If things get tougher?

DdraigGoch

I'm quite disappointed with my Christmas situation this year - I allocated an agreed budget for all the presents, then started work on the presents themselves last month ..... and now my OH's present is done! :jAll spent up! :rotfl:Oh, dear, and I keep finding bits and bobs that he'd love .... but have to stick to the budget :rotfl:

I've also written out a list of "Things I'd Like" in a spiral bound little book, with just one wish on each page. It's there so that the children and OH can find something they know I'd like, instead of guessing.... they're always saying they don't know what I'd like, so we'll see what they come up with this time :rolleyes: I've said for them to rip the page out when they've decided what they want to do, so that someone else doesn't decide to do the same thing!

Hope this helps
DG

juliettet

katieowl wrote: »

Nothing shameful about it!!!!....our son (16) offered to pay the mortgage (or contribute towards it) this month, when he heard us trying to scrape it together....We didn't take him up on it - but I might well have to some other time! I'm quite happily going to take the cost of Broadband and the TV license of him in September too - when he gets his EMA (he has a part time job too)

You do what you have to do - and pull together as a family... even if you are only little like Ben!

My kids haven't had any pocket money off me in years! That's not to say I don't treat them occassionally, but there is no cash sum which changes hands on a regular basis.

I was just amazed to see 'out in the open' so to speak that people are admitting they are struggling...

Regards


Kate

As a childless person with friends whom spoil their children dreadfully it is so good to hear of your boy offering to help. Sammy too, is such a good example to her son. I have a new niece so here is hoping I can show her some things to do that don't cost a lot.

moanymoany

Are things going to get tougher/ These people think so.

http://www.peakoilassociates.com/POAnalysis.html

Chuzzle

SAMMY can we be ashamed together? I have used all my savings to keep us afloat over the past 4 years (DH was self employed and not very good at it!!) and have now had to dip in to DS2 savings (hangs head in shame), DS1 is 15 and has part time job so I don't give him pocket money. Should we start a club up for parents that dip into their kids savings??? :rotfl:

katieowl_2

Yes he is a good boy - he's very generous with what money he does have. He treated me and his two older sisters to lunch the last time we all went out. And he's lent his 18 year old sister cash while she was looking for a summer job.

I think kids value time spent with them pretty highly in these busy, nose to the grindstone days, I'm sure your little neice will enjoy some freebie days out with you...there's lots of good stuff listed around MSE.

Regards

Kate

mardatha

When you have children, your job is to teach them how to live., how life works, how to get by, how to behave. So handing out money whenever they ask is being a bad parent --cos sooner or later that child has to go out into the big bad world and it's often a shock to them. You have to teach from an early age that money doesn't grow on trees , it's an old saying but it was probably born in days much worse than these.

gin

can i join the shamed club for those who have dipped into their children's savings? we have long since finished the £250 i had managed to save for dd1 who was born before the child trust funds were introduced.:o

mary43

Dipping into your childrens savings is nothing to be ashamed of........not as though you're using it to buy a 'posh frock' or some other luxury. Your children are part of your family and as far as I see it,there's no wrong in using a bit of their money to help things along when the going gets tough.
The alternative could mean that both you and your children go without - I've 'borrowed' from my kids in previous years when times were hard. They've had a back (and more besides) since then. They were at an age where I could explain what I needed to do and why and they were quite happy about it.

moanymoany

Our grandparents were brought up in a world in which electricity was expensive and not to be taken for granted; cars were a luxury that virtually no one could afford, all bottles and jars were recycled. Local communities were strong and crime rates were lower. We could do a lot worse than living like our grandparents- mending our clothes before we throw them out, turning off lights when we leave the room, getting exercise by working on the allotment, riding a bicycle to work, enjoying simple pleasures.

I'm trying to do this because it is eco friendly. However, it is going to come in useful in the next few years.

sammy_kaye18

moanymoany wrote: »

We could do a lot worse than living like our grandparents- mending our clothes before we throw them out, turning off lights when we leave the room, getting exercise by working on the allotment, riding a bicycle to work, enjoying simple pleasures.

I'm trying to do this because it is eco friendly. However, it is going to come in useful in the next few years.

Loved this post.
My great grandfather who I had the priviledge fo knowing until I was 15 and he was 82 was also the same. Grew his own veg, played bowls for entertainment, made his own clothes adn mended them, crocheted, crafted, recycled, cooked and was an OS gentleman not to mention a war veteran and i loved him to death.

My nan bless her heart is 65 and everyone has always said Im the spit of my nanna. I spent my childhood watching her mend clothes, knitting, recycling, planting out veg, planting out flowers, harvesting her crops, doing swaps at her church, cooking , baking from scratch, making lists of her storecupboard items adn enjoying picnics on one of our free days out or coupon clippign excursions, basically being an OS lady fo leisure.

Now its been passed on to my dad whos 46. He grows his own fruit and veg, cycles to work, recycles, cooks (hes an awesome chef) and bakes and like me has his own storecupboard too.

Now theres me, and Im hopign my little Ben will learn these ways form watching me. Last time we visited my nan she was laughing at me as one entire shelf of my bathroom cupboard is full to bursting of loo roll but when i pointed out that it was always used and the one tign most people forget in their weekly shop - she soon stopped . Then there is my storecupboard which she giggles at but she always gives me hints, tips and ideas abotu things she does that I could do. Im attempting to mend my own clothes and scouring the charity shops , (i do this with my nan how mad is that!) my nan taught me how to make my own clothes - ok a very dodgy patterned skirt but it sparked the little flame and ive since gone on to make sarongs, dresses, skirts, bandanas, costumes, bags, and even a CORSET!

Nah living like your grandparents will never be a bad thing - plus its money saving and a great way to remember fond memories :T :T :T :T :T