To spend a proportion of the insurance money on DD

[stayathomegardener]

We were burgled just before Christmas and I recently (after much negotiating with the loss adjusters) received a cheque.

Almost all the items taken were mine....whole jewellery box.But all chosen by DH.
Obviously I want to replace my engagement/wedding ring and various other pieces like a watch I wore all the time but these two items were quite under insured so I will have to "sacrifice" other items to replace them.Other pieces are perhaps now more suited to my younger self and I can't replicate the events that each piece represented.

So I am sitting here thinking I really would like to spend some of the money on DD 14.She would like to be a photographer so could really benefit from some good quality kit and training courses.(Dyslexic, unlikely to leave school with many qualifications bar Arts based ones and talented at Photography)

What would you do?
DH supportive either way,though has mentioned in his opinion if people are given everything on a plate they don't always strive for things

How could anyone object to you giving your child the best start you can?

YANBU. It's your money to spend as you please.

I know I just feel torn.
I think having fought for the money for months, now it's here it feels a bit of an anticlimax and the temptation is to try and replace everything and recreate all those memories but ultimately that is impossible.
We are building a new house...logically I could put the money towards that but setting DD up seems more meaningful iyswim

Blimy not like you are going to buy her a load of photographic equipment, a dark room and a shop is it? Really don't see how buying her a camera is giving her everything on a plate.

Athough could he be eying something up for himself, thus his ridiculous comment?

I don't think giving your dd the tools for the job is quite 'giving people everything on a plate' though is it. I know in your place, that's what I'd spend it on.

To be fair I was thinking about spending enough to set up a studio hence DH comment.

You got a cheque ? I got a card I had to spend in a particular jewellers.

Just buy her a decent camera and see how she goes.

She's only 14, so plenty of time to fall out of love with the idea.

Is she likely to change her mind about photography?

She already has good basics, hopes to do photography at A level and be a self employed Photographer eventually.
But yes there is a risk she could change her mind.

I'm sorry for what happened and the hassle you have had since :( It must all have been quite upsetting and draining.

It must be a HUGE amount of money if you are looking at setting up a studio for DD - isn't there a better way to invest it for now?

She is 14 - FAR too young for you to do anything that 'will set her up'.

She has dyslexia - not complex special needs, so I'm a bit confused. A lot of people with dyslexia do very well for themselves?!

Your DH makes a valid point, but giving a young adult the tools to succeed isn't the same as handing them it all on a plate. Not at all. But as I said, I think she is FAR too young for you to do this NOW - if it's what you want to do, buy her the bare minimum for now (good camera & software etc) and put the rest away and use it later when she's old enough.

There isn't a risk she could change her mind - she's 14, there's every chance she'll change her mind!

OK set some money aside she is 14 you might buy her lots of nice camera stuff and she might change her mind get her a nice camera for now and save some as a back up for her

Good cautious advice.
Impulsive by nature here

I echo what others have said about it being too soon to set your DD with lots of equipment.

She may go on to do something related to photography / film or she may decide she prefers to keep that as a hobby and do something totally different.

DS2 has always been into drama and has been acting since he was young. At 14, he was determined to be an actor. At 18, he has decided that he would rather be behind the camera than in front of it and is off to Uni to do film studies.

Just encourage your DD's talent but prepare to be flexible. Set aside the money for whatever path she chooses if you want to support her.

DD is 15 and she wanted to be a chef and she has changed her mind dd1 was going to be a radiographer and do some sort of bio physics things at uni she didnt , just keep some money aside for her and encourage her hobby dont write her off because she is dyslexic ( i mean that in the nicest way )

You can impulsively shove it in my account if you like

You can impulsively shove it in my account if you like

Get her a decent camera on the promise she looks after it and see if she shows aptitude. Encourage her to join art clubs at school. Investigate Saturday and holiday courses at art colleges for her but don't spend a for tune on kit yet.

Chipping

My future is on MN. I need a new laptop

see if there is a summer camera club or something she could go to

I am confident she well do very well for herself chipping but not in anything that requires written structure which seems to be English,Sciences Humanities etc.
Hence I guess my desire to support is heightened.

Spend some of the money on a great camera and some classes, maybe a subscription to a photography magazine.

Take her on a great holiday!

Invest the rest for when she becomes an adult.