Apple muncher's number crunching

apple_muncher

Awake faaar too early. Thanks to dd + her coughing, which didn't wake her! Managed another 90 mins of laying there, but had had enough by 6am.

Looks a lovely sunny day outside so far. We plan to go for a swim, but dd really was not well last night so it may depend on her level of wellness. I guess we could always go for a short time. She also wants to go round the market there, and I need more veg.

HUTH is on bbc2, so I shall pull out my knitting and start paying attention...

apple_muncher

Dd is not well enough for a swim, with the effort required to keep afloat, even with armbands. We shall still go to the market - and the cheapie shops there, then drop a bag off at the Sally Army - got another one ready already too! My aim is to take 5 this month.

So, it will be a day of parting with cash. (But not too much). And if I remember to pay in the cheque, then I shall feel very smug.

Tilly - thank you for returning the book and you are so lovely to have enclosed those stamps. Totally unnecessary - but have made me happy! Thank you.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Glad it's arrived safely. It was really interesting to read 😄

Hope DD starts to feel better asap.

Tilly x x x

apple_muncher

Gulp,

Posted elsewhere asking for anecdotes/experience of living back home as an adult, and how much they paid. It turns out some think that I am out to be profiteering from this and that I shouldn't charge my family anything. I so want to respond but am so upset that what I write would come out all wrong: step son and his gf aren't my family; we cannot afford to pay for everything; they are both mid-twenties and used to paying their way; they asked us how much we want; I need clear guidelines set in place for my own mental well being...

I know that I will get over this soon enough and be able to ignore those posters. Others have given some good ideas. The going rate for a double room in a shared house both here and in the uni area is about £400.

Enough wittering. I'll go and hang out the washing and feel better in the sunshine

Alchemilla

The other boards can often be a bit aggressive, and would sometimes, in some places, not be requiring MENSA membership.

I wonder what the arrangement is so far that you have agreed?

Will they cook for themselves, or will you cook?

I can see pros and cons either way.

Tilly has lodger experience...what does she think?

muddywhitechicken

:grouphug:

No idea what the going rate is - sorry - but £100/week sounds very reasonable especially if it includes bills, some/all meals and laundry. I suppose it depends on their income as well.

MWCx

apple_muncher

Thank you Al and MWC. And Al - thanks for digging out the thread and posting as a voice of reason. There are so many variables, as ever! They both plan to find work, but are not able to start looking for real until the end of August. And who knows how long it will take - where they have been for the last 3-4 years (Oz and Canada), job-finding was simple and quick - I think they will find it a shock here. (let's hope I'm wrong). Dss gets some money and will be assessed as independent as he turns 25 in October. But if he travels daily from here to uni, it will cost him approx £55+ pw (with a railcard) depending on what itme of day he has to travel. So over £200 pcm. And if gf works up in Lunnon, as is her current thinking (need to work on that!!) then she'll be paying out at least the same. (my estimate only gets her to Victoria - no tube fares included!)

I think we will have to all cook together as the kitchen is too small for anything else - so a rota and meal plan needed. Storage space is also tight for food - and if they purchase anything containing gluten, it cannot be stored in the normal way ! They'd also need fridge storage - freezer not offered as it needs to be free for the bread.

If we do feed them, that alone could cost another £200. Eek! I base that purely on the fact that we spend about £200 on dh, dd and me already. And dh hardly eats bfast and usually gets soup at work for lunch... Hmmm Maybe I'm the porker who munches through £££s of grub each month!

I can see the leccy and water bills shooting up, as they power shower daily, the clean things! And more people to flush the loo. And clothes to wash.

Gas will also go up as cooking for more people.


However, we are not going to turf them out! I am probably over-thinking this, as dh is away (his luggage has arrived: he has clean undies but is more pleased to have his laptop charger...) and I am tired. I'd like someone else to tell me how much to ask for and what the ground rules should be - lazy mare, me!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Apple, I'd go for £120 per week - all bills included. You could have a food kitty and both sides put money in and share the cooking maybe.

I imagine you will find they want to contribute and aren't just offering in the hope you say no.

Being completely practical you don't want it to be too comfortable as they need to find a permanent home.

Alternatively you say the going rate is about £120 but offer them £100 if that makes you more comfortable and they would appreciate the reduction.

Good luck and you aren't profiteering.

Tilly x x x

Alchemilla

Bum! Just lost a post.

Basically suggesting you take £120 but set £20 aside for them for when they move.

Also will you discuss/have rules about
use of wm/line/dryer
use of bathrooms
any rules needed to maintain DD's routine?

Alchemilla

Sorry.

Accidental spamming. Useful article though.