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In Reviews / Sponsored, The Boys

Back To School: Is it Labelled?

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on
Kieran School
This is Kieran’s fourth back to school “season” and I still panic like I did in Reception when it comes to getting everything organised.

It’s that time again! The countdown has begun for back to school and already the (mild) panic has set in. Where did I put Kieran’s plimsolls? What door does he go into now he is a year three? Have I labelled his uniform? As much as he is looking forward to getting back into school, seeing his new teacher and getting back together with friends he hasn’t seen over the summer I can’t get too excited yet as I still don’t feel organised and ready to ship him off once more.

School runs don’t bother me and I’m a whizz at making packed lunched the night before however at this time of year I like to have a checklist help me make sure that I have everything I need and am organised enough to send him back into a new school year with everything he wants and needs. This checklist may be helpful to you too.

Back to School 2013

Lunches:  Will we opt for school dinners or packed lunches this term?
We do have an incredibly cool Sistema lunch box with loads of little pots that open which just happens to fit into his Skylanders lunch bag… packed lunch it is, we can change to hot dinners once the very cold weather kicks in if he likes. Are both his lunch bag and box labelled?
Sports: Do we have everything we need?
September is classed as the August term so we still need both indoor and outdoor sport kits. Have I got jogging bottoms, tshirts, shorts, fleece/jumper, spare socks, plimsolls and trainers? And where is his Gym bag? Is everything labelled?

School Bag: Where is his book bag? Is it labelled?

Water Bottle: Have I got a new water bottle?
Is it labelled?

School Coat: Where did I put his thicker autumn school coat?
 Does it still fit? Could it do with a refresh in the washer? Is it labelled?

Hair: Does it need cutting before school? It was done not too long ago to be honest? His hair is probably the only thing that doesn’t need labelling.

That covers everything I really need to have organised / have to find or buy. The common question as we go into our new year is “Is it labelled?”. Between September 2013 and end of term (July) 2013 Kieran lost or misplaced:

  • One lunch box,
  • One book bag
  • Two water bottles,
  • Two school jumpers (Arggh!)
  • A pair of plimsolls
  • A school coat (which later turned up in lost property – diving in that clothing bin was delightful).

This year I will be prepared and have vowed to become the labelling queen! I have dug out those lovely sew-in name tapes for gym and sports kit and WILL (probably) sit down one night and personalise all of his clothing with it and for the rest of his easy-to-leave-behind belongings there is Tinyme.

Tinyme boast a fabulous range of personalised labelling and sticker options which at the moment have a free postage and packaging option and which are of course much cooler than using my big white stickers and putting sellotape over the top to keep them on.  These Tinyme label value packs look ideal!

I might even treat myself to some of their iron on labels and save my fingers from the torment that is me with a needle and thread (I’m not a natural when it comes to sewing). With my order on the way I feel confident that with these and my trusty checklist that I will be as ready as Kieran is for back to school when September 3rd arrives.

KieranTinyme

Does anyone have a checklist for preparing yourself for your child being old enough to go into Juniors and year three?

My question for all of you lovely readers today is: what is your top back to school organisational tip?

 

*This post has been written in collaboration with the mentioned business yet is true to my own thoughts, feelings and experiences.

In MoneySaving, Reviews / Sponsored, The Boys

The Future of Buying Property in Thirsk

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

Today I’m talking about buying houses. Not me personally, I’m pondering more on mortgages and whether my area is a good place for first time buyers. Roy and I had a conversation about this the other day as at some point, presumably, the boys are going to leave home and want to set up on their own. Granted it might not be here in Thirsk (although I’d be chuffed if it was) yet if they did, I have to wonder what options will be available to them.

The housing market has been a mess for years although now the slump seems to be recovering, new affordable properties are being built and mortgages aren’t quite as difficult to obtain as they were.  You can check out the Halifax Mortgage Calculator for more info on this.

Back to Thirsk (my fabulous home town in North Yorkshire); is this a good place for first time buyers? At the moment it certainly seems so. Thirsk, which incorporates the parish of Sowerby where we are is a medium sized rural-“ish” location which is fairly central within the county and has excellent transport links. York is 20 minutes away by train, Teesside, Middlesbrough and the rest of the North is within easy reach and for families or for commuting to work there are endless possibilities.

We have a new building project starting here called the Sowerby Gateway which will be located on the edge of our parish and will include between 100 and 150 new houses. The idea is that this housing will be affordable and will fill a gap that exists at the moment which means that there are two few homes and too many people wanting to buy or even rent. Growing up here in Sowerby I am in the “I wish they wouldn’t build on like this” camp however having two boys I can see why extra housing is needed for the future if not for those in need now.

The boys moving  out and buying their first homes is a long way off however looking at how things are now it does seem as if they will be a better position than many of our generation or older have been when looking for a mortgage and a suitably priced property.

The financial sector recognises the need for more affordable mortgages and lower deposits and there are a range of options more suited to individual needs than there ever has been before. You could potentially set up a new bank account to quality for the best deals however in the long term I would say your loyalty would be based placed somewhere that would help you when needed anyhow!

We think Thirsk is a good place for first time buyers, excellent in fact although the most most affordable properties and best locations mean nothing without the backing and support from a banking establishment that is willing to go that extra mile to secure the mortgage you need. Fortunately more affordable mortgages and banks are on the ball these day and are able to work with potential buyers.

Altogether things are looking good and for the future, I don’t think the boys will have anything to worry about to be honest.

Halifax

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