I live outside of the UK. Can't work. Husband works just above minimum wage job (£270 p/m at today's exchange rate). We live month to month.
In the past I had a lot more money, always treated my family well with expensive presents (think £200 minimum for my son and at least £80/90 per parent).
Obviously I can't do this anymore and over the last 2-3 years I have reduced the spending a bit (even though I feel really mean) but this Christmas has taken me down to a credit of only £5 in my bank account, after I cancelled 2 direct debits. If I hadn't cancelled them I'd have been overdrawn.
I realise this can't carry on. I have zero personal income, my husband can't afford to subsidise me for this and, to be totally honest, I don't see why I should keep spending money that's for my future.
To explain: I sold my UK property, split the proceeds between my son and myself. He bought a HTB property with his half, I bought a property here and kept some money in the bank. Half I put into an ISA, half stayed in my current account. That's the one that's almost empty.
Two weeks ago I asked my son what he wanted for Christmas but told him I couldn't afford what I normally would have spent. He asked for something that was £65 so I agreed. With delivery and taxes it came to £98.
I ordered a couple of things for my parents that came to around the same amount. So now my account is very light (!!) and I just don't want to carry on doing this.
How do I tell them (after Christmas) that I just can't do it anymore?
Also, I send Mother's & Father's Day presents too so, in all, it's eight lots of gifts throughout the year. On no income.