How much have you told people/the children?

OneSpike

chevalier wrote:

If you are worried about what acquaintances think, then you could say that you are saving up to overpay your mortgage, so that you pay less interest. As for the children, then yes you should tell them as then MAYBE you won't have the big arguements about why they can't do this or that, ie because they know it is because you can't afford it.

Not sure if we have seen a Statement of Accounts yet, would it help to put one up, you never know where we might find some potential savings!

best of luck
chev

I haven't posted a SOA yet as we haven't thrashed it out. We've started putting together the budget but having spent Monday and Tuesday on all this we had a bit of headspace today, plus Nathaniel had to do some work!

Fortunately the skids are very accepting about not being able to afford things - so far. They're 13 and 14 and things are already difficult with the older one on predictable stuff like bedtime and fighting with his sister so they might get arsey about the lack of money, but it's been all they've ever known since they've lived with us. Their mother's in a similar situation so it must seem quite normal to them - I hope to god they don't consider it so normal that they feel they can go the same route. We're going to tell them at the weekend once the wee one's in bed so we can explain things, but Nat and I have already agreed how much we're going to tell them and the reason we'll give. We aren't going to lie to them but we're going to keep it simple. I'll probably have to try the same routine with my parents, who will be less easy to fool!

Right now though my big concern is why Nathaniel and my stepson aren't back, they're half an hour later than usual returning from the evening's activity

I_was_a_fool

I first had to tell my OH (ouch) as I handled all our finances, but he was great about it. Then told the kids (not everything, but a fair bit, along with warnings about not getting in debt themselves) I have told friends/workmates I am skint, and that is acceptable. I still have to fend off constant invitations to go to pub lunches, contribute to charities etc. Skint means different things to different people!