Saving for Christmas

chelle1981

Hi all, please don't shout and swear and tell me to go away and it soo early to start thinking of Xmas- but for me who is on a tight budget I need to start planning early as last year I was v v naughty and out stuff on credit card which I paid off in April but won't be doing that again.

This year I'm being strict and setting a budget and not spending a penny over

I lost my mum to cancer in aug 13- it was all very rapid and I'm still coming to terms with it- I live in bham and my dad Aberdeen- I'm close to my dad and he would do anything for me so I always spoil him and spend about £200 on him same for bf- sister £50 her partner £25 then £20 each for outlaws £15 for fb sister and with our friends we always do a secret Santa so £20

So in total £550- each month I have cut down on shopping- we have a aldi open up the road- it is the best place ever so get good cheap quality food- last Sunday bought a free range roast chicken for £5- had as Sunday dinner- leftovers went in a pasta bake which then did off min and Tuesday t- so this has meant I have been saving £50 a month and putting this away into another account so come 1st dec I will have my £550 to spend on presents

I know ppl will say way spend so much and this should be going on debts etc but to me I feel I can afford thus- I am paying off my debts and making overpayments each month

Just wondered what others do- oh also if I see something in the sale and I know it will make a good present I will buy t and keep for Xmas- in January sales I bought 4 presents all at 75% so actually come December I may not even use all £550 after all :-)

so I know I am insane :-D xxxx

double_mummy

you are actually a bit late starting lol

pop over to the occasions board everyone is already in full swing over there

but well done for the forward planning this year

Eyes_wide_open

Wow well done for being so organised. Your plan sounds great.

It doesn't matter what others think about whether you are spending too much, too little its up to you. We all have different priorities and we all walk in different shoes - So go for it xx

Karonher

Agree about it being a bit late to start .

A have been buying bits since January and have an account that money goes into each week. Some people start by putting £50, then £49, then £48 etc away each week until they are ready to buy their presents, but I have been doing £12 down to £1 then starting again.

I love Christmas and would rather cut back in other areas - I never drink at home and dont buy expensive clothes - and make sure that Christmas is as special as possible.

As an atheist I dont see it the the proper way as Christians do and I know it is not all about money but family and friends, and Christmas can be special on a budget, but I want to be able to give people the best I can afford. Often they will have been cutting back on things for themselves all year and it is nice for them to have a treat.

Some people want to cut out all spending other than basic living in order to pay off their debts as soon as possible and that is their choice, but as long as you are budgeting and as you say overpaying, enjoy Christmas.

Seanymph

I too have already bought presents - i buy as I see when it's in the sale.

EchoDelta

Definitely start now! Crazy to try to pay for everything out of one or two pay packets. I have a specific account which I put a bit into each month. Also keep a note of ideas for people so I can keep an eye out (isn't it so frustrating when you have lots of good gift ideas through the year only to go utterly blank the minute you actually start Christmas shopping?!)

[Deleted User]

I don't put anything away for Christmas (or birthdays for that matter), because I don't do either, so I can't really advise.

chelle1981

I've been saving £50 since January so already have £200 saved and bought 4 presents in January so started well in advance :-) thanks for pointing me in the direction of the correct board- knew there would be one somewhere xx

chiefsfanuk

Ooohhhh its such a relief to see this post! As a DFW newbie I was kinda scared to even talk about Crimbo here lol I thought it would be a " No you cant afford Christmas, spend it all on the debt!" kinda mantra haha (Sorry!!)
I think your plan sounds fab, I am going to incorporate Christmas into my renewed budget straight away!! With 3 kids andme being the biggest kid of all at Christmas I really need to think this one through, thanks again for the nudge

FireWyrm

A few years ago, I used to buy savings stamps every week from Morrisons, but for the last few years, I have been putting money away via SO every month - about £100 into a savings account. This year, I've invested the Christmas fund into premium bonds on the basis it is a little like playing the lottery and getting to keep your stake too. We never overspend the fund and most years, it pays for the MOT in January too.

Even if you are a DFW, you have to lighten up once a year or you'll explode. Bedsit Bob may have the discipline of a saint, but I dont :-)

GettingOrganised

I haven't started on Christmas yet this year, but I've been thinking about starting a list of all the people I need to get pressies for and keeping an eye out for any bargains (I will get cracking on this during the week).

Last year Christmas was funded purely from EBay sales from about Aug, I started with DD's presents (keeping to a lower budget than previous years) and completed this by October. I then went onto everyone else and finished in November. This left December for the Christmas food shop - it was the first year I didn't go mad on treat stuff (which I end up throwing away in March).

Hopefully this year, I can get all but DD's done bit by bit by end Sept and then have it all completed by Oct - that would be amazing.