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!

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

1…283284286288289…827

Comments

  • Toni'sfriend
    Toni'sfriend Posts: 4,056 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts
    That is really lovely. True spirit of Christmas. Do not feel guilty, You and the wee ones have given as much, if not more, than you have received. I just bet that all those people at the SA will treasure meeting your lovely children.
    Have adventures. laugh a lot and always be kind.
  • beanielou
    beanielou Posts: 96,638 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    Treasure every moment.
    My DS is all grown up.
    I miss him every day & all the hugs that we used to have.

    Glad that the smalls had a fab time :)
    I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.

    Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
    "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
    ***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.     ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
    One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.
  • teafor2
    teafor2 Posts: 3,322 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sounds a lovely weekend. I agree with everybody else, no need to feel guilty about the lunch. It's not always about other people being in a worse situation, sometimes it's about giving and receiving graciously, both things you've taught your children. I bet everybody loved having your little ones there. x
  • beanielou
    beanielou Posts: 96,638 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    & DONT feel guilty!
    I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.

    Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
    "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
    ***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.     ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
    One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.
  • HairyHandofDartmoor
    HairyHandofDartmoor Posts: 13,960 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »
    Your weekend sounds wonderful and full of the true spirit of Christmas instead of the commercial madness.

    You have NOTHING to feel guilty about, it’s just a return of good karma Xx
    Toni'sfriend wrote: »
    That is really lovely. True spirit of Christmas. Do not feel guilty, You and the wee ones have given as much, if not more, than you have received. I just bet that all those people at the SA will treasure meeting your lovely children.
    teafor2 wrote: »
    Sounds a lovely weekend. I agree with everybody else, no need to feel guilty about the lunch. It's not always about other people being in a worse situation, sometimes it's about giving and receiving graciously, both things you've taught your children. I bet everybody loved having your little ones there. x
    I agree with everyone. Your DC have given lonely people a lot of pleasure and deserve a Christmas lunch :). It sounds like you've had a great weekend :T.
    Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally
    Debt in July 2017 = £58,766 😱 DEBT FREE 31 OCTOBER 2017 :T 🎉
    EMERGENCY FUND 1 = £50/£5,000. EMERGENCY FUND 2 = £10/£5,000.
    CHRISTMAS SAVINGS = £0/£500. SEF = £1,400/£12,000 PREMIUM BONDS ME = £350. PREMIUM BONDS DH = £300.
    HOLIDAY MONEY = £0 TIME LEFT TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE = 5 YEARS 1 MONTHS
  • WannabeFree
    WannabeFree Posts: 4,438 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    It's been such a lovely two days and totally unexpected.

    I have wrapped the smalls presents now and have set the kitchen up ready for tomorrow's plans. I collected left over wrapping paper from anyone I knew I could ask and my house is very much covered in wrapping paper. I'm sure those on my social media will laugh when they see the pictures ;) Can't wait to see the smalls faces when they see it tomorrow.

    I have lifted some chicken out the freezer and that will be our Christmas dinner. I think we might make pizza for dinner tomorrow. They can use all the ends of things in the fridge then.

    I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas however you decide to celebrate it

    x
    “Once you hit rock bottom, that's where you perfectly stand; That's your chance of restarting, but restarting the way.”
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 13,790 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    What a wonderful weekend! People are right, you are such a giving person, you mustn't feel guilty about being invited for a meal and you are giving your children a hugely worthwhile experience showing them how to relate to other people.

    Have a lovely Christmas. :) xx
    I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
    The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)

    Fashion on the Ration 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet 7.5, 2 t-shirts 10, men's socks 3, uniform top 0, hat 0, shoes 5 = 30.5/68
    2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, t-shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
  • enthusiasticsaver
    enthusiasticsaver Posts: 16,132 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    What a wonderful weekend and what the true meaning of Christmas is about. So many people feel more lonely than usual over this time of year so giving some companionship to some of these with your little ones is lovely and obviously appreciated. Have a lovely Christmas.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free Wannabe, Budgeting and Banking and Savings and Investment boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

    Click on this link for a Statement of Accounts that can be posted on the DebtFree Wannabe board: https://lemonfool.co.uk/financecalculators/soa.php

    The 365 Day 1p Challenge 2025 #1 £667.95/£451.50
    Save £12k in 2025 #1 £12000/£12450
  • jwil
    jwil Posts: 22,438 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Glad you've had a lovely weekend, it sounds fab :T

    Hope you all have a lovely Christmas :xmastree: :xmassign: :rudolf: :xmassmile :snow_laug :snow_grin :santa2:
    "Good financial planning is about not spending money on things that add no value to your life in order to have more money for the things that do". Eoin McGee
  • beanielou
    beanielou Posts: 96,638 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Mortgage-free Glee!
    Hope you & the smalls have a lovely time x
    I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.

    Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
    "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
    ***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb.     ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
    One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.4K Life & Family
  • 258.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture