We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.
Comments
-
Granariesgirl wrote: »Hi everyone,
Things have been busy on here, haven't they!
I've been in paperwork purdah - the only way to get it done was to deprive myself of lollygagging on t'Internet & it still took AGES to sort it (weeeeeell most of it!
)
Alex - a thought on Little K's Xmas pressie: how about something to go with the plane? A flying helmet & goggles, a home made hangar & tools to "fix" it, a flying jacket? That way you won't be trying to compete with their expensive present but complimenting it! :cool:
On parents' presents: I always used to get "Dad who has everything" a case of good wine or a couple of books. Mum was a "treat" at Clarins or similar - shoulder massage, facial or manicure. Then they get the pleasure twice - when they open it & when they use the present!
My friends make up a proper calendar (ie. has space to write stuff) for the family with pics of DC (DC is only young child in whole family) - cost was £60 for 5 BEFORE vouchers! It's a hit & now is expected every year with a bottle of something - BARGAIN!
I like buying half bottles of amber rum & putting spices in it to make an Xmas rum - great for warming up!
A friend makes truffles & cookies with DC's & buys cheap crystal bowls from Charity Shops to put them in as pressies - much appreciated as delicious & there has been thought, love & effort put into pressie!
Oh yes, I am also a SC fan. Was given one & DIDN'T want it but now wouldn't be without it. I don't even do anything beforehand (braising/ frying onions etc.): just glug olive oil in bottom, mix with onions & bung everything on top - prep time 10 mins!
Keep up the good work - y'all doin' good boy (said with bad Texas accent)!:rotfl:
I have also had a rather lot of paperwork to do as of late.
In regard to my son's present, that is a wonderful idea, though I am not sure my wife will agree, she doesn't like the thought of "stroking my parents' egos". :rotfl: I can see her thinking that about us complimenting their present.
My parents are usually very easy to buy for, it's the in laws which are a problem. However, I think Mrs. K.'s mother would probably like something like that. Her father is a nightmare, he has seemingly no interests and doesn't really like wine or spirits.
We don't have a calender in this house, suppose we could do with one really. Xmas rum sounds delicious but as you know, I like a drink or two.
I meant to do a slow cooker update - it's here but we haven't used it as yet, tomorrow is the first planned day.
Finally, thank you.heartbreak_star wrote: »This is an AWESOME idea!!
Just on a cooking note - I'm also a total cheat and use frozen veggies (chopped spinach, onions, peppers, sweetcorn etc). It really does taste just as good due to the freezing methods and it so much quicker
HBS x
What is the advantage in using frozen vegetables?Thirded :T:T:T
I've already made me the fourth ... just got to say what Mrs. K. says.2018 totals:
Savings £11,200
Mortgage Overpayments £5,5000 -
Granariesgirl wrote: »Thank you! <bows>
It would be great if I could actually think of something great for my DC2 now! What a lousy mother!:rotfl:
:rotfl: Age / interests?2018 totals:
Savings £11,200
Mortgage Overpayments £5,5000 -
:rotfl: Age / interests?
Age just 8 - art, horses, cookery, cycling, reading...
DC2 became disillusioned with expensive plasticky stuff advertised on TV when the desired toy, saved up for ages, was used for about a week & then if no further interest. Great in one sense (no more carp like that needed chez granaries) but not so good when no ideas for pressie!
Hmmm... maybe a few riding lessons? IF there are any spaces around our gaff!
ANY ideas from the gang on here gratefully listened to!!0 -
Art, cookery and reading must throw up loads of ideas... unless you've already exhausted them in previous years?
Children's cookery sets, recipe book, boxed book sets, craft sets? If you're after bigger things, an easel and paints? A big set of coloured pencils (I had one with about 100 colours and adored it)? Craft sets can also get quite big/pricey. Or how about something like pottery classes?Mortgage when started: £330,995
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Arthur C. Clarke0 -
Granariesgirl wrote: »Age just 8 - art, horses, cookery, cycling, reading...
DC2 became disillusioned with expensive plasticky stuff advertised on TV when the desired toy, saved up for ages, was used for about a week & then if no further interest. Great in one sense (no more carp like that needed chez granaries) but not so good when no ideas for pressie!
Hmmm... maybe a few riding lessons? IF there are any spaces around our gaff!
ANY ideas from the gang on here gratefully listened to!!
I buy some of my stationery (notebooks and ink mostly) from Bureau Direct, whilst not aimed at kids, they do have some nice pencil case gift sets aimed at school children: http://www.bureaudirect.co.uk/kokuyo-neocritz-transformer-pencil-case-bundle-deal-green/p3532
I can vouch for the quality of products from bureau and will be getting one of these pencil case gift sets for our son when he starts pre-prep.
Killing two birds with one stone; how about getting all the materials together for your child to make their own recipe book?LannieDuck wrote: »Art, cookery and reading must throw up loads of ideas... unless you've already exhausted them in previous years?
Children's cookery sets, recipe book, boxed book sets, craft sets? If you're after bigger things, an easel and paints? A big set of coloured pencils (I had one with about 100 colours and adored it)? Craft sets can also get quite big/pricey. Or how about something like pottery classes?
Some great ideas here. 2018 totals:
Savings £11,200
Mortgage Overpayments £5,5000 -
Wednesday 13th November, 2013.
Day 74.
Dear Diary,
Well, at the moment I cannot wait for this party to be over and done with, the preparations seem to be taking over our lives! Considering that our son's little friends will only be here for a couple of hours at most, I am beginning to wonder if Mrs. K. and I have put in far too much effort to turn two of our downstairs rooms into a "rain forest". Still, it raised a smile or two from my adult piano pupil before his horror stricken features realised we are letting the kids in my music room. Now I'm considering a sign to hang on the piano "touch this if you would like to die a slow, painful death", Mrs. K. thought it an inappropriate message to a bunch of three year olds though. Perhaps, "touch this if mummy and daddy can afford to replace it" may be more apt?
On the debt busting front I have sent another letter to the original Full and Final creditor, who I've had some correspondence from, I think we may be getting somewhere and that perhaps the next letter I send may have a cheque enclosed.
Home cooking was amusing today with my wife making a cup cake. No not what you're thinking, I'm talking literally a cup cake - a cake in a cup! She once again tested my woeful Italian, upon presenting me with a penne boloneighs , well that's how I say it.
Summary:
+£25.00 Music Teaching.
-£0.00 No Spend Day!
Yours Faithfully,
Alex.2018 totals:
Savings £11,200
Mortgage Overpayments £5,5000 -
-
Granaries: I'd have suggested a nice pen for your child to begin a collection with but know I'd be sent to hell for such a suggestion on here. :rotfl:
:rotfl: I have always been terrible at speaking other languages. At school there was the option to do French, German and Latin; I took Latin as the assessment required no speaking. Feeling quite the cultural heathen right at this moment, admitting that. 2018 totals:
Savings £11,200
Mortgage Overpayments £5,5000 -
:rotfl: I have always been terrible at speaking other languages. At school there was the option to do French, German and Latin; I took Latin as the assessment required no speaking. Feeling quite the cultural heathen right at this moment, admitting that.
Don't worry Alex. If in doubt, just say it louder :cool:.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 -
What is the advantage in using frozen vegetables?
Fruit-infused gins and vodkas are also fabulous, though I may try that rum!
Frozen veg...no peeling, no chopping, no mess, no watery eyes, no waste...and thusly no prep or tidying time
HBS x"I believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another."
"It's easy to know what you're against, quite another to know what you're for."
#Bremainer0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.1K Spending & Discounts
- 244.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.4K Life & Family
- 258.7K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards