Good morning everyone. so i have a tiny issue wondering if ya could offer me sum advice. My inlaws arrived yesterday from Ireland to meet thier new grandson this is thier first trip to TExas and my husband and I had several things planned for them this 2 weeks they are here. My issue is i had a unexpected bill pop up 2 days b4 they arrived that has left me so broke. I can't even buy groceries. I feel awful bc they love american food and i was waiting to go shopping until they arrived but then of course this happened. ( things got very tight bc i didnt recieve maternity pay at my job and my husband is stay at home dad so we have been living paycheck to paycheck these past 4 weeks since i returned to work ) I do get paid friday thank the lord lol but i feel awful bc they are stuck at the house for the first week almost doing nothing and eating what i can find to throw something together.... My main question is should i explain to them about my bill and the reasons for not taking them out this week or should i just talk about all the things we or gonna do next week and get them excited and something to look forward. I'm just scared that if i say anything they will personally try to offer help and buy groceries but that would make me feel awful bc i know that spent alot flying over. O and if anyone has any cheap under $10 meal recipes i would love for ya to PM em to me :) thanks for all the help ladies.
Brilliant ideas guys thank you so much for the fast responds, think im just gonna tell em that we will be doing the outtings next week after i get paid friday.... we r doing a early Thanksgiving at my folks on sunday since they dont have that in Ireland so i know they r looking forward to it. Plus hubby has been taking them around town and showing them all the sites here in Texarkana. But they our happy just loving on my son and drinking coffee and hot tea all day lol.... I'm such a planner and when this week hit i freaked bc i didnt know what to do. thanks for everything..... o and gave up credit cards 8 yrs ago and refuse to get another lol so no problem going into debit :)
Whole cooked chicken is cheap. Make Chicken cacciatore. Roast dishes are inexpensive too. A cheap roast in the crock pot and cut up some veggies. Spaghetti, beans...there are a lot of things you can do to make things stretch for a few days. The most important thing is they are there to see the new baby.
They'll be able to figure out something is up. Be honest.
I really don't think they would appreciate you going into debt to accompany and entertain them for their trip. They are probably more concerned with how their new grandchild is doing and his/her longterm care.
Maybe they will help you out a bit, stock your fridge and maybe you can learn new recipes from your MIL.
Think about how you would feel if the situation were such that you were visiting your new grandchild. I would certainly be more concerned for the welfare of the child vs how my daughter was entertaining me when she can't afford it.
Stay out of debt.
Be honest- I guarantee they know that "something's up". If they offer to buy groceries and you are not comfortable with that, then don't accept. I would urge you to accept their offer, though. Also be realistic about the things you are going to do with them next week- maybe you should be putting some of that money away??? They probably would have just as much fun taking the baby for walks and enjoying some of the free activities. They may even offer to take you out for lunch or dinner and you should do it. They do not want to see their son or grandson struggling.
good luck and don't be afraid to aacept help.
hello
go to foodnetwork,com << there is a woman on there who specializes in meals for under 10.... I think her name is Melissa Di Arabia.. so far, her recipes look REALLY good.
additionally, check out local events in your area.. often, there will be free concerts in the park... or even free walking tours... that could be a good way for your relatives to see the town..
you can also do an inexpensive picnic at the park.. throw together some sandwiches, fruit and a pitcher of some sort of drink.
as for the bill.. well think about it in two ways.. will you feel worse/better if you don't tell and you think they are wondering why you aren't going out? OR will you feel worse/better if you do tell them the reason why you are broke?
it's one or the other. They sound like caring people in that they came all the way from Ireland to visit their grandchild..
Additionally, what does your husband say about all this?? it's his parents, he must know them well enough to know how they will respond... can he bear some of this burden for you and pull them aside and discuss matters so that you don't feel the brunt of it?
I think you need to level with them. If they want to chip in, so what? I'm sure they planned on spending money, and even if they have to dip in a little there, I'll bet they'd be happy to do so. Why don't you bbq? Hamburgers are easy and inexpensive; same with chicken. I often buy the big bags of frozen chicken breasts and marinade them in Italian dressing and then put them on the grill. When those are on sale, you can get a whole bag for way under $10.
I would think if you don't get paid for maternity leave and your husband is a SAHD, they would understand you do not have that much money. Be upfront and honest with them.
go to all recipes . com and type in what you have in the house and you will get recipes to make with what you have. or post a question you will get answers. rather quickly too and keep your mouth shut. you will survive this also. if you have hamburger elbow noodles ketchup worst. sauce and cream of chicken soup you can make goolosh pm me i will give you the recipe and it is cheap to make you can also substitute cream of mush or spagetti noodles if needed.
Tell them about the bill, but I have a few recipes I can message you. Good luck!
I agree with Denise. Be honest and look for free options for the first few days. I will send you a message w/ a few inexpensive meals.
traveling from that far..they probably need a couple days to relax and regroup. In the mean time, I would also look for things in your area that are free to do...go to a nice park...or drive to a near city and site see for free...walk around your area and show them where you live and what you guys do...do you have games at home..maybe a nice game at home, cards etc would be fun. that should buy you some time. I wouldnt say anything about the big bill coming in unless they seem itchy to get out. You want them to feel welcomed, not like they are a burden for being here on a timing issue.
Google free stuff in your area. I know Arkansas has beautiful lakes. Go see nature. If I visited another country I would want a chance to see the countryside.
