Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

Nicnak said:

Glad DS3 got back safely and you two got home okay. I think about DD going to uni (It's a long time off yet) and it feels me with anxiety about how quiet it will be here. She might never go but I'm already dreading the empty room! 

The weather here can't make its mind up. Sunny, raining, wind, hail and everything else too. 
x

Thanks Nicnak . I used to dread my children leaving home and now DS3 sort of has it's not easy, but you get used to it eventually. Being a parent is very rewarding but it can also be very challenging.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Fidelia said:

I know you mentioned Birmingham as a place DS would like to work in, HH, and that it's not very convenient for you but if it's the best option for his career it should really be his choice to move to where his opportunities are best.  After all, he might find a partner or get married fairly soon anyway and you wouldn't be seeing all that much of him wherever he moved to if Devon isn't an option for him.  I worked in Birmingham for the first two years after I qualified and loved every minute there.  I'd go back in a heartbeat.  I also spent a year working in Sheffield, my favourite city of all, but that's even further away from Devon.

DS3 has never been to Birmingham and only considered it because he thought accommodation would be cheap there. He could actually work anywhere in the country with his degree, but wants a city for the social life. It's not a matter of convenience for me, I think that DS3 would benefit from being near his family, so I'm not being selfish. I'm thinking about what's best for him as well as myself. His brother and sister miss him too when he's far away. Bristol has plenty of jobs, has a brilliant social life, is multi-cultural and is near some beautiful countryside. He could get home to Devon easily, but also could get to London, Wales and a multitude of other places easily. We have family in London and near Bristol, whereas in the Midlands we have no family. I think being far away from all of his familly would be very isolating and lonely for DS3. And as I said previously he can work in any geographical location as with his skills all he needs is an internet connection.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Seasidegal58 said:

Another here pleased you had a safe journey taking DS3 back to uni.  Yes - you never stop missing your children!  You mentioned Bristol as a city that you'd like him to settle after uni as he is keen to experience working in a big city. I hear that it is very vibrant with a plenty of life for young people to experience.  Keep selling it to him!😀
The weather has been very changeable here too! Wind and rain one minute - sun the next!

Thanks SSG . I agree that Bristol is a fabulous city and I think DS3 would love it there. It has a London vibe but is cheaper to live than London.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Despite it only being a four day week it seemed very busy at school. The visit from my niece and husband with their newish baby was lovely and the sun shone luckily so we were able to enjoy sitting in the garden 🙂. The training I had to go back to school for was actually quite interesting and will look good on my CV. On Friday a boy spilt his entire water bottle on the floor twice in one afternoon, to the extent that I had to fetch the mop and bucket 🙄 and another boy was sick all over himself 🤮. Just a typical school day 😂.

Yesterday was heavy rain and wind all day so no sitting in the garden for us 🌬🌧💧☔. I did two loads of washing, emptied all the bins, tried on my new tops and packaged up the ones to return. I liked the tops and they'll be very useful colours and styles to go with my school trousers, plus it will be refreshing to have something different to wear. I packaged up to return the sizes which didn't fit as well (I always order two sizes online because styles and fits can be so varied).

Today the weather is dry, although cloudy and grey 🌫. I've changed our bedding and put it on to wash. I need to iron my school clothes and DH has offered to clean my school shoes when I mentioned that I needed to do it 😍. 

The house seems quiet without DS3 because he's the chatty one, but he seems happy to be back and I'll get used to it eventually. It's his last term before he graduates so I'm pleased he's been able to go back and experience it.

Moneywise 💷 I'm pleased that my SEF is progressing well and will be up to £2,000 next time I get paid. DH and I have £500 each in PBs now, which is a little nest egg which we're never tempted to spend somehow and that's the real value of it to me. I also have £1,000 in the holiday fund. We're not planning a holiday this year, but I'm determined to visit my dad in the South East and my sister in Scotland, so some of it could cover travel expenses for those trips. I've also been able to colour in another brick in my mortgage repayment chart.

I'm still hoping a permanent job will come up at school, but I've been doing TA cover for eighteen months now which is brilliant experience for me and will put me in a good position when a vacancy does come up 🙂.

I hope everyone in Diaryland is having a fun filled weekend and isn't getting too soggy if they have to go out in the rain 🙂.

Seasidegal58

Sorry to hear about the icky children but pleased to hear you found your training interesting and valuable and that it will be an asset to your CV. I think you are definitely in pole position if a TA position materialises.😃
MSE things seem to be rolling along excellently as well.  You sound like me re your holiday plans - just visiting family, but these are the most precious 'holidays' at the current time. Perhaps some U.K. weekends away later in the year but we'll see. 

doingitanyway

I like that you were able to entertain in the garden
Great progress on the EF too.
You've come so far

Sunshine_girl2

Oh Hairy this was my biggest worry after my two finished their degrees and masters that they would get jobs in some far flung place , millions of miles away from me . I was very lucky they both chose universities within commuting distance so we're both at home . Then they bought their own homes just 15 mins drive away so I have been very lucky. 

I have relatives in the West Country (Trowbridge) and both of their children have settled in Bristol as they wanted some big city entertainment, so hopefully DS will choose there. 

I am very impressed with your savings totals , you must feel better having a good EF should you need to use it. 

Hopefully you will get a permanent TA job in your school soon , as you must be part of the woodwork now and they know you are reliable always a plus . 

I hope you have had chance to sit in your garden today and that it is a riot of colour . 

Enjoy the rest of Sunday .

jwil

Your savings are growing really well!

I hope you manage to get a permanent job soon.

Sun_Addict

Your SEF is sounding very healthy 👏 Would DH want to spend it if he knew about it? Mr SA would with mine. I hope DS3 settles somewhere not too far away so you can still see him regularly. Also keeping my fingers crossed for a permanent post for you at school, you’ve worked hard and deserve it. Is the tricky boy still around, used to enjoy hearing stories about him.

Willowtree222

Love the SEF and also that you have the holiday fund. I am sure that will cover the travel and hopefully a little bit of a treat for you both as well. You certainly deserve it anyway. x