When company comes...

[amberbamber]

my budget goes out the window. Not on purpose, but it's very hard to stay on track. Like this past week, my in-laws were here and my Dh's brother and sister-in-law plus their two kids for 10 days. My in-laws paid for most of the food we ate, but there were at least 5 showers a day , we ran the dishwasher at least once a day , and one day I did 12 loads of laundry , I probably averaged 2 loads of laundry a day. I am scared to death about the electricity bill, water bill, and food bill for this next month. So, tell me how you all stay on track when you have company over, please!

[LuxLiving]

Tell them there is no room at the inn, find some coupons/great deals at the local hotels/motels and pass them along??? Meet them out for a couple of meals - it would have to be cheaper!! Either that or start budgeting and putting back long before the 'event'.

[amberbamber]

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

Tell them there is no room at the inn, find some coupons/great deals at the local hotels/motels and pass them along??? Meet them out for a couple of meals - it would have to be cheaper!! Either that or start budgeting and putting back long before the 'event'.

Yeah I wish I could do that...but telling them not to stay is out of the question. It's really the only time they ever see their grandchildren.

I guess I will start putting that into my budget. Thanks

[lrjohnson]

Originally Posted by amberbamber

Like this past week, my in-laws were here ... there were at least 5 showers a day , we ran the dishwasher at least once a day , and one day I did 12 loads of laundry , I probably averaged 2 loads of laundry a day. I am scared to death about the electricity bill, water bill, and food bill for this next month. So, tell me how you all stay on track when you have company over, please!

I think overall you did well. Some things people mention when folks come to town is going out to eat, helping with motel costs, shopping, and spending out and about. Your spending sounds like reasonable stuff....extra laundry instead of amusement park tickets or a mall trip or a dinner out for everyone. It also sounds like there was some "payback" in that some food was paid for. If I was you, I'd just figure out how much the bills increase this month and budget that for next year.

I'm not trying to discount the increased costs, it just seems like it was mostly reasonable stuff that went up. If you have a good time, and they pitch in around the place while they save on a motel, it sounds like it's reasonable frugal for everyone.

[poundwise]

I agree. Just plan ahead and accomodate it within the budget and then enjoy.

[scrava]

I agree, too!
It would stink if they didn't come to visit.
But, they do!

Not being hit w/ a huge food bill was + I think, too!

[naturalwoman]

maybe you can't stay on track with everything. circumstances change and sometimes we have to. sometimes we have a spike in our budget - just as long as its only temporary, don't fret.

[amberbamber]

It would be fine if this were a once a year thing, but it's about every three months. And on top of that, we drive home to Indiana (about 500 miles each way) at least every three months. I'm going to have to start putting back a ton of money to accomadate all of these things!
Thanks for the advice, and I do agree, at least it's things like laundry and not eating out every single night or extraneous purchases that we don't need.

[LuxLiving]

I love to travel and see my family...but for now we are cutting back on the number of times the boys and I take off to see them. If they complain of 'needing' to see us I just tell them the same thing "The road travels both ways and I just can't afford it right now - you are welcome here."

Sometimes - you just have to cut back for a while. Maybe you could cut back YOUR trips to see them to twice a year instead of every three months? or even to three times a year?? And/or have them bump theirs up a notch??

Has your entire family discussed this? Maybe other people in the family are also feeling the money crunch to getting together so often?

Would any of that help?

I think it's cool that your family loves each other so much and likes to be together. Sure would be easier if some of ya'll lived closer together.

Keep loving them even if you can't go. Surely a phone call and or cards and letters is cheaper than a whole trip! Don't forget e-mail contact.

[amberbamber]

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

Sometimes - you just have to cut back for a while. Maybe you could cut back YOUR trips to see them to twice a year instead of every three months? or even to three times a year?? And/or have them bump theirs up a notch??

Has your entire family discussed this? Maybe other people in the family are also feeling the money crunch to getting together so often?

Would any of that help?

I think it's cool that your family loves each other so much and likes to be together. Sure would be easier if some of ya'll lived closer together.

Keep loving them even if you can't go. Surely a phone call and or cards and letters is cheaper than a whole trip! Don't forget e-mail contact.

Yes, we've actually cut back on our trips alot. Everyone else in the family (both sides) actually lives in the same general area and we are the only ones that have moved away so it's kinda diffucult to say- ok we moved, you come see us. And they do...but they have their own money issues also. And my kids are the only grandkids so it doesn't help matters when they don't get to see them grow up, ya know?

We do email, talk on the phone, and send cards, things the kids have drawn, etc. It's just nice to see each other too I'll just keep budgeting better to get us in a better place travel wise

[Ima saver]

Well personally, when we go to visit someone, we stay in a motel. We don't expect them to feed us, we go out to eat and hope our friends can join us for dinner. I really don't like people staying with me, but sometimes it can not be helped. We build a room out over the garage with it's own bath and kitchen, but people seem to want to stay in the main house.

[kealina]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

We build a room out over the garage with it's own bath and kitchen, but people seem to want to stay in the main house.

lol... dh and i discussed maybe having something like a room over the garage someday when we have a home... that way everybody can still retain some privacy... especially if somebody needs a place to stay for awhile it's better to have a little extra space...
i'm big on a little privacy (my mom has no boundaries) although i like people and like to hang out i do sometimes enjoy being alone
ima, if had an option like that i would definately stay in the little seperate room... then i wouldn't feel like a burden because i could bring some food with me and make it in the kitchen... =)

[puppypal]

OOOOOOOO, How I wish my hubby's family wouldn't do things the way they do.......
I was introduced the hard way to YOU are putting on Christmas dinner this year. I am like well it is going to be potluck right? WRONG! At that point I had to put on the whole show for 35 folks. We had to actually charge some of the food costs on my credit card!
I had to work on the Friday before the family scheduled the event! Talking about rude and PO'ed!
The if that wasn't enough the next year it turned into Potluck! I am still not over that one. My hubby has3 brothers with wifes......The women are expected to cook, clean, bust there bottoms while the men folks eat and chat and watch nascars! I dread it every year. I was bold enough to tell them one year; Next time I am told to have the dinner thing I am going to have it at whole hog barbQ it only costs 6.50 a plate! Nobody every has told me to have it again. Fixing that much food on a saturday for lunch after you have worked a 10 hour shift and missed your kids football game an't no fun. But then again, I had no help.
Sorry for ranting! But I always remembered an easy going Christmas family dinner where most was pre-done......
EEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW
I am dreading it again this year! I just might skip the flu shot!

[LuxLiving]

Originally Posted by puppypal

I am dreading it again this year! I just might skip the flu shot!

ROFLMAO!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! funny!!!

You forgot to mention the sister/sisterinlaw/aunt/niece etc. who manages to sit on her can while the rest of us clean up!

...and waits until the food is completely put away to come into the kitchen to see if YOU'LL make her a plate to take home. GRRRR

Ohhh, puppypal - family!! Most of us have got them. Most of us wouldn't trade them on a good day, but there are some days when I'm ready to freecycle them!!

[JanH]

Our kids moved out and took the beds! So we have no place for people to stay. And right now, we can't afford more beds. So the folks stay at a motel. But we try to help with meals. We usually go to see the kids at college so they don't have to come home much because they have such hectic schedules. But when they do come home, it's blowup bed time for now. Wonder if we should replace the beds? Hmmmm......

[twinsmommy]

My in-laws are in town as of today. It will be the first time that they are able to meet my twins. I have already spent extra money on groceries and I am sure that my electricity bill will be high.

They offer to help me all the time but I have a hard time taking money from them. I know that they will buy a lot of things for the babies when they are here. I bought a bunk bed combination (full / twin) so that family could visit. That was expensive but my ex just came and moved most of the furniture out...he is being a jerk. It is worth it though...I want them to feel welcome and the babies will use the bunk bed once they move out of their crib.

[LuxLiving]

Time to change the lock on the door twinsmommy!! OUCH!! Bet you didn't even see that coming!?!

Will his parents have anything to say to him about taking the furniture????