Everyone wants something, I am not made of money

We used to have similar situations when we were in the Middle East (that's where I grew up)...and every holiday, we would get calls as to what a relative wanted from there. Besides, the money to buy the particular gift...we would also have to pay more money for the extra luggage. My parents would use the kids' luggage allowance too...and promise to buy us new clothes when we got to India (it was cheaper there). Some people have repayed us for the 'gifts' they requested....especially if it is something slightly expensive. But the worst is when the gift they ask for doesn't really cost much....but when a couple of them ask for similar gifts...it does cost us. Each of them thinks that it's a small amount but it did cost us money!! And anyone coming from the Middle East was a huge affair then...and the first thing the kids wanted was for us to open our bags....well, I would do it too when I was in India and my uncles visited.....but I wasn't as excited as the other kids who had never seen any of the things that come out of those 'magical' suitcases! I've never heard my father explain that he couldn't afford to get them somethng....but I think he just stopped getting his own gifts and waited for their request to get them what they wanted. But our relatives took care of our immovable assets in India...so it was one good turn for another...that's how we saw it.

That is really naughty of them to do that, and I mean its not like they are little things either!! Fair enough if they were just asking for little souveniers but they are asking for things that are really dear, no you keep telling them no, I would. When you go away you should not be expected to buy presents, when we go away, sometimes I get stressed over buying things for people because I have so many to buy for, and it can end up costing a fortune. I am lucky though in that mine do not expect anything and so I normally just buy little bits and pieces for my mum and my sister in laws children and my nan.

Just dont over stretchyourself beyond the limits-you said it right-you dont have a tree in your compound whose leaves are dollar bills, so your brother in law and his litanies of laptops had better start working for money Period!

Gud day Aussie! I live in Australia too. I have been in your situation, so I can understand your feeling. Just ignore what they said and what they want. If you can not afford, no need to buy expensive stuffs for them. You still think to buy them a gift, I think it is so good of you. You have a right to buy whatever you like for them as gift, and they have a right to receive it or not. Doesn't matter! That's what I did to some of my relatives.

Actually NO, my family knows better. That's just rude.

my mom has realitives in romania and they (for some odd reason) think that north america is the place where the streets are paved with gold and where everyone lives in a mansion...needless to say, that is not true and to that end my mom stopped writing because they were always asking her to send them stuff too.

i know those kind of situation. its also happened with me. i was long time that don't visit my hometown and when i want to visit my hometown, i should prepare many things as like many gifts to everyone in my hometown. it seems that since i live in big city, i have made so much money so i should bring many gift for everyone in my hometown althoughi just only want to be there and release my longing feeling to my family i also don't know what to do cause when i decided to visit my hometown without bring any gift, they seem not welcoming in warmly

Check on the internet and find out how much those items cost in the European country you are going to. Then tell your relatives the price and ask for the money up front. Remember also you have to bring all that stuff through customs. So before you go find out the limit per person that you can bring back. I also think you are very generous to spend so much money on gifts per family. You have worked hard, saved long and should enjoy your holiday. When I go to Europe I no longer buy any presents for relatives. I used to bring little gifts, a CD, a certain skin cream, some chocolates etc. No one ever thanked me for these little items. I had the feeling it was not good enough. But you know all those little gifts add up to a lot of money. So now I don't bring back any gifts for anyone. I hope you will have a wonderful holiday. Be good to yourself.

I think when you visit from a distance place, relatives atleast think you would get something for them But asking for things like this is not at all acceptable that i guess. tell them clearly that you can't afford and also they need to send some money if they want those. i think its bad.

My husband has a brother who thinks he's entitled to his siblings things or money and is always asking give me or buy me....and every time his told to go p*** up a rope...one day he'll get it.But the nerve to even ask for gifts like that are very, very selfish,IMO. I would be telling everyone how long it took to save money for a trip to see them and if they can't appreciate that I would go somewhere else for the holiday and send them a picture.

I've never been in this situation but I had an aunt (she has passed away now) whose family used to do her that same way. They knew she received money from her husband's retirement (who had also passed away) and they thought she was made of money. They were constantly wanting her to buy things for them. Unfortunately she did most of the time. I don't know what advice to give you except just to tell them no that you can't do it. I know that would have to be a tough situation to be in. I wish you the best of luck. Shelia

Its so darn annoying when you feel that everyone wants their pound of flesh...when mykide were away at university..they though i had money coming out of my ears!!! Mum..can you pay my gas bill...mum can ypu pay this...oh it just went on and on...and after a while i felt like screaming!!! Life is hard enough sometimes without external pressure being thrust upon you. Sometimes just keeping yourself afloat is sufficient!!! Plus half of the younger generation have more now than ive evver had in my entire life.!!! Oh lol i sound like a real moaning minnie!!!

I am not sure about your relations here but at my end if they ask for something expensive they will usually pay me. I will be asked to check on the particular item's availability and price. If it is really a good bargain, they will then wire me the money and I will get it for them. Maybe you can ask them to wire you the money first if you are tight, and ill afford. After all, they are your relations and should be able to understand and reached. I could not think for a moment that relations will take each other for granted. (I don't know - don't mean to generalize here.) Hope that all will work out along this perspective.

I have a 19 year old daughtr who sems to think that money grows on trees! Shye recently got her driver's license and is really annoyed that we (her parents) won't buy her a car! All my friends have had a car from their parents, she bleats. Well, she'll have to buy her own - she has money saved up and what we have we're gonna spend before it becomes her inheritance! Lif is tough, tell these scroungers to take a hike!

Need the money,in this world there is only money to improve our lives,Xiangganbanfa you need to make money!find a work!work,work,hard work!