Are you feeling the pressure over Xmas?

danaharrison

ive done most of my shopping through the year as ive found good bargins, only got my better half to buy for now lol. the jan sales are great for stockin up for next xmas lol

foxgloves

Back in the days way before my LBM, I used to spend FAR too much on Christmas presents. I used to buy things I knew the person would love. The sensible option would have been to buy things the person would love but within my budget. Of course that didn't happen because there wasn't a budget of any kind, EVER!! Not any more, oh no, reformed characters in this house & when we became debt-free after 20 years of overspending, one of the things we totally agreed on was that credit is to be used ONLY to fund emergencies where no other option is available. Christmas is not an emergency. It happens every year, we know it is coming & have 12 months to plan for it! I have a present cupboard & I add to it all year round. I make a lot of presents. Friends often get a home-made hamper with a different theme each year. I like knitting funky socks, mittens, etc, so those are useful presents too, also home made marmalades, chutneys, damson gin, etc. I totally love this time of year. Whether Christmas for you is a Christian festival, a pagan midwinter feast or just time for sharing a quality day or two off work with your family, what it ISN'T is an orgy of consumerism which leaves everyone feeling more broke, empty & desperate than ever by February when the reality of unecessary festive overspending really dawns. When I think back to Christmasses of my childhood, sure we had good presents, but the stuff that really leaves a glow is the fun we had playing games, the Christmas music, playing cards for pennies with everyone round a big table, making our own daft crackers, putting the tree up, etc. I don't have children, but I hear of some of the massive presents people are buying their kids & it has just got beyond ridiculous. Children NEED to understand the importance of money.....if we'd all learned that earlier, we wouldn't all be on here, would we?! I have spent so much time & effort busting our debts (only debt-free this spring) & even tho' our income has had a big drop due to a reduncancy, I am determined that we are not going to go into debt by so much as a penny to fund Yuletide celebrations in this house. Please everyone try to be strong.....you could spend thousands & still have a rubbish time, just as you can spend within your means & really enjoy it. Enjoyment really doesn't come down to how much cash/credit you can chuck at it. Think small, think fun, think 'How great would it be to start 2012 without extra debts?!' From one time overspender, Foxgloves x

CH27

My friend runs a voucher savings club & I save £40 per month with her.
I learnt a few years ago to do this then I always have enough to cover xmas.
£100 of the £400 is always in supermarket vouchers so the food is paid for too.