Christmas conundrum

RubySewSew

I have just gone through my bank statements and totalled up the cost of Christmas. £471.78. This was on a budget and does not include a few frivolous extras that I was able to pay for with cash. It just goes to show that the money can slip through your fingers.

How can 1 day cost so much? And what can I do differently for next year? This is something I think I am going to have to think on over the whole of the next year. If I start saving now it represents a monthly cost of £41 (rounding up to £500). But I don't currently have that in my budget to put aside. I also think that some of the spend was excessive - fruit and veg £56 for example. I am definitely going to shop elsewhere next year. I'm going to have a look at the breakdown and see what I can shave off for next year. I've already decided that the turkey is going - nobody ate it, they were too full of chocolate! Hmmm, lesson learnt, time to plan and move forward....

his_missus

:wave:Hi Ruby!

Christmas always seems such an expensive time

Even if you can't save much each month, just saving something might help. I've started putting away any loose change I have left in my purse at the end of the week. It won't cover the cost of Christmas next year, but will be a small lump sum by December hopefully.

Doing online surveys where you can change points into vouchers could help too. I often give the vouchers to friends as pressies or use them to buy pressies.

Maybe if you're the one entertaining/throwing the party/cooking Christmas dinner you could consider a Jacob's Join next time, where everyone brings some food.

Oh, and buying in the sales esp cards/wrapping paper/toys can save you a tidy sum.

I'm adamant I'm not going to go overboard at Christmas next year and stick to a budget, who am I kidding?:rotfl::rotfl:

RubySewSew

I saw a good friend today, another single Mum who had a TERRIBLE christmas, ferrying her terminally ill mother around to visit badly behaved relatives all of whom were awful to her. We're hatching a plan to share the load and do at least some of it together next year. Communal living is definitely the way forward !