and am glad to be "giving a little back" so to speak. I plan to carry on doing something like this, for as well as enjoying it I think it will set a good example to my son in future years.

bess1234 wrote: »

Old style- enough of the poor little rich boy act Again. Money will not make you happy, it does not have emotions, it is paper and metal, with concrete definitions in your life.

You are right in that money will not make me happy, I know that. However, it is very difficult to completely change my outlook. I admit I covet many things that are currently well out of my reach for the moment.

bess1234 wrote: »

Why are you in debt to your business?

To pay for work on our heating system as I couldn't do it for myself in the end for the most part. There is a little I owe to the business for going a little off the rails earlier this month.

bess1234 wrote: »

How much?

£3500.

bess1234 wrote: »

How much did you make on last few weeks ebay?

Nothing significant. However, plenty to relist.

bess1234 wrote: »

Where is that money going?

When things sell, the money going towards paying my debts. The business will come first.

bess1234 wrote: »

When is the investment car being sold, as mrs k has her own money now, and that was bought from you debt money?

I'm hoping it will be gone in March. All work has been done and we are just waiting for the weather to pick up slightly. The money won't be going towards my debts though because my wife wishes to carry on doing more of the same.

bess1234 wrote: »

February is a short month, and ripe for a realistic yet challenging target. What is your plan?

Enough shilly shallying, get on with it man! Facts and figures mr K , facts and figures.

Both ways are true

I have not thought about February thus far. To be honest, I've not been so well this month and have gone back to taking one day at a time because I became overwhelmed with all the targets I had recently failed to meet. That said I am aiming to sell some items on eBay, put the same amount of effort into the business as this month (quite a lot more than usual) and make some progress on a project I have started for my son.

patanne

You may not have BEEN so well this month but you have DONE well this month. I'm glad that the school thing is going well. I did expect it to, knowing how good you are with mini K, but did wonder, with them being so much older, if it could be a problem. It has all been really good to hear.

kissjenn

Hey Alex.

I agree that kids should be taught properly. There's a nice way to correct mistakes and still have them willing to try...far better than pandering and low standards.

Looks like you found your niche there.

And whoo hoo for mini-k and his alphabet. What a clever boy :T

AlexLK

For some reason I have written a reply but it will not post and yet I can post on everyone else's diaries. Confused!

patanne wrote: »

You may not have BEEN so well this month but you have DONE well this month. I'm glad that the school thing is going well. I did expect it to, knowing how good you are with mini K, but did wonder, with them being so much older, if it could be a problem. It has all been really good to hear.

I'm really enjoying the school project apart from the fact I'm coming down with something I've undoubtedly caught from either the school or one of my music pupils.

kissjenn wrote: »

Hey Alex.

I agree that kids should be taught properly. There's a nice way to correct mistakes and still have them willing to try...far better than pandering and low standards.

Looks like you found your niche there.

And whoo hoo for mini-k and his alphabet. What a clever boy :T

KJ: I hope you are OK. How is the studying going with your son?

Admittedly, I could work on giving a little more encouragement but it's all a learning curve and

AlexLK

Well, it seems to be working again but not completely, does anyone know how to report this? Thank you.

bess1234_2

It does strange things sometimes.

Setting yourself unrealistic challenges will just feed your negativity. Best avoided.

But if we said do your voluntary work 4(or3 half term?) times this month, that is a happy and achievable target that should not defeat you but make you recognise how well you are doing.

There is a one percent challenge somewhere, where you draw a grid of 100 squares to make it manageable. And as you pay off 1% which I think would be £35 , you colour it in, in flipping green fountain pen! So you just focus on one £35 at a time. But you will get to that last square eventually. Knowing you , I wouldn't be surprised if your miserly ebay total exceeded £35 and therefore matters. And yes business comes first.

Thankyou to whoever suggested mind gym all those months ago. I live with someone with similar issues and when the doctor suggested mindgym whilst waiting for the counselling appt, I really pushed them to do it. Much as I love them, dragging their anxiety round with us every day made it a miserable life for me too. And I have seen a huge difference. And got the person I love back, with moments of misery rather than other way round. I think the best bit is they have stopped feeling helpless in the face of it. I think the counselling will go so much better now they are positive.

Take care. You have achieved loads. should have kept a list to remind yourself.