Hubby says it needs this other part before I can drive it.
Today, my son's car needs the repair job. Thankfully, he can drive the ol' farm truck to work. Part of the hardware that holds up the gas tank basically disintegrated on his car. Yikes!
The trouble with self repairs, is finding the time to get the job done. However, I'd rather buy a part (and wait patiently) than spend $800.00 of my husband's (and mine) hard earned income to pay for repairs. I'd rather take another getaway instead. Sounds selfish, but really it's not selfish. We both deserve it.
Frustration with Public School
For the second year in a row, the 8th grade class is sending kids off on a Washington, D.C. trip. The cost? $600.00 per kid. However, the cost doesn't stop there. This year they are required to have a special dress outfit, with dress shoes that can be walked a lot in - more costs. They state all meals are included, but I am sure there will be more hidden costs they will drop on us later.
Then there is the payment system for this trip. You can pay on-line with the school, but the school charges you for every transaction you make. We already pay enough taxes for our school's so why should I give them anymore. Public school is not free anymore. It's down right unaffordable.
We already just paid $225.00 in school fees, and even more than that on school clothes and shoes. Not to mention the cost of required school supplies also. We skipped out on school photos, since they did them the day prior to school starting, and right after fees were paid. If they had photos taken, that would be another $90.00 to hand over. This year? I'm taking their photos myself, and I won't have extras laying around in a box.
My daughter said to me that the teacher told her she could hand him the $200.00 cash and he'd take care of the payment. Send cash with your kid? He must not have teenagers.
Last year, I could pay the tour company directly, free of transaction charges. This year? We are not allowed. We must pay the school directly. They really know how to make things difficult don't they.
Don't get me wrong. I do think the kids will find the trip educational and fun, but is it necessary for schools to take these trips with the economy in a rut? It just doesn't seem prudent to me.
And it doesn't stop there. The teachers are encouraging students to take "electronics" with them on the school trip. What happened to good ol' fashioned deck of playing cards? Or a book? As a parent who strives to keep her kids from getting sucked into time wasting electronics, this is very frustrating. My daughter should know better than to ask me to go out and buy her a $60.00 electronic, just so she can take it on this school trip.
Public school also raises my medical costs. It wasn't long before one of my kids are already sick. School just started, and she coughing, blowing her nose, and has a sore throat. Thankfully, I have the knowledge of natural remedies. However, with the continuous amount of daily germs she is around, it becomes more difficult to treat. She lacks rest from her daily schedule also.
Then there is the amount of homework I see my high schooler doing - 2-4 hours a night. Ridiculous. Ugh.
I think I may have just talked myself into homeschooling again....