Are you feeling the pressure over Xmas?

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi

We havent used credit of any kind for over a year now and are steadily chipping away at the debts. This Christmas we are determined to pay for everything with the money that we have saved up. I have been putting a bit away each month and we have a small pot of money to spend.

But this morning 3 Christmas catalogues have landed on my doormat and I have to admit there is a lot of temptation. Its all very well to say the kids will just have to make do with a couple of small presents but when everyone else seems to be buying their kids Blackberrys and Laptops its hard.

It doesnt help that both my kids have birthdays between now and Xmas.

Is anyone else feeling like this? I could do with someone to join me in a pledge of "I will not use the credit/store cards this Christmas, no matter what".

sugarcube84

I'll join you :wave:

Ive already bought a lot of prezzies in the sales last year and have a strict budget for each person who ive got left to buy for. Its a lot easier for me though as my son is too young to notice (hes 18 months) and he will be happy with his one present from us reagrdless of how much we spend (fire truck -£12.50)

I will not be touching my next card for presents is my mantra this year!

boogiemaster

I'm not going to spend the next six months of next year paying off Christmas presents I'm going to spend the next six months of next year paying off the last of my debts.

My children will get a small amount of money spent on them this year and we will still have a good Christmas but I won't have lots of debt to pay back.

The Joneses are not in fashion anymore and I like my own fashion its called being debt free

I'm from Halifax born and bred and if my mam wants Hovis she jumps in the car and gets it and sod that bloody bike

piptom&AndyPandy

I'll join - got myself into debt by being too generous! - got some park vouchers coming as part of our budget so fingers crossed - but no I pads or PS3 etc being bought in this house!

rictus123

boogiemaster wrote: »

I'm not going to spend the next six months of next year paying off Christmas presents I'm going to spend the next six months of next year paying off the last of my debts.

My children will get a small amount of money spent on them this year and we will still have a good Christmas but I won't have lots of debt to pay back.

The Joneses are not in fashion anymore and I like my own fashion its called being debt free

I'm from Halifax born and bred and if my mam wants Hovis she jumps in the car and gets it and sod that bloody bike

Yep i think the Joneses are going right out of fashion, theres a new trend starting...its called MSEers!!:beer:

aliasojo

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

Is anyone else feeling like this?

I could do with someone to join me in a pledge of "I will not use the credit/store cards this Christmas, no matter what".

Yes.

But I'm singing from the same sheet so I'll join you.

We had to move because of OH's work and a lack of sufficient funds has meant we are a bit in limbo at the moment, home wise.

Properties for rent here are either ridiculously priced or are in abysmal condition so the sooner we get rid of our previous home improvement debts and raise a decent deposit the better.

I've told everyone they are getting a Crackerjack pencil and an orange this year and for once, they know I mean it.

I've been saving my Tesco vouchers and my Luncheon Vouchers from a certain survey site and it will be token gifts all round.

Yes, I do occasionally waver and think 'I'll just order x,y or z' but so far I've managed to stop myself and I really don't think I'll give into temptation. The days where I thought giving to others is more important than anything else, are over.

I wish you all strength to see off the Xmas temptation elves. :beer::rotfl:

paulmapp8306

Ive done this for 10 years as thats how long weve been on a DMP.

My kids are 8 and 6 now (girl and boy respectively). Weve already bought - earlier this month. Shannon has one of the Fijit things reduced from £55 to £43 in Smyths, and Daniel has a Hot Wheels Mega Garage reduced from £60 to £25 (also in Smyths) and a pack of cars (£6).

We havent bought for extended family yet (my mum and sister, the wifes dad, and 3 nephews/nieces) but have a budget of £105 (£15 for the adults and £20 for the kids). That will be a grand spend of £179 which weve saved at £20 per month this last year. We have £21 left plus Novembers £20 for little bits and bobs/stocking fillers. Probably a colouring book & pencils each - maybe a DVD between them and/or a CD etc.

Weve also got £60 of Tesco vouchers to come in November for Xmas Food/treats.

YORKSHIRELASS

I am not alone, I feel better already

Sugarcubes you are in a great position because you can teach your son that Christmas is not all about expensive presents. Unfortunately I have been very stupid in the past and spent too much on my kids which makes it harder.

And Aliasojo you give a great example of more important things to be worrying about from a financial point of view which puts it into perspective.

I think its time to rip the Next Christmas book up and put it in the recycling.

piptom&AndyPandy

I did have a friend who told me they got 1 present and a selection pack for christmas and that was it - she seemed to think it meant more and now she's all grown up she'll do the same? My D-Sis buys her kids so much even though she's on benefits my D-Nephew only 7 said to me last yr "Auntie I can't walk across my room" - he seemed quite sad about it :-) it's sometimes too much x

paulmapp8306

Well ours have ALWAYS had, one present from us, one from Nana, One from Grandad, One from Auntie and one from Godmother. They get 3 to 4 presents from santa (which are the small stocking fillers) and they've never questioned it. TBH Im surprised my 8 year old still believes - but when she stops so will the presents from Santa.

flippin36

Its going to be a rather frugal affair in our house this year (again), but I'm not feeling to bad about it. No credit cards for us though. We are due money from our cashback credit card so whatever that comes to is what I have to spend on the kids presents. The good thing is its not going to much this year which means I must be spending less!

OH has saved his nectar points for any extra food, and I have save my Boots points (FOR ME!) We will be buying everyone else just a small selection box (they are quite an ungrateful bunch so I don't feel guilty).

Me and my sister are in the same boat this year and we came up with a brilliant idea of having a faith dinner then a walk in the country (she lives in a picturesque part of the country).