*sigh* this may take a while

ohdearhowdidthathappen

enthusiasticsaver said:

I loved my first Saturday job in the jewellery department of a local department store. I used to spend ages keeping the stands tidy and untangling necklaces and so on and the brown pay envelope with cash we got at lunchtime was so rewarding to get. My DDs were paid by BACs on their first jobs which somehow didn’t feel the same. Hopefully your DD will start to appreciate how hard she has to work for her pay and value the things you do for her more. 

Cash envelopes!  That brings back memories
We're hoping so, fingers crossed.

EssexHebridean

Loved my brown pay envelopes - although less so the fact that in my first job that £70 came in the form of a £50 note and a £20. You try being a 16 year old in East London in 1988 and trying to get anyone to take a £50 note from you! 🤣🤣 Had a special arrangement that I could take it to the TSB (the original one!) which was the company’s bank and get it changed! 

savingholmes

I think less is hidden now - whether it is worse is hard to know. I'd say it's worse that when I was at school but I did know how to get drugs at a rural school even when at primary. I chose not to though... My kids likewise knew how to get drugs but thankfully didn't avail themselves of the option 

ladyholly

In about 1969 I remember my dad   (who was training to be a probation officer at the time) asking me if anyone had ever offered me anything.  I hadnt got a clue what he was talking about.

[Deleted User]

Just found this diary and the cost of Uni is scaring me!!!  My DC are 3 and 1, so it's a way away, but I'm 43 (DH is 38) so will be 58 when DC1 goes and 60 for DC2 (if they go) - scary to think of the funding they may require!  We did start saving for them a while back (put their child benefit away and some extra) but that has been cut as we "earn too much".  Stopped saving as we are trying to find a house to buy (whole other story!!) but hoping to start again once that's sorted, but it's difficult as we currently have childcare costs of £1548 per month! 

Can't believe you have 5 kids - you must have the patience of a saint!  Will be following you x

ohdearhowdidthathappen

[Deleted User] said:

Just found this diary and the cost of Uni is scaring me!!!  My DC are 3 and 1, so it's a way away, but I'm 43 (DH is 38) so will be 58 when DC1 goes and 60 for DC2 (if they go) - scary to think of the funding they may require!  We did start saving for them a while back (put their child benefit away and some extra) but that has been cut as we "earn too much".  Stopped saving as we are trying to find a house to buy (whole other story!!) but hoping to start again once that's sorted, but it's difficult as we currently have childcare costs of £1548 per month! 

Can't believe you have 5 kids - you must have the patience of a saint!  Will be following you x

Welcome We're a similar age   Not sure about the patience of a saint, I can be grumpy.  My expectations of myself were readjusted with each new addition, but I love having a large family and the logistics are easier as they get older (not the expenses though!).

Ouch to the childcare costs... saving will be nigh on impossible for a couple of years until your youngest gets their funding, I'd imagine.  I tried to remember that just holding a job down and keeping a foot in the door at work was 'saving for the future' in itself.

Do you use tax free childcare?  If not, definitely look into it, it will save you 20%

[Deleted User]

We don't get it where we are as don't live in the uk!  But if we relocate, we should be able to get it which will definitely save us a huge amount (as childcare costs where we are are more than in the uk to start with anyway!)

I'd really love another child but DH doesn't want another.  I always saw myself a bit like Ma Larkin (original version) with loads of kids running around and me baking pies - ha ha! 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

My first week of eating healthier was a bit hit and miss, but I lost 0.5lb so not too bad overall.
I managed 10k steps on my non working days and did 2 strength training sessions.
Spending wise, not so great.  Nothing major, but small purchases here and there for the children that added up to £84 that weren't in the budget.  
Going to a theme park tomorrow that's very near to us and as it's a 'services' day the tickets were very reasonable, I bought them a while back.  We'll just eat there, but will make sure it's one of the reasonably priced outlets.  Parking is free too  

EssexHebridean

OhSh… I LOVE my strength training! I currently do twice a week, it would ideally be three times but at the moment that doesn’t work with other stuff that’s going on. I have a plan afoot to join the gym I use now through Hussle as a regular member in the new year and after 30 days that should give me access to the one that is nearer to my work too which will then enable three times a week. 😁 I love the challenge of doing just a little bit more over time and feeling myself get stronger. Well done on that and your steps, too! 

Enjoy your theme park day! 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

EH, I've found I enjoy strength training much more than cardio.  I use the LMOD app to do pump classes and find them really effective.  3 sessions a week would be fab, but I find it tricky to do at weekends.  Your plan sounds fab!

Theme park day was excellent.... we managed to 'only' spend £65 on food and sundries all day which isn't bad for 7 of us and the children all loved it; no arguments or whining!