How do I relax? So many connections, so little money?

[Anonymous]

I have lots of family and friends; but very little money. I’m on the pension for depression and I found that over the past few months, there were so many birthdays of various friends and relatives that I am now paying off afterpay credit card debt for these gifts. Three aunts, one cousin, my boyfriend’s birthday, mum’s birthday, Mother’s Day for my mum, my boyfriend’s mum and his grandma and their birthdays and my other friend’s birthday. I’ll get to relax after May and start saving again and I come from a well off family, so I’ll be okay, but I was hoping to save some money for my future.

[Oliverlogan263]

Ugh girl, I feel ya! Birthdays and holidays can be such a money suck sometimes when you're already struggling. A few tips that might help:

- Get crafty! Bake cookies/cake, make cards, DIY gifts using stuff you have at home. Costs little but shows you care.

- Suggest a group gift so you only chip in a few bucks instead of paying for it all.

- Let friends/fam know money's tight right now. I bet they'd understand if you explained you wanna relax spending till after holidays.

- Suggest low key or free celebrations like picnic in the park instead of dinner out.

- Make a budget and set limits for each person so you don't overspend. Stick to it!

- Look for ways to earn extra cash on the side like babysitting, surveys online etc.

Hang in there sis! This too shall pass - just a few more months til you can relax and start replenishing your funds. The important thing is people know you care, not how much you spend. You got this!

[Mr_twoface]

I can somewhat relate since I have a large extended family and most birthdays and celebrations take place in autumn. Minus the fact that I don’t come from a well off family.

If you can’t afford it, give them less expensive gifts or buy things on sale long prior to their birthdays. Sometimes flowers and a dinner might be enough. It’s your thought and presence that counts.

Knowing this occurrence every year, I’ve made sure to have savings so it doesn’t affect our family household.

See also throughout the year where else you can cut costs/expenses so there are savings for being the favourite daughter/aunt during special events 😁

[Dinklex3]

Stop getting gifts. If you don’t have the money and are getting in debt because of it then stop.

You can make them a card, cook them something, or just give them a heartfelt message. Once you start getting back on track and start to make money again, then maybe you can buy gifts, but don’t if you can’t afford to. Your friends and family will understand. My last year working I gave everyone decent gifts and told them it would be the last gift from me for a while since I’d be unemployed soon. No one expects anything from me and still appreciate my time and presence.

[petitedollbabee]

Stop spending so much. Birthdays, Christmas, etc shouldn’t be about what someone gifts you - it should be about the quality time spent together. Or you can make them something for free. You don’t need to splurge on people to make them like you.

[Twalli]

I'm lucky that from Valentine's Day, all I have is Mother's Day, Father's Day, and my Anniversary (of dating) until October. It's really good because I blew over half my checking account on an engagement ring, so ai need to rebuild my bank account before holidays.

[strateguy632]

relax using music like free spotify or soundcloud

[mayurr]

Life is about working hard till the death just to pay the bills☕
How can someone relax in this situation😑

[Anonymous]

steal the gifts 🎁 ☠️ 💕