What are you doing to avoid debt over the holidays?
Date: Wed, 12/20/2006 - 09:59
My fiance and I are sending cards to most people on our "list" and spending about $30 per person for stocking stuffers and a present for the five family members we will have with us for Christmas. Instead of lavish presents, we are getting one or two small, hopefully thoughtful, things.
So what are you doing to keep spending down during the holidays?
The most important thing is to sit and calculate the savings if
The most important thing is to sit and calculate the savings if it's done during the year and stretch the expenses accordingly. Don't make expenses on credit. Majority of us don't have control on temptations and finance. Every one will be trying to give new offer that profits them in the long run. Your credit is not important this time. What counts is your "Urge to Shop". Scammers will also come out of the hole and they will try to hit you with the same motives
Very true!! We need to use careful thoughts and make proper deci
Very true!! We need to use careful thoughts and make proper decisions thinking two steps ahead. This holiday is not where we will end up. We will have to live life after that and the tougher days are yet to come when we have all those huge bills in hand and with a limited source of income.
Income will remain the same next year, it is our mind that needs to control the coming expenses.
Thanks for starting such a nice topic Sam and I know how importa
Thanks for starting such a nice topic Sam and I know how important this is.
Anyway, I am going for hand-made cards, I am writing messages, decorating them with color pencils and I am working with the envelopes too. All my friends will be getting Stanley-special cards this Christmas :lol:
I am following a strict budget this year Sam, I have only $400 i
I am following a strict budget this year Sam, I have only $400 in my hand and I will never never spend more than that. That's my strategy.
Stanley, I like your idea about the "Stanley cards." Two of
Stanley,
I like your idea about the "Stanley cards." Two of my sons are very good at drawing, so I might attempt something like that with them next year.
This year, we're having a "re-wrap" Christmas. My sister suggested it since no one really has any extra money this year. Her idea was that everyone has something at home that they've never used/didn't have use for, and that we should each wrap one object like that and have a gift exchange. Of course, we would still buy for the kids; but the re-wrap exchange would be for the adults.
As a teacher, I get TONS of gifts. Many times I am given gift ca
As a teacher, I get TONS of gifts. Many times I am given gift cards,which are great. But, a lot of times I get things I don't need or can't use. So, I either re-gift or exchange it for something I can use or store credit. The re-gifting has come in handy when my nieces need a gift for their teacher---I always have something on hand. Today I returned a CD (I don't have a player) and got store credit at Walmart. This year I have gotten several gifts which I have been able to re-gift.
I spent more this year, than I normally do...But I had the extra
I spent more this year, than I normally do...But I had the extra money to do it this year.
One good way to save on the gifts though, is to share the expenses with someone else..
Example..My Chris and I bought presents for his dad's family..We've been together 4 years, and this year was the first year we've been able to afford it. YAY! But we each contributed the money for the stuff.
Same with me and my uncle who I live with...A lot of the gifts for my mom (his sister) and my aunt (his other sister) we went in together on.
Watch for the sales as well. :)
And there are people you might not see until after the holiday...I always pick those gifts up at the after Christmas sales...They'll never know. :)
And Lorri--I am a regifter as well...I don't see any harm in it..As long as it's not something personal..If someone gives me something that signifies something, or they bought me becuase it reminded them of me..I wouldn't give that away....But I gave away a clock radio that someone gave to me to a co-worker that was having trouble with his...I have 2 clock radios. I've also passed on gift cards that I won't use..Like Blockbuster...There are no stores I can get to conveniently.
This is my first year ever re-gifting, and I'm glad to be able t
This is my first year ever re-gifting, and I'm glad to be able to do it.
We have my family and my husband's family..I have 2 sisters and a brother, plus 2 nieces and 5 nephews. My husband has 2 brothers and 1 sister, and 3 nephews. So..This can be very very pricey. What we do in both families now is draw names - there are three of us- me, my husband, and our son...So we draw 3 names on each side..And can't spend more than $25. Of course we still have to buy for parents...
I did spend way too much money on my 7-year-old this year, but things are nice financially now. I went through such hell last year, it's nice to be able to celebrate a little.
One rule I do have, though..CASH only in the stores, no exceptions.