Paying off £37065 unsecured debt by July 2027 while continuing to travel this amazing world

Nintud

satchmo1 said:

I have a magnificent memory of Epernay when we managed to get tickets for a private tour of the Pol Roger chateau and cellars for my 40th birthday. It was a small group of 12 (8 from my family). The tour ended in what could only be called a "salon" - with silk covered walls, seats and curtains. The "tasting" comprised of two magnums of White Label Pol Roger - the one favoured by Winston Churchill. We did buy plenty at the end! The other guests were from Canada and Australia.

That sounds wonderful!  I had so much information thrown at me about Champagne over the weekend, and retained very little of it, however, I did learn that the magnum sized bottles hold the best champagne. After that the quality declines because the huge bottles are filled from magnums and some of the pressure is lost during transfer.

Not that I will ever be able to afford a magnum of champagne 😆

Nintud

I’ve totalled up the cost of the weekend. Fri-Mon with three nights across two hotels, city taxes, toilet charges (83p a pee!), trains, buses, and Ubers to and from different places, food, tours, Louvre entry and guide book, walking tour of Paris, souvenirs, gifts, battery pack, tips, and flights, 1.5 days in Paris, a day each in Reims and Épernay, luggage storage at Paris du Nord train station, airport drop off charge,  bank charges for two ATM withdrawals, £20 to my son for dog sitting. The entire trip has come in at £709.97, so around £177.50 per day.

Over my £150 per day budget, but we packed a lot in, stayed in nice hotels, ate fabulous food, drank good coffee and Champagne, and had an amazing weekend, so I can handle a few weeks on beans on toast, scraggy toilet paper, and multiple jumpers 😆

RelievedSheff

Considering what you have crammed into your mini break I don't think that's a bad price.

joedenise

Thank you for the information @Nintud.  Will check out the website before we go next time.

Nintud

Back on the debt busting track and it’s one step forward and two steps back again. Vinted sales payments to Very £24 forward step. Reduction in Child maintenance due to not claiming child benefit for NEET son, massive step back. I’m awaiting the reduced figures.

RelievedSheff

Can you help your son find a job or apprenticeship?

He can't just do nothing forever!

He will have to pay his own way eventually.

Nintud

RelievedSheff said:

Can you help your son find a job or apprenticeship?

He can't just do nothing forever!

He will have to pay his own way eventually.

We’re working on getting him a job. He certainly cannot do nothing. I want him in a job before he is eligible to claim benefits as there is a big risk that he would happily live on universal credit, fudge applications and stay in bed all day.  He was astonished when I told him I will be charging housekeeping once he has a proper job.

RelievedSheff

Nintud said:

RelievedSheff said:

Can you help your son find a job or apprenticeship?

He can't just do nothing forever!

He will have to pay his own way eventually.

We’re working on getting him a job. He certainly cannot do nothing. I want him in a job before he is eligible to claim benefits as there is a big risk that he would happily live on universal credit, fudge applications and stay in bed all day.  He was astonished when I told him I will be charging housekeeping once he has a proper job.

Perhaps it is just what he needs, a bit of a push and a reality check.

twiggy86

Not a parent here, so feel free to ignore my comments... but is it worth mentioning that if he claims benefits, he'll still be charged housekeeping? Otherwise he may not see the incentive to get a job. Also what pocket money and/or subscriptions do you pay for - again maybe worth mentioning what will happen to those at a set point in the future? 

Nintud

Yes, he’ll pay something if claiming, but I want to avoid him being jobless at 18.

Subscriptions are Xbox related and mobile phone rental. All will stop when he is 18.  He can pay for those from his Child Trust Fund if necessary.