Starting over 2017

Dorastar

That's a good idea, thanks. We were saving up as much as we could in case I didn't get a job from September as my contract was due to end but I do now so the fund can be used towards uni. I'd like to keep a fair bit in there but reckon we could easily double our payments and pay it off in half the time. The sooner it goes the sooner I can join the mortgage free wannabee section instead, at least that's finally on its way down after years of negative equity!

Dorastar

Report writing most of the day, did a menu plan and a food shop just to get away from the reports for an hour. Only spent £49 but planned a takeaway in for Wednesday night when we're tired and can't be bothered cooking. We have one every other week now which means we actually look forward to choosing it more than we sued to when we had them far too often!  Full week at work ahead so got plenty of healthy salad in to try and stop me eating huge school meals every day too. 

Igamogam

As far as kids in uni are concerned we helped with the absolute minimum, without being harsh! DD1 had her rent paid for 3 years. One supermarket online shop a month. Some travel expenses and a bit paid towards an overseas field trip. She had to take the maximum loan, which wasnt much due to our household income, and manage on it. DD2 ended up going to 'local' uni. Lived at home in first year but wanted to live out after that and we said we would not pay rent so she had to fund this herself. We helped by buying her and insuring  a small runabout car which she had to fund keeping on the road, some cost to overseas field trips and providing home cooking for the freezer! She too had to apply for maximum loan and also worked locally during holidays.....she had saved 11k by the end of her 4th year! The student debt thing is not something we as parents should worry about and students should stress about. MSE Martin has some great info and advice about the reality of it..... DD1 now 10 years out of uni and has yet to pay anything back. Neither DD worry about it and if I am honest, neither do we. Just my opinion of course!

Dorastar

That's basically what we're doing too, the accommodation is more than the maximum loan I think she'll end up getting, am tempted to move there myself tbh. Agree on the paying it back part too, we've had to explain it's almost like a pretend money that realistically she might never end up paying fully back, and not to even worry about it. 

Dorastar

Student finance has come through and about £1000 more than we thought but still doesn't even cover accommodation costs, so the budget we worked out has to stand which is good because we know where we're at iyswim. Still spending very little although we do need to get cracking on some house and garden stuff over summer, I have a list!  

Dorastar

On summer holiday from work for a few weeks so plenty of time to get the house and gardens decluttered so we can enjoy them properly. Already boxed up a pile of books to leave the house, some going on sale and others to charity shops. DVDs and games are next on the hit list and doing the same with them. Got a bit of side hustle work to complete and want to get a few things in place for the new school year so I have more time to relax on a weekend. Also got to get on with the knitting for the teen's blanket or she'll be leaving for uni with just one warm leg! Spends today were just petrol and bread prior to doing the big food shop tomorrow.

Dorastar

Side hustle has paid quite a bit which is odd as I've not sent any timesheets in, better check before I stash it tomorrow, plus normal work payday too. Paid off the teen's laptop before we incurred any extra charges for credit so that's meant nothing has been shuffled over to BFF this month, but it's one thing I don't have to think about again. Another blanket square knitted too while it's been to wet to get much done in the garden. 

beanielou

Hope the side histle money is correct 

Dorastar

So do I - have tried to get into the pay system but it's refusing to let me in atm. Going to phone the manager tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Dorastar

Seems the side hustle money is correct and a payment for lost earnings - can't do the work as it means going to lots of different schools which aren't accepting visitors. Today is getting a few things sorted moneywise, need to get price of our breakdown cover down and see if we can pay a chunk off the Mr T loan too. Want to really get that down as soon as we can but maintain a healthy BFF at the same time. Then a day of mask making so the teens can leave the house again!