Can Anyone Relate?

I absolutely do not like the holiday season, should I say after it! We have birthdays and holidays all together at the end of the year and when the smoke clears in January, I always get irritated at the money that gets spent on it all. I realize as I start compiling tax stuff that we spend alot of money to survive with 4 kids! I am not good at budgeting, any ideas will help. I know there are thousands of ways. But perhaps its just learning self control and telling the kids NO! I have 2 in college and we help where we can , but man I will be happy when they graduate and take their bills!!! Is this just how it is with kids? Money flying everywhere until they move out and take over their bills? Doesn’t help that we bought a crap house that runs up the electricity bills and need major fixing, which is a complete waste of money considering how much work it needs. Regrets on this purchase! Anyway, went on a rant.

Any Thoughts?