Worried about my kids future...

[kellyjo]

Im sure im not the only one in this boat im sure, but how are they ever gonna get on in life....

Lack of uni places,
Paying for their education (or paying off the immense debt after)
Insuring their first car
Getting on the housing ladder
Getting a job....and on....and on....

They're only 4,8 and 10 but im already stressing about this. They are bright, clever kids and should do well academically.

Unless something major changes in my life (my sugar daddy finally turns up ;-)) im not going to be able to save for them, there wont be any trust funds, no house to pass down to them.

What can i do to help them?

[Berlin]

Stop worrying, take up Bhudism and live for today ;)

[maviczap]

KJ
First of all stop fretting about it. Don't set your heart on them going to Uni.

My sister went to Uni, the only one in my family. She passed her degree, never ever had a job where she used her qualification. I remember her doing a study of growing palm trees in Scotland for one job.

The remainder of her adult life has been spent looking after my 3 nephews, and she still does. She's a librairian now!

The rest of us who never went to Uni, all have good well paid jobs. Lucky maybe, but I'd say learning a trade would be better than going to Uni and racking up a massive debt.

What they need from you is support (which you already give give them in heaps) in what ever path they choose, even if its not Uni

[Bri w]

Having 6 children has meant our resources have had to be spread thin, and in the early years our resources were close to zero. 5 of them have been thro' uni and have come out with huge debt - daughter no.1 went on to do the Bar course and finished with almost £30k of debt.

Its a catch 22. You want them to have the best possible chance but it comes at a cost.

What you can provide is a loving environment, emotional support, and guidance that will set the foundations for them to succeed. And in the early days, until its ingrained, you have to make sure they do their homework, and it will be second nature by the time it really matters.

All of ours have a decent education, achieved at a school with a poor reputation, and a good job. And all achieved without a "Sugar Daddy."

[metalangel]

KJ
First of all stop fretting about it. Don't set your heart on them going to Uni.

My sister went to Uni, the only one in my family. She passed her degree, never ever had a job where she used her qualification.

That. University is more of a convenient way of putting off youth unemployment figures for another three or four years. Far too many courses and degrees are nothing more than a waste of time and money (I know, I did Journalism ffs).

Sure it was nice to have three years of messing around spending most waking moments ****ed, going out to find girls every other night, playing video games, waking up on people's living room floors... but I could have spent those years building a proper career or learning a trade. The result was I graduated into a series of soul-crushing call centre jobs which a strategically shaved monkey (many of my co-workers) would find demeaning.

So don't fret too much about it. That you're concerned shows the kids already have a big advantage - a positive and supportive parent.

[kellyjo]

I dont expect that all 3 will want to go to uni, and those that dont wont get forced into it. I suppose its my big regret that I didnt, if I had I would certainly have more options open to me than I do now.

The irony is that my youngest starts school in a couple of weeks and im now in a position where I could study, but Mr Cameron's about to change the law to force me off lone parent benefits and back into whatever crap job I can find and claim working tax credits, which is fair enough cos I dont really expect to be paid to sit on my @rse while the kids are at school, i'd just rather study, get a degree, get my PGCE and really have something to offer back.

[Jabba]

The most that any parent can do, whatever their circumstances, is make their kids aware of the opportunities available to them and open what doors they can for them.

"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink." So long as you show them as many different types of water as you can then you're doing a good job :thumbsup:

The fact that you're thinking about your kids' future is to your credit; there are many that don't.

[Sean_C]

I've been taught that all of those things are things you earn and do under your own steam. I've seen far too many of my contemporaries handed everything on a plate, and mostly they can't see the wood for the trees. Be there to guide them, try and be objective, be open to their views. If you have kids that've had to work bloody hard for what they've got, they'll be good people with an appreciation for how things work in life.

A lot of my friends are going to have a hell of a shock once they're out of uni and into the real world.

[Ed]

KJ - I often think about what my daughter Sophie will do. She's 12 now. Not highly academic, but she is nobody's fool and has a much more practical approach to things.

The problem, I think, is that successive generations have always been told that they have to do better than the previous one. When I was at school - I left in 1979 - the popular wisdom was get A levels and the world's your oyster. Now everyone wants to get a degree.

I hope that Sophie doesn't want to go to university. All that debt would frighten me. I'd rather spend the money on helping her set up in a business.

Kids are resourceful and most young people go on to achieve - might not be what you had always thought but so what - my advice would be to stop fretting, do the best you can within the resources you have, and as they discover and develop the skills they have, watch your kids flourish.

[timwilky]

I like most parent went through life dreaming of what my kids would be. I had high hopes.

Only one made it to university and despite me paying her accommodation she still graduated with debt that scared me. Then she did her masters, then took on extra funding for her bar vocational course and at the end of all that decided she didn't want to be a barrister. It was my dream not hers. Lesson learned let your kids do what ever they want, they will surprise you.

Daughter no 2 dropped out of nurse training because she would rather drink and chase blokes. Now as a single mum she actually starts back at the hospital she walked out of on Monday, but as a health care assistant. She cannot afford to finish her nursing. But what the heck, I am still proud of her, she has got off her backside. Faced the ward sister who made her life hell and is now matron and got a job.

Son made me proud despite his faults when he did the decent thing on realising he had become a dad. He bought his first house age 20 so he could look after his family. It has been hard for him, his business failing in the recession, trying to hang onto your house and pay a mortgage despite not being eligible for benefits as your self employed but without work etc. Now working on minimum rate for 60hours a week in order to meet his outgoings. I take him for a pint occasionally as I know he cannot afford to go himself.

The thing is, your kids despite what you may think at the time are not extensions of you, they will do what they want, when they want. Sometimes they will make you proud, other times they will make you cry. It is life, just give them the opportunity to live theirs and not yours.

[Bri w]

I like most parent went through life dreaming of what my kids would be. I had high hopes.

Only one made it to university and despite me paying her accommodation she still graduated with debt that scared me. Then she did her masters, then took on extra funding for her bar vocational course and at the end of all that decided she didn't want to be a barrister. It was my dream not hers. Lesson learned let your kids do what ever they want, they will surprise you.

Daughter no 2 dropped out of nurse training because she would rather drink and chase blokes. Now as a single mum she actually starts back at the hospital she walked out of on Monday, but as a health care assistant. She cannot afford to finish her nursing. But what the heck, I am still proud of her, she has got off her backside. Faced the ward sister who made her life hell and is now matron and got a job.

Son made me proud despite his faults when he did the decent thing on realising he had become a dad. He bought his first house age 20 so he could look after his family. It has been hard for him, his business failing in the recession, trying to hang onto your house and pay a mortgage despite not being eligible for benefits as your self employed but without work etc. Now working on minimum rate for 60hours a week in order to meet his outgoings. I take him for a pint occasionally as I know he cannot afford to go himself.

The thing is, your kids despite what you may think at the time are not extensions of you, they will do what they want, when they want. Sometimes they will make you proud, other times they will make you cry. It is life, just give them the opportunity to live theirs and not yours.

Jeez!

Tim you are mellowing now you've reached your dottage.;)

What happened to Grumpy and opinionated?

[TazDaz]

Uni isn't the be all and end all, and don't forget apprenticeships/traineeships are always a decent option, which is often overlooked.

I'm not a parent, so cannot offer any insight into that aspect, but I'm the age of a uni student so I know what options are around. As a case study, I came out of school with so-so GCSEs and landed myself a job at an Engineering firm age 17 by simply applying and getting through the interview. Since then I've been on a day release scheme, been to college for 2 years, uni for 2 years and now I'm signed up to a further 4 years at uni to get my BEng. After all this, I won't have any student debts and I'll still have my job (which doesn't pay peanuts which most would like to assume).

Too many people think that to have a career you need to go to uni the traditional way, aka paying for it. My setup isn't exactly a rarity either; my company probably employs approximately 50 people per year in this situation throughout the UK, and then there are countless other companies which my peers work at which also recruit school/college leavers in this manner. I know this is obviously dependent on the industry, but all I'm saying is don't overlook traineeships.

Oh...and the part time uni courses are usually flexible with the intake so rarely full up completely.

[dizzyblonde]

Educate your kids in the way of manners, common sense, and bring them up with a good standard of morals, they'll only choose their own path anyway.
My son is 8, he was taught everything possible before he went to school, that I possibly could. It paid off, as he now exceeds in everything scientific, mathematical, well pretty much academically. Teachers say he'll never have issue with education. I keep him playing with children that aren't chavvy little scroats on our street, and try steer him away from those types. He knows right from wrong, and that is all I can do. I will crack the asss of my child in front of people if its fit, I discipline and shout in exactly the way my mother did, never did me harm or my two brothers, and it certainly wouldn't go amiss in lots of families today! He asks how high when told to jump, instead of giving his parent a load of bull. Sadly lacking in todays society.

Again, he'll choose his own path.
I just guide him through his life best I can until then. I didn't go to uni, but I all my exam results from school point to me being an intelligent type, I just choose to pretend otherwise, I have grafted hard as a single parent in full time work on nights, I own my own home, my son will learn what this meant when he is old enough.

He doesn't have the latest games console, the best trainers, branded tracksuits, caps, spoilt rotten with everything all other kids have, he is grateful for what he receives as he knows no different. He gets the best of what I can give him, which is still much better than most.
ORRR I could move to France...get away from all a*hole people who exist in this country, and keep him away from all of them, so he stays just how I want him.
Babba will be treat in exactly the same way.

[MisterTommyH]

Uni isn't the be all and end all, and don't forget apprenticeships/traineeships are always a decent option, which is often overlooked.

I'm not a parent, so cannot offer any insight into that aspect, but I'm the age of a uni student so I know what options are around. As a case study, I came out of school with so-so GCSEs and landed myself a job at an Engineering firm age 17 by simply applying and getting through the interview. Since then I've been on a day release scheme, been to college for 2 years, uni for 2 years and now I'm signed up to a further 4 years at uni to get my BEng. After all this, I won't have any student debts and I'll still have my job (which doesn't pay peanuts which most would like to assume).

Too many people think that to have a career you need to go to uni the traditional way, aka paying for it. My setup isn't exactly a rarity either; my company probably employs approximately 50 people per year in this situation throughout the UK, and then there are countless other companies which my peers work at which also recruit school/college leavers in this manner. I know this is obviously dependent on the industry, but all I'm saying is don't overlook traineeships.

Oh...and the part time uni courses are usually flexible with the intake so rarely full up completely.

+10000 - Getting an employer to sponsor day release degrees is the way forward. They get a trainee who will learn quickly and be useful on the 4 days they work. The employee gets a wage, no debt and most importantly, they come out of uni with experiance and a job. Even if they wanted to change job, that experiance puts them light years ahead of many graduates who have never worked.

[missyburd]

I hope that Sophie doesn't want to go to university. All that debt would frighten me. I'd rather spend the money on helping her set up in a business.

Note the words highlighted in your post Ed. If your daughter chooses to go to university I'm assuming she can rely on your help financially. Not that there is anything wrong with assisting children at university but I personally think it's an incentive for kids to doss and mess about for three years at uni knowing they're not worrying about how they'll pay for much when they are there. I went to university knowing all debt would be mine and I wouldn't be able to pay a penny off till I managed to get a fulltime job. I struggled for the first couple of years of my degree, even with a job. Come the third year I knew I wouldn't be able to cope with the work ahead and keep up the job so I applied for a hardship fund from the uni and that meant I could quit the job and concentrate more on uni work. What pi**ed me off at uni was the high percentage of students who couldn't give a crap about how well they did at uni, were just in it for the good times (which yes have to be had, I have many fond memories of mine) but there is a limit, and having mummy and daddy fork out for everything is no more going to help their kid prepare for the hardships of life ahead than one aspirin will help an elephant's migraine :)

Referring to the OP, I really wouldn't worry about your kids and uni. You have three, if all three want to go to uni I'd be very surprised, at least one will probably see sense and realise that these days degrees are losing their value tenfold seeing as every Tom, Vera and Harry is graduating with degrees in Cheese Grating and Voodoo Therapy.

Life is for living, your kids will love you regardless of how much money you have to offer. Anything could happen between now and then, no point worrying at all. That's my motto. I left uni and deliberately didn't dive into the job application stress as soon as that mortarboard left my head. I carried on with my part time job at home, managed to leave home and move in with family and friends and just took what was thrown at me. I now have a job lined up that after effectively taking a year out has come along at just the right time, and I didn't even look for it. If things are meant to happen they will, just enjoy your children at the lovely ages they are and don't spend that precious time stressing about what might/could/won't happen :-)

p.s. I do apologise for the essay :rolleyes:

[TheOnlyNemesis]

The best thing you can do is to teach them that if they want something to work hard for it so that they don't rely on you in the first place, am at uni now, student loan company are ok and when ever i want something i try to earn it instead of asking my mum or dad just cause it sets me up for later in life.

[Dave20046]

Im sure im not the only one in this boat im sure, but how are they ever gonna get on in life....

Lack of uni places,
Paying for their education (or paying off the immense debt after)
Insuring their first car
Getting on the housing ladder
Getting a job....and on....and on....

They're only 4,8 and 10 but im already stressing about this. They are bright, clever kids and should do well academically.

Unless something major changes in my life (my sugar daddy finally turns up ;-)) im not going to be able to save for them, there wont be any trust funds, no house to pass down to them.

What can i do to help them?
Let them work for it themselves like I had to! :lol:
(but keep the fridge stocked)

I know every mum worries but you'd be heading for an early grave...

[dizzyblonde]

The best thing you can do is to teach them that if they want something to work hard for it so that they don't rely on you in the first place, am at uni now, student loan company are ok and when ever i want something i try to earn it instead of asking my mum or dad just cause it sets me up for later in life.

This is what my parents showed me, and its what I show my son. My parents live in a very nice house in a nice area, but they worked their pants off for that, my dad even worked abroad for 5 years in Saudi, came home every six months for ten days, I was at junior school, the youngest of my brothers was still a baby when he first went. Everyone said they were mad to have bought such a house back then, but my parents made it work. We learned to appreciate over the years what both my parents did, just for us to have something nice. It was never easy for them I can tell you. In later years my mum went to work, when dad left Saudi, worked full time like dad, as kids grow, they cost more, times were always tough......just because people live in nice houses doesn't mean they are rich and welll off.
I might own a little house, slightly rough round the edges, but I've worked hard to keep it, especially when times have been extremely tough. My son has never gone hungry, and I've made choices to not have a social life to compensate for what we need....some people just can't do that. Yes, I may have three bikes now, but my little empire has been bought on hard work, I don't have fancy clothes or fancy TVs, the latest hi-fi or the newest ipod, the bikes were transport, until recently when I got the choice of a car from Peg.

Some people can't appreciate lifes luxuries when they have everything on a plate....those that work hard do. Hopefully my son will grow up with the same thought as yourself, as you were led by a good example by the sounds of it.

[kitkat]

kj - try and not worry too much about them. My eldest is 17. she went to college to do horse stuff at 15 after passing her exams in Scotland. she passed both years with full distinction. she is due to start hnd in september. she bought her first car at 16 and paid for her lessons. she passed her test in May and did 3000 miles in 2 months before car died. she works part time and used her savings to buy another car. she pays for the insurance herself. lots of her friends at college have loaded parents, they get brand new cars for birthdays etc with insurance and even petrol paid for them. Becky appreciates her car and is so proud of herself for paying her own way. We help out where we can but its only the occassional £20. She has got a maintenance grant for college and is getting her tuition paid. she has decided against taking out the £3k loan they offered her. Im sure your kids will grow up, happy, healthy and will be aware of the value of money.

You never stop worrying. Last weeks worry was that connor who is 13 was not enjoying himself at army cadet camp. This weeks worry is Becky is driving to Scotland tomorrow - 450 miles one way. Next week it will be something else, hardly surprising im grey lol

[gettin2dizzy]

The irony is that my youngest starts school in a couple of weeks and im now in a position where I could study, but Mr Cameron's about to change the law to force me off lone parent benefits and back into whatever crap job I can find and claim working tax credits, which is fair enough cos I dont really expect to be paid to sit on my @rse while the kids are at school, i'd just rather study, get a degree, get my PGCE and really have something to offer back.

That's a big ask. Students have to pay for it themselves, why do lone parents get special treatment? I've got over £20k of debt around my neck for it.

I know a girl who funded her way through Uni by working, whilst having a new born baby and being a single mum. She's not the brightest, but has probably set the best example to her child, of how to take responsibility for her own future.

Her kid will more likely grown up to fund their own car, insurance and higher education.

[fizzwheel]

What can i do to help them?

My parents taught me, if I wanted something that I needed to work for it. I never had things handed to me on a plate when I was growing up. I had to earn it or get myself a job to pay for something if I wanted it. Best lesson my parents ever taught me.

Money isnt everything, I always knew and still do that if I got stuck I could rely on mum and dad to help me. But I soon found out that that help might not always be financial.

As for Uni, I never went, I earn the same money if not more than my friends that did. IMHO its not an essential thing to be able to do. Whilst they were faffing about I was learning my trade and I never regretted for one minute not going.

[thefallenangel]

My parents taught me, if I wanted something that I needed to work for it. I never had things handed to me on a plate when I was growing up. I had to earn it or get myself a job to pay for something if I wanted it. Best lesson my parents ever taught me.

Money isnt everything, I always knew and still do that if I got stuck I could rely on mum and dad to help me. But I soon found out that that help might not always be financial.

As for Uni, I never went, I earn the same money if not more than my friends that did. IMHO its not an essential thing to be able to do. Whilst they were faffing about I was learning my trade and I never regretted for one minute not going.


Stick me in the +1 for this catergory. My SV was bought brand new £4k, 0% finance as it was pre-reg. My house was bought with shared equity and a lot of stuff thrown in so they could build the next phase of the estate. I have no degree, just a job with promotion prospects, £30k a company van now.

If you're that worried just make sure thye have a good job, don't hurt anoyone and a roof over their head and are happy because nothing else matters.

[Ed]

Oh, and don't go thinking that being a solicitor or other sort of professional means £££££££.

It doesn't.

[gettin2dizzy]

Oh, and don't go thinking that being a solicitor or other sort of professional means £££££££.

It doesn't.

More in ...... More out :rolleyes:

[Fizzy Fish]

The best thing you can do is to teach them that if they want something to work hard for it so that they don't rely on you in the first place, am at uni now, student loan company are ok and when ever i want something i try to earn it instead of asking my mum or dad just cause it sets me up for later in life.

+1

With 4 kids to pay for and just my dad working, we were never given handouts/money for uni/etc. So I worked my way through school & uni, got a job, bought my own bike, finally managed to get a house (even in the South East!) - and my brothers have all done fine as well.

What we got from my parents, and what has been THE most important thing they could have done for us, was love and support to help us on the way.

[fridaybass]

I dont have kids myself, consider myself a bit young and I am goin to Uni so a kid would not be a good idea atm. The best thing you can do is let your kids grow up and try to keep them doing the right thinks. The debts from Uni are a big worry but the student loans will not criple them and they can also get a job.

Pete

[staceylew01]

My parents never seemed to worry, i always new they had nothing to give me financialy so i nevre expected it. iv always worked ever since i was 15. i did my As levels but decided it wasnt for me so went to college instead and done my apprenticeship in joinery, the pay wasnt the best so kept my job at tescos going at the same time in evening and weekends. i paid for my own car, lessons and insurance with the money i saved, ive since done a btec and about to do a hnc in building. imo learning aswell as having a job is much more beneficial gaining hands on experience at the same time as learning and you dont aquire a massive loan! 99% of my friends thought there was somthing wrong with me not wanting to go to uni as they thought this was the only way, they have had everything given to them from monthly allowances to new cars and i dont think they realy appreciate it. I have also got my own bike all paid for and just in the process of getting my first house, im only 22 so i to be honest i dont think ive done that bad considering all i recieved of my parents was emotional support. If thats all you have to offer, then make it the best you can give, and they will do the rest for you.

[andrewsmith]

KJ

I've just finished uni with 20k+ of debt

The best advice is if they stay local give them a free bed for the duration.
If they go away: be there but don't intrude unless it goes t*ts up!!
I wouldn't worry about them, i got through with working v long hours during the summer for 7 years and saving like an idiot all the way through till my final year.

[dill89]

im excited, i have 3 yrs left of uni, 2 study 1 placement, and then i get to go and find a job that most likely wont exist because they are all being snapped up... awesome!!

im gona win though!! win i tell ya!!

but yea just give them all your love and everything will work out fine...

[alexh]

+10000 - Getting an employer to sponsor day release degrees is the way forward. They get a trainee who will learn quickly and be useful on the 4 days they work. The employee gets a wage, no debt and most importantly, they come out of uni with experiance and a job. Even if they wanted to change job, that experiance puts them light years ahead of many graduates who have never worked.

+100000

Exactly what Im doing takes a while though! 7 years down, 2 more to go!

[mkz9876]

my other half is finding it quite amusing at the moment, shes 20, she finished her a levels at 18 and got 4 hour a week p/t job in Jessop's.
beginning of the year she got assistant managers job, 4 months ago the manager left, she was then offered the position of acting manager which she took, shortly followed by an interview for managers job where she was given a 6 month probationary period as manager.
Recently she was holding interviews for a 12hr part time contract, she had 40 + applications with well over half having completed degrees with a good percentage of them being old school mates, uni is not the be all and end all and by not going to uni she is now employing people who did.


I left school at 16 without taking any GCSE's (out of not turning up) and spent best part of 2 years doing various jobs and not sticking to any of them for more than a few months, then i got offered a job at 18 with a national company they supplied a van tools phone and 18k a year doing general building maintenance. im still dong the same job 4 years later with a few extra company benefits an extra 3k a year and a smaller area.

between me and the other half we are living in rented accommodation both have bikes she has a car and still managing to save £800 a month for a deposit on a house, we have got in the position were in through hard work and determination,

you can give your kids the world but weather it will do them any good is doubtful, if they have to work for it they WILL appreciate the value of it.

[gettin2dizzy]

my other half is finding it quite amusing at the moment, shes 20, she finished her a levels at 18 and got 4 hour a week p/t job in Jessop's.
beginning of the year she got assistant managers job, 4 months ago the manager left, she was then offered the position of acting manager which she took, shortly followed by an interview for managers job where she was given a 6 month probationary period as manager.
Recently she was holding interviews for a 12hr part time contract, she had 40 + applications with well over half having completed degrees with a good percentage of them being old school mates, uni is not the be all and end all and by not going to uni she is now employing people who did.


I left school at 16 without taking any GCSE's (out of not turning up) and spent best part of 2 years doing various jobs and not sticking to any of them for more than a few months, then i got offered a job at 18 with a national company they supplied a van tools phone and 18k a year doing general building maintenance. im still dong the same job 4 years later with a few extra company benefits an extra 3k a year and a smaller area.

between me and the other half we are living in rented accommodation both have bikes she has a car and still managing to save £800 a month for a deposit on a house, we have got in the position were in through hard work and determination,

you can give your kids the world but weather it will do them any good is doubtful, if they have to work for it they WILL appreciate the value of it.

Well done :thumbsup: Sounds like you've got your heads screwed on. But saving £800 a month?! Do you not eat? :smt120

[mkz9876]

no we live in a tiny one bedroom cottage we don't go out on the **** (very often 4/5 times a year)we don't waste cash on cds and mags and newspapers and only buy clothes that we will wear and use, just careful with money. the fact that it disapeers out of the current account to the savings account before we see it helps,

[danf1234]

I did a degree in Urban developent and tourism, and one in psychology. I am now a production manager for Nestle. We make Aero's. Dream job if you like chocolate bars. Sell it to your kids that way lol!

All 3 of my kids want to come to Daddy's work!

[steveg]

My eldest is @ Uni , he knows I can not pay for him as not in a position to , I do help him with what I can , he wants to be an English teacher therefore needs an English degree which he is taking at Kent Uni

My younger two are both early teens and my youngest son is computer mad so wants to work in IT , he watches the Cisco videos I have for fun

I did not go to Uni as had my first son when I was 18 so closed that door to me , but have done ok without a degree , but to be honest never been that bothered about a high paying career , value family time and friends and having fun more

Cheers Steveg

[boot]

KJ, do you know what they want to do? What their talents are? What they enjoy doing the most both in and out of an academic environment and how the those things correlate? Do you know what type of jobs they'd want to do?

We home educate. This helps to better understand needs, and better provide the right tools, environment, support and understanding to help our offspring choose the right path in life. We hope that they will do something great with their lives, to not be materialistic, greedy or envious of what others have, but to live a fulfilling, emotionally rewarding and happy life. Most of all, we want them to have choice; choice to do what they want to do.

We're big on the environment, ecology, nature, fair trade, sustainability and ethics. We hope that our way of life, the choices we make and explain to our children will help us to nurture the desire in them to do something great, something meaningful.

I would rather my children find the gift of my legacy be the knowing that they can be happy and proud of who they are and all that they achieve and that they recognise my hand in that, than it be one of monetary and/or materialistic possessions.

[Ed]

More in ...... More out :rolleyes:

Oh dear, I thought you knew better than that Rob.

It's much more a case of less in... in fact, often nothing in. I'm the last to be paid and if we have a mediocre month then there's nothing left. We need to find a minimum of £27K a month in cash from invoices issued just to scrape by. £30K is more comfortable, and if we get that then I can take £1K. Yes, £1K. And that's gross, remember.

Shocked? Many people who are self employed are in the same boat.

Don't whine about how little you're paid:smt045

[Specialone]

Many people who are self employed are in the same boat.

Don't whine about how little you're paid:smt045

I hear you there Ed, everyone thinks self employed are rolling in cash, the facts are it's bloody hard to make a good living.
Very often it's a lot of work for very little gain.

[kellyjo]

Even if I had millions in the bank they would never have it handed to them on a plate, a good work ethic is essential I believe. I guess the state the country is in gets me down and I dont want them to spend their lives working hard just to maintain a minimal level of survivial.
I dont expect all 3 to go to uni, probably only my eldest, but I am at a point in my life regretting that I didnt and I dont want them having the same regrets.

Thanks for all your comments and experiences. Ultimately I will carry on doing as I already am - loving them, talking to them and trying to understand them, and let them know what their chioices are, the differences between right and wrong, and how to say yes and no - the tools for life that were handed down to me!

[Bluefish]

Going to uni don't mean anything, most that do, do nothing with the media studies degree they got, and as for the state of the country it's not that bad the banks are making a fortune again lol there's jobs out there for those that want them, don't forget the media like to paint the worst possible scenario, remember bird flue, mad cow disease etc, you can't tell them what to do, only guide them,they will find their own way, good luck to you and your's. :sunny:

[gettin2dizzy]

Oh dear, I thought you knew better than that Rob.

It's much more a case of less in... in fact, often nothing in. I'm the last to be paid and if we have a mediocre month then there's nothing left. We need to find a minimum of £27K a month in cash from invoices issued just to scrape by. £30K is more comfortable, and if we get that then I can take £1K. Yes, £1K. And that's gross, remember.

Shocked? Many people who are self employed are in the same boat.

Don't whine about how little you're paid:smt045

Maybe we need a 'donate' button for being the law of the org ;)