My Soa Not Pretty Reading!

System

Well bit of an update on my spending diary, Its been nearly a week, and apart from the weekly shop we haven't really spent alot to be fair, We buy a fresh loaf of bread and milk every other day, we buy a paper every day and on Tuesday bought some pancake mix, so nothing really major there, we never did spend alot during the week, even the missus hasn't bought anything silly, I might do away with the paper though, I never half look at it but if you don't buy it you think your missing something,

Bit off topic I know, but I walked into the canteen at work today and they where all discussing holiday plans, One guy was going on a med cruise, another to Egypt, another to Turkey, and they are on the same money as me and even have mortgages, makes you wonder where I went wrong, I suppose I'm jealous, I'd be happy enough with a wet weekend in Portrush if you know where that is? Think blackpool only half the size, but seriously I'd love to have a night away somewhere, Last time I stayed away anywhere was in my child hood about 13, I'm 29 now so that says alot doesn't it, I've always thought if you booked a holiday in Jan/Feb it would give you something to look forward to.

RAS

Hi
Just be careful with the blokes at work - it may well be that they have stackes of debts.

Do you know that there are sometimes very cheap holidays or nights in the papers. And Martin was promoting a whole load of £9.99 per night deals a few weeks ago on here.

System

RAS wrote: »

Hi
Just be careful with the blokes at work - it may well be that they have stackes of debts.

Do you know that there are sometimes very cheap holidays or nights in the papers. And Martin was promoting a whole load of £9.99 per night deals a few weeks ago on here.

Yeah I know, just feeling a bit sorry for myself I suppose, and the people invloved had no kids, Maybe when mine are up I may be able to go away somewhere, My parents never got away anywhere abroad until I left home.

TurnaroundSue

Hi - Just remember how far you have come in the last week or so, so keep thinking positive. I agree with RAS, I bet they are up to their necks in it and not having any kids really does help on the financial front.

Look out for the sun holidays for £9. A few days away, okay so it's not abroad, but if you have the weather in this country, who needs abroad?

I would definitely get rid of your daily newspaper and read it online. OH always bought his daily paper, but hasn't done so now for about a year and catches up with it on line so doesn't miss a thing.

Keep at it and as I said in one of my earlier threads - you will get there!:D

System

Ok here is another problem, I had posted this elsewhere but didn't get an answer to my specific question.

Basically in came a wedding invitation this week to a friends wedding. As you see by my SOA there is no spare cash, We are on the full day of the wedding and the reception is in a posh hotel where meals will cost £25+ per person. So thats £50 before you start, you then have the gift which will be at least £50. As someone pointed out somewhere, over here in N.I/Ireland, we always give money, giving an actual gift is something that doesn't happen unless there is a wedding list which there isn't. So thats £100 needed, problem being our quarterly BT and electric bills are due, Electric will be around £120, and BT I'm sure around £150 so thats £270 needed to pay these of first which we usually pay in about 4 weeks from receiving the bills. We simply have no money to go, I caught my Mrs ordering a club book, "Why are you ordering that" I ask, "Aw I'll need something to wear" You know so she is going to get into more debt over it. So I don't know what to do to do right, We can't afford to go, but then does it look bad if you don't go? And if you don't go what do you say to the people who invite you? I'd appreciate some advice from you knowledgable folks?

Forris

Are these close friends, or just acquaintances? Speak to them and explain that money is very tight at the moment and you are unable to attend. If they are good friends then they will understand (remember, you are not going to be the only people in this position). If they are only 'people that you know' then it doesn't matter that much anyway.

Also, it sound as though you still haven't quite got your wife onboard with this yet. How are things going generally?

Birdy12

nirelandguy wrote: »

We are on the full day of the wedding and the reception is in a posh hotel where meals will cost £25+ per person. So thats £50 before you

This doesn't make sense. The bride and groom have booked themselves into to some 'posh hotel' to have their reception and yet they're expecting their guests to fork out for their own meal? And they also expect a wedding present of no less than £50? Can't say I've ever gone to a wedding where I've had to pay for my own dinner! I'd be disinclined to go if that was a stipulation of going!

Is that really correct?

TotallyBroke

I agree with Birdy12 why do you have to pay for your own dinner?

Secondly on the present front. Just becasue people do give money when there is no gift list, doesn't mean you have to.

Go to a craft shop buy an engraving pen. Buy 2 cheap champagne flutes and engrave their names, wedding date on them. Put them in a box.
Alternatively, give a card and inside on a seperate piece of paper tell them that you didn't know what to buy them so will get them something they would like once they have settled in at home. That will buy you some time.

System

Birdy12 wrote: »

This doesn't make sense. The bride and groom have booked themselves into to some 'posh hotel' to have their reception and yet they're expecting their guests to fork out for their own meal? And they also expect a wedding present of no less than £50? Can't say I've ever gone to a wedding where I've had to pay for my own dinner! I'd be disinclined to go if that was a stipulation of going!

Is that really correct?

No you don't pay for the dinner, but its polite to give something that covers the price of the dinner at least

RAS

nirelandguy wrote: »

Ok here is another problem, I had posted this elsewhere but didn't get an answer to my specific question.

Basically in came a wedding invitation this week to a friends wedding. As you see by my SOA there is no spare cash, We are on the full day of the wedding and the reception is in a posh hotel where meals will cost £25+ per person. So thats £50 before you start, you then have the gift which will be at least £50. As someone pointed out somewhere, over here in N.I/Ireland, we always give money, giving an actual gift is something that doesn't happen unless there is a wedding list which there isn't. So thats £100 needed, problem being our quarterly BT and electric bills are due, Electric will be around £120, and BT I'm sure around £150 so thats £270 needed to pay these of first which we usually pay in about 4 weeks from receiving the bills. We simply have no money to go, I caught my Mrs ordering a club book, "Why are you ordering that" I ask, "Aw I'll need something to wear" You know so she is going to get into more debt over it. So I don't know what to do to do right, We can't afford to go, but then does it look bad if you don't go? And if you don't go what do you say to the people who invite you? I'd appreciate some advice from you knowledgable folks?

Hi

get hold of your friend and explain very kindly that you wopuld absolutely love to join them on the dday but in the curent economic climate, you simply do not have enough money. And you feel a real heel for saying that.

I know it is a blow to the pride etc, but s/he will understand.

Send them a lovely card which you ask the best man to read out and then when they get back from the honey moon, do something like invite them round for a meal to celebrate. Nothing costly, but good food.