The Road to Financial Security

Pushkin

This week is flying by helped by being busy at work and the fact that we had a roast on Monday which means I'm a day behind - so used to only having roasts on Sundays!

Have next week off work as it's half term. Starting a list of stuff I want to go so that I don't end up on the sofa in a week of disgusting laziness

DH's birthday at end of the month, only got him one thing so far, not really got many ideas either.

No money news, just trying not to spend anything as I am quite short this month.

Pushkin

Mortified today to receive a call from DS's school querying payment for an upcoming school trip - numpty that I am I had sent the consent form in advising I had paid using the online system but forgot to actually pay. Very embarrassing!

Also means I have £24 less cash now to last me until payday on 25th...

Am also cross with DS who wanted to go into town tomorrow after school and asked me to give him some money. When I asked him why he didn't use his pocket money he became somewhat shifty!

I pay him £5 a week - £3 to a savings account and £2 to a current account. We have an 'agreement' he needs me or DH's permission to get money out of the savings account - this is to used for presents etc.

He has transferred money from the savings account to the current and spent it all on junk food from the newsagents by the school and updates/add ones to his xbox.

So he has gone to bed early - he showed absolutely no contrition although I appreciate he knew he was in the wrong but had backed himself into a corner.

Determined to teach him to save and budget and in all honesty I would rather this happened to him now at 13 than in 10 years time. Feeling like I have been to harsh on him though particularly as he is now unable to go into town with his friends.

amycool

You're totally right that it's better this happened at 13 than 18 (student loan!!!). My brothers both definitely would have done this if they'd had the opportunity! I don't think you're being too harsh though - it's a good life lesson.

I can see me spending more than usual over half term but hopefully not too much. We tend to buy snacks out now and then. I'm hoping the weather is okay so we can do lots of walks.

Pushkin

Thanks AmyCool - always good to get reassurance from other parents I often find it hard to be sure what we are doing is the right thing. One of the hardest things I find too is remembering I am not DS's friend I am his mother and sometimes (often at the moment:eek: I have to make unpopular decisions!)

Anyway enough with the naval glazing...

Pushkin

Icy rain today which kept me walking at a brisk pace on the dog walk.

We finally got round to getting quotes for the lounge redecoration. We had 3, highest was £1375, middle was £1150 and lowest £325 - in the words of the kids !!!!!!!

There are some differences in that the lowest one we have to supply the paint and DH will smooth over the wall where the tv cables are buried which are currently all on display.

Had a bit of a dilemma but went for the lowest one so we are off to a DIY shop for him to get some supplies and also to get some pain tester pots.

Apart from that I just feel like staying inside and being warm and cosy.

Pushkin

Few paint tester pots & some filler to smooth the lounge walls out = total £39 :eek:

Pushkin

Very lazy day yesterday and despite feeling guilty today isn't looking much more productive! Am doing a list of what I want to get done while off work this week in the hope that I won't waste the days.

Painted the tester pots on the wall and now umming and ahhing over which to pick. Decorator has provided a start date of 29 March so a few weeks to decide!

At least days spent like this are free!

List for rest of week:
Take DS to NT house for walk/look round & treat him to lunch
Supermarket shop - buy ingredients for bulk cooking
Hoover through
Clean lounge
Clean Kitchen
Go shopping to get rest of DH's birthday presents
Count change from big jar and cash in at bank

SueP19

Pushkin wrote: »

We finally got round to getting quotes for the lounge redecoration. We had 3, highest was £1375, middle was £1150 and lowest £325 - in the words of the kids !!!!!!!

There are some differences in that the lowest one we have to supply the paint and DH will smooth over the wall where the tv cables are buried which are currently all on display.

:eek::eek::eek::eek: I know £325 is not bad but yikes, as you say !!!!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I would be picking paint brush up myself even £325 is :eek:

As to kids, don't be hard on yourself, better to teach him now than have to bail him out later :T

Pushkin

Hi SueP19 - I know what you mean about the decorating but we are messy workers, don't finish to a professional standard and are classic at never quite finishing things off. We redecorated the study last Easter - still haven't done the window sill or put any pictures back up! So as this is the lounge and the room we use most we want it done properly. Thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

I was just amazed that the prices can be so different and I do admit to some nerves about how good a job this chap will do given that he is nearly a third of the cost of the other 2.

Took DS over the a National Trust house this morning, crazy busy - the car park was full so we had to park in the road and walk a long way to get in. I do believe DS is growing up though as he didn't moan at all! Quick tour of the house -neither of us are into lingering and studying tapestries or historical artefacts, and we came home. Good day on the old step-o-metre - up to nearly 17,000 already although DS persuaded me to buy some lemon curd in the shop and I've already had some. :eek: It's one of my many weaknesses food wise.

Watching telly now while I contemplate the hoovering...

SueP19

I believe you :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

No I see what you are saying x