Term holidays

Happy to say I'm in the midst of Term 2 holidays! Less happy to say I only have one day to be paid for in the next pay cycle, and four days in the cycle after that. So it goes as a casual teacher. Youngest turned 16 recently and it was pretty low-key. I'm buying him a sofa as a birthday gift. And some Lego, slippers and a new dressing gown. Not sure what he thinks of the sofa idea - don't think he's thrilled - but it is practical. It did take a fair chunk of my savings though. Hopefully I'll get a tax refund - I have an appointment booked next Wednesday and have tallied up my possible deductions. Except my World Vision sponsorship stuff as that wasn't available. Will check again before my appointment. I'm going to try to save 30% of my future pays - 10% to cover the holidays, 10% for home deposit savings and 10% for car replacement. That won't include FTB or CS though. I'm trying to use CS mainly for kids' expenses - clothes, school, shoes etc. FTB I have been using to build up my mojo. The eldest will be 18 in November! How time flies.