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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it shitty to do this instead of pay school fees?

136 replies

Yoursstruly · 13/05/2026 21:45

Been gifted 150k. I am a single parent but do have maintenance of around 600 a month.

I have a mortgage free home worth around 500k.

Since receiving this money I initially thought I would spend it on school fees (child almost 4 so due to start school in a few months). I told family about this and they were all for it (I went to private and enjoyed it). I also have a job that brings in around 4K a month.

I’ve since seen an amazing home I would love to move to which is on the market for 650k. We are midlands ish area and this goes quite a long way, 5 bed, detached, nice garden and large rooms.

My family are saying this is ridiculous and I’m selfish, that we have a home for the two of us and it’s big enough (4 bed) and we don’t need more space but child would obviously benefit greatly from a private education.

I now feel incredibly conflicted. Am I being selfish? I think in the back of my mind I keep thinking I could probably afford fees down the line anyway at least for secondary. I do save around 1k a month for child and 1k for me.

I don’t know what to do. Is it selfish? Be honest, I’ve posted on AIBU for a reason!!

OP posts:
Roads · 13/05/2026 21:56

Yoursstruly · 13/05/2026 21:52

@Roads it would hopefully go up in value though!!

You currently own a house worth half a million pounds mortgage free. Surely that too could go up in value?

Miranda65 · 13/05/2026 21:54

Why are you asking your family's opinion? What does it have to do with them?
You do what you want (although I have to say that, personally, I'd always prioritise education over a bigger house).

Flamingojune · 13/05/2026 21:54

Send your kid to a state school and spend the money as you wish

m00rfarm · 13/05/2026 21:54

I would buy the house. Deal with the education when the time comes. Mine did private for primary and then grammar school for secondary. Do what works for you. I am currently living on my own in a 5 bedroom house and I love it. If they made houses with two bedrooms but living space as if for a 5 bedroom that would be great. I love having parties etc, and a standard 2 bedroom house does not have the space for me to do that.

peppercornrent · 13/05/2026 21:54

No need to pay for primary unless the local schools are really dire. It's secondary where it's a more reasonable investment.

Yoursstruly · 13/05/2026 21:52

Roads · 13/05/2026 21:51

Honestly it seems a ridiculous waste of money if there are only two of you and you're already in a 4 bedroom property!

@Roads it would hopefully go up in value though!!

OP posts:
Yoursstruly · 13/05/2026 21:51

KittyPup · 13/05/2026 21:50

I think you are being selfish - but that is just my opinion. There are only 2 of you and you have a 4 bed home worth 500k. You are very lucky and privileged. A private education would have such a positive impact on your child’s life and schooling. I would put my child before a bigger house, especially when you already have a suitable one.

@KittyPup thanks, do you still feel this way if I paid for secondary and just skipped primary? So could get the house and then save for secondary

OP posts:
Roads · 13/05/2026 21:51

Honestly it seems a ridiculous waste of money if there are only two of you and you're already in a 4 bedroom property!

Yoursstruly · 13/05/2026 21:51

Buscobel · 13/05/2026 21:49

It’s bad enough cleaning a four bedroom house. A large five bed would be even worse. Do you need three spare bedrooms?

@Buscobel Don’t need them but I would love the space

OP posts:
KittyPup · 13/05/2026 21:50

I think you are being selfish - but that is just my opinion. There are only 2 of you and you have a 4 bed home worth 500k. You are very lucky and privileged. A private education would have such a positive impact on your child’s life and schooling. I would put my child before a bigger house, especially when you already have a suitable one.

Buscobel · 13/05/2026 21:49

It’s bad enough cleaning a four bedroom house. A large five bed would be even worse. Do you need three spare bedrooms?