saving for xmas, i know its only june.

LookingAhead

lynsayjane wrote:

because it's a good excuse to get pressies???:rotfl:

well, yeah...but that's ok if you aren't in debt! I'd hate to think someone had gone into debt or further into debt because they felt obliged to get me something when I'm not a woman "of faith". (Only the shoe shop.....not really!!!!)

Anyway I'll shut up now, I think I've said enough!

Poppy9

I try not to impose set amounts for anyone. Some years my DD gets £300 spent on her if there is something special she wants other years it's about £200 all in as I too buy stocking fillers throughout the year in the sales. I like Accesorises 70% off sale!! I only buy for immediate family and some of their gifts are sale, and the rest are Debenhams 25% mega day. My OH and I don't buy each other much as we both have birthdays in December too and it's so hard to come up with gifts.

Works Xmas party we have been saving a £1 or more a week since January. Our meal is now paid for and the drinks and taxi's home are almost taken care of.

lynsayjane

was only joking la. i totally see your point, not being religious myself, but like most folks i don't see xmas as a religious hol anymore, for me it's a time to be with your family and get the chance to see folks you don't get enough time for throughout the year. i would never get myself into worse debt (intentionally) over xmas, i believe in only spending what you can afford.

i did once get into debt on a cc for xmas, i'd gotten a new much higher paid job in november so i put pressies on it with the intention of paying it off in jan when i got paid, but the f*ckers sacked me a few weeks after xmas and being on the dole meant my wages when they came fed me till i got a new job.

(sorry for the language, sore spot!)

Superstar41

:eek: :eek: Sorry but I find it really amazing that people who are in debt judging by the signatures are talking about spending money on one day 6 months away. Im not a "bah humbug" either honest but I cannot imagine buying things for distant relatives when I had a credit card bill that large.

Ok I can understand if its about the children and making sure they get something but wouldnt it better all round (including kids) if that money went on paying the debt off NOW considering the difference between debt interest and saving interest??

It is only one day and I have a good friend who every year gets herself back into debt in order to keep up with all this years christmas necessities - its madness when you cant afford your debt to be spending on c**p. but then thats just my opinion I guess - sorry:o

pattiemay

my sister has started selling through a hamper catalogue, although I won't buy hampers, saving for the high street vouchers are good (I can't dip into the money then) You can spend them at woolworths, argos and loads of others, so giving say £5 or £10 per week doesn't seem so bad

Queen.Bess

Last year Mum and I said that we would be spending only £5 on each person and she told my sister and sister in law. They weren't so keen on it, but I stuck to it religiously and did really well! Everyone was surprised as to what I was able to get for £5! So might try that idea again this year! :T

Am also saving up Nectar and Tesco clubcard vouchers - over £25 on each of them so far! :j

Nowadays with such places as these warehouse shops there's no reason not to get decent presents for people and not worry about the cost - esp. when you have nieces and nephews as ungrateful as mine!!!

jessicamb

Well look at my sig - it was all there started and got going so no more Dec 25th surprises and now I'm starting again. Current fund = 1p

Limits are normally £20 parents and brother, £15 close rellies, £10 secret santa at work. No kids to buy for though so not too bad.

MinnieSpender

LookingAhead wrote:

Just making a point that if you aren't religious, why increase your debt worryingly because of this religious festival?

I don't "do" Christmas and haven't done for years. It's mainly a personal thing (I find it a most depressing time of year and it brings back too many sad childhood memories) but as I've been a miserable old b*gger for such a long time, people know better now than to persuade me otherwise.

I don't decorate my flat, buy pressies or send Xmas cards. Instead I hike myself up to the moral high ground, mutter in a Scrooge like-fashion and insist on beans on toast.

It works for me! Tough if you've got a family though, I suppose. :rotfl: Then there's no way out!

K9cuddles

Superstar41 wrote:

:eek: :eek: Sorry but I find it really amazing that people who are in debt judging by the signatures are talking about spending money on one day 6 months away. Im not a "bah humbug" either honest but I cannot imagine buying things for distant relatives when I had a credit card bill that large.

Ok I can understand if its about the children and making sure they get something but wouldnt it better all round (including kids) if that money went on paying the debt off NOW considering the difference between debt interest and saving interest??

It is only one day and I have a good friend who every year gets herself back into debt in order to keep up with all this years christmas necessities - its madness when you cant afford your debt to be spending on c**p. but then thats just my opinion I guess - sorry:o

I disagree.. but I'm one of "them" with debt.... life it for living and I don't mind pushing back my "Debt Free Date" a month if I get statisfaction of seeing others happy. Nothing wrong with taking part and getting in to the spirt I agree wasting 1000's and putting Christmas presents on credit cards is silly and insane.. hence I'd rather budget for the event and know that my debt will be zero bigger because of it!! I'm not religious either but if anything it makes winter pass quicker! That's enough celebration for me! :j

fizzel81

christmas! i tried to start saving a few months back um never happened im panacking about finding money to buy my sons 1st birthday present