Am I Being Stingy?

summerday

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

Hey

Ive gone from a size 30 to size 12/14 in past year. Its gonna be like Xmas

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

Wow that's an amazing achievement PP you should be very proud of yourself.

Sarah.x

Norma_Desmond

Gifts should never be expected! My in-laws always spend an obscene amount of money at Christmas (Playstation 2 as a 'stocking filler' for a 10 year old is one example) and a couple of years ago Hubby and I said enough is enough and told them not to buy us anything, and in 'return' we'd donate money to a chosen charity instead. They still buy us stuff however, but we've stuck to our guns, and belive me, it doesn't go down too well - they just can't understand where we're coming from, and that we do not want to be part of this 'I've got everything but still want more' culture. This year we will be donating as much as we can afford to charities helping out in poor, starving Niger.

Bun

I think that a home business as personal shopper could be on the cards! You've done a fantastic job, and put so much effort into sourcing things everybody will love you can't go wrong really. Your family will be pleased to see you and will be dead chuffed that even though you find it difficult, you have been to so much trouble.

I am determined to start early for Christmas, and buy on the internet and make some presents, and hopefully will be able to do as well as you!

The charity idea is fab. I am spending a part of my savings for Christmas on monthly donations to Save the Children instead. Caring for your family and doing other things that are important to you with your money has priority over feeling you have to spend on things which shouldn't be expected anyway.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

nightsong

Just a thought, for a while we had a maximum value of £5 per gift for adult presents at Christmas, agreed by everyone in advance of course. It was quite fun trying to find something appropriate for that amount, and everyone was doing the same so there was no disappointment.

gallygirl

johannamse wrote:

You made me giggle!! thanks.

Sound like youve got a great family to me. My Mum is a nightmare. If you don't spend £50 on everyone she thinks you are disgusting.She even sticks her nose in when you have got a cheap pressie and tried to disguise it as an expensive one, "mmm, where did you get so and so's frame from?" GGggrrrr. Hubbys family are the same, and were totally disgraised at our cheapo presents last year. I think some of them are still in a huff. What can you do ey? Youve got to laugh. Some people have no humility have they?

So, sound like you have fewer people to buy for this year then - I certainly wouldn't waste my hard earned money, or just as important, hard fought for time, buying presents for such ungrateful people!!!!

jazzyjustlaw

I dont think you are stingy. You have done really well. I think how much you spend does not come into it. I always hear people say well I spent so much on so and so so to make it fair I have to now spend more on the other one. I think it is rubbish. If I was a member of your family I would be more than happy.

Well Done you.

calleyw

well if you stingy what does it make me.

I budget £5 per person. That is for brithdays or christmas apart from my stepchildren about £30. £10 on presents and the rest in a bank account.

I look for deals and I hope that I get something people can use and like but I am always looking out for bargains and freebies. Which helps to bulk up the presents.

Well done I think that you have been more than generous.

Yours

Calley

Smiley_Mum

Penny Pincher,

I think the fact that you are taking presents for everyone is really nice, very thoughtful. It's the thought that counts after all, not what something cost etc. What messes things up is expectations.

Don't feel guilty, you've gone to a lot of trouble etc with those gifts and a lot of thought has gone into them, if your relatives aren't happy then it is their problem, not yours. Quite frankly if someone I gave a gift to wasn't happy with it then I wouldn't buy for them again, they can go and whistle. Expectations.....

Penny-Pincher!!

Hey There

Thank you all for your lovely comments...I feel alot more relieved now

Im sure they will like the pressies and kids love anything wrapped up..lol. I think Im more shocked that this time last year, I would have just spent a firtune without much thought and with no concern for what they would like. Just buy this, that and the other because it looks ok and just bunged on the credit card :eek:

It all does seem still a little alien, but Im quickly getting over it. Looking at my "conservatory fund" standing at £600-just through cutting back on the groceries and petrol the last 5 months, also becoming debt free in 7 months with no loans or credit cards makes me very happy :j I used to exclusively shop at M&S or Waitrose. Most weeks a ton of food would be binned and take-aways bought 3 times a week We are saving over £600 a month compared to this time last year, and this is mainly going on the debt as well as keeping a few hundred in the bank as a float

I enjoy money saving and it has become my hobby as well as keeping me sain..well as much as poss. Being indoors 24/7 this website is my life line and enjoy coming on here daily.

Thank you all

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx