Doing christmas without credit

sugaJen

Had my lightbulb moment dec '05 (after xmas) I got into debt mainly through catalogues and doorstep loans (the big time rip off one's)

Long story short I cant rely on these for xmas this year (not that I want to) Most people I buy for dont care about cost but......I have 3 kids and its a little harder to explain to them.

Alot of people have suggested to start buying now, but I would prefer to save some cash and wait for bargains, im hoping boots will do the wonderful shopping evenings they did last year, plus 3 for 2's in argos/woolies etc.

I cant wait til 26th December to wake up and realise everything has been paid for, I might even have money to spend in the new year sales

Anyone else in the same boat??

Jen

Rikki

We have a £2 coin saving club running on mse and alot of us are using the money towards christmas.
I'm having an old fashion type christmas this year: board games, making personal gifts etc

homersimpson_3

Alot of people have suggested to start buying now, but I would prefer to save some cash and wait for bargains, im hoping boots will do the wonderful shopping evenings they did last year, plus 3 for 2's in argos/woolies etc.

it's not an either or - you can do both. if you see a bargain grab it and save the rest for the offers at boots, woolies and argos etc- the chances are boots will do the 3 for 2 offer- it's been running for several years.

sugaJen

Rikki wrote:

We have a £2 coin saving club running on mse and alot of us are using the money towards christmas.
I'm having an old fashion type christmas this year: board games, making personal gifts etc

Im already a member got my sons b day pressie with them this year :j

Im going for board games too. My kids are even grateful when they get clothes-aslong as they also get toys too :rotfl: so anything they need, trainers/coats will be in pressie form this year too.

Jen

DeniseNZ

I have been putting money aside each week for the coming Christmas for the past 2 or 3 years. It is SO good to know that when Christmas arrives I have the cash for what I need. It also means that I can pick up bits and pieces on sale throughout the year. I thoroughly recommend saving for Christmas this way!
Just remember tho, if you do buy throughout the year you must write it down somewhere otherwise you'll be like me the first year and buy FAR too much because you haven't remembered what you've bought LOL

calleyw

As has been said buy through out the year.

Also write a list of who you normally buy for both cards and pressies and then slash the list. Cross off people you don't want to send to etc. Bring it down to people who you really want to buy for.

If it is still a large amount of people then see if they have children tell them in advance you want them to only buy for the children. As I have tough time with this with a relation. I want to only buy for the children and not the adults to save both of us time and money. My reasoning is that I am adult and have my own money and know what I want and have the money to buy it.

But if you have to buy for adults then make hand made presents. I don't like the term home made sounds like a load of old tat. This year I will make up a hamper. I am saving up my lunchon vouchers from pine cone so I can buy some luxury goodies to stick in it.

Set a budget and stick to. No mucking about. If it is £50 per child then you stick to it.

Also join up places like pigsback to get free boots vouchers and other places to get amazon vouchers or cash. Can't post referral links here. But if you want to know more then pm and I will give you a list. Just take a few clicks everyday.

And I know most people say this. But I now I am in 30's. I don't remember the presents I got for birthday and christmases. But I do remember things like the cake my mum made for for my birthday. And how on christmas day we use to go to the seaside after lunch etc. Events are so much more than the presents but about the memories that you make.

All the best.


Yours


Calley

newmoney_3

Hi,

One excellent suggestion that we use is in regards to Food Shopping and Snacks for Christmas.

We start our Food shopping in October and begin buying key items when they are buy one get one free and put the free item away for christmas. Also try and spend a little more each week and again put that item away for christmas. This means that we do not have the large grocery shopping bill in December but still have all the nice food.

Would recommend starting to look for good items now for presents as there are always special offers on. However if you are willing to wait, then remember that for the last number of years the sales have started before christmas as retail shops are keen on selling all their stock, so items that were £15 at the beginning of December were around £10 by the 17th.

Anyway hope that helps.

sandieb

sugaJen - You might be interested in this thread on the Green and Ethical Board: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=217798

I totally agree with CalleyW "I don't remember the presents I got for birthday and christmases. But I do remember things like the cake my mum made for for my birthday. And how on christmas day we use to go to the seaside after lunch etc. Events are so much more than the presents but about the memories that you make."

K9cuddles

I'm really looking forward to christmas on a budget this year.. I'm sure I'm still paying back xmas pressies from 2003!!!!

I've decided to have a limited number of cards made by a friend (cheap and investing in local business). Every time I go to sainsburys and purchase I also buy a £1 saving stamp.. I plan to give the full card to my mother as I know Xmas is expensive (its only £25 but better then nothing!). I've been with Farepak for since Feb putting money towards Bonus bonds for Xmas. I've got £135 for 6 people so that's £22.50 like it or lump it!!!! And £135 for the sales for next years b'day pressies and any treats I want!!

Prudent

I carry a list with me in a pocket of my bag. Evertime I see something for someone, I write on the list what I have got. I buy almost all at very reduced prices over the year, although occaisonly if I spot something that will make someone laugh and is not too dear then I do buy it. I also stock up on bogofs from October.

Broken_hearted

I've bought loads of great stuff from the boots sale thats on now. This years christmas stock is coming in in September so they are selling off last years. I used my pigsback voucher and bought 2 adult presents both under half price.
I have some stocking fillers for my children and will save up for their main presents as they change their minds so often in the run up to christmas.