The march to financial freedom

liltdiddylilt

Morning Ali!!

When I did my options, there was no triple science! Scary stuff!! Bless him he seems to know what he wants and I am sure he will do fine in each subject and again when it comes to choosing A Levels. I wanted to do TEFL & got all geared up, did German & French at GCSE and again at A Level. Ended up with the worlds worst and laziest French Teacher who just handed out sheets of verbs at A Level and tested you on them 2 minutes later. After gaining 1 mark off an A* at GCSE I dropped out of AS Level French and stuck to German even though I got a B in that at GCSE. Teacher was fab but I burned myself out between that, English Lang & Business Studies and came out with B,C,D. Thank goodness I hadn't even applied to Uni. Maybe one day I will go back. But my ideas on what I would like to do have changed SO MUCH since then. I would genuinely like to be an accountant. When I was at school Maths was my most hated subject and if you had told me then I would work in finance and work with maths daily I would have laughed until I fell on the floor. Let alone that I would be contemplating putting myself through exams!! :rotfl:

He will have many many paths he can choose with what he is doing and that is great!

Enjoy your day with your friends! Jealous of the kettle xx

Ali-OK

Science is weird now, they still study Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Double Science but it's 2 GCSEs where as Triple has additional of each and is 3 GCSEs. Don't get me started on languages - our German teacher used to fall asleep in lessons (as did the Chemistry one) and we couldn't understand the French teacher :rotfl:.

Seems he has picked a good base set and once he gets into the big wide world, it wouldn't surprise me if his career views change.

Friends have been and gone, lovely to catch up with them, swap birthday pressies and of course, drink tea .

Should finally get to C0stc0 late this afternoon courtesy of another friend - tea bag and marmite stocks to replenish . Car park was full when we tried last Saturday so hoping for a space today.

Got 2 birthday cards to hand deliver as well and one more to post - that'll complete March and then I need to start on April.

AlexLK

Ali-OK wrote: »

Thanks Alex.

Up at a ridiculous 5.30am with a poorly tummy this morning, slept through apart from that :rotfl:

It'll be a couple of months before we know final choices as they have to pick a couple of back up subjects just in case they can't take what they want, though based on last year over 90% got first choices. We'll be putting his in after next weeks Parents Eve.

So, the compulsory are English Lit and Lang, Maths and RE. His choices - Triple Science, History, Computing, Drama. Uni entry looks favourably on have the English Baccalaureate which he needs a language to complete. His back ups are Geography and something not yet decided :rotfl: But I can see that being a language.

It's a solid set and gives him options - programming/coding is in the Computing GCSE and Drama is his fun option - it's done so much for his confidence and social/life skills so is useful from that perspective.

Elec and gas meter readings done and entered in my spreadsheet, bank account checked and been doing some more reading on Junior ISAs and general adult savings.

All ready for friends to come over - birthday pressie wrapped, showered and dressed and bits of housework done too. If I put the kettle on, they're bound to arrive

Sorry to hear you're still unwell.

Surely they don't have the same teacher for all the languages? You could request a different teacher if he doesn't get on well with his current teacher.

It does sound like a balanced set, though should he not wish to take any of the compulsories or Science through to A Level, it could be worth reconsidering the Computing or Drama as I assume he will need the GCSE in order to progress?

You've reminded me with this post to see what I can do about my own utilities bills.

AlexLK

Ali-OK wrote: »

Science is weird now, they still study Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Double Science but it's 2 GCSEs where as Triple has additional of each and is 3 GCSEs. Don't get me started on languages - our German teacher used to fall asleep in lessons (as did the Chemistry one) and we couldn't understand the French teacher :rotfl:.

At the school of the pupil who wants to become a violinist, they are very keen on the Sciences and "Triple" seems to be more or less expected but limits their other options.

:eek: Never had any teachers that bad but there were a few dull "copy this" types. :rotfl:.

Ali-OK wrote: »

Seems he has picked a good base set and once he gets into the big wide world, it wouldn't surprise me if his career views change.

I reckon him becoming a perpetual student is likely one of your worst nightmares.

liltdiddylilt

Ali - from what you've read do junior ISAs seem worthwhile? I am of 2 minds about it for Jelly. The Mr Hal 6% saver is great but only for a year... then what?! I don't really want to lock her money away but at the same time why wouldn't I, I don't want to use it. So much to think of... *heads off to google more* xx

P.S on my diary I thanked 'Ale' accidentally. Thats YOU! xx

Ali-OK

DS has the same teacher for both French and Spanish as she teaches top set which he's in for both and would be taught by her for GCSE level.

His A level thoughts at the moment are Maths and History. A third and possible fourth he's not sure about yet, alot to happen before we get that far

His Head is expecting him to apply to top Unis, so Triple Science is looked for. It's by invite only at his school and he's had that letter. I'm under no illusions that things can change and expected grades now could well differ as we go through the next 18 months.

I think there were too many teachers past retirement age in my old school, afternoon naps seemed common (including the Head at the time :eek:). My DB remembers the same

:eek: at perpetual student indeed :rotfl:

C0stco trip done - 1250 teabags and a large tub of marmite - spend £12.98. That should keep us going for a while

Tomorrow is another chill out day, just Doodle's re-arranged vac appointment at lunchtime, DS's shirts to iron for school and I've quite a bit of work to catch up on/get prepared for.

Car goes in for it's service on Monday so shall be leaving a bit earlier to drop that off, fortunately office is pretty much opposite the garage so I shall be forced to stay at my desk all day!

Ali-OK

liltdiddylilt wrote: »

Ali - from what you've read do junior ISAs seem worthwhile? I am of 2 minds about it for Jelly. The Mr Hal 6% saver is great but only for a year... then what?! I don't really want to lock her money away but at the same time why wouldn't I, I don't want to use it. So much to think of... *heads off to google more* xx

P.S on my diary I thanked 'Ale' accidentally. Thats YOU! xx

:rotfl: Ale here

The benefits of Junior ISA seem to be very slightly better rates than most kids savings accounts, but I think the key thing is not having to worry about the interest threshold for tax and N@tionwide do a 3.25% one which beats most of DS's current savings accounts at 3% (and he has access), aside from the Reg Saver which he can't have another one of when this one finishes due to his age. Too old at 15 :eek: I like the idea he can't touch it until he is 18 He's also coming to that age between child and adult where he will also be too old for general kids saving accounts, but Junior ISA is up to 18 I think. Must double check

You'll be able to open another Mr H Reg Saver for Jelly though, but then you need a home for the previous proceeds. Plenty of 3% accounts which can have your name on, but once she gets to 7, then I found they have to be in the childs name - only the H@alifox Reg Saver is in trust. Another reason, just in case she becomes a rebel as a teenager and spends the lot :eek:

liltdiddylilt

I didn't know I could rinse and repeat! Sold!!

Yes Junior ISA's are up to 18 and better yet, 17-18 year olds can open NISA's at the same time. Loophole

As for her spending it... that would involve her knowing about them/having access. Not happening :rotfl: - once she gets all teenage on me then that is a different story. I will own the cards

I think the main thing with the ISA was that it only really made a difference if there was going to be more than 15k when she reaches 18. I'd love to say that but I have a house deposit to save for. So her part is likely to be around £10k at 16 and she can have it for a car/lessons xx

Ali-OK

Interesting loop hole there, though the NISA interest is pants!

You've only got to have £4k you've saved for her at say 3% interest and you're over the £100 interest earned threshold - so that's when JISA comes into it's own, in anything else all the interest gets taxed at your rate.

You can definitely rinse and repeat on the Reg Saver - I had that exact conversation when I opened DS's, sadly as he'll turn 16 in the next Reg Saver year, he won't be allowed one

So I'll be going the JISA route from Jan 16 by looks of things. Only problem I can foresee if he decides not to go to Uni and wants a car with the money instead...he'd have to wait until he reached 18 to get to it. Will give him time to think it through

AlexLK

Ali-OK wrote: »

DS has the same teacher for both French and Spanish as she teaches top set which he's in for both and would be taught by her for GCSE level.

His A level thoughts at the moment are Maths and History. A third and possible fourth he's not sure about yet, alot to happen before we get that far

His Head is expecting him to apply to top Unis, so Triple Science is looked for. It's by invite only at his school and he's had that letter. I'm under no illusions that things can change and expected grades now could well differ as we go through the next 18 months.

I think there were too many teachers past retirement age in my old school, afternoon naps seemed common (including the Head at the time :eek:). My DB remembers the same

:eek: at perpetual student indeed :rotfl:

C0stco trip done - 1250 teabags and a large tub of marmite - spend £12.98. That should keep us going for a while

Tomorrow is another chill out day, just Doodle's re-arranged vac appointment at lunchtime, DS's shirts to iron for school and I've quite a bit of work to catch up on/get prepared for.

Car goes in for it's service on Monday so shall be leaving a bit earlier to drop that off, fortunately office is pretty much opposite the garage so I shall be forced to stay at my desk all day!

I thought there was also an option for Russian to be studied?

A lot has changed since my application to uni :rotfl:, for Music they were much more bothered about ABRSM grades, how you performed in an audition and if you could write a decent essay. The emphasis was placed on how you performed in entrance tests / audition / interview and unconditional offers were common. This does seem to be quite unique to studying Music though.

The napping teachers don't sound very good at all, though I can imagine it was amusing at the time. Unfortunately, all my teachers seemed to have eyes in the back of their heads.

Didn't think you'd like the idea of your son being at uni forever but before he goes he'll need to learn how to iron his own shirts or find a good ironing lady.

Couldn't help but laugh at the 1250 teabags and a large tub of Marmite as it seems such a random shopping list. :rotfl: