I need a loan but dont work help please

lynnavis

Please don't do it, it's not worth it just for one day. Have you tried freecycle for things.
Christmas is family time, have fun with them, play games, I know they are not little uns but my youngest is 15yr, we got some board games from the charity shops, a bit of competition works wonders. Think of things to do together for a laugh, charades maybe. I know there will be people who think it's boring but it's the being together that's important. Good luck

housebuyer_abc

mishca_loves_a_bargain wrote: »

Hi there, i need a loan for my kids Xmas, its only for £500, but i dont work and my credit rating is terrible. I have never applied for a loan before so i just wouldnt know where to start! Does anyone know of any companies that would give a loan to unemployed? Any help would be very helpful, thanks

Flipping heck, we don't spend £500 between all of us and our income is over double the national average, and you want to spend £500 when nyou earn zero....

Reality check needed I think

edinburgher

Reality check needed I think

I think what's needed is for you to read over some of the previous posts instead of wading in with your size 12's The OP has changed her position somewhat since the first post and lots of helpful suggestions have been made.

Wannabedebtfree

Now I'm back home with a PC that works!

For the food, try the local markets first. Iceland have plenty of party food (3 for £5), and platters for £5 each, snacks and a stuffed turkey crown for £12.

Asda are also doing the party platters for £4. The supermarkets also have some kids gifts for reasonable prices, but as I said earlier, I cannot suggest anything without knowing what they like.

As other's have said, next year will be easier as you can put aside £1 or £2 for the food on the supermarket saver stamps, I use Morrisons and they give you £3 extra if you redeem a whole card in November or December making it £100. Not sure what the others do with regards to giving you a bit extra.

I'll have another think and see if I can come up with anything else.

Whatever you do, keep your chin up

D
x

katsu

My husband's family is quite big. I've been with him since we were students so I buy presents all year round. Go to charity shops, markets, 99p/£1 shops etc. You can get some nice things if you hunt around.

In terms of making Christmas special - make an occasion of it, not a costly one, a special one. Do things together:
* christmas light spotting (we drive but you could walk ). We've been doing this nearly every year since we moved in together. We only missed one year when we had no money to drive around the town looking at some of the very decorated houses. We love to get wrapped up and drive out as a road trip - look in the newspaper, on the internet, go explore streets hoping to find a well decorated house. My OH and I are looking forward to picking the day for our annual trip
*decorating the house - you can make paperchains, use your existing decorations, make paper snowflakes etc for the windows. Play christmas music and make an evening of it
*go to church (special family services, carol services, midnight mass, take your pick) - special to you if you are religious, if you are not religious still take the children and come home and talk about what they thought of it, what people can take from christmas even if they are not religious
*find out if there is any carol singing in old people's homes or hospitals and join in. Help your kids feel good about doing good.
*make christmas gifts and/or dinner together. Your kids could enjoy making christmas biscuits as a gift for teacher/neighbours/whoever.
*look through the local paper for free/low cost activities.
*play games - someone suggested a movie night at home - spend time doing things you don't do normally.

I know lots of us have said things about being working people with more coming in who spend less than you, please be reassured you can have a lovely christmas on a budget. Good money management is one of the best gifts you can give your children - teach them to respect budgets not to use debt to fund a good time.

Good luck.

ALIBOBSY

Don't know where you live, but worth looking in local papers (maybe free online) and asking around about free or cheap christmas events.
Some friends of my Mum and Dad (he is the local chimney sweep-yes really), live on a cul-de-sac where all the neighbours love Christmas and put up loads of lights on the houses. They had a big switch on this week and on the 22nd "santa" is coming to visit. Hot chocs and sweets for the kids. All they ask is you make a donation (whatever you can afford) to a collection for the local childrens hospice.

Many towns have a "santa" arrival type event, to try to encourage people in to shop, you just have watch the fun then go home without spending.

Also our local round table do a santa sleigh every year which comes around locally giving sweets to the kids and collecting for local charities.

If you know any groups going out carolling its a lovely way to get in the Christmas spirit and collect for charity.

ali x

mishca_loves_a_bargain

Wow, when i started this thread and read the comments that followed, i was so embarrassed, sad, and felt totally alone. Have just logged in and read the rest..... honestly from my heart i want to thank everyone who has took the time to write their ideas and money saving tips, just to let all know out there that i will NOT be trying to get a loan, no way. Its not worth it at all. Ive spoke to my kids and explained the situation, they seem fine with it, and now i can see that i was trying to 'over compensate' with all we have been through this year. Very stupid i know, but i love them to bits. Absolutley love this forum and i will be checking it daily to see whats going on. Again thanks for all the kind comments and for making me see sense!! :T
'Merry Christmas' to you all xx

jennihen

Hope you have a lovely 'together' christmas and we all wish the very best in 2010.
JH x

ALIBOBSY

Aww thats lovely Mishca hope you have a lovely frugal family Christmas and them you can make a battle plan for next year, loads of ideas on the boards here. People start thinking about Christmas V early around here lol.

Have a look at threads to make sock monkeys, if you have a daughter she would really enjoy making one (or more) with you.

Merry Christmas

ali x

slig

Hey Mishka, here are my ideas, not very original I'm sure but hopefully they might be useful:

Work out the amount you can spend on presents for the children rather than just buying aimlessly (even cheap presents add up quickly if you don't keep a close eye on how much you're spending). If say you can realistically afford £30 each, then perhaps let them tell you what they would like to the value of £20, and then that gives you £10 to spend on some fun surprises.

If you can only afford a smaller amount (£10 each, say), then I think a Christmas stocking is the funnest way to do it. I'm 26 and I still like getting a stocking!

You could also make Christmas presents, eg agree with your children that their present to you has to be homemade, and one of their presents from you will be homemade. You could make your own fudge or sweets, cover a notebook with pictures of their favourite things, or something more adventutrous if you already have some crafting skills - I'm sure there are loads of good ideas on here.

There are loads of fun things to do on Christmas day that don't cost anything - games, watching a christmas film (It's a Wonderful Life comes to mind), doings some Christmas crafts (eg you could have a challenge of who can make the best decoration out of a load of junk - newspaper, straws, boxes, tinfoil etc), going for a walk to see some christmas lights (are there any houses near you that have crazily excessive Christmas lights? It's always fun to visit those!)

The best things about Christmas can be done cheaply anyway, eg Christmas crackers - I think Tescos value ones are about £1. It's the little things like this that make it feel like Christmas.

The loan may have given you a good Christmas this year (though I think you can have an equally good time without it), but what would've happened next year? I think you've made the right decision. There are some very organised people on this forum who are so well organised they have a money-neutral Christmas. Even if you aren't that thrifty yet, if you plan in advance, eg save £10 a month throughout the year, or buy your cards and wrapping paper in the January sales, you can make next year even easier on yourself.