Sort of giving up for Christmas

seriousDFW

Does anyone else feel like they just want to relinquish control over finances for Christmas, try not to spend too much but not watch the pennies like normal, and then just reassess at the start of January and go from there?

I'm trying to fight the temptation but feel there are things I am going to give in to because it's Christmas, like drinks/meals out that aren't in budget, extra presents etc that will cause me to spend more and I just justify it by saying "oh well it's Christmas, I'll just start again in the New Year".

How do I avoid this?!

tealady

Just tell yourself it is ONE day out of 365. Just keep making excuses re the parties, and treat yourself to something free (like a long soak in the bath) on the day itself. Then you can start the new year having got ahead of yourself. Apart from presents I don't go overboard at Xmas, I hate going out on dark cold nights and will be at work apart from the holiday days (IYSWIM) so it won't be much of a holiday for me.
I never spend much at Xmas anyway and have had envious looks from people who I know are in debt when they realize I'm not, and I have less money than they do but I don't have the things bought on credit they have (and are still paying for BTW)

freebyfifty

I have actually found that this year I am feeling the opposite to what you've said.
In past years I have just spent and worried about it in January and february and march and...... etc etc. I am still paying for last Christmas this Christmas on one catalogue debt :eek:
This year I have been so much more determined that I will not be increasing my debt and I have watched every penny like a hawk. It's going to be such a great feeling getting into January and not having to worry about how to juggle my finances.

Stay strong.....it's only ONE day and you have to think about the rest of your life

Swans1912

This is the first year my wife an I haven't spent any money on presents for anyone. We do however have a present for my younger brother and the wife's younger brother... (one of those is a gift voucher we had in the draw) no one else. We mentioned to our family several weeks back that they shouldn't feel obligated to buy us anything as it is not what Christmas is all about.

So it is safe to say that this is the cheapest Christmas we have ever had. Our parents have told us they don't give present to receive and still plan on buying us something anyway... very nice of them but wish they didn't feel the need to do so.

Triker

Hold on to the feeling you'll have that at the end of December and beginning of January you will have not got into more debt and have not bought into (pun pardon ) the mass shopping frenzy that is christmas.

Also, every year, without fail, the sales start and if people had just held off their christmas shopping for a few days they would save a fortune.

Given that the high street are reporting less sales overall, expect bigger sales happening, probably before the christmas period.

I have a small (read tiny) amount of savings, my challenge is to not touch them at all over the festive period.

Good luck. Best pressie you can give to yourself is to not waver.:D

boogiemaster

I'm sick of paying it back for six months and to be honest you can always treat your family later if you have a bit of spare money

Tis the season to be in debt but this year them fat cats go on a diet at our house

taplady

now is the time to think about Christmas 2012.

Aim to save a little every month so that there is no need to get into debt at all.

Cut down on who you buy for.

Try and buy cards, wrapping paper etc in the sales in Jan.


We were in serious debt but managed to pull ourselves out of it but it took 5 years. We have set ourselves a budget since becoming debt free and had saved enough for Christmas so that we didn't have to worry and its been wonderful to know that its all sorted out:)