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Cost of Christmas presents: £10 :)

I was discharged six months ago and I've really noticed how much more careful (read: stingy!) with money I am than I used to be.

For example, I spent under £10 on Christmas presents this year. This was because I did a lot of "recycling" of things I already owned. A friend of mine is really into VW camper vans and I had a set of four egg cups shaped like them, so I cleaned them up (good as new!), wrapped them up nicely (in wrapping paper saved from last year) and he was delighted.

It's almost a joke amongst my friends how tight I am now, but everyone was happy with what they got and I didn't rack up a whole load of expenditure at what is already an expensive time of the year :D

Comments

  • I dont think your stingy, i think it's a great idea, i buy all my clothes from charity shops its a great thrill getting a bargin, i wish i had friends and family that would accept recycled stuff, my 2 daughters would think i was insane if i gave them anything second hand, the next generation hey!
  • Lost2
    Lost2 Posts: 15,626 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    thats a good idea wolfers, why spend a shed load of money on things that people don't want

    lynnellen tell your DD's that they are Vintage :D thats the new word for secondhand :D
    Sealed Pot Number 018 🎄2009..£950.50 🎄2010..£256 🎄 2011..£526 🎄2012..£548.80 🎄2013...£758.88🎄2014...£510 🎄2015...£604.78 🎄2016...£704.50 🎄2017...£475 🎄2018...£1979.12 🎄2019...£408.88🎄2020...£1200.63...🎄2021…£588 🎄2022 £672… 🎄2023 £3,783.90 🎄2024…£3,882.57🎄2025
  • confused76
    confused76 Posts: 12,680 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Great idea Wolfers!! :) there's no point going over the top and spending money you don't have.

    Some of my Christmas presents will be home made mince pies...i'm hoping that people will think 'it's the thought that counts' rather than eww conf can't cook! :D
  • Ineedaname
    Ineedaname Posts: 3,681 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Good for you Wolfers.

    Lynellen - who pays for everything, decides how much to spend and is in charge? You or your daughters?
    When I joined, I needed a name. The forum members gave one to me...I am INAN :D
    "Fortunes ebb and flow and a boat must move with the tide and be thankful that it floats." Judith Allnatt
  • well when you put it like that the daughters obviousley ha, time to make changes me thinks
  • Ineedaname
    Ineedaname Posts: 3,681 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    It's easy to lose sight of that little detail when you are living a comfortable life. At the end of the day, if you don't have the money to buy new then the girls can complain all year but it won't change anything, once they realise that they'll soon accept the fact.:D
    When I joined, I needed a name. The forum members gave one to me...I am INAN :D
    "Fortunes ebb and flow and a boat must move with the tide and be thankful that it floats." Judith Allnatt
  • tigerfeet2006
    tigerfeet2006 Posts: 14,030 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    My lot love hunting for bargains thankfully and will head straight for charity shops when we are out :D they even ask me when I give them new things which CS it came from or did it come from Freecycle or EBay or Mumsnet ( a parents forum that has a For Sale board) and congratulate me if I get a bargain.
    BSCno.87
    The only stupid question is an unasked one
    Loving life as a Kernow Hippy
  • Ineedaname
    Ineedaname Posts: 3,681 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    You've just reminded me TF. A few weeks ago I had a 20 minute wait for a train when I arrived at the station. Thought I'd go browse the charity shop nearby while I waited, only to find they'd moved further up the road, too far for the time I had. Surprised myself with how disappointed I was.:rotfl:
    When I joined, I needed a name. The forum members gave one to me...I am INAN :D
    "Fortunes ebb and flow and a boat must move with the tide and be thankful that it floats." Judith Allnatt
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