Looking after the pennies

Lookafterthepennies2020

Sarahwithlove said:

Sounds like a good plan to me. If his dad wants him to have the bike tell him he can pay for it all. That way its him who ends up out pocket. 
I do think though kids come to expect too much. I always think of the scene in Harry Potter where his cousin asks how many are there and flips out because there's less this year despite them being bigger presents. Would never want that for my child. When we were growing up if we wanted a console it was split between the three of us and we would each get our own game to go with it. Bikes were Xmas and birthday presents but you didn't get much else. People get in so much debt trying to match other children their kids hang out with its madness. 

I must admit it is me that goes into overdrive rather than them asking and think that's sometimes half the problem.  If they were spoiled little brats I probably wouldn't, but then my eldest said he wanted some football boots, he didn't even want any Christmas presents off aunties etc as he just wanted his boots.  Which then leads to me buying everything I see and know he will love!
I am going to stick my foot down with the bike, it's for his birthday! Thanks for your post this morning as really think this prompted my decision making lol! 

Sarahwithlove

It's great when they are at that age and just want something simple as that. Maybe next year you need to set yourself a budget to stick too and then when you go to buy something take note of it or a picture of it and go back a few days later and decide if it's worth while. It becomes so easy though to overspend. A little something here and something else there. When actually they would probably rather have your time and a day out then lots of presents. When growing up we used to get as main present which is usually what we asked for, some kind of piece of clothing, a book, dvd or board game, selection pack and smelly set along with a surprise gift we didn't know about. That was always my favourite one. 

Lookafterthepennies2020

@Sarahwithlove We were always allowed to open one present on Christmas eve which was always the most exciting, coincidently it always seemed to be pyjamas lol  

Sarahwithlove

Lookafterthepennies2020 said:

@Sarahwithlove We were always allowed to open one present on Christmas eve which was always the most exciting, coincidently it always seemed to be pyjamas lol  

Ha think that's tradition isn't it? 

DancingInTheRain

Sounds like a good plan with the bike. We've been picking bits and bobs up for our boys since summer, especially if there's been a good sales discount.
DH and I sorted through the stash a couple of weeks ago and agreed there was too much, so some have been put away for birthdays (the boys or their friends) and some things that we felt weren't suitable for our 2 were donated to local toy appeals. They'll be happy with what they have and, like you, we're already ahead of the game with their birthday gifts for the new year, win win! X

Lookafterthepennies2020

Hi @DancingInTheRain yes it will be nice to be in front and the more I have thought about it the more it's the right thing to do financially and he wil be over the moon with all his presents and those from family etc. That was really nice of u to donate some of the toys, we have just heard about a local appeal for family hampers tonight so we will be doing one of those at the weekend just waiting for the details confirmed of ages etc as some of the toys might find a new home too x

Lookafterthepennies2020

Hi all, 
Quick check in, I've had a day of wrapping and delivered quite a few presents today. I was very kindly given a voucher for a local limegreen supermarket from work for Xmas so I did a really big shop which was great and bought some final bits,  the vouchers now well and truly spent but was great to not have to wait until payday for the Xmas shop and that money will now go on the CC. 
The boys had muaythai tonight which was budgeted for and I had my nails done afterwards (15£) which was also in the budget.  Other than that I bought oh a pair of walking boots, new bottle and socks for Xmas today so £50 down for this which I took from another pot until weds (payday) and that is the last of the Xmas presents done. I probably have about 10 items left to wrap which I'm going to get done at the weekend so I don't have any wrapping Xmas eve which is a first!! X 

Lookafterthepennies2020

Morning all, 
Another hectic day planned here, ds2 has his last football of the year then I am booked in for a cut and colour at the hairdresser. I did think about cancelling last week tbh as I won't be going anywhere but it does need doing and I was worried they wouldn't be able to fill my appt. So that's 60£!
Yesterday was a good day I felt very productive, blitzed the house bar one room and got lots of washing done. Re decorated the Christmas tree as it looked a state from Bruce attacking the baubles, wrapped a few presents and it was dsd 14th birthday. She came for tea and was over the moon with all her birthday presents and has promised to sleep Xmas day night so the boys were pleased with that. I had a very early night and it's nice to be up and about for an hour before the kids tbh x 

Lookafterthepennies2020

Hair done yesterday and was quite glad I went as it looks so much better, my dad had the boys and was decorating later that day so I washed down all the skirting boards to repay his kindness lol. Watched wizard of oz with ds2 had tea and then we all watched Peter rabbit with some crackers sweets and snacks, even ds1 got involved which seems to be few and far between atm. Moneywise was good yesterday I bought some smarties for the reindeer noses and my hair which was planned, today I paid after school club and don't plan to spend much else. I have CSA due tomorrow and payday Wednesday, I'm looking forward to seeing what I've got left to pay off the debts as I've no more Xmas presents to buy and think I've finished ds2 birthday pretty much too. We have gingerbread reindeer planned for today and I want to take some pictures of the boys older bikes to see if there's any interest but it's quite close to Xmas now so I may have left it a little late x 

Lookafterthepennies2020

what a bloody morning!
Woke up, car wouldn't start (works) however I had blocked my car in the driveway with it and couldn't roll the car down as my ndn had parked way too close, so ended up getting a taxi to drop the boys off at my mums, then into work (£10 I wasn't expecting).  Arrived at work, someone had entered our building last week who then went on to test positive for C-19 at the weekend, so was told to work from home (£7 taxi I wasn't expecting)....I am now WFH, with two cars outside, neither of which I can move and £17 down on a trip I didn't really need to take! Roll on bedtime! x