No money left already...how will we afford Christmas?!

[alfiesmadmother]

Ok, we have heard this all before...but it is the middle of the month and we have £200 left. We are not well off but we both work (I'm on mat leave but still getting paid). We have 3 DC and one on the way.

All our money goes on bills, mostly rent, power council tax (grrr!), the next biggest expense is school!!!! I pay soooooooooo much to school- dinner money, trips, clubs. We can't afford to renew swimming this term so they will lose their place. I have just paid the last set of Nursery fees so that should help, but the kids now need school shoes desperately.

Our £500 Christmas fund (gosh we saved so hard) has just been stolen by the MOT and the washer so now we have absolutely zilch for Christmas.

I recongnise we have a comfortable life (ish) just no money left. I have 2 things that fit me, the kids are ok because we have lots of hand me downs and they don't need much...I AM moaning, moan moan poor me.

I just feel fed up because apart from minimal tax credits we get no help and I just feel the pressure and feel so sad about Christmas- my kids will be fine it's just buying for others and letting them down

And school stop asking me for money!!!!!!!!!!!!

ime this is the busiest term for money related requests from school...school photos,gift shop,xmas fayre,charity items,parties,discos....on and on.....learn to say no where possible!!

i buy a food item each week towards the xmas period....and a present a week where possible. it doesn't have to cost much.

what about child benefit?

Make some homemade gifts? I'm in the same boat here but I'm making everyone a box of Nigella's chocolate fudge and some cinnamon tree decorations. I'll probably spend about £20 but that'll be enough for 6 people.

Alfie i think an awful lot of people have no / not much money after paying bills.
Christmas is a strain and obv you have had unforseen expenses which add to that.
I sell the dc's old toys on ebay , have bought almost all their presents brand new off there with the proceeds.
I have also used the codes on promotion on here which have helped.
There are good threads on xmas for cheap home made xmas pressies too.

Buy clay from Early Learning centre - make decorations with cookie cutters from the kids - paint and glitter in a nice box - tadaa. Bottle of wine for each family. Easy enough.

You sound rather disorganised though - if you are so strapped, you need to look at your finances properly - why are you paying for nursery if you are on maternity leave? Why the after-school clubs? Why not lunchboxes instead of school dinners?

You sound out of CONTROL rather than out of cash. Try not to panic.

can you make lunches instead of paying for them? or do you qualify for free school meals?

I know it is a terrible time of year for money issues. Right I am going to make a list

-sell on ebay
-homemade gifts, fudge, gingerbread men

expand..hops over to Christmas thread.
Yes I do get child benefit, which covers ccouncil tax. And I do think we spend rather a lot on food which I can cut down. Am thinking of portioning away money in envelopes each month...

What about a 0% credit card. This is how I manage those unforeseen, or larger things that crop up.

I had to pay for a new washer on mine this week, but I know I have 10 months to pay it back at no charge to me, although I will probably manage it in 2 or 3 months, at least have not had to dip into any savings or Xmas money.

I wouldnt recommend this if you cant get a 0% card, or are no good with cards, but I card tart every year, spend on it and just ensure I can pay it back before the 0% time limit is up.

Yes - write lists

Make spreadsheets

Get together PLANS

You will feel more in control

Recipe for Fudge you can substitute pistachios with hazelnuts, cranberries or raisins.

Recipe for cinnamon decorations

I have just paid the last Nursery fees as I am now on maternity leave so Ds finishes in 2 weeks- baby due in January and DS will get Nursery funding then anyway

I agree about dinners but we have tried sandwiches and still spent a fair bit and I ended up making them a proper dinner and then DH a proper dinner later. I do think £1.75 each a day is worth it as they love their dinners.

After school clubs at school are £2 a week each so I suppose that could be knocked on the head but that would be a last resort as it is sport and being dark at night they aren't playing out as much.

I know I probably sound spoiled (FGS we have broadband, central heating, a rusty old car, more than I ever had!), but I think the answer is to sit down with DH and make a plan and stick to it!!

Thanks for the recipes I am definitely going to do those, I have some sellophane bags and can get some ribbon.

Here are a few ideas as well

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=101

Get yourself aquainted with the rest of the forum to.

Fudge costs more to make than buy.

yeah but it looks shit if you plonk down 4oz of some fudge in a whiter paper bag

morning

Buy fudge from Morrisons/Aldi/Lidl and pass it off as home made by wrapping it up in some greasproof paper and cellophane, tied with a bit of vintage ribbon and a hand made tag made from laurel and ivy leaves and garden twine.