Mr and Mrs K's New Journey to a Debt Free Life.

bess1234_2

A magnolia tree is perfect thoughtful meaningful present. Shame it's for someone who prefers expensive empty tat

gallygirl

theoretica wrote: »

Admit? ADMIT? I can't decide if you know your audience and are doing that for effect or not.

Me, I gave my mum a phone call - she hadn't noticed it was mothers' day.

I had a phonecall from my DD to discuss the jobs she has planned for me next weekend and whether they will run over to 2 days or not :rotfl:. Admittedly she had got me a pressie and card :T

bess1234 wrote: »

A magnolia tree is perfect thoughtful meaningful present. Shame it's for someone who prefers expensive empty tat

Wholeheartedly agree. Something to flourish in the future and you and Little K can remember the day you planted it - did you take a photo of him next to it? If not, do it now, then take another in the same place every Mother's Day so you can watch the two of them grow :T

AliBee16

In my job I saw people spending a lot of money on Mother's Day (£60 bottles of perfume from a 2 year old), and most people think 'what an idiot' at this. A sentimental card and something small is the order of the day, and time spent together building memories. My girls took me for a Nandos and bought a cheap DVD, and we spent the day together. It was wonderful. Your gift should have meant more to Mrs K than a thoughtless expensive gift.

dawnybabes

We bought my mum a magnolia tree years ago, she loves it. My son got me a bunch of flowers from the school shop - total cost £1 but he was and is so proud of getting them for me, I don't need expensive gifts.

Quite frankly your mother sounds ungrateful and entitled. (Just like your wife - see a pattern ?)

7roland8

I'm sure your son enjoyed planting the tree Alex. And Mother's Day should not be about spending a lot.
I had flowers from one son but nothing from the other as he does not agree with 'cards' of any sort. But thats the sort of person he is and I don't expect anything. He'll build me a new computer if I need one and is always there for me on other ways. Who wants stupid ornaments etc anyway. A chat with them is much more appreciated than an expensive present.

heartbreak_star

We did Mother's Day on Saturday as I teach on Sundays. Mum is recovering from breast cancer so I went and did a load of little jobs that aren't super-important but she's having difficulty with at the moment, and she said that meant more than a gift

Gift-wise I got her a lollipop bouquet as she loves lollies, and a rosebush we planted in a little decorative pot of Dad's she unearthed while tidying the shed a few weeks ago (she didn't know what to put in it that dear departed Dad would approve of !). Grand total of £10 plus a card and a few hours of my time.

Honestly, I think the magnolia tree and the table refinishing were both great gift ideas, and am furious that they were not appreciated.

Looking forward to the debt news glad you're keeping mostly on track.

HBS x

FlacosFloozie

I think the magnolia tree sounds like a lovely present, Alex. I'd be really happy with that if I was Mrs K. I think gallygirl's idea of the yearly photo is fantastic- they could make a nice little album to look back on one day
Really pleased you're getting back to ebay too- clear the clutter and the debt at the same time.
I'm also going to say how much meal planning helps us. It halves my grocery spend when I'm organised and it also seems to make everything else fall into place. I'm not uberfrugal as that makes us fall off the wagon so I allow a budget for treats and nice meals (this week venison steak) which helps cut down on the meals out and takeaways. It might be worth thinking about why you and Mrs K eat out- do you like particular types of food, hate cooking, never have anything in the house? All of these can be worked around. Hope you had a good day today.

AlexLK

Thank you all, I thought it was a nice gift too given my very limited budget. You MSE'ers would be pleased to hear I bought it from Lidl ... my wife would not be pleased if she found out, though. :rotfl:

I have taken a photo of my son next to the tree and yes, he very much enjoyed planting it. Recently, I have been sorting out my gardens and son has loved "helping"; he loves the outdoors and making things, a bit like me I suppose (should be discouraging him now, eh?).

We eat out a lot because both of us dislike cooking and we never have much food in.

brizzledfw

Its a fine present...and I am really pleased your son enjoys being outside in the garden..its a good sign imo

Hope dinner goes well. We are having mushroom ravioli (HM but not by me..it was free though ) and foraged salad..oh and finishing off the bottle of wine a neighbour gave us..bliss All part of my campaign to Reclaim Mondays :rotfl:

Magsnoodle

Hi Alex,

Hey on the plus side at least little K loves helping you with the outdoor chores. I love to get my daugther and now my husbands grand daughter involved in stuff. My DD bought me a bracelet with her own money and some cheese and biscuits as she knows how much I love that kind of thing but then worried it was a rubbish present. As I said it is the thought that counts.

Take care and keep going - your signature looks amazing - HUGE inroads.