From debt to freedom...

Spendless

Love the beach idea too. And the timings.:D When mine were younger they loved a pub that had a swimming pool. Pub served lovely but expensive food, but meals weren't available between 2pm-5pm, so guess what time we used to go?

Oh kids and revision_pale_ My eldest left school 2 years ago. Con-incidentally his last 6 months matched me being being out of work at the same time, so I could keep a closer eye on what he was up to. He was later to tell me, he'd done no revision at all other than in classtime. He got ok-good results (1 A, 1 D and the rest B & C grades) but he could have had amazing ones with more effort! He wasn't interested though. All he wanted was enough to get him onto the next step (level 3 computer course).

My daughter takes her GCSEs next year and I'm already worrying about them! She's not as academically able as her brother, but so long as she gets enough for the next step I'm not hung up on her getting amazing grades.

What I did and will insist mine have is plan B in place just in case they don't get the 'magic' 5 qualifications at the right grade. I wasn't allowed to do A levels many years ago for not having enough qualifications, and I'd put no alternative in place.

What sort of things interest DS1?

Honeysucklelou2

DS1 is creative and practical so DT is his best subject at school. For years, just being cooped up in a classroom was hard enough. Had Forest School been thought of when he was at primary school, he would have really enjoyed it. He is interested in agriculture and vintage machinery but I think the machinery would make a great hobby but not a career choice. I personally think a photography course would be a good step because he has taken some beautiful photos over the last 18 months but he won't hear of it. As long as he gets enough grades to take the next step...

That said, he did actually get some maths revision done on Saturday morning which was a relief!

I've had a relaxing day today and headed for the beach this afternoon, just got a couple of hours to allow time for play before the week ahead. I've got a fair amount of washing done and tried to be quite ruthless with clothes that no longer fit and can't be passed down to a sibling. I've bagged them up and will consider the best option.

DD1 has finished for this academic year. Thankfully she is happy to wait until half term to be picked up. I'll be so glad to have her home.

Honeysucklelou2

DD2 passed her driving test- Hurray!! :T:T:T:j:j:j:T
So glad for her as it will give her independence, which in a very rural area such as ours is important. Selfishly I'm really pleased that I won't have to squeeze the budget every week to meet the lesson costs. Hurray all round!

Cherryfudge

Oooh, congrats to your DD! Great news!

And now you don't have to pay for the lessons and have got used to living without the money, are you going to catch up on things you've been coping without, or something else? Must be nice to have the prospect of a sort of pay rise!

Spendless

Well done to DD2 :j and a nice handy amount back into your budget too :T

Good luck to DS for his GCSEs and hope he finds something suitable to do next.

Hadn't realised they could stay a bit longer in their accommodation after Uni finishes. Does it depend on the Uni?

Honeysucklelou2

I spoke too soon....we spent last night researching insurance prices for newly passed drivers and were somewhat shocked. It's obviously quite some time since I passed my test!! Looks like the money scraped together for lessons will have to be channelled towards the insurance cost. Ah well.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Spendless, his first one seemed to go ok. DD1 has a date by which she has to get out of the halls of residence but it's the end of June, so a whole 6 weeks from her hand in date. She is going to use the time to get packed up.

Cherryfudge

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

I spoke too soon....we spent last night researching insurance prices for newly passed drivers and were somewhat shocked. It's obviously quite some time since I passed my test!! Looks like the money scraped together for lessons will have to be channelled towards the insurance cost. Ah well.

It's horrendous. I can't remember if you are sharing a car but putting parents on the same insurance definitely brings the cost down. DS also has a 'curfew' his insurance so it stays lower so long as he's in by 10pm.

Spendless

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

Thank you Spendless, his first one seemed to go ok. DD1 has a date by which she has to get out of the halls of residence but it's the end of June, so a whole 6 weeks from her hand in date. She is going to use the time to get packed up.

Oh gosh I'd not thought about that. Though DS is learning, he's hopefully going to Uni in Sept and won't be able to afford to run a car. Him passing his test is more about having that skill for the future especially for his sandwich year.

That's handy to know re Uni. DS should be finishing Uni first year just as DD is taking her GCSEs and I was thinking what disruption that might cause. Maybe I could convince him to stay on a few more weeks.

Honeysucklelou2

So after much searching we found an insurance quote for £1200 on condition that she has a black box fitted. We decided against a curfew ( which would bring the premium down again) but given that she is in the catering industry, a curfew of 10 might not be workable. Thankfully a monthly option was available so £106 will now go out each month for the insurance. I know a yearly payment is more MSE but I just don't have that kind of money spare and able to use.

I have also dipped into the EF rightly or wrongly. It is my dad's birthday next week and a big birthday. He has done so much for me and to support me through such heart wrenching times, that I really want to be able to contribute towards his present. My mum and brother and I are all clubbing together to get something that he really wants. I've also used £100 to pay for a garage bill for the car that needs to be paid. Will really need to build the EF back up over the coming months.