From debt to freedom...

janb5

All of mine protested at paying rent etc but it is not only a necessity but an understanding of paying towards the family finances!

I too fall asleep at the wrong possible time!

Spendless

Hahaha @ the liquidising of veg. I used to do that when mine were young with bolognaise as they both claimed to dislike mushrooms and I suspected this was to do with texture (they used to say it was like eating eyeballs!) than taste. Sure enough, they always ate the mince when I'd given it a quick blast with the stick blender and they couldn't actually spot the offending veg. :rotfl:

(Some) Teenagers seem to have a mental block about things that seem blindingly obvious to (many) adults. Not gone through the financial contribution one yet with mine (both students) but youngest seems to think if she isn't ready by a deadline, then she can still take as long as she wants. I've lost count of the amount of times I've told her that the train/bus/lesson/event starts at X time and not when she decided to turn up. Arrgghhh. Hope you get some breakthrough with DS1 soon.

There a reason why you hear people saying about their kids I wish they were little again and not I wish they were teenagers again. :D

Moneywhizz

Sorry that you haven't been able to solve things with DS1. It does sound as if he is quite selfish and thinking only of himself. Considering that he is costing you both in terms of council tax and food, energy costs, it is probably time for a proper discussion with him even if it is confrontational. If he isn't happy with the outcome he needs to consider the alternatives. It's a shame that his dad has refused to have him, he must feel rejected by that decision. However he really does need to start showing a bit of consideration towards the rest of the family. I would definitely be putting some limits on the cereal, it is so expensive. Would it work to show him your budget and how little spare money you actually have? You do remarkably well on one income but there is only so much you can squeeze out of one salary. I hope it works out without too much disagreement.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Spendless, Moneywhizz and Janb5,

The money conversation will be ongoing I think and you're right, gearing myself up for confrontation if necessary.

I'm feeling ridiculously tired this evening...didn't leave work until nearly 7.

Cherryfudge

I hope you get a good night's sleep and a better day at work tomorrow.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge. Work did get a little more mad -finished at 9.15 last night and came home and just went straight to bed. I've had a day off today though so feel a bit more lively!

It hasn't stopped raining here today so it's been a case of being inside. I did pop the Form E ( or maybe it's D? F?) into the solicitor's this morning. Hopefully it is just a case of waiting now to see what reaction/progress or not I get from the ex. Clarity all round would be beneficial.

Unfortunately this morning one of my teenagers had taken the charging cable from my room so my tablet died in the night. I have about 8 alarms set on the tablet that usually punctuate the morning with different alarms so I know how much time I have left before leaving. Just as well it was a day off as I woke at 7.20 not my usual 5.15 :eek: . It was such a rush I didn't get to have breakfast until 11 so have just had lunch now...a nice warming bowl of homemade lentil and bacon soup . Better still there is enough made for lunch tomorrow and on Saturday .

I have called Ds1's bluff and asked him what he is cooking for tea for everyone tonight. His first response was that I was cooking but I held firm and said no if he wasn't prepared to contribute he could provide and cook a meal for us. I made it clear that since the ex had fed the children chips yesterday he couldn't serve them chips again. He has got a lift and gone off to the nearest town to purchase ingredients. Who knows what it'll be but I'm determined to make the point that he is old enough now that he is working full time to make a contribution. At least I can say this is something that DD1 has done when she is home from uni and he can't really argue with that .

I have to venture out shortly to collect a child from a sporting commitment. I got very cold last week so hoping that a flask of coffee will help. I will have to ask DS1 to save me a portion for my return.

The post this week, brought a statement from the window loan company. One loan has come down more quickly than the other so just over £1k owed on one and about £1,300 on the other. At least I can see the amounts are headed downward albeit very slowly. I think I've hit the point with one that I'm paying more off the capital than interest.

ndcroft

Well done!!

lucielle

Brilliant news!!! Stick to your guns!
L

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Lucielle and ndcroft...when I got back from the sports activity, DS1 had bought sausages and beans for his siblings and a curry readymeal for himself. He'd remembered dessert which was a Mr Kipling cake. He'd roped the ex in to cook it for him while I was out, but at least he had bought something. Now to keep it up.

I got so cold watching DD and her game that I couldn't quite feel my feet. The flask of coffee was useful. NSD today .

Cherryfudge

That's one way to get the ex to contribute a little!

Well done