Old Style Living: Turning down invites to save money?

Chickenopolis

Bufger - judging by your signature I think that your colleagues should be taking a tip or two from you

mrsrwallace

Turning down invites is now second nature to me. At work if there are nights out or leaving presents to be bought I just say No, I can't afford it or simply No thanks, I have plans. Simples.

On the family front I have turned down every invite this year. I have missed weddings, christenings and birthday dinners all because I cannot afford any of them as I have so much debt and minimal income. I have missed out on them all and it didn't bother me at first because I thought well, it's ok to miss a few things but now it is really wearing me down. I miss EVERY single occasion and feel like the poor relation who yet again has turned down the invite. In fairness I don't want to go to every single thing but even a few of them would be nice to actually get out and enjoy myself for once instead of being constantly under this debt cloud and not having one spare penny to go to so and so's wedding. My probem I know but being skint is one thing, being so miserable and unsociable is another.