When I asked for luck I didn't mean the bad variety!!!

please-let-me-be-lucky

Thanks SA, your support means a lot Xx

You are right, sticking to the diet is just about the only thing I can control right now, and the one thing I can do for me. I usually 'reward' or 'treat' myself to nice things to eat when the going gets tough, but ultimately that is just a punishment as it makes me feel worse in the long term. I also can't help feeling that I'd be less tired etc overall if I lost more weight.

So today I decided it was about time I looked at the finances again. I haven't done the monthly debt calculation yet as there is still one payment due out, but I did look at Bcard and the remaining totals on there vs the 0% deal. Basically, I need to pay off £125 per month to clear it before interest is added, and I've only been managing in the region of £60-£75 in the last few months. This has primarily been because of the summer holiday and our spending being higher with the boys off school, but with Christmas looming it will still be hard to meet the extra so I need to focus on this more than I have been.

Talking of Christmas, I have £200 in savings which should just about cover the boys' presents. That means I still have to find money for the other family members that we buy for, which will total about £150. I really HAVE to stick to budget or even reduce it.

debtfreewannabe321

I'm in the same boat for Christmas expenses and a big family to buy for. I've started to though which is always the hard part for me! Keep an eye out for all the sales and you'll be able to bring it in under budget I reckon I'm sure you said you are on fb there is a page I found which also has its own website now I think called ashleigh money saving expert. It's a lot like this site for info but hers is mainly focussed on bargains to buy/freebies! Check it out I found out about the entertainer 50% off sale on there (which made me start ) xx

poohbear59

Reading about Christmas plans reminded me of when my four were little. I bought them second hand bikes and scooters which were a bit scratched by Santa getting them down the chimney. They loved it and told all their friends who were very jealous. Our children really had presents from Santa and others just got them from their parents. O

Dolphin1

poohbear59 wrote: »

Reading about Christmas plans reminded me of when my four were little. I bought them second hand bikes and scooters which were a bit scratched by Santa getting them down the chimney. They loved it and told all their friends who were very jealous. Our children really had presents from Santa and others just got them from their parents. O

Aww, that's lovely poohbear

please-let-me-be-lucky

Thanks DF(w), I've now liked the page :T. Bring on the bargains!!

Pooh that's a fab story, thanks for sharing. I recently had to confirm DS1's thoughts about Santa , so Christmas will be a little different this year for him :(. DS2 will still bring the magic though. I always tell mine that parents have to provide Santa with the money for the presents anyway, as there are now too many children in the world, so that's how some children get more than others - it depends on what the parents can afford.

Saw my sister, her partner, and my Mum and her partner this morning to give sis her 30th birthday gifts. I then took my lot and my cousin's boy to softplay. Then home to help both boys with their homework and do the ironing. Rock n'roll!!

liltdiddylilt

Busy day Lucky. Rock n roll indeed!

Poor DS1, and poor you having to tell him. I am just starting to get excited that Jelly is finally beginning to understand a bit about Christmas. One day not too far from now, all will change. I always grew up in a house where mum bought the presents, wrapped them, stored them under the tree and then on the 22nd or 23rd, they had whoosh, disappeared. Taken by the elves to Santa for him to deliver. I always knew mum bought them, but Santa delivered them back if I had been good enough on Christmas Eve. Your way of telling is great too! I will definitely make sure Jellytot knows the difference between Santa and his helpers!!

Hope you get an uneventful and decent nights sleep tonight! xx

please-let-me-be-lucky

Gosh Lilt, your Mum was brave leaving the presents under the tree! I don't think I would have opened them but I know I would have 'felt' them a million times over to try and guess what they were!!
I tell mine that if they misbehave, Santa donates the money to charity instead of bringing them presents!! Xx

Nicky_Noo_Na

poohbear59 wrote: »

Reading about Christmas plans reminded me of when my four were little. I bought them second hand bikes and scooters which were a bit scratched by Santa getting them down the chimney. They loved it and told all their friends who were very jealous. Our children really had presents from Santa and others just got them from their parents. O

That is absolutely brilliant!

Nicky_Noo_Na

Sorry to hear about hubbys latest seizure Lucky - hope the next few days run smoothly for you!

I think time will now fly by until xmas - I just got back off my summer holiday on Friday and work have booked our xmas do so got to switch to thinking about winter things now!

please-let-me-be-lucky

Hi Nicky, hope you had a lovely holiday! Thank you for your kind wishes for DH and smooth days, we could do with some of those!

Christmas will be here before we know it and for that reason I braved Smyth's toys today to partake in their 20% off everything deal. We bought some Lego for Santa to bring DS2 which was already reduced, and then got a further 20% off, so over £70 worth of Lego for less than £48. :T. My Mum and MiL usually give me cash to do their shopping for the boys, so at some point the Lego may be redistributed to one of them to give, but either way I will have a happy DS2 at Christmas!

DH has been ok today, and even stepped in to help me at Beavers as my assistant couldn't make it tonight. However, he caused a bit of a problem at school this morning. DS2 had to take something in to school today beginning with the letter 'g', and he chose some gloves. We put them at the top of the stairs so we wouldn't forget them while we got him ready this morning, and DH asked what they were there for so I explained. When DS2 and I came out of his bedroom the gloves were gone, and I stupidly assumed DH had put them in the school bag downstairs. When we got to school there were tears when DS2 discovered he didn't have the gloves. Turned out DH had put them back in the drawer where they live, as he thought DS2 had left them lying around, despite me having explained it all to him. It wasn't a major deal and it was solved by going back along to the school with the gloves, but it upset DS2 so it really upset DH too . DS2 told his teacher that Dad's broken head made us forget them!