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

ourcornercottage

AlexLK wrote: »

Well, the cupcakes and biscuits are done. Kept me occupied today, at least. One for each pupil, both teachers and a teaching assistant. The assistant has been really good with my son.

Your son's school concert sounds really good, sounds like your son did really well, too. I am going to ask my son's school if they'd like me to help with music next year. How often does your son practise the guitar? If he plays it in lesson and doesn't touch it until the week after his progress will be very slow.

I'm glad you made the cakes and biscuits, a really nice touch. It's a great idea to help at your sons school offering your skills. I'm sure they will appreciate the help with the next production.

MiniOCC practices guitar most weekdays for about 15 minutes or so at a time. He has concentration issues so this is max he can really do. Sometimes he will do this twice a day. He has the weekends off unless he just picks it up and has a go. The progress is very slow, the guitar teacher doesn't believe he practices at all I'm sure! We now write it in a book so he knows that he's doing it and doesn't tell him off!

Even though he's not a natural talent I want him to stick with it as firstly he enjoys it and enjoys music, secondly the physical use of the hands and coordinating will help with some of writing issues he has, thirdly the rhythm and melody of music are supposed to be great for intellectual development at his age in the same way that poetry does.
But I don't want to make it a chore so I think the amount of practice he does is a good balance and I never force him if he doesn't want to do it. (this doesn't happen often).

Glad to see you back here and more chipper

ourcornercottage

Target got this month was set at £450 + fit payment which was about £120 this quarter so a total of £570. Currently on £189 with almost £200 on the regular op so if my maths in head is right that's £181 to add. Might be tricky this month but I can but try hopefully TCB or quidco will help me out as I still have quite a few pounds waiting to be payable.

AlexLK

Cakes and biscuits seemed to go down well.

15 minutes per day at your son's age should mean he makes progress. I don't know anything about the guitar but will suggest he doesn't simply just run through pieces. The parts he finds difficult should be taken out and prepared (say notes aloud, clap through rhythm, sing through etc.). Really, so long as he enjoys playing guitar and gets something from it that's what matters. Fine motor control will develop.

ETA: Don't neglect scales, arpeggios and other technical exercises set.

shangaijimmy

That's a great target for a December, and however close you get, its always a big achievement i think. This year will be the first time i've OP'd in December and i'm sure its solely down to my diary keeping me on track.

ourcornercottage

AlexLK wrote: »

Cakes and biscuits seemed to go down well.

15 minutes per day at your son's age should mean he makes progress. I don't know anything about the guitar but will suggest he doesn't simply just run through pieces. The parts he finds difficult should be taken out and prepared (say notes aloud, clap through rhythm, sing through etc.). Really, so long as he enjoys playing guitar and gets something from it that's what matters. Fine motor control will develop.

ETA: Don't neglect scales, arpeggios and other technical exercises set.

I think you aren't quite understanding the skill level LOL. He enjoys it but only a mothers love could compliment it TBH! It's not his area of expertise!

ourcornercottage

:beer:

shangaijimmy wrote: »

That's a great target for a December, and however close you get, its always a big achievement i think. This year will be the first time i've OP'd in December and i'm sure its solely down to my diary keeping me on track.

I've always had a standard op from the day I took my first mortgage but this year I've really upped it. I'm very proud of what we've managed

ourcornercottage

I wrote a long post then the iPad reloaded the page!

Anyhow the synopsis of it was £5 Halifax reward and £5 TSB CB went to tidy account.

Shopping cleaning wrapping started proceedings were halted to watch Norwich city beat man united

Brought on Fc resale market for first time. Very easy.

My investing book has arrived but I haven't had chance to look yet.

Papers sent to virgin money to close unit trusts, money will go to s and s is a and will up monthly payment to ISA too so saving same amount. Need to make sure Halifax still has enough dd's

Then on to sorting out pensions after Christmas.

Read water meter today and was less than estimate need to check oil tomorrow.

Wrote another few blog posts it's https://www.stretchyourpennies.co.uk if you would care to Check it out!

That's all folks

AlexLK

Sounds very productive on the money front.

:rotfl: Re. son's guitar, from what you've said he's got an understanding teacher, I often say to ones that aren't making progress after a few months "maybe violin isn't the instrument for you" and then ask them if they'd like to try piano instead. If the answer is no I give it 2-3 more months and tell them it's not working out if they're not sounding any better.

Luckyinlife

Nice blog OCC :]
Do you or have you got a lot of views over since you started doing them :] i Know some people do it for a living which is mad

As iv just got into my new place iv been bulk buying things i see on offer so i can go months without buying shower gel or loo roll for example :]

Them tesco ready meals i used them to diet down 12lb last year and they taste really good :]

ourcornercottage

AlexLK wrote: »

Sounds very productive on the money front.

:rotfl: Re. son's guitar, from what you've said he's got an understanding teacher, I often say to ones that aren't making progress after a few months "maybe violin isn't the instrument for you" and then ask them if they'd like to try piano instead. If the answer is no I give it 2-3 more months and tell them it's not working out if they're not sounding any better.

I think it's more the class is undersubscribed and the Miniocc is enthusiastic so is allowed to carry on! Piano is far more popular at his school than guitar although Miniocc is making up for lack of talent with enthusiasm so I suppose that's something!

LIL blog is fairly well read 50-100 page views per day sometimes a few more. I did get up to 100+ every day when I was updating on a regular basis. Had a busy couple of months so it's gone down a bit but have restarted with regular posts so hoping to have 100+ per day again very soon. It's not a business for me. I earn a few £ but that's just spent on buying a bit of Facebook advertising so doesn't make any money. Maybe one day it will but I do it for fun not money

I am actually thinking about incorporating my annual bulk buy shop into my Christmas one as I'm getting it delivered.