Time for a new start

Drawingaline

It really is an expensive time SH. And when people say you have had 18years to save for it, I have to remind them that hubby was out of work for just over a yesr back in 2016, we went through all our savings just paying the mortgage! If we hadn't moved we would be fine, but then we moved for everyone in the family. Her decision to study, and study in London was hers alone really. We will, of course support her as much as we can, but ultimately she needs to work and pay for her lifestyle. She is doing well, and looking forward to being back at uni, she has been and explored the new campus (it's moved across London to a new purpose built building and I know she was excited about that.

The smallest continues to do well at his new school, the boy has paid his first lot of 'keep' and set up a fresh start in ynab, and the wierd one seems to be happy enough back in year 10. Having to get him to do some more homework though, which is a bit hard.

Finances are delicate. Trying to cut some expenses, but it's proving harder than normal. Petrol bill will be going up as I have a longer school run now, and it sometimes feels that I live in the car! Good job I love driving. 

Xmas is going to be scaled right back this year I think 😬

savingholmes

Xmas being scaled back is normal for a lot of people. It's a good life lesson for the kids to cut your cloth - even at Christmas. You sound like you are making the best of things.

The best pressie I ever gave my brother was some £5 comics I picked up on FB. There are bargains out there - especially for kids.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello @Drawingaline,

It was lovely to catch up on your diary. I have to admit, like you I haven't wrote in mine for months! Congrats to DD1 for a good start to yr2 of Uni and also to DS for passing his course too. Glad to hear back to school is going well for the other two as well.

I getcha with the credit card balance - we enjoyed summer too and eek yeah I have a balance that I need to transfer to 0% for a short time. Christmas will equally be scaled back.

I've been navigating back to school with my eldest starting secondary and the littlest navigating antother year at primary.

A friend of mine last week delivered a random bag of food goodies - soups etc. Some ouf of date. She'd been give some from a friend who gets them from the various food apps. I'll be apprecaiting the soups and various items.

Take care and hope you are having a good rest of September. How can it be October next Sunday.

Drawingaline

The girl finally took herself off for an eye test (been nagging her for months, since she went on about headaches). She needs glasses. Another expense 😭 but needs must.

The smallest was star of the week at his school and is teacher sent me some of his descriptive writing. It's truly amazing for an 11yr old! He says he wants to be a writer when he is older, he might make it.

I have picked up an extra job this week, will replace the 5hrs lost to clients down with covid (I won't clean if they definitely have covid, I go into lots of houses, don't want to spread it) which is handy.

Hubby was paid, so all categories in ynab updated. Finances still not great, but making a bit of a dent in the credit card bill. Will keep plodding on.

Crazycatlady2

I just had eye test and am needing glasses. I got mine from glasses direct site and got a very good offer as new so paying £20 Inc delivery for 2 pairs 

Drawingaline

CCL she went back to ssavers and got two pairs for £89. Which I thought was pretty reasonable. She is lucky that any type of glasses shape suit her, and she doesn't have her dad's massive head (he had to have frameless ones in order for them to fit!) So could have been worse I suppose! Also two pairs is good for her, one to keep in her room, one for her uni/work bag. It's when she is at work that she is struggling the most, she does something that is close work and quite intricate. 

savingholmes

Well done on the extra shift.

Drawingaline

Every time I say I will keep up with posting I fall behind!

Finances are really not good right now, but everything is paid and we have some savings for Xmas etc so could be worse I suppose!

Had to have an emergency vets visit for one of the cats. He has an eye infection, so now need to somehow get drops into his eye twice a day wish us luck.....

The girl has settled back into uni life and her current project seems to be doing well after some initial teething problems.

The boy is busy working, and waiting on his driving test next month.

The smallest has done amazingly well for his first half term at secondary school, I am so proud of how he is doing.

The 14yr old is doing everything he can to avoid doing homework or any school work. Thinknit is going to be an interesting two years!

Not much else to update, maybe that's why I haven't been posting, just ticking along.

lucielle

Sometimes ticking along is the best thing. 

L

savingholmes

Sounds like you are doing better if you have some savings. Glad the family is doing okay. A lot of change for you all in recent times.