Christmas

[mothergoose]

Well its the first xmas approaching in a IVA and things are tight..[:D] I have made a xmas cake and pudding and i am trying to work towards the great day when i have 6 extra hungry mouths arriving for xmas dinner..I have managed to get their presents and i am now working towards the expensive day which i could do without..
We never seem able to save anything in our IVA saving for the xmas presents was not to bad as we had a month before the IVA started so we used that surplus for the presents..The money never seems to stretch far enough and it doesnt help with things going up all the time..I have a very large dog who eats like a horse and i only got £20 allowance for him every month well thats gone in two weeks easy But no way is he going without i would go without myself first.. ..Reckon they should give you a allowance on the dogs size...[:D][:D]Life isnt easy in a IVA....

[Niobe]

Glad you are managing ok mothergoose. I manage to fund Christmas by doing online surveys and getting vouchers which I give out as presents. Others save up for the Park Hampers.

Know what you mean about dogs though - I've got three and one of them is going to need some expensive dental work after Christmas - hopefully I'll have enough monetary gifts from family to help pay towards it.

[Pandy]

Well done on your positive attitude facing your first xmas. It does get easier especially as after this one you have a whole year to plan for the next.
Quite a few of us do online surveys which help fund Christmas with shopping vouchers,which you can use for presents or food, Niobe will be able to give you a list of good ones if your interested.

[mothergoose]

Which are the best surveys to do as their seems to be so many of them some just seem to be advertising and i did sign up for one and all i seemed to get was hundreds of spam mails..Yes next xmas will be easier i hope..We only have one more pay day before xmas so i have to get everything i need end of nov to be honest with this IVA hanging over my head i could do without xmas alltogether..I dont think its as easy living on a iva as they say as the allowances all go to pot..well they do in my home ..Saving sounds a Alien word...I made two gallons of wine in the summer so that will do for xmas drinks ...What a nightmare it is but at the end of the day you have to keep going to get to the other end..And hope better days are ahead..I am sure everyone is struggling and i am positive some people who are not in IVA may be even worse off..AT least i am not in need of a food bank so that is something to be thankful for...

[Niobe]

Try looking at this blog:

http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk/

If you scroll down the entries you will find links for a lot of reputable companies that do surveys.

[Shining]

Christmas can be a trying time within an IVA. I've cut right back on the gift list and people just accept it.

Sounds like you're on track and I'm sure it'll be a very happy one for you x

[mothergoose]

Thanks i will take a look and see if i can find a suitable one for me to earn something extra..I allready do shop and scan but only started it a few months ago so i havnt got much to come from them..

[susieq73]

I hate this time of year, find it the hardest as none of my family know about my IVA so there are high expectations about present buying in my family. My mum wants a kindle ( £69) so will end up spending that and another £70 on my dad, then there is my aunt/uncle and cousin and i've been told ( by my mum) that i need to spend at least £25 on each and give them vouchers. My partners family don't expect anything and are so easily pleased. MY partner and I won't really exchange gifts as we both know we don't need anything, he does know about my IVA. I also have my parents 40th wedding anniversary in Dec and my mum has told me that they would like a weekend away for a present. so even if i use groupon that will be still around £100 and there is 8 of us going to a hotel for the night to celebrate so i have to get a cake etc etc. My folks have paid for the hotel rooms but its still extra money for food and drinks! I just wish my family didn't have to keep up appearances and expect things, drives me mad! i'll be glad when its all over and this is where my wee bit of savings i've managed to put away disappears!
The joys of Christmas!!!

[Niobe]

I hate Christmas as well - have done for a long time and once my parents have gone then we will be going on holiday just to get away from it.

I'd hate it even if we didn't have the IVA!

[Skippy]

I have to say that I wouldn't go along with that Susie - I would just say money is tight (no need to mention the IVA) and that you are cutting back this year. After all it's the thought that counts, not how much you spend.

[Niobe]

I'm afraid I'm a 'bah humbug' person as far as Christmas is concerned.

[luluj]

I agree with Skippy - simply say money is tight and buy token gifts....to try and find all of the money you mention from your IVA allowances is going to be almost impossible and continue with day to day living....

Food shopping.....Aldi had their frozen turkeys on offer today for £9.99 feeds 10 - 12 people - we had one last year and it was "beautiful" !

[Niobe]

Our meat comes from the local butcher and we have a capon ordered - funded by parents as they will be with us. We don't do much in the way of nibbles as we don't eat a lot at all.

Will be glad when it is all over.

[kazzafunk]

I wouldn't be able to spend that much on pressies Susie. A few years ago we cut out all family presents apart from the children. Lifted a lot of pressure. As long as someone knows what you are doing then they save by not buying for you.

All I care about at Xmas is seeing my closest family. We all chip in for the food and seeing the children open presents is good enough for me!!

[Niobe]

Have to buy for parents, kids and grandkids get token things and we don't bother for ourselves.

Newest arrival won't be bothered as she will be 9 months old. We will have our token tree up.

Looking forward to my day out Christmas shopping with daughter in Birmingham - bring on the Gluwhein!