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Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.
Comments
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Oh dear, considering you are from all over the country, I must be wrong and I thought I spoke in standard English. At least this word isn't actually English, eh?2018 totals:
Savings £11,200
Mortgage Overpayments £5,5000 -
Alerting MUM2ONE!
Mrs. K. and I have been talking CHRISTMAS (and November / December birthdays) already and what we are going to buy / spend on the people we have to buy gifts for. Yes, this is all a part of our new regime.
We were hoping to do this on a budget but after calculating what we think we'll spend on everyone, we were disappointed how expensive it will end up being. This is family only as we have agreed to only buy for family.
So, here goes:
Mrs. K. gift for me - 2, as my birthday is December = £75.
Gift for Mrs. K. from me = £50.
Son = £100. (can buy plenty of age appropriate toys for that)
Parents.
Father = £100. (can just about get something he would be pleased with for this)
Mother = £100. (as above)
In Laws.
Father = £25 (No idea)
Mother = £25 (A bottle of red and a bottle of white wine)
Brother = £25 (Home made Christmas "hamper")
Brother's wife = £15 (As above)
Niece 1 = £15 (Music theory books she needs, yep I'm going to be a popular boy :rotfl:. However, Brother in Law suggested this).
Niece 2 = £15 (Home made Christmas "hamper")
Mrs. K. plans on giving just a small token gift to her sister and her family as they do not get on.
Total:
£600 (taking into account money for token gifts for sister-in-law, gift wrap etc.)2018 totals:
Savings £11,200
Mortgage Overpayments £5,5000 -
Alerting MUM2ONE! Mrs. K. and I have been talking CHRISTMAS (and November / December birthdays) already and what we are going to buy / spend on the people we have to buy gifts for. Yes, this is all a part of our new regime.
We were hoping to do this on a budget but after calculating what we think we'll spend on everyone, we were disappointed how expensive it will end up being. This is family only as we have agreed to only buy for family.
So, here goes:
Mrs. K. gift for me - 2, as my birthday is December = £75.
Gift for Mrs. K. from me = £50.
Son = £100. (can buy plenty of age appropriate toys for that)
Parents.
Father = £100. (can just about get something he would be pleased with for this)
Mother = £100. (as above)
In Laws.
Father = £25 (No idea)
Mother = £25 (A bottle of red and a bottle of white wine)
Brother = £25 (Home made Christmas "hamper")
Brother's wife = £15 (As above)
Niece 1 = £15 (Music theory books she needs, yep I'm going to be a popular boy :rotfl:. However, Brother in Law suggested this).
Niece 2 = £15 (Home made Christmas "hamper")
Mrs. K. plans on giving just a small token gift to her sister and her family as they do not get on.
Total:
£600 (taking into account money for token gifts for sister-in-law, gift wrap etc.)
wow, very impressed, - thou not on the budget!!! *(you couldn't really expect anything else), but there reasonable budgets
Not to add to it on purpose........
But dont forget the token presents for the staff at nursery - dont usually got for individual presents - box of biscuits, - they can all share xxxx rip dad... we had our ups and downs but we’re always be family xx0 -
hello Alex
I love reading your diary every day and the journey you've made so far is commendable.
It's great that you're making a list and planning for xmas-just a thought from me £100 for a 3 yr old at xmas is rather a lot especially when you're in debt-we're spending £20 on our 3 yr old max and I know she'll be absolutely delighted with what we'll get her as 3 yr olds have no concept of money or how much something is so I think you can save your pennies there.
Also why are you spending £100 on your parents each yet only £25 on the wife's? This seems a little unfair to mrs k to me. Is it because your parents are 'posh' so expect something better-well tough-£25 should do for them too!
I too am slow cooker user-still add too much water but its great to put something on in the morning before work and know there's something nice to come home. Beef with Prunes is delish-don't have a recipe just bung it all in!
Im with you and say lasagne-yer (but I am northern ha ha!)0 -
La-san-ya here too (Cornwall).
Congratulations on the Christmas planning! A thought for Mini K if you want to spend that much how about say £50 on stuff and then the rest on an annual pass to something? My folks got Small a pass to a soft play place for about forty quid and it has been brilliant. We've been loads!Sealed Pot Challenge - No. 117
Bank of Mum & Dad - £3150/£10,000 (£6850 to go) Bank of In Laws - £4600/£12,000 (£7400 to go)
MFW - MFD - [STRIKE]5 Apr 2029[/STRIKE] 5 June 2025 : AIM = NOV 2019 (back up aim = MAR 2023)0 -
It IS a budget Alex, just rather a large one
We were hoping to do this on a budget but after calculating what we think we'll spend on everyone, we were disappointed how expensive it will end up being. This is family only as we have agreed to only buy for family.
)
I'm guessing you worked out how much to spend on everyone then added it up at the end? :money: Martin says do it the other way round - work out how much you can afford then divvy it up. Interested to read rationale behind parents/in law split?
A bit late coming to Lasagnegate - but I'm with the others A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort Mortgage Balance = £0
"Do what others won't early in life so you can do what others can't later in life"0 -
Good morning Alex.
I usually lurk on your thread and don't post, just wanted to say well done on efforts to become debt free.
Also wondered if you had thought of a joints gift for your parents, sadly my husbands Grandparents are no longer with us but something we used to do was buy them a food hamper, they never really wanted anything as such, so we started to buy the hampers as they would contain some nice treat items that maybe they wouldn't normally buy, but I knew they would enjoy, Waitrose and Marks and Spencers do some nice ones.
We would also take a Photograph of the children or use a nursery or school photograph, put it in a pretty frame and that would be their present from the children, something they could look at and would give them joy all year.
Link for Waitrose Hampers.
http://www.waitrosedirect.com/gifts/?facet=isWineClub:(%22N%22)+AND+isCorporateWine:(%22N%22)+AND+parentCatgroup_id_face
Right now I'm going back to lurking . 0 -
What about the idea of making your parents a puzzle from family photographs that you didn't have time to do for your mum's birthday? Should cost far less than £100 and be something they couldn't just buy themselves if they wanted it.But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,Had the whole of their cash in his care.
Lewis Carroll0 -
Alex you've come such a long way so quickly for which :T - but goodness your xmas pressie budget is a bit lopsided!Mrs. K. gift for me - 2, as my birthday is December = £75.
Gift for Mrs. K. from me = £50.
Could be over £100 off the debts unless there is something either of you actually need?
Son = £100. (can buy plenty of age appropriate toys for that)
For a four year old who is going to be thoroughly over-indulged by rich grand-parents, this seems an awful lot to spend on yet more toys so soon after his birthday. Why not stick £80 into his savings and make it a challenge with Missus K to see who can produce more fun for a tenner?
Parents.
Father = £100. (can just about get something he would be pleased with for this)
Mother = £100. (as above)
As mentioned by fellow MSEers, this is your chance to make a unique gift which can't be found in any shop.
In Laws.
Father = £25 (No idea)
Mother = £25 (A bottle of red and a bottle of white wine)
This is the bit I really have a problem with in your list, Alex. You are prepared to spend £200 on two people who already have plenty, yet only £50 on the other side - where a £200 gift would probably make a big difference to their lives!
BTW, £25 on vino will go a lot further at one of the German supermarkets - you'd be surprised; maybe consider getting some of your own booze supply there (but avoid the own brand spirits!)?
Brother = £25 (Home made Christmas "hamper")
Brother's wife = £15 (As above)
I'd put these two together - one very carefully thought-out hamper between them.
Niece 1 = £15 (Music theory books she needs, yep I'm going to be a popular boy :rotfl:. However, Brother in Law suggested this).
Niece 2 = £15 (Home made Christmas "hamper")
Nieces are sisters? Then a book plus something else each ("Lush" gifts worth looking at).
Mrs. K. plans on giving just a small token gift to her sister and her family as they do not get on.
They don't get on? This year a card will do.0 -
Hello everybody. Sorry I have not responded earlier, had a rather busy day but in a nice way, fortunately.wow, very impressed, - thou not on the budget!!! *(you couldn't really expect anything else), but there reasonable budgets
Not to add to it on purpose........
But dont forget the token presents for the staff at nursery - dont usually got for individual presents - box of biscuits, - they can all share xx
Thank you!
Also, we hadn't thought about nursery, shall take in a handmade card and a tin of biscuits.hello Alex
I love reading your diary every day and the journey you've made so far is commendable.
It's great that you're making a list and planning for xmas-just a thought from me £100 for a 3 yr old at xmas is rather a lot especially when you're in debt-we're spending £20 on our 3 yr old max and I know she'll be absolutely delighted with what we'll get her as 3 yr olds have no concept of money or how much something is so I think you can save your pennies there.
Also why are you spending £100 on your parents each yet only £25 on the wife's? This seems a little unfair to mrs k to me. Is it because your parents are 'posh' so expect something better-well tough-£25 should do for them too!
I too am slow cooker user-still add too much water but its great to put something on in the morning before work and know there's something nice to come home. Beef with Prunes is delish-don't have a recipe just bung it all in!
Im with you and say lasagne-yer (but I am northern ha ha!)
Hello,
Another contributor!! And, thank you.
It's rather awkward regarding our son, I already know my parents have spent over £400 already on him (they've bought him a pedal plane, imported from America). So I suppose there is that need to make sure he gets something nice from us too.
As for my parents; we know exactly what to get them (things thy will appreciate and keep for years to come), whereas Mrs. K.'s parents don't really have any interests / hobbies. Not to mention she has a big family so we will have to spend on her other family members.
Thank you re. the slow cooker, I will look for a recipe (don't fancy just winging it)!La-san-ya here too (Cornwall).
Congratulations on the Christmas planning! A thought for Mini K if you want to spend that much how about say £50 on stuff and then the rest on an annual pass to something? My folks got Small a pass to a soft play place for about forty quid and it has been brilliant. We've been loads!
:rotfl: Well, Mrs. K. has to be right about something.
That sounds a great idea actually re. son, thank you. 2018 totals:
Savings £11,200
Mortgage Overpayments £5,5000
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