Learning to Live on Less!

White_Iris

Well we did have everything under control financially but there has been a family death and I think that's going to throw everything out a bit. We've offered to help pay for the funeral and I expect we'll cover some of the other associated expenses like flowers as well - not because we feel obliged or pressured but because we think it's the right thing and we want to do it. It does mean the credit card spends will go up but given the circumstances it's something we can deal with later.

However all our Christmas shopping is done and we have some cash set aside for over the Christmas period when we'll be socialising a bit. We'll just have to wing it for the next few weeks and assess the damage after Christmas.

Itsadogslife_2

So sorry to hear that you have lost someone so close to Christmas. My grandad passed away a couple of years ago, about 4 days before so I know how you must be feeling.

Skint_but_Optimistic

Its a difficult time of year to lose someone. Every year the memories come back with the time of year, however I completely am with you on the duty to give a good send off.

Enjoy your solcialising, and if there is one thing being "money aware" brings, its an ability to wing it and to get through to the next payout.

Theres always ebay, surveys and batch cooking to see out January. x

Thinking of you and take care.

debtfreewannabe321

i'm so sorry to hear of your loss white iris two people in my extended family have had similar bad news this last week....what an awful time for it to come. I hope you and your family are ok. I'm also winging it this last month of the year. Did so well the last few months and have blown the budget completely because of unexpected spends the last few weeks never mind we can all get back on track once the festivities are over. big hugs xxx

White_Iris

Thank you for all your good wishes everyone.

The boiler repair man has just been and gone and fortunately it hasn't cost us anything. The noisy whine it's been making is the motor but it isn't a problem that needs immediate attention and can easily wait until the spring (or until we get fed up of the noise!). It's a relief that we don't need to pay for repairs now, even if it will need fixing sometime next year, we can budget for the £160ish repair costs instead of putting it on the credit card.

White_Iris

Just finished sorting out a huge bag of clothes we have been given for DD - just like Goldilocks, some were too small (eBay then), some too big (in the cupboard for later) and some were juuust right! It's such a relief to have generous friends and family, otherwise even with eBay and secondhand shops it would cost a small fortune to clothe my two.

Although I've promised myself some time off eBay, everytime I see the big box of clothes in the spare room and the slightly smaller box of 'bits' I feel the urge to get things listed. Both to clear space and make some money but I'm not convinced things will sell well immediately after Christmas. I'll just have to get prepared - sort, weigh, photograph - ready to list sometime late January.

This may be my last post for a little while - holidays are coming! DH doesn't know (I don't want him to know) about this diary so I'll only be posting when I'm on my own for the next few weeks. I wish everyone a peaceful, happy, low-cost holiday and a debt-free New Year!

Iris .x.

debtfreewannabe321

Hey :wave:

I hope you have a lovely christmas :xmassign::snow_grin:snow_laug:rudolf::xmastree::santa2:

And if i don't 'see' you before new year on here, happy new year too :j

dfw

Itsadogslife_2

I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year, come back and see us soon (when you get a mo on your own ).

LianneH

have a lovely time x x x

jwil

Have a lovely Christmas Iris! My DH doesn't know about my diary either, though he knows I chat away on here.

I find that Christmas is a good time to have stuff on ebay as everyone is sitting around bored. January is probably quieter though until everyone is paid again and the sales are over.