Thursday, March 1, 2007

Expensive tests and cheap airfare

Went to a school meeting the other night concerning Advanced Placement testing and the SATs. At one point the speaker said that you have to pay to take the AP tests and Basil next to me mouths the words "How much?" Since we were near the back of an auditorium, we didn't ask out loud and figured we'd find out eventually. Yesterday Number 2 Son brought home the info - $83 a test! I think he's in three AP classes so that's a total of $249! I know it's a lot cheaper than college, but not a budgeted expense. This is why I probably shouldn't be paying $500 extra towards a car payment. Unfortunately, I can't put it on a credit card and float it until next month (I ALWAYS pay off my credit cards every month). I have some in savings, so I may have to transfer some over.
I also spent some money to save some money for airline tickets. Number 2 son has to visit his dad this summer and last year the airfare was $425. This year I bought earlier and picked odder fly times, so it was only $279. Saved $146! Of course, his flight leaves at 11:20 at night and arrives at 5:20 a.m. He said he'd rather fly at night than get up at 4 a.m. to catch a 6 a.m. flight anyway. I put the ticket on my credit card and plan to pay it off next month. Maybe my income tax return will finally come....

2 comments:

KMK said...

Think of it as an early expense in the college budget- doing well on an AP exam may let him place out of some 1st year classes, and maybe even graduate early (wish, wish).

Bianca Bizarro said...

I know. My older son didn't have the opportunity to take AP classes (they weren't offered at his school) and is envious of Number 2. Hopefully the graduating early thing will work out.