How Am I Broke?!

Trilby · 12-20-2008, 12:19 PM

How is it I am OUT OF MONEY and it isn't CHRISTMAS YET and I've got STUFF to BUY? HOW?!

skysidhe · 12-20-2008, 12:27 PM

I had people play a game last year and I am again this year because it was so much fun and much less stress than everyone feeling like they must buy lots and lots of presents.

It was a gift swapping game. You can make it white elephants if you want but if it is make sure you add the other element of people being able to steal from another if so.

One person starts. They open a gift. Then the next person opens a gift then the gift stealing begins until everyone has opened and stolen a gift until everyone has the THING they most want.

I am not describing it very well but it is so much fun and no body feels left out and those people who cannot afford a bunch of gifts feels good too.

Trilby · 12-20-2008, 12:30 PM

It does sound like fun and I'm all for stuff like that BUT (huge caveat here) I've also two teenaged sons.

They like new stuff. sigh.

And, they like to eat.

a lot.

skysidhe · 12-20-2008, 12:37 PM

I too have a teenage son. He is getting a mere $50. I feel like wrapping it in a huge box but he isn't a child anymore. I don't think he minds but us as parents do mind I know.

Maybe you can write them an IOU for Christmas until next month? Put it in a card? [edit- I probably wouldn't do that either- Just brainstorming.]

Maybe you can borrow a few bucks from a family member? Just for the food anyway. Sell something on Craigs list but beware of the scary people.

HungLikeJesus · 12-20-2008, 12:44 PM

Looks like someone needs a government bailout.

skysidhe · 12-20-2008, 12:48 PM

Here I just keep pointing to the new car we have and he will soon be driving.

I know it hurts a moms heart but they probably would understand the situation esp if they are grown. They might not mind waiting? ......yeah right...huh.

bummer

sorry no more ideas. I tried to keep positive for you. Now I am just bummed out for you.

Stress Puppy · 12-20-2008, 01:07 PM

Skysidhe - That's also called a 'yanky swap', we did one at our holiday party last year.

skysidhe · 12-20-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stress Puppy

Skysidhe - That's also called a 'yanky swap', we did one at our holiday party last year.

yeah we had a great time with it

Cicero · 12-20-2008, 02:09 PM

Ask your new Ouija Board.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Bullitt · 12-20-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skysidhe

I too have a teenage son. He is getting a mere $50. I feel like wrapping it in a huge box but he isn't a child anymore. I don't think he minds but us as parents do mind I know.

Maybe you can write them an IOU for Christmas until next month? Put it in a card? [edit- I probably wouldn't do that either- Just brainstorming.]

Maybe you can borrow a few bucks from a family member? Just for the food anyway. Sell something on Craigs list but beware of the scary people.

Scary people on the internet!? Why has no one told me this before! I'm suspicious of you all now... prove you're really from Ohio Bri! I want pictures of Sandusky!

morethanpretty · 12-20-2008, 03:59 PM

For our Christmas Stockings and Easter Baskets, my mom used to sneak into our rooms and find silly little toys we had probably forgotten about, or didn't play with anymore. Just small items around the house. She'd fill 'em up. Then she'd throw in some candy or whatever. Sometimes it'd take a day or two for us to recognize our own things.

On to a real suggestion: Borrowing money is a good idea, not getting loans or maxing credit cards though. Just remember its not about the stuff, its about showing your love for them. Yes I understand they're teens, but that's all the more reason why they should have the mature ability to understand and forgive financial difficulties. If they don't, tell 'em to get a job and pay their own damn way. Having their mom all stressed out about it, which would probably make you cranky towards them, is not gonna make their Christmas a happy one.

Aliantha · 12-20-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

How is it I am OUT OF MONEY and it isn't CHRISTMAS YET and I've got STUFF to BUY? HOW?!

Too many hookers.

Trilby · 12-20-2008, 04:39 PM

Ah, Sky---don't take it so hard! You are completey right---they have MORE than enough. It's just my OCD. I used to have a really, really hard time with Christmas (from '95 till about 2002!) but I enjoy it more now. Those are all really good ideas. I just need to learn to manage my money. (or, lack of money!) It'll be fine. It's just astonishing how much I've spent and how little I have to show for it! No worries!

Aliantha · 12-20-2008, 04:43 PM

Oh so it wasn't the hookers then?...

Trilby · 12-20-2008, 04:43 PM

Um. Guy-hookers?

12-20-2008, 12:19 PM	#1
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	How Am I Broke?! How is it I am OUT OF MONEY and it isn't CHRISTMAS YET and I've got STUFF to BUY? HOW?! __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-20-2008, 12:30 PM	#3
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	It does sound like fun and I'm all for stuff like that BUT (huge caveat here) I've also two teenaged sons. They like new stuff. sigh. And, they like to eat. a lot. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-20-2008, 12:37 PM	#4
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	I too have a teenage son. He is getting a mere $50. I feel like wrapping it in a huge box but he isn't a child anymore. I don't think he minds but us as parents do mind I know. Maybe you can write them an IOU for Christmas until next month? Put it in a card? [edit- I probably wouldn't do that either- Just brainstorming.] Maybe you can borrow a few bucks from a family member? Just for the food anyway. Sell something on Craigs list but beware of the scary people. Last edited by skysidhe; 12-20-2008 at 12:45 PM.

12-20-2008, 12:44 PM	#5
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Looks like someone needs a government bailout. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

12-20-2008, 01:07 PM	#7
Stress Puppy Elite Elitist Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 359	Skysidhe - That's also called a 'yanky swap', we did one at our holiday party last year. __________________ ~Stress Puppy~ Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur

12-20-2008, 12:27 PM	#2
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	I had people play a game last year and I am again this year because it was so much fun and much less stress than everyone feeling like they must buy lots and lots of presents. It was a gift swapping game. You can make it white elephants if you want but if it is make sure you add the other element of people being able to steal from another if so. One person starts. They open a gift. Then the next person opens a gift then the gift stealing begins until everyone has opened and stolen a gift until everyone has the THING they most want. I am not describing it very well but it is so much fun and no body feels left out and those people who cannot afford a bunch of gifts feels good too.

12-20-2008, 12:48 PM	#6
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	Here I just keep pointing to the new car we have and he will soon be driving. I know it hurts a moms heart but they probably would understand the situation esp if they are grown. They might not mind waiting? ......yeah right...huh. bummer sorry no more ideas. I tried to keep positive for you. Now I am just bummed out for you.

12-20-2008, 02:09 PM	#9
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	Ask your new Ouija Board. Sorry, couldn't resist. __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

12-20-2008, 03:59 PM	#11
morethanpretty Thats "Miss Zipper Neck" to you. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: little town (but not the littlest) in texas Posts: 2,957	For our Christmas Stockings and Easter Baskets, my mom used to sneak into our rooms and find silly little toys we had probably forgotten about, or didn't play with anymore. Just small items around the house. She'd fill 'em up. Then she'd throw in some candy or whatever. Sometimes it'd take a day or two for us to recognize our own things. On to a real suggestion: Borrowing money is a good idea, not getting loans or maxing credit cards though. Just remember its not about the stuff, its about showing your love for them. Yes I understand they're teens, but that's all the more reason why they should have the mature ability to understand and forgive financial difficulties. If they don't, tell 'em to get a job and pay their own damn way. Having their mom all stressed out about it, which would probably make you cranky towards them, is not gonna make their Christmas a happy one. __________________ Addicts may suck dick for coke, but love came up with the idea to put a dick in there to begin with. -Jack O'Brien

12-20-2008, 04:39 PM	#13
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Ah, Sky---don't take it so hard! You are completey right---they have MORE than enough. It's just my OCD. I used to have a really, really hard time with Christmas (from '95 till about 2002!) but I enjoy it more now. Those are all really good ideas. I just need to learn to manage my money. (or, lack of money!) It'll be fine. It's just astonishing how much I've spent and how little I have to show for it! No worries! __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-20-2008, 04:43 PM	#14
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Oh so it wasn't the hookers then?... __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-20-2008, 04:43 PM	#15
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Um. Guy-hookers? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

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