I really really want to be........mortgage free!

newgirly

The problem I found was dd put massive pressure on herself, we were in the opposite role to the one I was expecting of trying to get her to take breaks. She went to school and complained to the head about lack of revision classes ( there were already LOTS) it was almost an obsession , and she didn't get all the grades she wanted. It's all worked out well now though, but it's hard to get them to see the rest of the world whilst in an exam fog.

ourcornercottage

AlexLK wrote: »

Academic performance is separate from career success. Whilst I agree good academic performance can lead to career success and often does, the pursuit of scholarship is a worthy pursuit itself. It seems almost everyone in today's society forgets this. I find it incredibly sad so many view academic study as little other than an entry into a "better" job. A price cannot be put on gaining knowledge, learning about the world we live in and the pursuit of a lifelong interest in educating oneself.

Being knowledgable about things as you discuss does not need to be in a school/ academic setting. What you discuss could be an interest/study of a religion, a martial art, a musical instrument, literature, dance, engineering which don't necessarily have to be done in the classroom (they can be but don't have to be).

Whist we agree on some things we will never agree on this. I think there is a far too great focus on academia as the only measure of success nowadays.

I believe that schooling today does unfortunately provide the route to a job for most people, unfortunately this is the case. Most people get the financial opportunity to complete a undergrad degree, fewer will go on to a masters and even less will carry on further. This is often due to financial restraints for those that really want to the ones doing it have the financial means to do it, but maybe don't really want to it's just so ingrained into them it's the right thing to do.

I talk a lot about Miniocc having opportunities, we encourage the education side of course but he tries everything on offer. Currently he likes sport, he likes listening to music (not the sort we would like!) he likes going to museums, he likes the outdoors climbing trees. Every so often I will take him to work with me for a few hours so that he can see what work is. He understands about money, banks and saving. He knows how much things cost.

This has resulted (so far) in what is a naturally very shy boy seeming confident in himself, does okay at school (he's in a very bright year group), he enjoys doing his reading and homework, he's really starting to enjoy sports, he's becoming less hard on himself and he's opening up opportunities for himself because of it. He plays well and is kind to his friends, smaller and older kids. He has £12 he has saved to put in the bank, not because he's saving up for something he just wants to save it. I consider that success a well rounded child, I plan to carry this on so he is a well rounded happy man.

The focus on academic success with kids and parents nowadays misses so many of these other little things that result you happiness in life, the one and only important thing to me as a parent. I know many will disagree.

In money news it's mortgage payment/op day how much left to get to £600? It's going to be tricky to add any more in this month as my new regular saver started earlier than the last one ended so an extra £250 has gone to savings this month.

shangaijimmy

I'll throw my two penny worth in... We actually think the most important thing about school is the social and character development side. Our eldest is in year 2, he's at the top end of a bright class and the volume of reading, homework, maths online, reading online, school website blog is far too much. The school day itself is very challenging with how they teach them and trying to fit everything in is too much. That balance of going to beavers v Mathletics, or out on bikes with his friends v reading eggs is an easy one for me. We pick his priority of hand writing (funnily enough not something they ask them to do at home) and work at that, whilst having reading every night where we mix in comprehension questions. W're more concerned with him being happy, honest, trustworthy its life skills in the knowledge that with these characteristics he'll achieve his academic potential without excessive pressure. Career earnings for our family aren't the be all and end all, instead having a job that we want to get out of bed for each day is. We both do well, and could have more but it's not worth it. We have friends whose dads worked themselves to an early grave, and husbands who barely see the kids due to work. Sorry not for us.

ourcornercottage

Mortgage balance is as of today £124563.75

Daily interest is standing at £8.27

Total interest Feb 2016 was £42.18 less than Feb 2015

OPs so far £536.64

Total Net reduction £1101.75

1 square coloured in this month on the brick house.

That's not bad at all, with one week to go until the end of the month I am hoping to get this closer to £600 but will be good on the savings figures this month so i'm not too worried.

Net monthly reduction is getting closer to where I want to be (about 1300) every month.

I'm happy with that as it is but hopefully can add in a few extra £££!

shangaijimmy

Our balances are so similar. I think we'll be £123,200 ish at the end of this month. Both doing very well!

hiddenshadow

Very nice, OCC!

ourcornercottage

shangaijimmy wrote: »

Our balances are so similar. I think we'll be £123,200 ish at the end of this month. Both doing very well!

Its not a race you know SJ
.
.
.
.
.
.
.its a race
.
.
.
its a race
.
.
.
its a race!

newgirly

:rotfl::rotfl:

Can I join the race?, am lagging behind a bit though!

Moneyfordreams

our DD1 did alright in the local RC senior school... alright but not great. She had a nice group of friends, so was kind and thoughtful but not academic.. she's been working as a hairdresser since we realised 6th form was not for her and I can count on one hand the times she's taken sick time off work.. fair enough a young mum, but with a good work ethic.

our DD2 was at the same school and we were advised to remove her from the bad influences around her due to dip in grades.. we tried discussions, but in the end moved to an academy school 6miles away.. it had only just gone non fee paying that year.. she started in the March.. Although it was chosen by her (a close friend was there) at first she resented me and sulked incessantly. But now she is fabulous and understands the huge benefit and what a gift a wonderful school is.. hopefully uni in September. But if she chooses differently we have done our best for her.

ourcornercottage

newgirly wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl:

Can I join the race?, am lagging behind a bit though!

You're in! SJ is the odds on favourite at the moment, what's your estimated end date. I'm going for 2025 secretly hoping for earlier. I know you have a fixed end date, maybe we can all aim for that together