Paying off £37065 unsecured debt by July 2027 while continuing to travel this amazing world

RelievedSheff

Merry Christmas to you and all.

Sarahwithlove

I actually can't believe what I'm reading. I'd never not get my mum something for her birthday or Christmas! It doesn't even have to be expensive, so cost is a rubbish excuse. I'd definitely cut back on what you give them 

Bluegreen143

I'm not surprised you're upset.

My husband and I are in the similar stage of life as your older kids (both working, small kids) and no way would either of us forget our mums' birthdays! My MIL is elderly and on her own and my husband makes a right fuss over her and spends about £100 on gifts for her to open and we have her over, make dinner and cake etc. My mum (much younger than MIL) and sister and I agreed not to exchange gifts and to do a weekend away instead, but I still call/visit, give a card and get the children to make something for their nana.

Being busy with a young family isn't an excuse for being rude and it's also not good modelling for their kids - my kids have been busy this month making handmade cards and gifts to give to all their grandparents, aunts/uncles and teachers. You don't want kids to get the idea that it's all about them getting whatever they want!

Nintud

NEET has confirmed that I won’t be getting anything with a comment that once he’s working again he intends to buy me something substantial. As he didn’t catch up on my birthday when he was last working, I’m not going to hold my breath.

Christmas tree is up. So glad I cancelled the 8 ft tree and bought a 7ft one instead. With a topper on it reaches the ceiling!  It’s Disney themed. I bought tons of ornaments off Vinted in January with plans to gift two of my grandchildren with Disneyland Paris tickets for Christmas. That’s not happening because daughter has started a childminding business and her time off is limited. I’ll look into taking them my self next year. They are 8 (9 next month) and 7, so I have a few more years until they are too cool for Disney.

NEET and phantom lodger are currently putting the new dining chairs together. I’ve told them all I need help with final preparations today. I want the flat looking good for when daughter arrives with granddaughters for tea tomorrow night.

Last bit of wrapping to do, visit to my other daughter with Christmas presents, and a quick nip to the shop to drop off Vinted parcels and pick up a bottle of Tia Maria for a Caribbean coffee while I prepare the veg for Christmas dinner. I’m going to be naughty and skip an antibiotic! I’m taking them for an infected finger (arthritis cyst) and midway through the course. Son is a pharmacist, and daughter a pharmacy assistant, and I’m sure they would disapprove, but sheesh! It’s Christmas.

I hope everyone else is ready for the big day. I’m excited for my dinner 😆 Hopefully my gastric bypass stomach (almost ten years out) will let me eat more than a fork full. Meat can be an issue, no problem with biscuits though!

Do have a present problem.  NEETs new coat hasn’t arrived. It’s his main gift ( expensive coat) he’s got two other gifts and some sweets with cash attached, so present opening may not go well. That’s the price you pay for taking weeks to tell me what you want for Christmas.

Nintud

£2.50  refund received from Mr S for delivering a short dated salad bowl, so I’ve paid that across to Very.  That debt is now under £450. Slowly chipping away.  I have enough pending from Vinted to get it below £400 by the end of the year.

stymied

He’s old enough to understand that post is sometimes delayed - whatever you do (ahem, not speaking from experience or anything 😉) don’t rush out to get something else to compensate x

joedenise

If it doesn't arrive put an IOU in an envelope for him.  Agree with @stymied don't go and get something else.

Nintud

I’ve sent OutdorrGB an email voicing my disappointment. I ordered the coat 9 days ago and haven’t been sent the delivery update email they say they will send. No hope of receiving the coat today.

Off out to buy wrapping paper as I ran out last night. Three small gifts left to wrap 🤦‍♀️ Dropping presents off a daughter’s house then home to bake and do a final tidy.  I don’t feel ready at all!

Hope everyone else is better prepared.

Sarahwithlove

It blows my mind that someone so generous to her family can have such selfish children. Even a box of chocolates and a card is less than a fiver. 

Nintud

My daughters made up for their tardy brothers 😁 Wine, Baileys, chocolates, face cream and bath towels. I’ve been spoilt!!  Certainly an improvement on my birthday, Mother’s Day, and every special event in 2023 and 2024. It’s not about the gifts though, it’s about feeling like I mean something to them (ok, it’s also about being jealous of the thought children of friends now put in as adults!)

I hope everyone reading feels loved today x