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

[whatwouldyoubelikeat28]

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.

Ask people to bring things tomorrow, and tell them you'll host them all properly in the new year when this is all resolved.

@Fresta I do have a credit card but i don't spend on it beyond what I can pay back, I have had trouble with finances previously. I pretty much only use it for booking stuff that needs a credit card, I try really hard to cope on a low income!
Sure I can pump some money on that but where will it come from to be replaced?
Oh wells, nothing for it really. thanks for your kind messages.

Oh dear, don't beat yourself up. You took your eye off the social media bill for a couple of weeks, you didn't drown a bucket of puppies or plough a bus into an orphanage. Besides, I'm sure your guests are there to see you and each other, not to see how many cheese stars they can get. Unless they're CFs, and who needs those as friends anyway.

I made a stupid mistake too! Well by accident- fell and broke my ankle and wrist. All my ‘food’ Christmas shop money now has to be saved for the taxis for hospital and GP appointments over the next week until I get money next Friday. Happy Christmas! Almost tempted to go to the foodbank and ask for the £40 donations of ‘nicies’ I gave back again (Light hearted).
If it wasn’t so funny I’d cry!

Tell your friends the truth, tell them you'd still love to see them and ask them to bring something to drink and maybe some snacks.

I wouldn't hesitate to bring drinks and some posh crisps or cheeses if this happened to one of my friends. I'm sure your crowd are the same.

@loubluee oh dear I am sure they would take pity on you! I hope you heal as quickly and painlessly as possible

Not meaning to sound too finger-wagging, but if your bills are paid and gifts sorted, then Christmas isn't ruined. You're doing better than a lot of people. Chin up, explain to your friends and resolve to make it up to them with a party later on.

Use what little money you have to buy a 2 litre bottle of cider and serve it mulled. Spend the rest on crisps. Send a group email/text/WhatsApp message out to everyone asking them to bring a bottle and a plate of food. At this time of year, most people have already stocked up for Christmas and it won't be a problem. Don't cancel the party!

DH and I made a stupid mistake when selling a business.

Rectified recently by a £22,500 cash payment

Try saying, no one died, it's only money on a bit of a loop.

Sympathy's

I know, I was just looking forward to having a nice time and not having to count every penny. If I don't drive between now and Christmas dat I will still have enough petrol to get to my next destination. It just sucks when its been such a hard year and I had that money sequestered for having a nice time! Feel like more pressure in my head.
There are actually a couple direct debits due to, I'll have to call around and get extensions for them.

I was really looking forward to just letting my hair down with all the lovely people.

This! You can still do this.

Your guests are presumably coming to enjoy your company and relax with you?

You've done the hard work of organising the date and rounding people up (nightmare at this time of year), and you're just missing some cheese and drinks?

So all the important bits are taken care of. All you need to work on is the message to say you've had an unexpected expense that's blown the budget, can people please bring a bottle.

Hope you have a lovely time with them.

Yes, cider or mulled wine and crisps is a good idea. Ask people to bring additional items.

@Heartofglass21 that's a nice suggestion but not sure that's what people want in the 40 degree Australian summer!
But yes, will make do with something.
Was just freaking out a bit and mumsnet was the only place i could think of to reach out.

@M00nUnit
Keep checking for your bag (report it missing), most of them will turn up eventually. We were told something like 90%. An Apple laptop lost by a family member turned up three weeks later, an iPhone too.

I appreciate its not the end of the world. You know when you have a picture in your head of all the things? I wanted to go to the markets in the morning and have a cuppa and buy some fruit for next week.
I wanted to rock up to my mums on xmas bringing something instead of being the much-too-old-to-be-this-broke daughter.
Anyway, feeling calmer, thanks for your replies.

Hi, we're moving this thread over to our Money Matters topic at the OP's request.

We can see the OP's been on the site for years but, as ever, we're just going to place our usual warnings on this thread to remind everyone that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and to urge people to never give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – glad to see that you're getting some good advice here and we really hope you get it all sorted soon.

PS We have a useful webpage on frugal living which might help this coming month - please do take a look.

It couldn't hurt to just try contacting Facebook to see if they would offer any kind of refund? If you don't ask you don't know for sure that it's hopeless

You should be able to get the money back, once I accidentally made a donation on a fb page that was way larger than I intended. It came out from PayPal (no idea how as I never even put my PayPal account in) I contacted Facebook and PayPal and said I didn't authorise it and the refund cleared the next day.
Don't just accept the money is gone, you authorised 20 not 300 so they are taking the piss!

PS We have a useful webpage on frugal living which might help this coming month - please do take a look.
Thanks mumsnet - but I am a pro at this now! COuld probably write that thread!

@10PollyPockets I have started a support claim with FB but as it was advertising not a feature I suspect they will just say it is my fault, if they even reply!

Oh op I made a similar mistake on LinkedIn. They are so sharp. I feel so sorry for you. But if you were my friend I'd be glad to chip in. Hope it turns out ok for you

Oopsy, didn't realise you were in Australia @whatwouldyoubelikeat28

Iced cider with chopped fruit instead of mulled cider in that case, and yy to crisps.

whatwouldyoubelikeat28 thank you I appreciate that. Yeah it will be fine, presents except the last few are done, we are eating elsewhere Xmas day. There’s food in the cupboard and feeezer, it’s just nicies that are missing. But the main thing is we do have food, we have a roof over our heads, we are warm, and people will have gifts. So in the grand scheme it’s very minor! As for my broke bones they will heel in time, I would say I’m loving the sympathy but there’s very little coming my way as I’m just getting on with it lol so everyone thinks I’m ok lol

Have a good time at your get to gether! Get everyone to bring a dish and a bottle (or crate!)

I hope you do text several friends and go "urgh messed up please would you bring x with you to the party tonight?"

Most people would rather be told what to contribute tbh and as it's mixers and nibbles you need it's not a £££ ask to make.

I can’t think of any occasion I have been to a party empty handed. Wine and chocolates for a dinner party, a platter of something for an informal meet up, salads and soft drinks for barbecue etc. Just text them. I wouldn’t even mention your financial situation. Just message ‘any chance you can bring crisps/drink/ salad whatever’