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Original poster

I've made a mistake that has cost me money and xmas is pretty much wrecked

49 replies

whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 21/12/2018 14:26

Just that really. I made a stupid mistake. I've just had nearly $300 taken out of my account and now I have only $11 left. I'm such an idiot.
Someone tell me it's going to sort itself out.

And no, I don't want any offers of money from anyone, I am just up past midnight by myself (in Australia) and quietly freaking out.
I'm hosting a party tomorrow and can't get mixers, cheese, nothing. Should I cancel? Lots of people coming.

OP posts:
VietnameseCrispyFish · 21/12/2018 14:30

What did you do?

You can either cancel, or tell your guests what’s happened and ask if they would still like to come but they’ll have to all chip in bringing food and drinks.

LordNibbler · 21/12/2018 14:30

Why don't you text everyone and explain your problem and ask them all to bring something for the party. Most people are happy to help out when disaster strikes.

LittleLlamaontheduskyroad · 21/12/2018 14:32

Oh dear, what happened OP? Is there any way of getting the money back or will you be skint until next payday?

Could you bodge some stuff together with what you've already got? You will need to cancel, or explain what has happened to your guests. They might be ok to bring stuff themselves? I know I would if my friend was in a predicament like this.

wannabebetter · 21/12/2018 14:33

What kind of mistake? Could you try and get the $300 refunded? Need more info really....

newestbridearound · 21/12/2018 14:35

If you were my friend I’d happily bring something along- I’m sure most people would under the circumstances. It’s Christmas, time of goodwill and all that.

FatherBuzzCagney · 21/12/2018 14:38

OP, I would ask for this to be moved to the Money Matters board - you'll probably get more constructive advice and won't have to deal with unwanted offers of money.

Janedoe5000 · 21/12/2018 14:38

Should you really be hosting parties if you're down to your last $300?

If I had £311 in the bank I'd be doing everything I could to preserve it, not hosting parties. And my friends would understand.

I'm sorry to hear you had it stolen

Original poster
whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 21/12/2018 14:41

I don't know how to ask to get it moved?
It will sound silly to those who don't use social media marketing tools. I run ads on facebook for different groups, and one ad has been running and running, it was supposed to be for $20 but it has far exceeded that, for an event that finished 2 weeks ago! And no notifications from fb.
It's one of those things where I am sure it will be my fault and there is unlikely to be any recourse.

OP posts:
Original poster
whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 21/12/2018 14:42

My next pay isn't til Thursday after xmas.

OP posts:
M00nUnit · 21/12/2018 14:43

Sorry to hear that OP. I made a stupid mistake yesterday too... I left my bag on a train and have lost a few hundred ££s worth of clothes and make-up etc. Most of the clothes can't be replaced as I don't know where they're from or they're not sold anymore, but they were really lovely and I'm gutted.

Original poster
whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 21/12/2018 14:43

I guess I just wwanted to talk to other people, I'm now up real late full of anxiety and I am don't have anyone to talk to in real life. Just wanted to reach out i guess.

OP posts:
themoomoo · 21/12/2018 14:45

Just tell your guests what happened and ask them all to brink a few snacks / a bottle.
I really wouldn't stress about the get together

Jaxhog · 21/12/2018 14:46

Why don't you text everyone and explain your problem and ask them all to bring something for the party. Most people are happy to help out when disaster strikes.

You'll be surprised how real friends will rally round. And forget those that don't. Who wants them for friends?

PS. I ran up a big and unexpected bill with FB a year or so ago. It's surprisingly easy to do.

gamerchick · 21/12/2018 14:46

Get messages out to your party comers. Ask everyone to bring a dish as you've had an unexpected massive amount come out of your account and alcohol. Your friends won't mind.

LoadOfUtterBoswellocks · 21/12/2018 14:47

Awh, it's an honest mistake. I think it's a great idea to text all your guests to say, "Woah, unexpected bill - would you all mind bringing something to the party tomorrow to help me out?" I would always bring a bag of sharing crisps and maybe a box of chocs to a party anyway. Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter!

i have sympathy as I've had over £800 of unexpected bills this week, and I am really good with my money and budget for everything.

Returnofthesmileybar · 21/12/2018 14:47

Ok look you made a mistake, it happens, you can't change it now but a pp is right, hosting big parties with $311 in the bank seems mad. You need to cancel the party first thing, can you borrow something small to tide you over till payday? I assume as that's all you had that besides the party you have shopping in and plans for Christmas covered?

gamerchick · 21/12/2018 14:47

Makes mental note not to pay for Facebook boosts**

ApolloandDaphne · 21/12/2018 14:48

I would get in touch with all your guests, apologise and let them know you have had a bit of an issue financially and now cannot provide the drinks or food they have been invited for.

Give two options - you cancel the get together OR (if they are good friends) ask if everyone can chip in with a dish and their own drinks of choice. In my friendship/family group this would be fine but obviously i don't know the people you have invited.

Original poster
whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 21/12/2018 14:48

@M00nUnit oh that sucks. I did that with a favourite jacket a long time ago - 10 years - I still think about that jacket! I guess I beat myself up for mistakes more than other people.

OP posts:
Celebelly · 21/12/2018 14:48

Yes, send a text to everyone, explain the problem, and ask if everyone could bring something so it can still go ahead. I'd have no problems doing this for a friend. Most people want to bring something to a party anyway!

PomDeNlume · 21/12/2018 14:48

Sorry OP, no one needs those unexpected surprises but it always seems even more amplified at Christmas! If I were a guest and you contacted me asking me to bring something along I’d be more than happy to feel useful!

Fresta · 21/12/2018 14:50

Don't you have an overdraft facility on your account or a credit card you can use?

Kariana · 21/12/2018 14:50

I'd contact Facebook, why did it keep running and why didn't it stop when you hit the $20 limit.

OlennasWimple · 21/12/2018 14:50

Firstly, have you stopped your FB ad now, so it wont' cost any more?

Check your junk mail for emails from FB. (And next time, be really careful to set an overall budget for an ad run, so it doesn't go over what you are comfortable spending - I know this doesn't help now though)

I would tell my friends that I've had some fraudulent activity on my account and can't buy anything for the party and see if they are happy to BYOB and nibbles or move it to the new year instead

Have you got stuff in the cupboard that could be turned into nibbley snack stuff? Eg frozen puff pastry and some cheese, ham and tomato sauce to make pizza puffs

Original poster
whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 21/12/2018 14:52

Well, I've been on a VERY low income for about 7 years, if I was going to wait to have thousands in the bank I would never host people for anything ever! It's been a really big and exhausting year and I was really looking forward to just letting my hair down with all the lovely people.
All my bills are paid etc, that was just money allocated for entertaining, petrol to go visit people, maybe have a few luxuries etc.
Yes, gifts are sorted and xmas itself is going to be fairly chill.
Just feel like such an idiot. Don't ereally want to admit to everyone I've messed up (again). .

OP posts: