The Happiness Fund.

Skint_yet_Again

I haven't really done any Christmas shopping yet. Just a big box of shortbread when I was in the range the other day for DS as its his favourite.

savingwannabe

Ive done nothing. I am going to use the rent money to buy some things. I dont even know how much I should spend. Do I cut back or spend the same as usual? I'm thinking aloud.

There is no job security at work. I am hesitant to use the rent money. We shall see.

VintageHistorian

I think you need a make a list of people you want to buy a gift for, and then write down some ideas for them, and then see how much each thing will cost (using Amazon or other online shop as a guide).

Then have a serious think about whether you really want to spend money on everyone on the list. There's bound to be someone who you think you'd rather not buy things for this year. You can always give them a gift with a note in saying you'd like to take them out for a cup of coffee in the new year, then some of the cost can be pushed back.

With those left on the list, see if you can find a cheaper version of your idea, or find an online shop where it's stocked and see if you can get an online discount code for it (or check Quidco to see if you can get cashback).

It's easier to spend too much if you don't plan I think sitting down with a cuppa and a notebook and having a think will be the best way to start.

savingwannabe

Thank you so much Vintage Historian. It's weird isn't it but other than my parents I'm quite happy to buy people stuff for a tenner each and I would save so much but it's just not done you know?

I don't need anything either. Christmas is about being with the family not buying nonsense. Most of my friends are like me and we don't gift but the one's that do take it sooo seriously.

VintageHistorian

If people are willing to stop being friends with you because you can't afford to spend more than £10 on a Christmas present then I don't think they were friends in the first place.

Could you have a look on Pinterest for gift ideas that look expensive but are actually quite cheap? You can do things like a little winter evening hamper with a mug (£2 from TK Maxx) some hot chocolate sachets (I think you can get 4 for £1.50 from Tesco?) and a box of shortbread, should come in under £10 but if you manage to get a nice box of biccies and a posh looking mug then they won't necessarily know how much it all cost!

That said it's always easier said than done, especially if you don't necessarily have easy access to a wide range of shops Could you try starting a thread asking for cheap-but-posh-looking gift ideas in the Christmas part of the forum?

Skint_yet_Again

I agree with VintageHistorian true friends and close family won't care if you don't buy presents. I would rather someone offered to clean my oven, or took me out for a cheap lunch or afternoon tea voucher can get those for £10 locally or on groupon. Maybe you could give out IOU's instead maybe a free nights babysitting or dog sitting whatever you can manage. Or just come clean and say you can't afford it, you never know they might all be relieved and in the same boat x

savingwannabe

I might have to. I'm still thinking about it??????? We have 3 weeks till xmas hols. This weekend I am going to Winter Wonderland. I will try not to spend too much. I'm taking sarnies as much as possible.

The sun is shining but it is freezing cold. Please let work pass quickly this week. Susan is coming tonight. I will be so busy with marking and setting work this week.

savingwannabe

I came home and ordered a huge Chinese with my birthday money for myself and lodger (we take it in turns). The food was rubbish but it saved me cooking. lol.

Skint_yet_Again

You didn't mention it was your birthday :bdaycake::bdaycake:

I hate it when you treat yourself to food and it's not up to scratch, such a waste of money but totally understand when you cba to cook. Hope your blood test goes well, does Chinese affect your sugars much ?

savingwannabe

Hello to be honest the food was so pants lodger and I had half of it and put rest in the bin. What a waste of £21 from my birthday fund.

I was supposed to go for a blood test but my sugars were too high. This was caused by eating chocolate. Today I am going to do something positive and ask lodger to bring cross dresser into kitchen that way I can work on getting thin. I am hoping the endorphins from this will help my depression rather than me constantly sinking into an abyss of comfort food.

Also I will go to pharmacy and buy some eye ointment for an eye infection. Then I have plenty of work to do.