alexsamp Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I am a 13 year old boy and am thinking of become a lawyer. One problem though. I lve ducks and chickens and I really want some. My parents have said yes as I will look after them all the time. My dilema comes when I think about housing. I want an eglu which costs £329. I want an eglu but my mum thinks I should save the money for something else and just build one. I do know someone who has built duck houses in the past but I still think the eglu is the best way . I do however want to go to law school. Buy an eglu and start saving again or keep saving. At the moment I have £178 and it will take me another 12 months to save up enough for an eglu and then I nedd to start again for law school. So what should I do. Please reply as I need help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Its a bit early to be thinking about a career at 13. I would wait at least until you have done your GCSEs, things could change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyjulian Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 So your saving rate is about £150 / year? Get the Eglu. See if you can get a second-hand one from someone who's giving it up or downsizing, to keep it as inexpensive as you can. The reasons for getting the Eglu over saving are: 1. £150 per year for the next five years is £750. I'm a lawyer, so I know how much law school costs - that's about a term's rent. And now that tuition fees are going up, it's about a term's tuition, too. You won't fund your way through law school with your savings, realistically, so you may as well use them for something you enjoy now. 2. You're thirteen - a lot of people know what they want to do as a career that young, but most don't. By the time you're doing UCAS applications you may well have changed your mind. Don't commit yourself in what? year 8 or 9? to a path you might want to wander off later. 3. Law is competitive. When universities are looking for candidates, they want applicants who are academically good, but also who have outside interests and self-motivation. That's the only way to sort out those who will do well at university which requires self-motivation from those who really need another couple of years at school, where you're made to do homework / coursework etc. Being able to talk enthusiastically about a hobby, and show that you've done this independently and funded the housing yourself, is worth a zillion times more than saving a term's tuition fees. That's just my opinion... if you're going to be a lawyer then you need to look at the evidence and form your own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 It's definitely not an either/or scenario: you can do both! Uni is ages away, though I'd have thought other considerations other than just the cost would be involved in the decision to keep chickens. They are certainly one of the most rewarding pets (much better than gerbils, jst don't tell my daughter I said that ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Previous advice was spot on. Go for the eglu. If you do end up going to Law School, your parents will be so chuffed that they'll willingly help you out any way they can. Failing that, there's always student loans. Not ideal but there to be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Ditto that its not one or the other Maybe get a Go Ideal for the ducks with the roosting bars removed as its just one big tray so can just wash it because ducks are really messy, and it has more haed height because it doesn't curve down at the back. You have enough for one without a run atm, maybe put it in your own wooden run or keep saving to get one with a run + see if Omlet have any reconditioned ones 13 is a long way off, so there is time to save up (maybe get a summer job in a couple of years) and an eglu would be easier if you do go to Uni, for your mom to clean out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I think they eglu would be worth it. In the long run building a house would probably amount to the same price with the painting and treating of the wood...correct me if I'm wrong, not really my area of expertise I think you could make up the money as well..paper rounds, summer jobs or doing extras for your parents/neighbours So I agree with the others: do both...just eglu/Go first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I'm 17 and have only just decided what I want to do-well nearly! I saved up for my eglu and paid for it myself by doing various bits and pieces and finding ways on how to make the bit of extra money I needed too. University is expensive, but realistically you'll end up in debt just by going, no matter how determined you are-it's one of those incredibly annoying things. Go for the eglu at the minute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Another vote for both, completely agree! Buy a Go or Eglu. Then you have five fabulous years to enjoy your ducks and/or chickens. If the worst comes to the worst, you can sell the housing 2nd hand (they really hold their value). Good luck and go for it! It's the set-up that's costly (housing is the biggest cost, then items like bedding and health products like Flubenvet/Verm-X for worming). Their food is actually very cheap - chicken feed, in fact And can I just say, it's incredibly mature of you to be seeking advice. I wish I had when I was 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Alex, do let us know what you decide wont you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Get the Eglu. Once you have hens, you can sell the eggs, replenishing your funds more quickly than if you were just to save your savings. Running your own tiny 'egg business' will give you some experience of the heady world of work too - useful for making that final decision about which line of work you may be drawn to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexsamp Posted January 27, 2010 Author Share Posted January 27, 2010 Thanks for all your advice. I have decided to get the eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 AND go to uni Hurrah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Get the Eglu. Once you have hens, you can sell the eggs, replenishing your funds more quickly than if you were just to save your savings. Running your own tiny 'egg business' will give you some experience of the heady world of work too - useful for making that final decision about which line of work you may be drawn to. Just thought I'd ask her as have been meaning to. Do you need a license or anything to sell eggs? Also all the best with your new eglu and birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Enjoy being young - get the Eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 just seen this in my opinion it is not your responsibility at your age to be worrying about saving for UNI, enjoy your childhood and get your eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freespiritbutterfly Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Glad you chose the eglu. Brill choice. Student loans and grants are there for uni not to mention the credit card lol. Ditto with everyone else no worries about uni just yet just have fun. Ten marks for you for thinking ahead though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 And when you become a lawyer you will be able to get a huge house and lots of cubes! Enjoy your chickens and good luck with the studies. It's nice to hear a young'un with a goal, you may change your mind, but there's plenty of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 just seen this in my opinion it is not your responsibility at your age to be worrying about saving for UNI, enjoy your childhood and get your eglu. But isn't it great he's so conscientious about what study can entail? Thinking ahead and planning are very useful skills in life. So it's good to have an idea of what may be expected of you, just don't worry about it too much for a few years. And of course, enjoy the eglu! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Get the Eglu. Once you have hens, you can sell the eggs, replenishing your funds more quickly than if you were just to save your savings. Running your own tiny 'egg business' will give you some experience of the heady world of work too - useful for making that final decision about which line of work you may be drawn to. Just thought I'd ask her as have been meaning to. Do you need a license or anything to sell eggs? Also all the best with your new eglu and birds Small scale is fine: http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/Chicken_a/Chicken_Egg_Excess/farm-gate-egg-sales.php Bigger scale means bigger rules: http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/Chicken_a/Chicken_Egg_Excess/selling-eggs.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 just seen this in my opinion it is not your responsibility at your age to be worrying about saving for UNI, enjoy your childhood and get your eglu. But isn't it great he's so conscientious about what study can entail? Thinking ahead and planning are very useful skills in life. So it's good to have an idea of what may be expected of you, just don't worry about it too much for a few years. And of course, enjoy the eglu! yes I agree it is very good that he is aware but IMO it's the parents responsibility to provide the funding, not the child to have to scrimp and save the do without things throughout their childhoold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 And when you become a lawyer you will be able to get a huge house and lots of cubes! I am a lawyer and have neither: just the normal house and a single cube! But I would have given you the same advice, Alex. I became a lawyer at 35 and got chickens at 43! You can do both and should enjoy being young. The rest will follow, honest! Enjoy your eglu! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I like to exaggerate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Get the Eglu. Once you have hens, you can sell the eggs, replenishing your funds more quickly than if you were just to save your savings. Running your own tiny 'egg business' will give you some experience of the heady world of work too - useful for making that final decision about which line of work you may be drawn to. Just thought I'd ask her as have been meaning to. Do you need a license or anything to sell eggs? Also all the best with your new eglu and birds Small scale is fine: http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/Chicken_a/Chicken_Egg_Excess/farm-gate-egg-sales.php Bigger scale means bigger rules: http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/Chicken_a/Chicken_Egg_Excess/selling-eggs.php Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Hurrah Alex !! Right decision!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
