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Original poster

Managing money around Christmas

30 replies

Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 18:18

im single and have a 14yr old and a 2yr old we’ve had quite a rubbish year, I really want a nice Christmas for my children so for them some nice things and my son sone nice clothes and lots of goodies. I work and get my wages the start of every month I’ve got money for my bills and Christmas food shop but won’t be left with much after. I suppose waiting to the start of jan won’t be too bad with all the Christmas leftovers just feel guilty I’ve spent my monthly wages in one sitting but my children will have a nice Christmas

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 14/12/2022 18:22

So you’ve bought all your gifts, got the Christmas food shopping sorted and then just not much left over? I’d say that’s OK!

Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 18:33

NoSquirrels · 14/12/2022 18:22

So you’ve bought all your gifts, got the Christmas food shopping sorted and then just not much left over? I’d say that’s OK!

@NoSquirrels yes it’s £60 to last from Christmas Eve until the 6th so il have to be careful but my bills are paid

OP posts:
pompomdaisy · 14/12/2022 18:36

You're doing alright. Who doesn't have to be careful with their spending after Xmas anyway?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Events & celebrations General money
Mandalayblonde · 14/12/2022 18:38

2/10 for effort, lacking content and style.

NoSquirrels · 14/12/2022 18:41

So 24th, 25th, 26th definitely OK food-wise. Probably 27th too? Make a meal plan.

Then you’ve 10 days and £60. I reckon that’s OK. Tight but not impossible.

Juicylychee · 14/12/2022 18:42

Is this a begging thread?

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 14/12/2022 18:43

It's completely normal to be skint after Christmas. Maybe next year you could put a bit aside every month and spread the cost?

Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 18:45

Juicylychee · 14/12/2022 18:42

Is this a begging thread?

@Juicylychee no definitely not I’m looking for advice on how to get to pay day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 18:45

Juicylychee · 14/12/2022 18:42

Is this a begging thread?

@Juicylychee no definitely not I’m looking for advice on how to get to pay day.

OP posts:
FilledWithKindness · 14/12/2022 18:47

To be honest you shouldn’t feel guilty, you’re giving your children a good Xmas, that’s what you wanted right?

But in future, please make sure you have money to cover you until next pay day 🙂

If you run out of money, do you have anyone that can help you?

Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 18:47

Juicylychee · 14/12/2022 18:42

Is this a begging thread?

@Juicylychee no definitely not I’m just looking for some advice

OP posts:
Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 18:49

FilledWithKindness · 14/12/2022 18:47

To be honest you shouldn’t feel guilty, you’re giving your children a good Xmas, that’s what you wanted right?

But in future, please make sure you have money to cover you until next pay day 🙂

If you run out of money, do you have anyone that can help you?

@FilledWithKindness yes I have lots of people to help thanks just looking for some advice really

OP posts:
Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 18:49

FilledWithKindness · 14/12/2022 18:47

To be honest you shouldn’t feel guilty, you’re giving your children a good Xmas, that’s what you wanted right?

But in future, please make sure you have money to cover you until next pay day 🙂

If you run out of money, do you have anyone that can help you?

@FilledWithKindness yes I have lots of people to help thanks just looking for some advice really

OP posts:
onefedupmum · 14/12/2022 18:55

Do you need ideas on how to make £60 stretch for 11 days? Sorry post not to clear.

Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 18:56

onefedupmum · 14/12/2022 18:55

Do you need ideas on how to make £60 stretch for 11 days? Sorry post not to clear.

@onefedupmum yes exactly what I need

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 14/12/2022 19:01

Make a meal plan - look at what you’ll already have in your cupboards before planning your meals.

Make a list of free or almost free activities to do over the Christmas period - go for a walk/drive to look at Christmas lights & take a flask of hot chocolate with you, have a movie day at home, have a day when the 14-year-old does the cooking! Just get them involved in how to make it still fun and not cost money 😆

ssd · 14/12/2022 19:08

Is it possible to visit like the in laws for dinner or lunch? Or your own family or friends? Also apps like toogoodtogo are great.

ssd · 14/12/2022 19:09

Also no harm in asking staff in your lical co op or supermarket when they reduce stuff to really cheap. Am sure they would be happy to tell you.

Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 19:10

NoSquirrels · 14/12/2022 19:01

Make a meal plan - look at what you’ll already have in your cupboards before planning your meals.

Make a list of free or almost free activities to do over the Christmas period - go for a walk/drive to look at Christmas lights & take a flask of hot chocolate with you, have a movie day at home, have a day when the 14-year-old does the cooking! Just get them involved in how to make it still fun and not cost money 😆

my cupboards are full of sweet treats 🤣won’t be to bad as we go back to school/nursery/work

OP posts:
Original poster
Puzzledstill · 14/12/2022 19:13

ssd · 14/12/2022 19:08

Is it possible to visit like the in laws for dinner or lunch? Or your own family or friends? Also apps like toogoodtogo are great.

@ssd I used to use too good to go a lot Il have a look, I plan to go my family we are really close just went a bit mad this year. I have a mental illness which sometimes I don’t think before I spend

OP posts:
pompomdaisy · 14/12/2022 19:19

Make a big stew/ casserole using some cheap cuts , winter veg and it will last you a few days. You can alternate if you have it with rice, potatoes etc

good96 · 14/12/2022 19:22

I think it’s good that you’re giving your children a good Christmas. You sound like a great parent. Not many people would do that.
I do have to agree though with what some other commenters have posted on here. I think you should have managed your money better over the last couple of months at least - put £50/£100 (or what you can afford away) and use this to spend at Christmas. It’s not advice for now, it’s advice for next year.
Meal plan as what others have said, I personally think you will find it incredibly hard to feed the three of you for that period of 9-10 days. On the course of 9 days, it’s £6.67 per day for the three of you. See if a family member or friend can help you out financially until pay day. If you feel that you can’t ask, you can always try your local foodbank for help. Please don’t starve over Christmas and use this as a lesson to better manage your money for next year.

My advice to you would be to spend within your means. You won’t end up in this situation.

good96 · 14/12/2022 19:23

Not many people would do that - in your circumstances I mean*

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 14/12/2022 19:25

Check your Dec pay dates, some companies pay early to avoid all the ban holidays.

If you get paid early hide that money, otherwise you're at risk of spending it and being buggered in January. I move mine to another account then bring it back on normal payday.

Xmas and New years is the perfect t8me for beige buffets which means you can use up odds and ends in the freezer and it is acceptable to have a plate of random oven food.

Make sure you have some cheap staples in, jacket potatoes, eggs for omelettes, beans on toast. I always find I particularly enjoy a simple meal inbetween the excess of big roasts and eating my body weight in chocolate.

In terms of activities, look up some free/low cost ones. Boxing Day bike ride, Xmas walk in a nice park/countryside area, movies at home snuggled on the sofa.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 14/12/2022 19:27

Oh and do a stocktake of any loyalty cards you have, you can cash in your Tesco points for vouchers whenever you like via the app, you don't have to wait for your statement. My current account with NatWest have a rewards thing that you can exchange for Morrisons or Argos vouchers.