Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thank you beanie and Cumbria

Seasidegal58

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

It's not been easy, but things are better than they were so we cope the best we can. They are lovely children, so we just want to take care of them and give them a safe home until they are hopefully able to stand on their own feet one day

DS3 is back at college and coping well with his panic attacks so we're delighted about that

And although the kids don't know about the debts I think the fact that DH and I are less stressed is helping everyone to feel better

I think your final paragraph says it all. Once that final debt goes your home will feel even more peaceful.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks SSG debt does make everything worse.

Hiddenidenity

Cumbria_lass wrote: »

How lucky your children are to have such wonderful parents to look after them.

Hope you hear from your creditor soon .

Totally agree x

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thank you HI

beanielou

Sleep well & remember how awesome you are.

Reb2016

You really are so very positive your children are so lucky to have you, and your DH.
Fingers crossed for an answer from the final creditor by the end of the week.

Reb

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thank you beanie and Reb

Lately I've been thinking about weddings. One of my niece's is getting married at the end of November in the Midlands and initially DH and I decided that we sadly we couldn't afford to go, as it would involve two overnight stays. However my parents insisted on paying for hotel rooms for two nights for all five of us, so now we are going. This is lovely of them but does make me feel guilty

However there are more expenses which DH and I were estimating last night :eek: There is:

1.Petrol (which could be £120 - £180 DH reckons).
2.Coffee on the journeys.
2.Dinner on the night we arrive.
3.Our children are only invited to the evening do, so will need to hang around until the evening and the two without an income will need lunch money.
4.Drinks after the evening buffet (which are normally chargeable).

Breakfast is free at the hotel.

We will take our own food for the journey and buy rolls etc in a supermarket for the journey home, however we will need to stop for coffee to keep DH alert while driving.

For the evening meal the day we arrive we thought we could use Tesco vouchers, or buy fish and chips to eat in the hotel rooms.

DS2 and DS3 are travelling in my parents car there and back (their choice) so we won't have to buy anything for them on the journey.

However that still leaves petrol to be paid for, lunch for two of the kids on the wedding day and drinks for the evening do

Not only that, but another niece is getting married in Scotland next summer and my nephew is getting married in East Anglia next autumn :eek::eek::eek:

I'm thinking that unless our income rises considerably between now and then that we just won't be able to go to those two weddings, although I know I will be under pressure from my mum to go She may offer to pay for hotel rooms but it makes DH and I uncomfortable not to pay our own way, and there will be a lot of subsiduary expenses (mainly food and petrol)

DH and I feel that we should put our own immediate family first and not spend our emergency fund going to weddings, and then have no money for an actual emergency

[Deleted User]

Morning Hairy,

That is a difficult one and I can understand your frustration.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Could you perhaps take a flask of coffee with you for the journey, and then ask the breakfast waiter/waitress to fill it up for you for the journey home? If breakfast is included at the hotel and it’s a buffet style, then you could encourage the boys to eat lots and then they may not need lunch at all?? Xx