thechinamom
|
We start in January, saving money in envelopes with each persons name on it.
We budget so much per person, put that amount in that envelope and when we find that persons present, we spend the cash out of that envelope.
No plastic, nothing extra out of the accounts. |
|
Danny Dix
|
Tell everyone I'm on jury duty over xmas and will be locked in.
Bah Humbug.
Danny.
. |
|
takkaz23
 |
we have around 60% of our prezzies on layby or purchased at midyear/end of finacial sales |
|
gogo7
|
You have to over eat.
Don't spend any more money that you have. People really don't need to spend a lot and buy expensive gifts. Me and my immediate family have a $25 limit. The extended family is drawing names and exchanging one gift because we would go broke and we only spend $5-10 for the fun of it. The holidays are for getting together for family bonding. It's not for spending more than you have and going into debt then paying for it all year - that a big ouch in the pocketbook. |
|
Richo
|
We do our xmas shopping gradually over the year as we see random stuff. Result or XMAS shopping was finished about a month ago. Spreads the expense over the year rather than in one hit |
|
voluntarheel
 |
pay cash. I can promise you you'll think twice before over spending. Swiping a card is thoughtless, but counting out twenties hurts. And when you think about how many hours it took you to earn each of those twenties (after tax) it really hurts! |
|
Debt Slayer
 |
1. Decide the total dollar amount you want spend (gifts, parties, events, etc)
2. Make an itemized list of everything you want to buy and attach dollar amounts to everything.
3. Adjust the budget if necessary.
4. Use cash to pay for everything. |
|
winters in buffalo
|
I pay cash, so I'm forced to limit what I spend. |
|
kristins911
 |
Avoid last minute shopping. You will end up spending more because you are pressed for time and out of options. |
|
aink
|
Have no credit cards and no access to any other lines of credit. It is only this time of year it really bugs me - but I shall be over it (and extremely happy) on Boxing Day knowing Xmas is over, kids are happy and we have absolutely no debts to begin the new year with! |
|
ammwb123
 |
Don't use credit. Only use cash |
|
Iggs
|
My partner and I set gift limits - it's too easy to go overboard otherwise.
I bake presents for friends and family to save money. I don't think Christmas always has to be about keepsakes - we all have enough keepsakes!
And I save like mad all year to ensure we can afford to have a bit of fun over the holidays without suffering for it later. |
|
Taylor
|
Stop and think...do I want to spend a buttload of money on crap? |
|
cazbbb
|
We only buy for the young children in the family & friends that we actually see at xmas. We don't buy for the parents.
We have a $ limit for each of our 4 children and don't buy presents for each other.
We use our tax return to fund xmas.
We usually survive without the credit card. |
|
witchip00
|
by using only cash for christmas shopping, once you run out of money there is no more. credit cards are very dangerous at this time of year i put them away for the duration of the silly season |
|
mister ed
|
budget and stick with it!!! |
|
woodie27
 |
Beginning in January when I am out shopping and see something that would delight a friend or family member I buy it and put it in a gift location in my home. By the end of November I am done and haven't been rushed to buy under pressure which can cause bad choices and too much spending. |
|
Kkrazy C
|
Try to ask in ahead of time what the person/people in your life wants, starting now and not too late to be obvious. You can also do this by telling them to make a list of three things they would want and then tell them you might get one for Christmas "depending on the price". Overall, look at who you ate buying gifts for and make sure you are not the only one buying gifts because when you have others helping you buy gifts, you spend less money (and so do they). Keep it short and sweet so you will not have to cut out on anything else, and so you could pay your bills on time. |
|
loving30
 |
i try to start doing christmas shopping in september.
a little bit at a time helps take the pressure off. |
|
Dominque M
 |
i think you should think about how much money you are going to spend like $1-$30. and then for the rest of the gifts make them |
|
vpcso
|
I would have thought that the obvious answer is to be self disciplined with money. Don't buy expensive gifts and don't buy too many gifts. Start a Christmas savings plan from January 1 each year in ahigh interest online savings account and you will be amazed at how much you can save in 12 months. Raboplus is probably the best private bank with unbelievable security and offers a 7.25% interest. The more you save, the more interest you earn. You then earn interest on the interest. |
|
purplebuggy
|
I buy Christmas presents all year 'round, that way the overpriced items don't worry me and I don't have to spend everything at once. It also means I can find the perfect present rather than beating a deadline and just resorting to anything. |
|
Dean S
|
don't use your credit card.and watch what you spend. |
|
miss schlonky
|
I ignore Christmas and just go and lie on a beach in the middle of nowhere for a few weeks. But I remember birthdays. |
|
| |
|
Homepage 
Financial
Forum 
Personal Finance 
No Spam
Adult 
Gambling
Unfinished
Deception
Plagiarism
Not English
