(deep breath) here goes.

Ohhohoho

Yes i've been caught out most years at Christmas! so i'm reluctant to pay debts with what i am already saving as i feel in control this way, and know i can afford what i need to spend this Christmas. We talk every year about your method of only giving to children, but never comes - its the one time of year i get to thank my family members for the enormous help i get from them (don't spend enormous amounts on them, but a gesture of kind). And by saving throughout the year for this will stop me hitting a crisis in December!

I do think i've already caught up a bit and with juggling other stuff i've managed to get extra cash to pay off debts each month, so should be clear by next summer. Of course any extras will go on it, so hopefully will be clear by then. Phew! i cannot wait for the day.

BTW i rang NTL today and got my bill halved! Got tv package half price for 3 months, and all landline calls free for 6mths. And as others have said here, they told me to ring the retention team again in 3mths and ask them to renew my special offers. If only i'd known some time ago! could have saved a lot. TV, broadband and phone line plus all calls will now cost me about £45 a month!