Cancer, cash and carrying on

Sun_Addict

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82087771#Comment_82087771

I think that would be @Blackcats and her pixie dust 😉

That’s brilliant news about the extra money and ideal for a FU cancer fund. I think you well deserve to sprinkle some pixie dust on yourself.

Fizz2015

Hello, I have been following your diary and delurking to say hi. Love your positivity and determination with everything life is throwing at you. Love the idea of FU fund and the pixie dust. I'm going to get one too following a diagnosis in April, followed by surgery and treatment. Had a positive outcome but will need regular checks. I remember reading that you mentioned that the consultant said being female and over 40 is all it takes, totally resonated with me.

We are just back from a holiday as we were unable to go in May home term due to my surgery and lost money as travel insurance had expired, totally missed with everything going on.

Hope you have a lovely break with your family.

Fizz x

beanielou

Fantastic news 🥰

DancingInTheRain

100% agree with @Sun_Addict sprinkle some pixie dust on yourself, goodness knows you deserve it! X

ohdearhowdidthathappen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82087870#Comment_82087870

Thanks Fizz

Glad your surgery and treatment had a positive outcome and that you managed to go on holiday. Cancer sucks and it’s definitely not fussy, I know several people in their 40s undergoing treatment for different types and their diagnosis doesn’t reflect their healthy lifestyles 😔
We lost money on our missed holiday flights, same scenario of not noticing lapsed insurance. Luckily the Airbnb had a cancellation policy so we got that part back.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

A year ago my eldest DS wanted to buy a £15k car, his old car had £3k trade in value so he was going to get a £12k loan over 4 years. I can’t remember the APR he was offered, but it was very high. It was going to cost a few thousand in interest 🤢

Anyway, after suggesting he should get something cheaper or save to buy it, it became clear he was determined 🙈

Instead, I offered to loan the money from an 0% CC as long as he paid the transfer fee and cleared it in 12 months. He agreed and has just made the final payment 🥳

He’s earning £2k and we don’t charge rent (for first 4 years) so he’s still had plenty to live on, he’s actually managed to save £500 a month on top into his LISA. He was really grateful and has said he’ll save for big purchases in future - we’ll see! 🫠 He’s very looking forward to the extra £1k a month in his pocket!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Our bills all go out tomorrow and I’ve put half of my salary and any extras into pots and savings so we’re left with our usual £250 to cover budgeted and non budgeted spends.

It’ll be interesting being the summer hols but we’re away 2 weeks in August and that spending money will come out of the holiday pot. I’ve also got a few appointments and a chemo session on the other 2 weeks so we’ll be limited on days out etc

My cousin is visiting today with his wife and 3 kids. But he was ‘if it’s ok with you we’ll come at 1 and just stay a few hours so no need to worry about food. Oh and we’ll bring loads of snacks too’. Nice! His kids are the same age as my middle 3 so they’re all teens, they usually spend their time playing board games which I always find sweet to see.

Spendless

My gosh your son must have been living frugally even without rent to pay back/save £1500 each month out of a £2k wage. Cant have been easy. My eldest never came home after Uni and my youngest would prefer not to so I missed this life stage out.

Glad your cousin considered you and food when visiting. What a difference compared to some other family members a few weeks ago.

Always nice when its end of wages/beginning of wages and you can see where you're at.

Enjoy your day.

ellenvan

That's a great life lesson for your son.

Well done to him.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82088923#Comment_82088923

My eldest two didn’t go to uni, they both got degree apprenticeships. Eldest DD has finished hers, eldest DS is half way through his.
We’ve said to them all that they get 4 years rent free, whether they go to uni during thing this time, or get an apprenticeship or a job. By getting an apprenticeship, they’re in a much better financial position. If they’d gone to uni, we obviously wouldn’t have charged rent anyway, but we’d have had to contribute to costs on top.

I hadn’t realised DS was saving on top of the repayments 😮. I had recommended opening a LISA so it was there ready and when he read up on them he wanted to do at least do the £4k.

I guess it still left him £125 a week spending money, he just goes to the gym and odd cinema trip, goes camping with friends. He’s doesn’t drink or go to clubs etc I don’t think he’s actually found it too hard. But he did say he’s looking forward to having a bit more cash for travelling etc, it’ll be interesting to see what he does with it ☺️