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

HairyHandofDartmoor

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

Hope they get into the flat :eek:.

I also love Max and Paddy . You may well have seen photos of my doggy in the comments of some of their FB posts Xx

Yes they managed to get a spare key and are in the flat now

You've met Max and Paddy? How lovely What type of dog do you have?

beanielou

Good news on the petrol & being able able to use the vouchers :j

HairyHandofDartmoor

Yes petrol is so expensive

please-let-me-be-lucky

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

Yes they managed to get a spare key and are in the flat now

You've met Max and Paddy? How lovely What type of dog do you have?

Really pleased they got in the flat :T.

Alas, I haven’t met Max and Paddy, but often post pics of my Springer Spaniel when their Human asks to see some photos of people’s dogs on FB Xx

HairyHandofDartmoor

I love springer spaniels, so gorgeous

please-let-me-be-lucky

He’s a bundle of fun Hairy. Just over one and still a puppy in many ways, but I’ve been told they never really grow up . Xx

HairyHandofDartmoor

He sounds lovely

117pauline

Here's my thoughts on the wedding condrudrum.

Your parents have kindly arranged the hotel rooms. I would imagine that's because they want your company on an important family day. So that's in the bag.

Travel and Food - more difficult but not insurmountable. There will only be the three of you which will mean a smaller spend. You have adult children so hopefully they will understand when you explain you want to keep the cost down as you have so far to travel etc. A flask and treats to keep you all going. You are half way there.

Reception - drink as little as possible so you get to enjoy it all. Dance the night away.

Clothes - great that the men are sorted. For you and your daughter, try to find something in your wardrobes or a visit to a charity shop perhaps. Or perhaps buy something like a blouse and bank it against money you might receive at Christmas. Can you do any surveys to add in a bit?

Other Weddings - perhaps you could add in a wedding fund to your budget for a few months so you are building up a fund.

Family weddings have long memories. I did not attend the weddings of two nephews and it has had a really detrimental effect on our family relationships. I had very good reasons for not attending but I didn't feel able to be completely honest about my reasons. Even after five years I have not been forgiven and it is unlikely I ever will be.

Good luck for the rest of the week
Pauline

HairyHandofDartmoor

Thanks Pauline For the most recent wedding I've decided to wear my interview suit and blouse which I already own and the four men are sorted clothes wise. The main cost will be petrol probably, but we may be able to use Mr T vouchers towards that. Food and drinks we will take with us.

With regard to the two weddings in 2018. I would love to go, and if we have a rise in income then we will go.

However the Scotland wedding would involve five flights, (or a two day drive each way and extra nights in hotels en route). We would need to hire a car at the other end if we fly, as the wedding is in a fairly remote location and then hotel rooms for five people for at least two nights. That's in addition to other expenses like food, clothes etc :eek::eek:

Whilst the East Anglia wedding would involve a very long drive, with hotel rooms for at least two nights

I have a lovely understanding family so if we can't go due to financial reasons, then I will write to my niece and nephew and explain that we cannot afford to go, and list some of the costs, so they understsnd how expensive it would be for us. I know they will understand as the wider family do know that we are short of money.

I would love to go as it builds up family memories, but we don't want to go into debt over it. My mum thinks several people may have to miss the Scotland wedding due to expense issues

I hate my parents paying for things for us as they only have their pensions to live on and should be using their money for their own pleasure. Also my mum tries to insist on paying for us, but then at other times keeps saying they can't afford holidays

So I am determined not to let my parents pay for anything else for us, for their sake and ours.

I'm so sorry that bad feeling was caused when you weren't able to attend your nephews' weddings. I'm sure you had very good reasons for not going, so don't let them make you feel bad about it

HairyHandofDartmoor

I'm not sure what the weather will be like today as it's still dark at the moment.

I didn't sleep very well last night, so soon I intend to go for a brisk walk to tire myself out and relax me. I usually sleep much better when I've done my morning walk

I'm looking forward to DS1 getting home today

DH has decided to ring the annoying creditor today after all, as even if we don't get an answer he thinks it will make them get on with processing it Will this torture never end? :mad:

Apart from that it will just be a day of fairly dull work. Have a good Thursday everyone