I'm afraid that you will have to cut back on pressies but, if you do as I do and fill in online surveys (costs nothing other than time) you can earn cash (not enough to affect your IVA) and vouchers and I use these to fund my Christmas!!
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
They are hard for everyone and the forum goes into overdrive at Christmas.
Saving even £5 a month throughout the year helps to buy a couple of presents, I don't throw unused paper and cards away anymore but roll it over to the following year to save a few pennies.
Homemade presents are cute too - I've made big kilner jars of tiffin for birthday and Christmas presents. Cheap as chips but always appreciated! My sister made her husband heart-shaped chocolate muffins for Valentines Day too!
An IOU for outings are also handy as you surprise them and let them pick the date and then buy the tickets the following month if you have to and it helps spread the cost. I'm doing this for Mother's Day so I can buy my mum two presents - she's been a star this year!
Advantage Card points are handy for the odd can of Lynx for male relatives - wouldn't you love to be on my Christmas list LOL!
lem, your little lad sounds lovely! hope you're taking lots of photos, precious times! if you haven't got a bike put a ad on the freecyle site,you could go off for rides together.
ditzydoodle,we've started a supermarket saving card off for Christmas,it makes such a difference.
we try to pick things up on sale & put them away.
Nothing stays the same...everything changes..hang on in there!
I'm in the opposite situation as I was the spouse in the dark!
I admit I went through the full range of emotions and was very angry at my husband for a time. However, it didn't alter the fact that I love the silly old wotsit more than anything and this was something we had to get through together and that he needed me.
I was ashamed for a while but I quite openly tell people now and both sides of the family know and have been fantastic. [:)]
I know that Asda do it - not sure about the others though.
The surveys mean that you can give them vouchers for Christmas and/or birthdays and it costs you nothing other than time.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
Ditzy! That's such a great talent. My mum and I spend ages in Fenwick and craft shops looking at the faux homemade cushion covers, bunting, make up bags and those little wall hangings with adorable messages about love/ family/ home/ life. Even the draft excluders look appealing! How amazing to be able to make the real thing!!
Great if you can do it! I can sew a hem and put a button on but nothing else.
Other than that then I'm out of here!
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
hi ditzydoodle, just ask at customer services in Asda - it must be a christmas saving card to get the christmas bonus - if you get a set amount on by November they'll add a free bonus on- about £6,buys a few extra treats.
morrisons do saving stamps. i think tesco have a savings card.
anglerainbow,i'm with you,i don't ever want to "be in the dark" ever again. i don't want my silly old wosit to carry any burden alone.
talking is vital,team work is working for us too[:)].
Nothing stays the same...everything changes..hang on in there!
yep think home made is the way to go......ive made the odd wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses (made my daughters wedding dress and all the bridesmaids) i make handbags, flowers, just about anything really....in fact, could there be a pocket money earning potential there within the extra earning potential of an iva of course ? would that be allowed ?
Well done ditzy!! I have no artistic talent at all!!
If you can earn a little by using your talents then go for it!!! As long as it isn't a business then you should be ok.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:<hr height="1" noshade>Originally posted by ditzydoodle
yep think home made is the way to go......ive made the odd wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses (made my daughters wedding dress and all the bridesmaids) i make handbags, flowers, just about anything really....in fact, could there be a pocket money earning potential there within the extra earning potential of an iva of course ? would that be allowed ?
Well, I can see a little cottage industry here. I make Wedding Cakes and other celebration cakes too, so we could really go to town if we linked up [:)] [:)] [:)] LOL
Forgot to add, both Morrisons and Tesco do the savings card for Christmas.
Last edited by KAYKAY on Sun Mar 11, 2012 1:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ditzy - where are you based? I want to change a long column dress into a dress with a knee length pencil skirt and I've been quoted an exorbitant amount! I'd rather give my money to a forum member, if you are going into business that is!
