Tuition. I don't even know what to say. F's school raised the tuition again, and now it's $18950 (that includes the $250 fee to pay monthly instead of all at once; all at once? I can't imagine having the money to do that). It's her final year there, and then the tuition will be higher.
We were told not to bother applying for assistance this year, not because of our income, but because of the equity in our home. Don't get me started on that; are we supposed to take a loan out on our home to pay for school? I guess that's the implication. NOT doing that, obviously.
Next step is high school, and amazingly, it's not that much more. But we will have depleted some of our school savings this year. BUT, the plan is and always has been to pay off our mortgage to free up funds.
My mother said she wants to give us some money toward F's education each year from her social security (how wonderful is she?).
So...
2016/2017 school year: $18950 less gift from mom less $850 budgeted each month for tuition = drawing about $350/ month from school savings.
We have about $8000 in school savings, and that will deplete it by $4200.
2017/2018 school year: not sure about tuition, but probably around $23,000 less gift from mom less $850 budgeted for tuition each month = $650.
$4200 divided by $650 is about 6 months that we can go before we NEED to pay off the mortgage to free up the $650 for tuition that we are short.
The next year tuition may rise and we'll be short $750.
Paying off the mortgage frees up $1086 plus the $150 I budget for paying down the mortgage regularly plus about $400 income from our Dublin house. Plus gym money. We'll have $1700 extra every month - we can pay tuition and save more for retirement!
That's why paying off our mortgage is such a priority. Because the schools here are bad.
Thanks for letting me do all of my math here; it helps to see it laid out.
Saving for Tuition
February 4th, 2016 at 05:03 pm
February 4th, 2016 at 05:20 pm 1454606418
February 4th, 2016 at 05:53 pm 1454608429
February 4th, 2016 at 07:14 pm 1454613285
February 4th, 2016 at 09:59 pm 1454623140
February 5th, 2016 at 02:31 am 1454639496
It became clear pretty early on (Kindergarten) that F would be better in a private school where she could build up confidence and be academically challenged. Our school system is pretty rough, and it's falling apart more.
The school has been ideal for her, and she's been there since 1st grade! There are about 8 private elementary schools in our area, and while that's a lot for a city of 80,000 people, it still limits the choices. Each one was different. There are two montessori schools, one waldorf, a Catholic school, a very small alternative school, one that is very alternative. There were two schools that were traditional schools which stressed academics. The one we chose also has an emphasis on social-emotional learning (that's what they call soft skills or EQ or learning to work with others or conflict resolution) which was important to us. It also has the most resources in terms of facilities and programs (science lab, etc). And there is one class per grade instead of one for every two grades, so more choices in terms of friendships and other kids to be around. We have 150 kids from preschool through 6th; everyone knows everyone (parents and kids and teachers) and it's really a community.
I love, love, love our school and am a little sad that next year is F's last year there. But we have about 8 private middle/high schools, too...