Its Christmas Soon.......

in-trouble_3

wow sounds like she has tons of stuff, and will be very happy when santa brings them all

my daughter got the talking teddy bear, with cartridges she got 2, sshhh dont wake dad board game, early learning pad which helps her to read, the pink one she wanted, and thats it so totalling £125.95

we have a few more jigsaws to buy and she wants a couple of reading books and thats it, so going to shop around for them though

Kazonline

My mistake was I allways made a big deal of giving them loads of things to open. For those with little ones, please learn from my mistake!
As they get older their gifts cost more and are much smaller - 1 game for a PS2 is about £30, and could dissapear behind a box of matchmakers!
My plan for next year (providing I do the DMP) is to stick to my payments with CCCS and put all the 'other' money to one side (ie that towards repairs/clothes/entertainment etc) I'll be as frugal as possible with that and then at the end of the year work out how much needs to be held onto for the next year (eg if anything big needs paying in Jan/feb) and use what's left. If it's a lot then I'll pay a lump to CCS to distribute to my creditors.
Does that sound a good idea, or should I pay every penny to CCCS through the year?
Kaz x

Kazonline

in-trouble wrote:

.

has for me not smoking well its not taking money out of the account and buying fags on the overdraft, which makes me feel good.

I might get linched for this, but if it were me I think I'd be putting the cash into a jar so that I could see the ammount grow, and then maybe pay it to CCCS as a lump payment to distribute - I'm not quite as focused as you, you're doing so well!

I hope santa brings me a pair of binoculars.... then I might be able to focus a little better on my DFD, it's a bit too far away to see!! (40 years)

Serialdieter

Hi

This is the first year I've not used a cc. All bought and paid for and it's the best feeling. I too used to spend £££ on pressies, this year have really cut back, parents are having a hamper of goodies - around £30 spend per couple (opposed to £50+ per person). I've made the mistake of buying loads of presents for kids too, but no more, this year I've thought more and as a result presents which will probably be played with. :xmassmile

Jx

mrslawrence2003

in-trouble wrote:

how many people have budget this year for presents and food or have just put everything on the credit card if you have one?

this is the first year that we havent put christmas on the credit card it feels good, but its a struggle.

i have budgeted and put money aside for the past 5 months. am doing very well so far and still on track!

chevalier

the older nephews and nieces get a £25 cheque (to spend on anything). The younger ones get £20 a person. We have agreed this year not to give presents between adults, but even then I always found something nice for £20 or so.

I buy things through out the year for all of them and my two DS's. They get put into a present box, that is well disguised:D . By the time I got to December I had only 2 nieces to buy for, and now only have one present to get.

mizmir

LBM too late to have budgeted for Christmas :mad: but we are being as frugal as we can - trouble is there are lots of brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews etc. as well as each other and parents/in-laws. About 18 people to buy for I guess. We are going for £20 a person which is a lot less than normal - and coming in less than that for quite a few.

Will definitely be putting money aside each month next year!