Xmas support?

jas1966

Save_now,_buy_later wrote: »

I had an idea this year regarding the long wait for January pay day:

I get paid on the 28th normally but in December it'll probably be on the 22/23ish. So I was thinking of moving my wage out of my current account to a savings account when I get it, then moving back in on the 28th so it's like a normal month!
If it's sat there in my current account early I'll probably just spend it so I thought this was a good idea.

That's a brilliant idea thanks.

elsiepac

Do you guys get paid early in December or something?! How annoying! Mine just goes in last day of the month which is fine by me... I can't see the benefit of having money early, surely it's just like a pay day loan - i.e. short term benefit (money for Christmas) but long term cost (very long and poor January)!!!

If they insisted on paying me early to be honest I'd just ignore it or move it to savings until real payday as Save now, buy later said. If budgets are properly done and you don't have a major emergency then hopefully that should be do-able.

I'm getting so excited about Christmas now!!! Today I bought the little chocolate bits I always top peoples presents up with. Went to Mr T and used Clubcard vouchers (the remainder after changing up my other one for my meal out in December!) - they have some good deals on stuff actually!

Only 2 more Christmas presents to buy now and cards and wrap in December and that's me done! Except for all the wrapping which is my least favourite bit! :rotfl:

LC

Cherryjack

elsiepac wrote: »

Do you guys get paid early in December or something?! How annoying! Mine just goes in last day of the month which is fine by me... I can't see the benefit of having money early, surely it's just like a pay day loan - i.e. short term benefit (money for Christmas) but long term cost (very long and poor January)!!!

If they insisted on paying me early to be honest I'd just ignore it or move it to savings until real payday as Save now, buy later said. If budgets are properly done and you don't have a major emergency then hopefully that should be do-able.

I'm getting so excited about Christmas now!!! Today I bought the little chocolate bits I always top peoples presents up with. Went to Mr T and used Clubcard vouchers (the remainder after changing up my other one for my meal out in December!) - they have some good deals on stuff actually!

Only 2 more Christmas presents to buy now and cards and wrap in December and that's me done! Except for all the wrapping which is my least favourite bit! :rotfl:

LC

Hello :-) yr right its a good idea to move the money, OH gets paid 3 days before xmas.. can be lethal in the last minute ''this dont count'' buys! January can be very bleak with no money or food.. how ive suffered each year (silly me!):rotfl::rotfl:
Well done with yr xmas pressies:T i must wrap soon aswell.. made the mistake of leaving it to the night before one xmas.. NEVER AGAIN haha.. was hell on earth

Cherryjack

gailey wrote: »

Everyone sounds very organised bargain hunters with strong willlpower.:D

Dont know what it is with xmas that turns people into spending monstors encouraging others to spend.:eek:

moving money different accounts seems like good idea.:)

cherry jack- my eldest is feb baby and brought lots in jan sale.
my 3rd was born this year april and was so glad last winter when it snowed that I had full freezer with bread/milk and cupboards as the pavements here were awful.

I do get down more in sales as so many bargains.:(

when i get given xmas money I pay debt off with it.
my mum brought me marks vouchers which i used to buy food.

doubt I will do many partys.



hoping to get xmas shopping done over next few weeks before it gets too busy.

So true best to get stocked up before the snow.. nothing worse! get the hot choccy in :-)

Deniseg4

Morning all! Don't be negative about Christmas, its the loveliest time of the year, and contrary to popular belief, you don't have to spend a fortune! We used to always buy a real tree until a couple of years ago when we couldn't afford one at all, and didn't have a fake one anymore to replace it with. Instead we went out and found a huuuugggee leafless branch, stuck it in the tree holder and decorated, it was the best tree ever! It looked really arty.

IMO the only money that should be spent at christmas is on the kids, they need their belief in Santa to be maintained, but not if it means being in debt all year! As for adults, you can make all sorts to give as gifts. Knit up scarves with charity shop wool, or wool recycled from old jumpers, make lovely scented moisturisers from simple natural creams with essential oils added, same can be done with bubble baths etc, make hotwater bottle covers from old jumpers, clocks from old LP's, or if your skill lies in cooking, make jams and curds, or homemade mince pies (plenty of time to make the mincemeat). You can use old food jars and decorate them. You can make lovely domino sets just by painting similar sized smooth stones, make lovely plaques from old slate, rag rugs from worn out t-shirts....ok, its easy for me to say, but if you google homemade gifts there are loads of ideas out there! Gingerbread cookie mix layered in jars with a cheap cookie cutter tied to the outside with ribbon, even a jar of homemade cookies, peppermint creams (which are so easy to do!). Most people prefer a handmade gift.

As for dinner, if your having everyone round, don't be scared to ask everyone to bring something, and make sure you have a suitable way of storing leftovers. If you're anything like us, you should have enough to feed the family for a week! Also, make time to go around the supermarkets right before closing on Christmas Eve, that's when the best bargains are to be had!

The most important thing is to remember that Christmas is about family, go to a carol concert at your local school or church, even if your not religious you'll love it! Wander round the Christmas markets even if you can't buy anything, take joy in wandering round and scoffing at the prices, and muttering, "I could make that". If you can do it cheaply, go to your nearest city just to look at the lights. Lose yourself in the spirit of Christmas, with no money or plastic in your pockets

Hermia

I haven't been to our works do for several years. The two managers who organise it are fairly well-off and married so they always choose a dinner dance evening at the local golf club. It's an expensive evening (£50ish) and not much fun if you are single. We only have one man where we work and the husbands won't dance with the single women. The singles therefore spend £50 to watch couples dance all evening! Most of my single colleagues don't go so it's not an issue.

The rest of the events I go to aren't too expensive. I seldom drink so I don't end up spending a lot. I buy presents/cards etc throughout the year so I am nearly finished with my Christmas shopping. I don't want to go Christmas shopping in December. We have planned a fairly frugal Christmas meal and am only buying enough treat foods for a couple of days. My waistline doesn't need me to be eating nuts and chocolate for days on end!

I do enjoy going to the theatre around Christmas so that will probably be my big treat.

gailey_2

Sounds like everyones got good coping mechanisms

Think important things to remember is

Have the willpower not to feel pressured into going to things you can afford.

Dont gain any further debt with present buying-I love making stuff.

Enjoy the xmas atmosphere despite being on budget I will be browsing the xmas markets maybe treating myself to coffee when take mum to bath.


Got nativity to go too
I help out at school xmas disco
will probably attend mass
take girls to see a cheapish santa
go outdoor iceskating
shop the food bargains to keep me well few through bleak month of jan.
try and see as many family and freinds as I can.

Hubby gets paid on 15th as usual a thur.but december can be nitemare with different pay date and extra expenses on normal month.

trying to decide what meat to have as I like to buy freerange poultry but a turkey so pricey these days havent ate turkey in 4years!

I think a lot of people get down and stressed over december and remember we all in same boat and its not sinking!

Rememember the people around you spending loads maybe increasing their debt to do so.
The best present will be being debt free-one day you will have choices and options .

Other things to be thankful for that we had lighbulb moments and we doing something about it!

That we have such a caring supportive community here.