What would you do to celebrate your 40th if you had hardly any spare cash to do it with????

[MilaMae]

It will be my 40th this year, have absolutely no idea what to do that doesn't involve spending vast sums of money.

Can think of plenty of things that do -trip to New York, new camera........

Have you DH or Dp to pamper you for thw whole day - wait on you hand and foot!

Party at home - with all your friends bringing a dish and a bottle ? Obv you will have to buy SOME stuff - but not that much !

Is it in the summer?

If so have a picnic somewhere beautiful with family and friends. Play some games of frisbee or rounders with the children (if there are any there), drink some fruit punch and have fun!

Depends, my sister spent a fortune on a party at home for her dh's 40th. Just going out to buy a few bottles of wine and some beer cost quite a bit and then in the end she cancelled the birthday cake because it was all going to cost too much. People did bring some food and a bottle but she still had to fork out for some food. I was surprised when she added it all up.

Is it in the summer? I'd suggest a picnic. You don't have to spend vast sums of money you know.

That said, a trip to New York would be fantastic.

I never make a fuss about my birthday. Birthdays are going the way of weddings/hen nights ie people spend a fortune to keep up with the jones's.

Can I suggest you look at the Oxfam Unwrapped website and buy yourself a gift from them such as a well for a village in Africa or training for a midwife. It really is a lovely way to celebrate your birtheday and that midwife will still be delivering babies long after you've forgotten what you had for your bday.

It really makes you feel good about yourself.

Postpone it for a year!
(am also turning 40 this year...)

Tell all your friends you are going to the pub for your birthday if they'd like to join you, that way you get a bit of a party, get to celebrate with your mates and everyone buys their own drinks.

I'm 40 very soon! Eeek - actually, I'm fine about it, good excuse to get together with lots of friends and have a few drinks. FAB

rent or borrow a nice large venue, with a bar (they often let you reserve a room for nothing if theres a pay bar they can make money on) get family and friends to help make a buffet of nice salads etc. get kids to make a banner, get balloons and a gas canister from tesco to make them floaty, and bobs your uncle. party time.