Elite 11+ shopping and chat thread

Sunshinemummy

pacifica9 wrote: »

Quote from the Guardian this year:


"In a child’s first year, parents will spend £11,498, rising to £63,224 between one and four. They then get a mild breather, with children between 5 and 17 costing an average of £8,640 a year. Then comes the shock of higher education costs, with the average 18 to 21-year-old costing their parents £17,815 a year."

It is scary, I think the higher education costs is on the low estimate... they clearly did not have a child do an outdoor business management degree.... I think the overall cost was double that a year... i was such a frequent visitor to the bank and technically incapable that all the assistants could search through my phone and find the text message that he sent with his bank details on... as least it worked out for him and he is fingers crossed independent now (except the parcels I send him, and the money I transfer to his bank account!). Hopefully the spread sheet will stop me in my tracks.

Sunshinemummy

Right need to get back to work to pay for the little 6 foot tall blighters!

Serendipitious

pacifica9 wrote: »

Quote from the Guardian this year:


"In a child’s first year, parents will spend £11,498, rising to £63,224 between one and four. They then get a mild breather, with children between 5 and 17 costing an average of £8,640 a year. Then comes the shock of higher education costs, with the average 18 to 21-year-old costing their parents £17,815 a year."

And then just as you're drawing a deep breath as it all seems the worst is over, they go and marry and reproduce and you fall head over heels in love with your grandkids and you see the money flying out of your purse all over again. Except this time round, you don't even pause to count it!

mhoc

Sunshinemummy wrote: »

I think I am going to start a spreadsheet of the cost of the kids (except the free food/lodgings, running DS2 car and paying his uni fees.... as that would just depress me!). and see what the total is at the end of the year.

I would include it all be brutally honest - you need 3 lists, do one even for the one who is independent - put down a nominal £20 a week for food and have a look locally to see what the cheapest room would be in a shared house - around here it would be about £100 (including all bills). Also the car bills - insurance, tax, MOT, garage bills, fuel etc.
Not the uni fees though - they are just an extension of what you already pay out as they go through school, 6th form and college etc

curl_girl

bubbs wrote: »

Pandora cosmic ring was £115 now £35.00 save 69.5% with free delivery plus more Pandora sale in post @ The Jewel Hut
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/pandora-cosmic-ring-was-115-now-35-save-69-5-with-free-delivery-plus-more-pandora-2588599

Thanks bubbs.
Had a look, the ring ds got his gf was £26 cheaper so they have reordered as she wanted a bigger size. They said they'll return the full price one and go out for a meal with the money saved, great as they are both at college and don't go out very often. :money:

locarr

Nannylala wrote: »

Well said locarr ..this was in the days when i first joined MSE and bought home everything that was free or.cheap I am much more sensible nowadays ..and don't buy for anyone other than myself;)so no waste in the Nannylala household ..:T

Indeed, is this from the car mocs from 4 or so years ago!? I've still got some conditioner from then, it has gone a bit solid, I pour half in to another bottle and dilute with water and shake, 1 Bottle now lasts twice as long....I think I have enough to last til 2030!

pacifica9

mhoc wrote: »

I would include it all be brutally honest - you need 3 lists, do one even for the one who is independent - put down a nominal £20 a week for food and have a look locally to see what the cheapest room would be in a shared house - around here it would be about £100 (including all bills). Also the car bills - insurance, tax, MOT, garage bills, fuel etc.
Not the uni fees though - they are just an extension of what you already pay out as they go through school, 6th form and college etc

Indeed. Just realised SSM said free board and lodging? When did that happen? I always paid board when I lived at home from the minute I started earning. And was happy to do so.

Sunshinemummy

mhoc wrote: »

I would include it all be brutally honest - you need 3 lists, do one even for the one who is independent - put down a nominal £20 a week for food and have a look locally to see what the cheapest room would be in a shared house - around here it would be about £100 (including all bills). Also the car bills - insurance, tax, MOT, garage bills, fuel etc.
Not the uni fees though - they are just an extension of what you already pay out as they go through school, 6th form and college etc

God I would be totally depressed if I did all of that.

The uni fees have been horrendous, as I was paying £1,600 every second month for DS1, and paid £9,000 for DS2 in September. When DS1 left the country again, he flippantly said that we should really just see it as an advance on inheritance. I think DS1 may go one to do a PHD, which I will find myself offering to pay for.

I need to learn keep my gob shut!

pacifica9

Sunshinemummy wrote: »

God I would be totally depressed if I did all of that.

The uni fees have been horrendous, as I was paying £1,600 every second month for DS1, and paid £9,000 for DS2 in September. When DS1 left the country again, he flippantly said that we should really just see it as an advance on inheritance. I think DS1 may go one to do a PHD, which I will find myself offering to pay for.

I need to learn keep my gob shut!

:eek::eek::eek:


Can you mortgage them when they graduate and get your money back?

Nannylala

locarr wrote: »

Indeed, is this from the car mocs from 4 or so years ago!? I've still got some conditioner from then, it has gone a bit solid, I pour half in to another bottle and dilute with water and shake, 1 Bottle now lasts twice as long....I think I have enough to last til 2030!

It was indeed the car mocs...6 bottles and washing powder capsules disposed of ..lovely as now can buy what fabric softener i like the smell of as opposed to what I had stored in my Laundry room ..I learned another lesson the hard way too keeping expensive Jo Malone candles too long as got cheap and no smell to them now ..only useful now if we get a powercut:rotfl::rotfl: