From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Saving Holmes.

Back home after a couple of days at my grandmother's house. Much of the time was spent at the local outdoor pool. The children loved it, despite the temperature, and requested to go back each day. I'm glad they were easily entertained :cool:. My lovely mum took care of the meals so I did get a break from cooking.

On my return, I've had to catch up on housework. The eldest 3 stayed at home due to work commitments but washing up and pegging out washing didn't get done, so much to catch up on!

The ex is taking 4 away on a camping trip tomorrow so I need to try and make the next few days as fun as possible for the 4 who haven't gone, although DD1 has got a couple of work shifts to do. I'm very conscious of how quickly time is going this holiday, so I'm aiming to get the walls of the diner part of the kitchen/diner painted and rehang the curtains that I washed a couple of weeks ago.

Honeysucklelou2

The car has to go in for the MOT today. I'm hoping that it will get through. I have some money put aside as a car maintenance pot but just hoping it will be enough.

It's looking like DS1 won't be returning to college. His current summer job employer is talking about DS being able to work full-time from September. I have been trying to talk to him about managing his money, including showing him how the spending tracker app works, that I use. Unfortunately he doesn't seem at all bothered . DD1 & DD2 have both taken on board the need to save which is a relief. When DS1 starts full time in Sept, he will be the first child to have a proper job ( rather than seasonal or part time to fit around studies type job) so I feel like I'm navigating new parenting territory! I will need to chat to him about contributing towards his living costs but have no idea what is reasonable, whether a percentage of his income or a flat £25 a week?

Drawingaline

Hum, it's a difficult one. Maybe research what the cost of a room in a hmo is locally, then charge that? Obviously he won't have food costs so would still be better off. I am very much of the consensus if they are earning as an adult they should pay like one. Although is he 18 yet? Doesn't he have to be doing education until then? Or by college do you mean post 18?

Honeysucklelou2

He's not 18 until early next year, so not sure how it will work out not being in education, although part of his job will include training. TBH I know of a few 16 year olds who have left school and are in work rather than an apprenticeship or further education. Not sure how it is monitored.

Honeysucklelou2

A delightfully busy day today. The car went to the garage first thing, then back home to make some vanilla muffins, chocolate brownies and a banana & apricot loaf. A couple of loads of washing have been done and hung on the line:). About mid afternoon, I rang the garage to find out it was ready. Thankfully it was ... but the garage is in the next village. Unfortunately DD2, the only other driver had gone on a camping trip, so no chance of a lift. The youngest DDs and DS3 and I set off to walk. We absolutely marched to the next village ( about 3 miles ) to be there in time! I am so thankful that the car is sorted and came in under budget. The feeling of relief that the car pot had that amount in it and I could pay without having to rob other pots was wonderful .

Half of the children are camping with the ex. I have been so relaxed tonight knowing the ex is in another county and won't be bothering us for a few days. Homemade sausage roll, potato croquettes and salad for tea.

I have been thinking about personal fitness recently. I did do the C2 5k a couple of years ago but making time without having to take the younger children with me has been very tricky. Yesterday I found a fitness app that does a variety of workouts. Tonight I started! It must have looked comical. There I was trying to do all these leg lunges and kicks and the dogs were confused to say the least. At one point I had all 4 trying to investigate/rescue me/play depending on the dog! I certainly feel more relaxed and tired so hope I will actually get a good night's sleep.

savingholmes

Cakes..... drools....

Fitness - woohoo - picturing you marching with littlies - glad it was you rather than me. The dogs sound fun.

Honeysucklelou2

Not sure if it was my relaxed state last night or the March to the next village or a combination of both, but I had the best night's sleep I've had in a long time .

Today DD1 had the day off and wanted to take me out for breakfast, which of course I agreed to! It was more like brunch by the time we got to the garden centre, but delicious. She kindly bought me breakfast so .I bought juice and a cake for the younger DDs and DS3, using the last of this week's entertainment budget. DD1 needed to do a little research for her project so I had chance to wander round the garden centre....the only kind of shopping I like :rotfl:. I had been thinking about some Japanese anenomes as a possible plant to complete the new border in the rear garden. I looked at some quite small plants and some larger. It's obviously been some time since I last visited because most plants seemed to be in the £8-£10 bracket:eek:. On the floor were a couple of smaller plants which the assistant, noticing my deliberations, pointed out were the classic cottage garden anenome. She was just about to reduce them to £2 a plant which was a bargain that I couldn't resist!

On the way home we stopped at Mr T's for milk and I spotted a clematis for £1, so between the 3 plants I can finish the border I started last week. I'm pleased that between gifted plants, reduced plants and plants I've grown a whole border can be planted for £12.:)

This afternoon has involved lots of cleaning and decluttering. 3 whole bin bags of rubbish have gone out and cupboards rearranged . My lovely parents bought a trampoline for the youngest 3 as a joint birthday present so DD1 and I spent 2 hours this afternoon putting it together. I didn't think we would be able to but carefully following the instructions step by step made it less overwhelming and possible. It's not something I would have attempted when with the ex so am pleased to have been able to get it built with DD1.

Cherryfudge

Great news about the car! And the trampoline - we had a huge amount of fun out of ours. Oh, and the anemones and clematis of course! That was a very bargain border.

When DS1 started earning, I divided our household bills by the amount of people in the house and charged him his share. I didn't charge him actual rent as he was on apprenticeship wages, but maybe I should have, even if a nominal amount.

savingholmes

On your DS's first proper job...

My parents years ago - charged me 10% for just a Saturday job (but still gave me pocket £) and if I worked extra hours - they took a third. I followed the same principle with DS - but said I wouldn't take it away if he saved it towards uni... but would if he failed - at one point he gave it to me to save so it was enforced saving. With hindsight - I think I was too lenient... as I also let him use some of that towards travel to Amsterdam and Berlin. I think it is good for them to get in the habit of contributing towards their keep - you want them to have an incentive to go off and be independent at some point. Also there was a reason you used to get child benefit for them - and that's because they don't come free....

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge, that's a good idea to split household bills. My main concern is that when he turns 18, I will lose the 25% single adult council tax discount, but don't have the extra income from my salary to cover the increase. I thought even a nominal amount from DS1 would, if put away, help to meet that. I'm hoping I can still persuade him to use a spending tracker so he can see where his money is going.