Saving money at Christmas

Nurse2047

Yes we only buy for children in the family now both sides. Still I need to budget for it though and put aside £50 a month to cover the cost. 

MovingForwards

I've a spreadsheet budgeting for the whole year.

I pay my council tax over 10 months. During the 2 CT free months I pay that into savings.

September - December the savings row is reduced and the miscellaneous row increased to pay for gifts and I remind myself I've already saved extra this year.

VICTORIASUSSEX13

Two thoughts from me:

1. Don't call your Xmas budget "savings". It's not - it's money you are putting aside for the purpose of spending. I like the ideas above about keeping it in a different account, or setting up a dedicated savings pot so from the off it's labelled differently to your real savings.

2. Regarding your deposit savings, do you have a structured savings plan for that? As long as you are putting aside whatever you planned for December, then count that as success. You may need to plan to save £0 during December, but if that was your plan, that's a success. If you planned to put aside £100 and only manage £5, then your budget needs adjusting. Maybe aim to put more aside in Jan and Feb to allow you a lower savings target in December?