good pads last months and months, even on a grind, but if you run something really soft it'll be fine, you only loose pad material if you drag your brake, most of your riding will cause you simply lock your rear wheel in place, just stay away from manuals and hills any pad will last ages! Learn to maintain the bike yourself? if something dies when your out riding he's not gunna be there to bail you out It seems most rider's parents don't understand the rim grinding thing, you'll realise that when you grind a rim, it takes away f**k all material etc. do a search or something, find the video guide and just do it...