How can affluent divorcees fund future school fees?

A friend of mine, very sadly, is getting divorced.  At the moment this divorce remains relatively amicable, with both sides being constructive and the financial matters largely resolved.  But one key issue remains outstanding – how to provide for private school fees for the two young (aged between 5 and 10) children.

This couple are, relatively speaking, asset rich but income poor (though will both be higher rate tax payers).  Based on anticipated regular income levels, private schooling would be unaffordable. But based on current net assets of over £3m, they think they can set aside funds to cover, at least partially, future schooling requirements.

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Housing, pt11: it’s over.

Previous readers will know I’ve spent the last two months unexpectedly buying a house. It’s been quite a journey, and it’s now complete. HOORAY!

This is not just any house; it’s the most overpriced house in its expensive area of London. I have paid a premium per square foot of over 15% compared to any of the immediate neighbours. I don’t anticipate making any return on this purchase for years, and even then I will be lucky to beat inflation.

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Housing, pt 10: Stress testing

I’m nearing the end of my Dream Home purchasing odyssey. In fact I have mustered the cash needed to buy the home, and wired it to my lawyer, in good time for completion.  Hooray!

What I haven’t quite found yet is the cash for the stamp duty, but I have another month to find that and think the market volatility could help. In any case you can see in my graph below that I have obtained over 100% of the purchase price – I am only a few % away from where I need to be including transaction fees etc.

2016 01 23 FIREvLondon Dream Home liquidation schedule

This means that right now I am the proud owner of over £1m of new debt.

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