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anxious about fees

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 2:16 pm
by joop
We have accepted an independent place for my ds as our local comprehensive is not an option (still appealing for a grammar). We have three children 11,9 and 4 so just started to look at budgeting for schools fees (secondary school only). Obviously numbers start to look huge but we both have good, secure jobs and I work part-time so can increase to full-time at some point in the future.

Just wondered how everyone stopped themselves getting completely overwhelmed when looking at the figures.

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:01 pm
by Waiting_For_Godot
If you aren't already in this situation you should seriously consider downsizing or having a more fuel economic car. The school run can be very costly and at the moment I am finding it very noticable. Scrutinise your bills and make sure you are not paying for something unnecessary, however small. Shop in the second hand shop - everyone does!!!

As for feeling overwhelmed with fees? Stick your fingers in your ears and do the la-la song and that should help! :cry: :wink:

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:51 pm
by hermanmunster
Hope you are already a fan of Martyn Lewis and his moneysavingexpert forums.. if not have a look - very good advice for people, how to save money on all sorts of things and ensure that you are not paying too much for things eg utilities / insurance / mobile phones etc.
Amazing how it all adds up....

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:30 pm
by doodles
Waiting_For_Godot wrote:As for feeling overwhelmed with fees? Stick your fingers in your ears and do the la-la song and that should help! :cry: :wink:

That's the best advice! :lol: :lol:

But do use the school shop, WFG's right everybody does. Scrutinise the bill and don't give DC free rein to purchase stationery etc from office/library and put it on the bill, it soon adds up.

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:22 pm
by Moonlight
joop wrote:Just wondered how everyone stopped themselves getting completely overwhelmed when looking at the figures.
I felt completely overwhelmed when we first went down the indie route. I was worried that we would spend so much money on private education that we would not be able to afford to support DD through university. After much worrying I realised that her education now was more important and that if we didn't get that right, we might not have to think of university at all! Of course, there's no telling that DD will actually want to go to uni but at least I will have done as much as I can for her at this stage.

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:41 pm
by 1sttime
I am so glad we are not the only one. :shock: We have just taken up an Indie route too and the whole thing really looks daunting with the fees slapped on us suddenly...from paying nothing to suddenly a hefty sum going out for his fees.

Yes the sticking finger in the ears and singing La La is definitely a survival method!! :lol:

What we will do is - sacrificing expensive holidays, cut down shopping bills, cut down unnecessary expenses and increase working hours.

DS doing 10+ at indie.... when he could have waited and try GS which is free but then this is a decision we have made and will stick with it and remember is the best investment ever. :o

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:10 pm
by joop
Thanks really helpful comments. Will take a trip to the second hand uniform definitely especially as my ds is prone to losing items :x

I will also take it one year at a time instead of worrying about number 2 and number 3 following on and learn the la la song :o

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:50 pm
by lefol
I too was anxious about fees as I am also new to the process, but it is amazing when you go through your current account and find you can make huge savings by cutting down on the silly stuff we spend on each day. What I have also done is to open up a separate savings account with a standing order each month, the separate account is solely for fees and I can save up each month in advance of the fees due in sept.

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:36 am
by Thisismadness
While I can see the merits of the "la la song" approach (and sometimes find myself singing it!) I do think we also owe it to our kids to be realistic and have a proper think about the longterm, and exactly how far we're prepared to sacrifice family life in order to send them to a certain school - in terms of longer working hours for ourselves, less/no nice holidays and other luxuries. Once our children are at independent school, in my experience (of one DS there so far) they are mixing with kids who are from pretty affluent backgrounds, with second homes, skiing holidays, iphones etc very much the norm. I do think it's important to bear this in mind - much as it's easy to think "well we won't have any holidays/expensive birthday presents for the next 7 or so years", is that really something you're all prepared to follow through?

You've got a lot of education ahead of you with 3 children - there's always the option of moving to an area with a really good state school or grammars that aren't "super-selective". Joop - sorry, I'm not trying to put you off the independent route, we're doing it ourselves, and obviously you're looking for reassurance, but no-one on here can know your financial situation -only you know whether this is possible for 3 children.

What I can tell you (from my DS's independent secondary) is that while fees (£5k/term) are up 5% for next year, the extras so far haven't been too bad at all - day trips etc not much more than our local state primary. Uniform also hasn't been a big expense - for boys you can just buy M+S trousers and shirts and buy the school blazer (£90!), tie and jumper. Sports kit is quite a lot though. Foreign trips do look expensive but they're almost all optional so that hasn't reared its head yet. Often they're sports team-related and the parents get together to raise funds to help.

Re: anxious about fees

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:22 pm
by Pushy Dad
Since, financially, we are merely 'comfortable', going private was supposed to be Plan B, just in case we didn't get our preferred state school. But when the twins got scholarship offers we couldn't say no.

They start Year 7 this September and, even with scholarships, it is going to cost us £20k for the next five years. And then there is Sixth Form and then University. All in all, their education is going to cost us £100k, each child, over the next 10 years. Are we 'anxious'? Yes, with a great big capital 'Y' :D

We have the first years fees put to one side so we are reasonably calm about it at the mo but all it takes is an unforseen large personal tax bill to land on the doormat, a greater than expected mortgage rate hike or job problems, to upset the delicate state of affairs.

Mrs Pushy Dad says that when the kids start and I see how much they are enjoying it then the cost and the sacrifices won't seem important anymore. It is going to be this time next year before I can believe that :D