SOA - your words of wisdom please

speakingofart

Can I make a suggestion? I'm a Guider and I would really recommend talking to your daughters Guiders/ Scouters as they may be able to help out - Divisions usually have some funds to enable those with financial hardship issues to participate. We do try to make it as accessible as possible, so it may well be worth it.

Trishiapp

I fully understand your pain re: bus fare! I pay £23 per week for my daughter to get to college. Luckily she only has one year left till the end of her A levels ( cannot wait!)

I think living a middle-class life style on a small budget is possible if you can reduce other outgoings: groceries, utilities and other reducible fees. It's really a simple matter of priorities. Also, I think that, it's important for children to have hobbies and interests outside of their home and school life, which is why, I would be reluctant to give them up. Perhaps you could swap your skills with other people?


My daughter plays a violin. She gets free lessons from my neighbour. In return, I maintain her garden.


Also, my son loves playing his guitar. Instead of paying for expensive lessons, he uses You Tube tutorials and utilises ( free of charge) his school's music facilities.


I wish you the best of luck!

patchwork_cat

Haircuts - could you buy some clippers and cut your DH and children's hair yourself. It isn't hard. For yourself colleges need models and so do some hairdressers. My DD went to Nicky Clarke's salon on Tuesday and had a cut for free, the manager did most of it to show what to do, she is seriously pleased with it. She has been to the college, but Nicky Clarke's was much better as the trainee was fully supervised on a one to one.


Are you in/near a city?


£200 per month is exorbitant for music lessons, IMO. I know the issue if they are gifted in music, but surely there is another way as it is elitist to charge this amount.

ViolaLass

patchwork_cat wrote: »

£200 per month is exorbitant for music lessons, IMO. I know the issue if they are gifted in music, but surely there is another way as it is elitist to charge this amount.

As I understand it, the £200 covers music, ballet AND guides.