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52 ideas please
So me and my husband seem to be falling into the housemate phase. We have been together 19 years (20 this September) and we don’t really have much in common or so much anymore together. Not helped by the fact I have agoraphobia and anxiety so it makes things hard for me. But I really want us to connect together and spend…
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Money Moral Dilemma: Should I tell my family their Christmas presents are second-hand?
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks... On a recent trip abroad, I bought Christmas presents second-hand for all my family. They're in amazing condition and I got them for good prices, plus I wanted to prioritise the environment (I didn't fly to my destination). To me, gift giving's about what you choose for a…
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Money Moral Dilemma: Should I ask my gran for a new birthday cheque?
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks... My gran very kindly gave me a cheque for £100 for my birthday, but made it out to my nickname, so the bank won't accept it. My gran is in her nineties and doesn't have a lot of money, but is always excited to give her grandchildren what she can as presents. Should I ask her…
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Saving for Grandchildren
We have 4 grandchildren, aged 15, 12, 11 and 8 at present. We have trust accounts for each of them at A J Bell and other funds with Invesco. The present intention is to liquidate those funds in time for their respective 18th birthdays and on present values, each should have a minimum of £2,500 as their birthday presents.…
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Sons present
Put the money into a savings account. Sadly, modern culture is to borrow and spend, but putting money to one side is an excellent way to educate youngsters to think for themselves and acquire wealth in preparation for a time years later when they need it for a home of their own.
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What to buy 13 year old boy?
My nephew is 13 in a few weeks and we have zero idea of what to get him. I have spoken to my brother and sister in law and they are also struggling with ideas so haven’t been able to suggest anything other than he has plenty of cash he has never spent from previous birthdays so would definitely prefer a gift. I don’t have…
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Royal Albert Hall Refund
So, I bought 2 two tickets for a ballet performance at the Royal Albert Hall (RAH) for the Nutcracker. The show was postponed by a year (From December 2021 to December 2022). I asked RAH for a full refund and their answer: "If you are unable to attend the rescheduled date, we can either process a refund back to the…
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* Driving Home for Christmas * - It's the 2021 Christmas Chatter Thread!
‘I'm driving home for
Christmas Oh, I can't wait to see those faces I'm driving home for Christmas, yea Well I'm moving down that line And it's been so long But I will be there I sing this song To pass the time away Driving in my car Driving home for Christmas’ Hello and
welcome to the 10th Christmas Chatter Thread.…
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Christmas presents you don't need to purchase - share ideas!
Often, some of the best gifts are things money can't buy. For example, someone offering to babysit for you, or getting a homemade gift that costs next to nothing to make but is more personal. Can you think of any other gifts ideas that you don't need to go out and buy? Share them with us here👇
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Christmas Dinner - when to cook things?
Hello Could anyone help me with Christmas lunch timings please? I'm doing lamb rack which says it needs to be cooked at 180 degrees for 30 mins then rest for 10 mins, but the roast pots, parsnips, stuffing etc all need to be cooked at 200 degrees for 35-45 mins. What should I do...cook the lamb earlier and cook other bits…
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Christmas with teens
When my children were younger they'd open their presents and play with them. I loved helping to build new lego sets, feeding a new doll, pretending to eat playdoh cakes, marble runs etc. But now they are teens their presents are a bit boring, there's not much fun to be had with socks and perfume. We'll have a puzzle on the…
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Secret Santa ideas for various spending limits
I'd love to get some ideas for Secret Santa presents going. What would make a good gift for each of these price points? * Free * £1 * £5 * £10 * Other amount
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Grandparents
Weekly have 2 Grandchildren and their mother is entitled to UC, if we put too much into NSANDI in the children's names it count against the Mothers gross value and will reduce UC. we tried to take ownership as Grandparents but after 3 months they say it is not possible to do this so beware, no good deed goes unpunished. We…
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Money Moral Dilemma: Should we buy Premium Bonds for the children in our families this Christmas?
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks... My partner and I don't have kids, but we've always bought small Christmas gifts for the children in our families. Yet we begrudge buying toys for consumerist and environmental reasons, and are considering getting something such as Premium Bonds for them instead. However,…
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What's the cheapest real/artificial Christmas tree you've spotted?
The Deals team has written about Ikea's recurring Christmas tree deal: £29 for a real tree and a £20 voucher. Though of course it's only worth it if you know you'll spend the voucher. What's the cheapest deal you've spotted for a real or artificial Christmas tree? I'd love to see pictures too, if you have any. Please be…
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Premium bonds as gifts
Our grandchildren have 3 sets of grandparents so we buy PB’s for Christmas, Easter and birthdays This is building up a nice little nest egg for later and is added to with winnings I’m sure they will have fun spending them later and who knows one could be a millionaire
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The tree of 'waste-free' Christmas gift ideas
MSE James was at a Christmas fair this weekend gone. One of the stalls was asking people to add ideas to a tree of 'waste-free gift ideas'. People had already added ideas like 'wash a car' and 'bake a cake'. We also thought about customising some clothing, composing a song, regifting a good book or making an ornament out…
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Wedding Photographer Blocked Me Over Optional Extras Meeting?
Hi all My wedding photographer has blocked my number and isn't responding to my emails. Here's what happened: We got married in Summer despite some restrictions. I paid for a package including videography and still photography with an engagement shoot. I paid in full prior to the event. We received photos and a preview…
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Show us your homemade Advent calendars
Do you make your own Advent calendar? Or if not for yourself, for your partner, children, pupils or pets? We'd love to see some of your creations. Upload a photo and share the inspiration. Please be careful not to include any personal information in your photos, such as faces or identifiable locations.
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Free Christmas Card website required
I've been meaning to switch to online Christmas cards for some years, and this year I want it to happen.. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but saves a fair bit of money, both on cards and stamps, and that's what this website is all about. :) Does anybody have any nice free online Christmas card websites which I can…