Giving every £ a job

Scott_Weiland79

Blackcats said:

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.

Over the years i have spent 1000's and 1000's on them, i didnt feel the lessons taught me how to drive just how to pass the test. This sounds weird but its only now i am more confident with driving and my idiot radar has improved. 

Sarahwithlove

Your hairdresser sounds like my massage lady, for her sons 17th birthday they are going to Edinburgh, then they brought him a car, paid his insurance and are paying for his driving lessons. He apparently complained because of the car they wanted to get him wasn't cool enough. Madness. 

Blackcats

@Sarahwithlove - I was really taken aback when chatting to my hairdresser.  I had a brief inner struggle when I beat myself up for not giving my children this sort of expensive and lavish gift and I expect this is the sort of reaction that drives the keeping up with the Jones' mindset.  My new pixie dust savings pot is designed to allow me to give guilt free gifts or practical support to family.  It will be on a far, far smaller scale than your massage lady and my hairdresser but I shall enjoy sprinkling some helpful magic in 2026 🙃

Blackcats

I expect many of us MSE'rs are enjoying some Twixmas time planning and scheming ahead of 2026.

using corporate speak my overarching aim is to live well and spend well.  If I take care of my pennies and keep a close eye on essential spending such as bills and manage discretionary spending such as groceries this will satisfy my MSE ambitions.  It will then be possible to spend well on holidays, family and fun stuff.

i'm working on the details now ready for the annual financial bored meeting that me and MrBC have in January.

i'll test out some ideas here over the next few days.

Sarahwithlove

Blackcats said:

@Sarahwithlove - I was really taken aback when chatting to my hairdresser.  I had a brief inner struggle when I beat myself up for not giving my children this sort of expensive and lavish gift and I expect this is the sort of reaction that drives the keeping up with the Jones' mindset.  My new pixie dust savings pot is designed to allow me to give guilt free gifts or practical support to family.  It will be on a far, far smaller scale than your massage lady and my hairdresser but I shall enjoy sprinkling some helpful magic in 2026 🙃

I think its good to give help but not to pay for it all. I think teaching kids that you don't just get everything in life is better than paying for it all. So I am sure whatever help you provide will be appreciated 

ladyholly

If I had been his parent I would have taken the car back and sold it but then I am mean.

PennysIntoPounds

Me too @ladyholly!
Oh dear @Sarahwithlove, sounds like another person raising their kid so they'll be disliked by everyone and thoroughly unhappy all their life. I know everyone wants the best for their family but money really can't buy class..
Looking forward to hearing the results of your bored meeting Blackcats 

badmemory

The last thing any teenager should be allowed to have is a cool car.

RebeccaPAgain

Hellooo Blackcats - it has been SO long since I've logged on so still catching up, but love your idea of sprinkling magic for your family - what a gift!

Hope to catch up on all your news (and of course your seventy billion trips away of which I am most envious!) soon xx

joedenise

The only planning I've done is sorting out our holidays for 2026 and how to pay for them!  

Need to save really hard as have 4 AI holidays booked and 2 one month holidays in our motorhome!  Glad I've got a couple of regular savers to help pay for them!

Happy New Year.