It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Hardup_Hester

We haven't been dropped by friends, but find it difficult to socialise as we can't afford to go out, we just don't have the money available.

Rummer

It is only now that some of our friends are starting to realise as they are now in the same position. Before when I said we had no money they didn't really get it, now however they do! Good friends have been great and have adapted social events to suit, lots of cheap and fun nights in and when we do go out it is bargain meals and affordable drinks etc In fact one even brought a MSE voucher (I have been spreading the word). True friends will be there through thick and thin.

We are trying to get our debt sorted before the cash flow stops and it is going down bit by bit!

taplady

Ginnyknit - your DD is right:T you will be having a 'real' christmas:j what a lovely girl to say that to you and not be moaning about what you havent got!:T

Yategirl

Ginnyknit - I am so sorry to hear that some of your friends have not been supportive not true friends at all... and what a wonderful DD you have!

ginnyknit

Thank you all, yes its true, real friends are there through thick and thin. My DD is 26 and very pregnant (planned) who helps me and is living with us till her partner gets a posting (army) and she is amazing. Ah well I am looking forward to spending some time with another good friend who has been deserted by ALL her friends since her Hubby died, at least I know we appreciate each other.

Rummer I am glad your friends understand, it does help you get through. I wouldn't mind I was the one who arranged social events for all my friends and searched out for the bargains for them !

andan

Ginnyknit, sorry to hear about your situation, but it sounds like you will be enjoying the true meaning of Christmas. Home made gifts are also lovely, it shows the thought that goes into them.

We are not coping too badly, but reading peoples posts reminds me to be especially understanding of the friends and family i have around me who are going through difficult times and to be supportive of them.

k2tog

ginnyknit, don't know if I've bumped into you on the knit-your-square thread? If you like to do charity knitting and crochet, Loving Hands will send you the wool so that you can knit for them. They take the view that you are giving them your time in making the items for them so don't want you to be out of pocket. They support a wide range of charities - generally there is always something on the go for littlies, the elderly and this time for a touring knitting exhibition to raise money for soldiers care packs etc.
Good for your DD too.
Hope you all on this thread have the Christmas you would wish for yourselves.

charlies-aunt

Its been very tough this week doing the Christmas shopping . . . so many lovely things that I'd love to splurge on and give as gifts but I have had to be strong and resist as I know money will be very tight in the New Year as January always brings plenty of bills

Being a tightwad, I am trying to keep some housekeeping money back so I can do a lightning sweep of the local supermarkets and get some closing-for-christmas-must-sell bargains. :rotfl:

It is so cold now, I've put the heating on for an hour in the morning and for a couple of hours at night - just enough to take the edge off and help the washing festooned on the clothes horses dry a little quicker. I've felt a bit shivery despite my 3 jumpers as I have had a cold/cough & been under the weather

We got our Xmas decs up yesterday and have defiantly put a couple of strings of outside lights up which are on for a couple of hours a night - its very depressing in our little village as in 50-odd houses only us and our next door neighbours have bothered with this - I thought it was fairly traditional to have Christmas lights inside and out lit up on Christmas Eve as part of the Festival of Lights celebration of the birth of the Light of the World. It has quite cheered me up to think that my fellow villagers are even more grumpier and Bah Humbug! than I am :rotfl: I thought I was Mrs Grumpy personified

I have wrapped presents today and used my January Sale bargain/recycled wrapping paper, homemade gift tags and recycled bows/trimmings/gift bags (securely attached with my trusty hot glue gun!) I am so pleased that I bothered to save all the bits and pieces last Christmas as I've not had to spend a small fortune on these this Christmas.

Getting geared up for big baking session this weekend - hope to make enough sweet stuff to see us and any guests through Xmas - and there will a bit extra to freeze or a few little treats in January!

Hope you are all keeping well and keeping positive - I find reading and re-reading all your posts so inspiring and motivating, there is such a lovely family feeling to the posts - they really help me to keep coping and to keep trying in these tough times :rolleyes:

jamanda

You just made me cry!

charlies-aunt

Jamanda - Oh no! if it was my post - I'm really sorry!

I'm finding life really tough at the moment - more so because Xmas raises the bar just a bit higher somehow.....its maybe a bit trite to say so but when I'm feeling low or feel that I just can't do this anymore - I have a cuppa and a read of some of the MSE posts - there is always support / help / advice / humour / inspiration to help me pick myself up and keep going with a smile on my face. :rolleyes: