HELP: SOA indicated a shortfall but I can't see how? Must be why we're in debt!!!

catsense13

We have one but our garden is huge and we produce too much in weeds, grass clippings, hedge clippings pruning and tree lopping to be able to get rid of it all ourselves. Also cant use car for big stuff but wouldn't want to ruin it with soil and clippings. If we can't cut in other areas then this will have to go but think I can reduce our shopping enough to be able to keep this running.

catsense13

House is insulated, cavity wall insulated and double glazed. we had it all done a few years ago with a grant.

jackieb

catsense13 wrote: »

We have one but our garden is huge and we produce too much in weeds, grass clippings, hedge clippings pruning and tree lopping to be able to get rid of it all ourselves. Also cant use car for big stuff but wouldn't want to ruin it with soil and clippings. If we can't cut in other areas then this will have to go but think I can reduce our shopping enough to be able to keep this running.

Do you have a corner in your garden that's hidden? We have quite a big garden (we've taken down 12 trees since moving in and still have 5 in the back garden so a good size). We have a bit behind the garage that no-one can see and that's where all our gardening waste goes (we did hire a van to get rid of the trees though!) There isn't usually any grass clippings though, because if it's kept short enough it is just mulched with the mower.

I know it's only 9 pounds a month but it's just an idea. Of course if it's invaluable to you then that's all that matters.

catsense13

I know it seems like we spend a lot on gifts and I don't think things for a tenner look cheap, it's just you don't get a lot for your money these days. It's personal opinion but I would never buy anyone a set of smellies as a main gift. Whenever I get smellies they go in the gift cupboard and I give them to someone else as a stocking filler. Thing is at £10 a smellies set would have to be a main pressie coz most cost a tenner or more! I think that's a rip off for some shower gel and body lotion! Oh, and who actually uses body lotion? lol. I looked at getting my hubby a leather wrist band and Joe Browns want £20 for some!!!! My nephew really likes Jack Wills stuff so I got him a mobile phone sock and a notebook and pen - Didn't look much but cost me £15 from Ebay! My father in law drinks whiskey but has made it clear only branded (managed to get some Grants for £11 from Asda for Father's Day) then with a card and some wrapping paper/bag I'm hard pushed to stick to my £10 per person budget. He got £20 from my sister in law and god knows how much from my brother in law coz it was so much he hid it quickly! Makes us look tight and ungrateful :-( I hate christmas too. My hubbies family spend loads just on special/personal gift bags and wrap, let alone gifts! And I've noticed if we give them something 'unsuitable or not equivalent' to theirs then they treat us the same. So I try and buy from Ebay. My hubbies niece's and nephew are 16, 18 and 21 this year and my sis in law gets married next year - great! any ideas for pressies that look more than they cost would be appreciated. Now looking on ebay for a silver locket with 21 on...

mildredalien

Gifts can be tough, there's always the pressure of buying something that the other person will like, and for 'enough money'. At the end of the day though if you can't afford it you can't afford it.

Maybe cut down the amount of people you buy for to immediate family (parents, siblings) or just the kids, and speak to the others about your situation.

BlushingRose

We bought some presents recently for a friend for £7 and it looks like much more.

(edited in case she's on here lol)

It all depends upon luck and time though....

catsense13

I've registered with Quidco & topCashback. Going to Ebay, I get 35% from Quidco and 35.35% from Topcashback for any purchases made in the Ebay Fashion Outlet (including Jewellery) - Result! :-)

rising_from_the_ashes

catsense13 wrote: »

Also cant use car for big stuff but wouldn't want to ruin it with soil and clippings.

Sorry but something wrong with the above - car's are workhorses, you buy them, look after them well and they will give you years of service in return.

Of course you can put things in them to take to the dump - it will hoover out if there is a bit of spilled soil (wait until it's dried). If you're really worried about it, buy a boot liner and double bag the stuff .... sorry but if you're so worried about a bit of muck getting in the car, you need to replace it with something else - what's going to happen when your wee one gets a bit bigger and makes a mess in it?

catsense13

BlushingRose wrote: »

We bought some presents recently for a friend for £7 and it looks like much more.

(edited in case she's on here lol)

It all depends upon luck and time though....

Where did you go to get your gifts - just luck or do you have a few particular places you giftshop in?

rising_from_the_ashes

Re presents, I agree with cutting back and doing immediate family only. I sat down with my friends a while back as it had got to ridiculous point (some of them have 4 kids now so by the time you buy for adults / kids, you're talking big numbers) and turns out they were just as happy to stop.

Are you any good at crafting?

You can make great presents for not a lot of money - the wool for this scarf cost less than £5 (obviously time involved too - took around 3 hours)