Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

Thank you all for your 18th/21st birthday present stories.  I got a freshwater pearl necklace and earrings for my 18th.  I was married by my 21st so i think I probably got something for the house.  Neither of my parents could drive so they didn't see any necessity to support my driving lessons or buy me a car.  To be fair we did live near to excellent public transport - bus, trains and tube.

I've been chatting to my eldest grandchild and they said that now they have a Saturday job they are saving up to start driving lessons. This was music to my ears and I'll be really pleased to contribute early next year when it's his birthday.  Scott - I was shocked at the price of lessons!

PennysIntoPounds

Good for them, that's doing it proper that is 🍻

Scott_Weiland79

Blackcats said:

Thank you all for your 18th/21st birthday present stories.  I got a freshwater pearl necklace and earrings for my 18th.  I was married by my 21st so i think I probably got something for the house.  Neither of my parents could drive so they didn't see any necessity to support my driving lessons or buy me a car.  To be fair we did live near to excellent public transport - bus, trains and tube.

I've been chatting to my eldest grandchild and they said that now they have a Saturday job they are saving up to start driving lessons. This was music to my ears and I'll be really pleased to contribute early next year when it's his birthday.  Scott - I was shocked at the price of lessons!

God knows what they are down south but in Geordieland/Durham thats what i was paying.

I had about 10 lessons pre covid kicking off and they went up from 45quid  to 52 quid, my instructor said he couldnt teach as many people pd and he was basically having to disinfect his card after each pupil so prices went up.  I then gave up during covid as it was one step forward 1 back with all the lockdowns.

Once covid settled I found an instructor in Newcastle and i was paying 55 per 90mins, but that went up to 60 pre me passing.

My instructor did block bookings but even those for 10 hours were a fortune 350quid.

Re your eldest grand bairn i would get him/there parents to contact some instructors now. Alot will have waiting listings, i know covid eased months ago but all of instructors will still be rammed to the hilt depending on where you live.

Blackcats

Scott - it's £70 for 90 minutes for the driving lessons and that's not in our so called stockbroker belt part of the sunny South.  

8 days into the month and all the direct debits are paid and all the bills are paid.  I've still got some Christmas presents to buy but I'm feeling quite organised.  I hardly recognise myself!

I've started my Pixie Dust savings pot which I'll use to make our family happy by helping them out or treating them.

joedenise

Pixie Dust - Love the name of your savings pot!

EssexHebridean

I can't imagine how kids can afford to learn to drive now at that sort of cost, and there must be huge pressure to go for the test as soon as they possibly can, rather than adding in a few more lessons to give a better likelihood of passing. Mind you it might explain the state of the driving you see out there these days! 

Loving the idea of a Pixie Dust pot! 

Blackcats

@EssexHebridean - I agree with you that the price of lessons incentivises passing the test quickly and I agree that  I'd rather my grandkids had more lessons to gain experience and be as safe as possible on the road.  I'll pay for a few more hours next year. Gulp!

i've christened the pot Pixie Dust because it will make me happy to sprinkle happiness amongst our family.  I will put £100 a month into the pot and add in any extras like money from surveys or bay of e etc.  I randomly received a cheque for £28 from verging meedja even though I haven't been a customer for years.  My dad is a customer but this cheque is in my name and posted to my address.  If it had been a click on this link text or email I would have ignored it, however, the cheque has cleared so thanks VM for £28 worth of pixie dust.

Makingabobor2

That's odd getting a random cheque. Did it say what it was for? Maybe they discovered you'd overpaid many years ago? 

Blackcats

@Makingabobor2 - I still can't explain why I got the cheque but also the last time I had vergin meedja I lived at a different address.  Anyway the cheque has cleared so I'm grateful for that little bonus.

i'm feeling like life is a bit spendy at the moment but I'm also buying gifts on behalf of my dad for his carers and a couple of neighbours.  He gives cash to his grandchildren and great grandchildren so I've been to the cash machine too.

i'm really excited that I'm getting a stand mixer for Christmas.  I've wanted one for ages but it's never made it to the top of my buy for myself list so I'm using my dad's gift to me money, a couple of vouchers and some personal spends money to buy one.  My current little hand mixer is on its last legs - the whisks have broken and only one of the mixer attachments actually attaches.  I'm enjoying browsing recipes to try out.  We are visiting friends just after New Year and I've volunteered to create a cake or dessert to take with us.

EssexHebridean

Lovely to be able to use that money from your Dad to buy something you've wanted for years. My hand mixer doesn't always lock its beaters in place so occasionally one comes flying out while whisking. So far I've always managed to spot that this is happening and stop it beating before it sprays whatever it is mixing all over the kitchen!