Giving every £ a job

badmemory

That home delivery sounds like an excellent plan.  Does Mr BC ever get to speak to the parent so they know what is needed?  It may even be worth setting up a regular delivery knowing that the parent is the main beneficiary & not the local bar etc & stop others from extracting the Michael.  At least that way they won't feel ripped off.

PennysIntoPounds

While I understand the issue of conscience, them getting nothing was very much what it should have been from the off. Hope parent gets any of the food. Has anyone actually asked parent? And if they're struggling to pay for food, shouldn't this be an issue for raising with their local variation of social services?
This extortion is just a new twist on their yearly skankings, but they think they're being clever by using emotional blackmail for overcoming the issue of you having heard them call MrBC a mug

Blackcats

@badmemory - OH's parent has short term memory issues and we probably can't rely on them to know what is needed.  We know they will use bread, butter, cheese, milk, some fresh fruit, meat, eggs, water, tea, coffee etc.  luckily we know their local supermarket very well so should be able to create a basket of shopping.  At the moment though we are struggling to checkout because the payment screen doesn't like that we are in a different country.
@PennysIntoPounds - you are right of course.  This is our Christmas compromise and I feel better knowing that we won't be paying for  vodka and cigarettes. 

I've just received an expected but nonetheless unwelcome big tax bill.  I initially mis-read the figures and nearly fainted!  I do have the funds to pay it but I'm just mulling over setting myself a 2025 challenge to replenish the savings.  I will be pleased to finalise this bill as it marks the end of a particular phase when I incurred a capital gains tax liability.  It was the right thing to do but expensive.  I will discuss a 2025 target/plan with MrBC at our January Board meeting.  

Sun_Addict

Ouch to the tax bill but good you have it covered and that will be it sorted and you are planning to recoup savings next year. 

badmemory

My sympathies on the tax bill.  I am still awaiting my (never correct) simple assessment bill.  It is only 5 months late.  If you have only just received yours have you checked when it is actually due.  If they produce it like mine then it will only be due for payment in March.  I usually post my cheque around end December, but this year the money is staying in my account earning interest for a couple of months longer.

PennysIntoPounds

The amount the scuzins were asking for minus the food shop will be a very nice start to the tax bill pot.

Yes I am pleased with myself for relatives = cousins/inlaws = scuzins 

Blackcats

@badmemory - thanks for the prompt, unfortunately the tax bill is payable end of January.  Whilst i don't want to hand the money over I will be relieved to get this whopper payment over and done with.

PIP - scuzins is at fabulous description.  Thankfully it's all quiet on the scuzin front at the moment.  Temporary peace.

so it's Blackcats plc company Christmas do today.  MrBC has taken on the role of Director of Events and Team Well-being and he's done a brilliant job.  We are going for a dinner/dance and live music evening and we are booked into on site accommodation.  Our room is gorgeous, it's like a cosy cabin in the woods with a four poster bed.  Secret Santa gift swop is scheduled later.  MrBC was seen earlier with wrapping paper and sellotape so at least he will have a gift to swop.

Sun_Addict

Sounds fabulous, enjoy 🎄🥂

savingholmes

How frustrating on the rellies and the tax bill. 

Glad you have a nice gift to look forward to though.

Blackcats

So not so secret Santa gift swop has taken place.  I bought MrBC a CD - a 1970's group who certainly get rich every Christmas and who have numerous deliberate spelling mistakes in their song titles.  The spelling used to make my mum furious.  I used up the rest of my £10 budget on a tin of ready mixed gin and tonic.
MrBC bought me a CD and a small bottle of Prosecco (there's clearly a theme here).  He also bought me a bar of Montzumma's Sea salt and lime chocolate.  My gift box also included a small bag of cotton wool balls, a small soap, a shower cap, 2 Chai Tea teabags and a packet of biscuits that he purloined from the last hotel we stayed in 😆