KP's Another year older another year wiser?

penguin83

Hi KP - well done on the 25% paid off.

I'm stressing about Christmas too, we have said we are NOT buying the kids loads this year - they have so much stuff already and the family get them stuff too.

x x x

taxi73

Try not to worry about christmas...
One year when my children were youngish may 7 and 9...Iwas a SAHM at the time and DH in the Oct had to be off work sick .We had hardly any money for christmas and hadn't received any benefits.....I had very little money in my purse and I went to cheap stationary /poundland type shops and bought loads of crayons/papers/glue/glitter arty stuff and stuffed it in bin bags...I felt really guilty.....GUESS which christmas the kids remember most fondly and say was their best christmas ever...it was that one !!!!!!..they are all in their 20s now.....
As long as people have a nice day filled with love Christmas presents aren't that important...they had a lot of expensive gifts before and after those years and yet prefer the cheap year....
My girls now like nothing better than some nice toiletries shoved in a gift bag...

So please don't stress about christmas ..it is one day after all.

mum2one

hypno06 wrote: »

I'm trying not to get stressed this Christmas - everyone will get bayliss & harding smellies probably - look and smell like molton brown, but only cost £1.99 from supermarkets.....put them in a nice Christmas bag with a sparkly bow, and it looks far more expensive than it is.

Those people that are close to you won't mind - they would much prefer to see you financially secure, and anyone who does complain, isn't worth worrying over - I learned THAT one some time ago.

xxxx

Totally agree, I hit the Jan sales for most of birthday presents for the yr, halfcost, sales and now found 95p website.
A couple rolls of cello wrap, some tie and sod it. Not being tight, I said to friend, about xmas, and she said is it ok if we just buy for the children...... exactly what I was going to ask her.

Those that moan aren't worth it, in your case, hubby + children r more important and they matter xx

Keeping_Positive

:AThank you for your thoughts. :A

Ill get by there is no way Im going to feel as bad as last year although alot of that was other reasons.

Spends update

£220 less £74 a trip for OHs birthday (booked a while agao but kept "forgetting" to pay), £5 to DD1 part for chores and part pocket money, £2 due to DD2 when she actually finishes the job I gave her, £6 a dd I forgot and lastly £2.70 for a pizza as I realised I hadnt taken anything out to defrost. New balance = 130 :eek:. Should be ok only 1 week shop to do and I do have stuff in. Prob need diesle though so at least £50 there.

Overall happy as a birthday pressie out the way and I should still have enough.

Keeping_Positive

update on "friend"

She returned a broken PS2 yesterday ( DH last year amas pressie) and had to use my card to get it refunded onto so I "owe" her £85. My plan is to give her £50 as she hasnt paid me this month. I would keep all but Im not that brave and her DH is eyeing up a replacement. It shouldnt cost more than £50 so I dont feel bad about leaving them shorter than they should have been.

Just wish me luck Im brave enough to go through with my plan or do you think Im wrong to do it as I didnt discuss this when accepting the refund.

hypno06

How much does she still owe you?

taxi73

You should definitely go through with it and take the lot if she owes you more than £85.

beanielou

I would keep it.
If 'friend' says anything just play dumb & say you just kept it against what she owed you.
How much more does she owe you then?

mum2one

I totally agree keep the £85,I'm guessing she owes you more than that, if she says anything play daft, and say oh thought you were paying that off what you owe me, and also say they refunded it to the card, you do realise I have a balance, so can't get the money back.

I'm sorry to say, don't mean to speak out of turn, but from the sounds of it she has made no effort to pay, come out with excuses, u have got a family as well, u need to pay bills, etc, xx

Keeping_Positive

£306 to go but she is asking for £80 back. She knows I can get it. Im going to have to confront her . She has had a run of bad luck but if ahe had at least paid a bit more often Id have been happier but its like pulling teeth to get anything.