The financial nightmare that is christmas...

jellyhead

My birthday's a few weeks before christmas so I never want anything for christmas. I don't want much anyway, but it's nice to get spoiled with something you want but don't need.

This year I'd like a red clock, and there's one in Wilkos for £10. I already have a kitchen clock that works, so I don't need another one - it's an extravagance for me because I'm not used to spending.

Recently people were talking about what their other halves are getting for them ... things that cost hundreds, I just gulped!

aridjis

I like buying for the children, but not so much the adults, who already have everything they need and most of what they want!

jellyhead

deannatrois wrote: »

I'm the sort that opened a Birthday card sent through the post on my birthday and wondered for a second or two who it was for lol. I'd completely forgotten.

But I have in the past, spent a lot on my two children at Christmas. Because of the way things have gone, this year I have absolutely nothing put by.., and I don't know how I'm going to get anything. I'm just about keeping my head above water and trying to figure out how to find another £40 a month to tie myself into one of the 2017 fixed rate tarrifs.

I don't know what I am going to do at all this Christmas.

I've only switched to a 12 month fixed tariff, and crossed my fingers that things won't get much worse.

Is it too late to switch bank accounts? One of them was offering £100 to switch but I don't know how long it takes nowadays. I did it around a year ago and it took 3 months to get my £100, but I think switching is faster now?

You've probably already looked, but there's a thread on here somewhere about making 310 a day this month. I read the first few posts and joined a couple of survey sites mentioned. Crowdology is working well for me - they pay out when you reach £4, by paypal, and I've earned almost £8 already this month.

How old are your children, maybe we could give you some cheap ideas?

MrsE_2

SpottyKnickers wrote: »

We only buy for the children in our families rather than the grown ups. I do however normally bake things for the adults and I buy my Nana a copy of the school photo the children have done together at school.

With regards to my own children, I use nectar points and clubcard points I have saved throughout the year.

Its not about the amount you spend, its about having time as a family. We go on wintery walks and collect stuff to make wreaths and Christmas decorations, make Christmas biscuits and Christmas cards together. Its fun and it doesn't involve ££££.

Exactly. Christmas should be about santa presents for children & everything above in your post. Family spending time together & eating christmas food.

sharloid

Personally I don't celebrate Christmas so I have no presents, decorations etc to buy.

I really don't understand why people feel the need to spend such ludicrous amounts if they can't afford it. What's wrong with just getting them one or two presents and having a low key Christmas?

notanewuser

MrsE wrote: »

Exactly. Christmas should be about santa presents for children & everything above in your post. Family spending time together & eating christmas food.

The rest is superfluous rubbish (IMO).

ska_lover

I don't 'do' Christmas at all these days.

I'm not religious so why celebrate a religious festival, just 'cos it means presents/lots of other people are doing it?

IMO It is all a load of bollards unless you a religious all year round... recently a colleague of mine was talking about going to Midnight Mass on Xmas Eve, and it being her only visit to church each year..

It's like getting married in church just 'cos you want the particular surroundings / photoshoot

I can see the joy in it if you have got little kids however. the magic of santa etc

building_with_lego

jellyhead wrote: »

I've only switched to a 12 month fixed tariff, and crossed my fingers that things won't get much worse.

Is it too late to switch bank accounts? One of them was offering £100 to switch but I don't know how long it takes nowadays. I did it around a year ago and it took 3 months to get my £100, but I think switching is faster now?

You've probably already looked, but there's a thread on here somewhere about making 310 a day this month. I read the first few posts and joined a couple of survey sites mentioned. Crowdology is working well for me - they pay out when you reach £4, by paypal, and I've earned almost £8 already this month.

How old are your children, maybe we could give you some cheap ideas?

It's a seven- day switch now; it came in a few weeks ago. First direct are still offering the £100 bonus, click on the "banking and saving" tab at the top of the page.

Edit: Santander pay me 3% on balances over £3000. Halifax give me £5 per month that I pay in £750. Nationwide pay me 5% on balances up to £2,500 so long as I pay in ?£500? Guess who bounces money between the three accounts every first of the month?
You can get money for a few minutes' "work". Not huge amounts, granted, but it may be enough to ease some of the pressure.

DigForVictory

We used to get ready for Christmas at Toys R Us - happily the lads matured & have been clued into Internet shopping. The historian with 'his' money commissioned a museum grade reproduction seax (anglosaxon knife) and has been consistently sensible with it, two delights for the price of one.

Now they've grown up they ask "how cheap can you find an X" - still needs paying for but hurrah for the credit union....

jellyhead

Luckily my teenager requested a 'vintage' present that cost £20 on ebay

I've bought youngest a present but all indications are that he won't like it. He really wants something that's in the Argos 2 for £15 offer, so I'll see if I can see the scooter I had already bought for him. Next year I won't be in such a rush to sort out christmas early, at least not for my own children.