I've made a start - but not sure how to go on....

LittleEmms

Hi Guys

How are you?

New to the board. Quick background - 30 years old, single with mortgage and bills. Not on particularly bad money - but not on great either!

Why am i here?? - After ignoring my online bank account last month. I took a look and what I saw scared me! My new design of bank statements showed my I'd overspent and I finally downloaded the budget planner from here and realised I spent over £100 on eating out last month, treating other people too! :rolleyes: PLUS food shopping money! And I'd spent more than I earned! Bad I know.

So i've made a start. I've looked on the tips on here - and some are really useful. I can't agree with the food shopping once a month and topping up. As this wasn't working for me before... I don't have a large freezer and found myself stopping at the garage (tesco's!) to get things and when I added that up I got scared.

After reading a lot of hints on here - I went for my first budgeted food shop on Tuesday - did really well, and have a meal plan for the next two weeks. I'm going to go shopping fortnightly.

So i've made a start and I'm keeping a log of everything I spend. My problem with christmas is there are certainly family members who 'just don't get it' that I really can't afford presents, even just token ones - which when you have an extended family can really sneak up on you!!!

How can I make others understand that I'm not being a tight 'cow' and that if I don't be a bit more careful with my money - I will only be heading down a very scary route and one that I may never get out of. I'm not the worst off I could be at the moment, but I'm not great either!!!

Any advice on how to cut down more or how to deal with those people would greatfully be received :cool:

tallyhoh

Ive had some super-duper stuff off ebay, brand new & for pennies. Loads of people (like me) stick prezzies on that for some reason are unsuitable. Example** I had a large bottle of expensive perfume that I absolutely loath, worth £60** I sold it on ebay for a tenner.

Worth a look.

98jdougl

try having a looksie at the hampers thread on the special occassions board

doodledo_2

Hi and welcome to the board.

I know its hard but sometimes I think honesty is the best policy when it comes to things like this. If people are true friends then they will appreciate anything you give them.

Some people on the special occassions forums have baked biscuits, cakes etc and are giving those as people should appreciate the time and effort you have put in rather than the money you have spent.

Definately worth looking on Ebay as you can grab some bargains if you look at the right time. Stuff coming off during the day can be a real bargain.

Good luck.

*Paris*

Hi, I can understand your worry about people 'not getting' that you're not stingy!! I think the best thing to do is just be honest! I honestly don't think anyone would like you to get into debt just for a Christmas present!

I think the Special Occasions section has got some brilliant ideas for cheap presents, and plenty of home-made ideas too.

Also I'd recommend making a list of who you need to buy for, and figuring out if there are any people you can buy joint presents for, rather than 2 separate presents. If you need to buy a present for a family, what about giving them a tin of chocolates or biscuits for them to share and enjoy?

Alot of the high street shops have sales on right now, so there are definitely some bargains to behad! Don't forget to set your budget per person before you go shopping though, so that you don't overspend.

LittleEmms

Hi Guys

Thank you for your comments, they're really useful. And I think I will nose around EBay!!

I have tried being completely honest before, and I remember last year getting a comment back "Well you surely could buy a little something" But when that's a little something for 4 kids, it soon adds up!!! And that was just one section of the family. But yes I think I need to be more firm.

Having extended families SUCK!

Short of showing them my bank statements, incomings and outgoings and exactly what (small-in-comparison to some) mess I've got myself into .... I'm not sure what to do!!! And my thought is I really shouldn't have to do that!!!

I really like the idea of the large tin of biscuits/ chocolates for families, and I have seen quite a few of them included in Deals, so that's really a great idea.

I will go check out those threads you all mentioned!! Thank you very much:T

(OOO and I forgot to mention in my 'I've made a start' post that I've done the council tax thing! Sitting in a C band instead of what should be a B, here's-a-hoping!! )

determinedtodothis

Hello

This year i have spent hardly anything, i bought a big pack of books some activity and some story bookks from the market (10 for £10) and in Tesco's they are doing a bag of chocolate coins for 99p BOGOF and each kiddie gets a book and chocolate money grand sum of £1.49 (ish) and the adults.... i really did tell to bog off!!! *LOL*

LittleEmms

Thanks Determined!!! That's a fab shout on the chocolate coins (after all they SCREAM christmas to me!!)

My problem with the 4 kids is their age range is from 18 months old, upto just turned 15. But following on from peoples advice, I'm going to get them something all very reasonable, a nice box of choc biscuits or something for the adults, and a bag of those chocolate coins each and box it in a hamper.

That way it will look like a big family hamper as opposed to small little presents for people. I'm starting to realise "Illusion" can be a great tool!!;)

geranium72

Check out the Boots threads as well - great tips for bargains and making points. Most of my rels are getting hampers this year which will have cost me about half of the price I actually paid

pandora205

You could put the chocolate coins in a mug and cover with cellophane and tie with a ribbon to make presents for everyone. I bought some interesting chocolate coins - euros- from Lidl the other day. I think these were 99p too.

Another cheap idea is to give photo gifts, such a calendars or posters. I can't recall the prices but my local Cosco does posters with lots of pics on for less than £2. Last year I had a calendar made of the kids for their dad and he was delighted (cost about £8 online).

Other ideas are to make gifts as others have said. A nice idea is to make homemade chocs using an icecube tray as a mould. Use any good (try Aldi or Lidl) chocolate and add nuts or fruit or Rice Crispies. We did this with white, milk dark chocolate. Just put in a bowl over hot water and stir for a few minutes. We made halloween treets and they were very popular with kids but would also make lovely gifts.

pandora205

Another simple idea is the movie hamper, using DVD (try CD wow for cheap range), popcorn and fizzy drinks. You can made a big gift for under £5 and they look fab.