Courgette resets her sights

Courgette

Thanks everyone!

I've decided that I'll do a combination of train and bike. There is also a bus option but I get horribly bus sick so that's a non-starter for me.

Fabulous weekend, super fun and super cheap. We nearly came a cropper in the sudden snow fall on Saturday but it was quite exciting and definitely one for the memory bank!

Money stuff:

• cheap, fun weekend
• did an online tuition session last night, not the online company I usually work for, I hustled this one myself!
• still no overdue library books so far in 2018

This week I need to nag DH into sorting out the remortgage (it's in his name unfortunately) plus sort out DBS etc for my new job.

We may have solved the food shopping situation. I have bought a shopping delivery pass from MrS and combined it with a veg box delivery. I though it would end up being more expensive dong it this way (but it was a conscious decision to spend money rather than time and mental energy). So far it's actually working out cheaper!

wishingthemortgaheaway

I'm looking at getting a veg box and bulk ordering meat online. Not necessarily to cut costs (it might actually end up costing us a bit more) but to increase the variety of what we eat, eat more seasonally. The added benefit will be that I can set aside more of my grocery budget on defined things, rather than it just being one big pot of money that ebbs away.

edinburgher

Congrats on the new job Courgette - very pleased for you :j

I can see how a veg box/delivery combo might actually work out being quite cost effective. On the one hand, you lose the possibility of YS bargains, but on the other hand, you only buy what you need?

Courgette

Yes, it's really surprised me how much easier it feels already too. We get the veg box on Wednesday evening, I amend the MrS delivery for Thursday that I've already booked in to reflect any exciting veg dishes then that's it. No more daily quick trips to top up some little thing. My husband is vegan which makes shopping in Aldi difficult as they use a lot of hidden whey in quite a few of their products hence the constant MrS top-ups. So far we've been spending about £70 a week which is a big improvement on Aldi + MrS top-ups.

Just had another student book in between this message and the last one. My tuition income is now up £800 a month on where I was two weeks ago. That's totally nuts isn't it!

beanielou

Good news on student bookings.
I take it that it is a case of make the most of it before exams?

greent

Courgette wrote: »

Just had another student book in between this message and the last one. My tuition income is now up £800 a month on where I was two weeks ago. That's totally nuts isn't it!

Lots of students booking in after their mock exam results at school...?
x

Courgette

actually two of the new students are yr11s but the other two aren't - one's year 8 and the other is an adult EFL learner so I'll probably be able to hang on to those longer term all being well.

Just finished an online teaching shift. These little Chinese kids are amazing. They seriously make me question my parenting. I've just had a 5 year old. She brought her two teddies Alice and Ben to the lesson and with my teddy Charlie they had a great time. There's absolutely no way this student is unhappy or being pushed too far or anything else we tell ourselves in the West. I did actually find a Mandarin teacher last year for my boys but the time difference made it really difficult as they're 8 hours ahead - it meant we had to have lessons before school and my mothering and organisational skills are just not up to that unfortunately.

Need to write my reports for the lessons I've just taught then plan and teach 3 more students today. Won't see that much of my own children but it's all about balance isn't it

beanielou

My DS did Manderin & loved it

Courgette

beanielou wrote: »

My DS did Manderin & loved it

Really?? In the UK? Who was his teacher? How old? How long? Really interested in finding out more. Does he still use it now?

beanielou

Courgette wrote: »

Really?? In the UK? Who was his teacher? How old? How long? Really interested in finding out more. Does he still use it now?

Not

When he was at high school in 4th year & then 6th year if I remember.
So 15/16 then 17 I think.
Not sure he uses it now.
Currently doing his Masters.
No idea who his teacher was.