|
|
|
|
|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
|
[Poll]
|
Budgeting for Holiday Spending?
|
| We designate specific savings for holiday things. |
|
| We don't designate specific savings for holidays. |
|
| We have a Christmas Club Account. |
|
| We have a specific budget for gift giving. |
|
| We have a specific budget for travel. |
|
| We have a specific budget for food/entertaining. |
|
| We don't do anything special to prepare for spending more. |
|
| We use credit cards, and pay them off later. |
|
| We really don't spend any more for holidays. |
|
| We don't give presents for Christmas. |
|
| We budget for more charitable giving. |
|
| We don't have a budget (but we should) |
|
| We have a budget (but don't stick to it) |
|
| We spend $100 or less for holiday things. |
|
| We spend $101-$499 for holiday things. |
|
| We spend $500 - $999 for holiday things |
|
| We spend over $1,000 for the holidays |
|
| We spend over $2,500 for the holidays |
|
| We make our Christmas gifts |
|
| OTHER (please explain) |
|
Total Votes : 59
|
(last vote on : 10/16/2009 11:40:47 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
|
|
Login  | |
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/21/2009 3:45:54 PM
|
|
|
blessedinnyc
Posts: 2903
Joined: 10/12/2007
From: NYC by way of Chicago
Status: offline
|
I do my "budgeting" on an accounting basis where I look at each month, see how I did, and adjust my spending accordingly.
Usually, I will set up accruals for holiday spending in November, so I will pretend I spent half what I normally spend for Christmas in November and then go ahead and pretend I spent that amount less in December.
It's a bit of a hack for a system that's not designed to provide much insight into extraordinary spending as well as budgeting, but an actual envelopes system requires a lot more organization/work than tallying your bank accounts at the end of the month and seeing where the money went.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/21/2009 3:48:15 PM
|
|
|
Miss Giggles
Posts: 5203
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
Status: online
|
I am opening a christmas club account at the beginning of next year. Previously I take out some cash out of my checks in nov and dec
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/21/2009 10:05:22 PM
|
|
|
timzagain
Posts: 34
Joined: 5/6/2006
Status: offline
|
I shop for gifts year round to spread the costs of gift giving over several months. The gifts for DH and the children are usually bought closer to Christmas. I prefer to buy the gifts instead of setting aside the money because I'll probably re-direct some or all of the Christmas savings otherwise.
I've been very good at sticking to the budgeted amounts for the gifts for the nieces, nephews, siblings, parents etc. However, my husband always gets a bit carried away, buying "just one little thing" for our children (ages 11 - to 19) I love my husband's generosity but we have to come up with a different plan if we are to start the new year on a good note!
Travel has not been a part of our Christmas tradition, however, if DD goes away to college next year, we'll have to budget for her trip home for the holidays.
My parents, sis and her family come over to our house for Christmas Eve dinner. We're going to scale back on the menu a bit this year - money is a bit tight right now - but we'd still like to maintain our traditions if possible
My goal this year is to lower our spending significantly - so far, so good. God has blessed me with advanced bargain-hound skills. As a result, the gifts I have bought so far are quite a bit less than budgeted. My biggest challenge will be resisting the temptation to buy more decorations - definitely a weakness of mine!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/22/2009 3:07:51 PM
|
|
|
MamaAng
Posts: 127
Joined: 4/20/2009
Status: online
|
I shop year round for Christmas gifts. Most of my shopping happens in the fall. I browse clearance sections for items that fit the individual. For my son, I shop close to Christmas because he still believe in Santa. I have to wait to hear what he tells Santa. He is allowed to ask Santa for one big present ($50 or less) and one small one.
We sometimes travel to my mom and sister's houses over the holiday which costs us 3 plane tickets. My DD is still less than 2 years old. We don't spend much while visiting --- usually eat at Mom's house and visit the parks/beach.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/23/2009 6:02:26 PM
|
|
|
writerchick
Posts: 365
Joined: 10/3/2008
Status: offline
|
In the past, my finances have been a bit too tight for much Christmas shopping. This year, there's a bit more room since I've learned hardcore couponing. I've already started putting together some pretty nice gift baskets with things that I've gotten for free or close to free.
_____________________________
Secret Bodyguard - Available Now from Amira Press!
|
|
|
|
|
Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/23/2009 7:18:16 PM
|
|
|
PinkCarnations
Posts: 10801
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Harvie
Free or close to free? Cool beans!
Inquiring minds want to know about those deals!
_____________________________
Thank you Veterans.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/23/2009 8:01:57 PM
|
|
|
writerchick
Posts: 365
Joined: 10/3/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: PinkCarnations
quote:
ORIGINAL: Harvie
Free or close to free? Cool beans!
Inquiring minds want to know about those deals!
These deals are all over the place. A couple weeks ago the small Glade candles were on sale at Walgreens 2/$4. After you buy them, they give you a coupon for $1 off anything in the store. Just so happens, they were out of the candles so I got rain checks. The policy is to write the rain check for the price after the coupon which was 2/$3. I had coupons $3 off 2. Voila. Free candles. They're really pretty and smell great. I got 10 of them.
I'm doing the Sally Hansen deal tonight or tomorrow. Buy 3 products, get a $5 off coupon for your next Sally Hansen purchase which makes it perfect to roll. This week, the line is priced at 40% off. Combine that with the coupons I have, I'll be able to get 3 items for about $1 or $.33 each.
I still have several bottles of body wash I got for free earlier in the summer that would be perfect for my swim teammates. I bought 3 tubes of mascara for $.34 each.
Once I'm finished collecting things like this, I'll find some pretty baskets to put them in and give them as gifts.
_____________________________
Secret Bodyguard - Available Now from Amira Press!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/23/2009 11:56:58 PM
|
|
|
SnapperBug
Posts: 49
Joined: 9/9/2009
Status: offline
|
I like to buy presents through out the year when they go on sale. :D Amazon goldbox has great deals each day, and now ebay daily deals can have a pretty good deal. We got wii sports resort with motion plus off of ebay daily deal *ships from buy.com* a week ago for $36 after everything, compared to $50 in store with tax.
Its my intention to put money aside each month for presents, but havent been able to do that yet.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/24/2009 6:13:12 AM
|
|
|
writerchick
Posts: 365
Joined: 10/3/2008
Status: offline
|
I hit the clearance jackpot after work! I bought $103.51 worth of merchandise for $.54!!! With tax, I had to pay $2.20. I'm so excited about how stuffed these baskets are going to be.
_____________________________
Secret Bodyguard - Available Now from Amira Press!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/24/2009 9:10:23 AM
|
|
|
Szaftoo
Posts: 502
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: So. Calif.
Status: offline
|
I shop all year so the money is spread out and not really noticeable. A fun way to shop is to do a search on E-Bay or Amazon for the person you are buying for. Type in their name or occupation or hobby and you wil come up with fun and unique things. I also take advantage of the sales during the bigger holidays. I also shop the week after Christmas.
Wrapping paper and gift bags are fun and easy to make. I get ideas from browsing my local craft store.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/25/2009 8:10:19 AM
|
|
|
danas_mom
Posts: 498
Joined: 6/17/2005
Status: offline
|
I keep my eyes open all year long for clearance/sales and put stuff back, especially for hubby and our kids as their likes don't really change all that much. Recently I found good sized sturdy plastic dinosaurs on clearance at Walgreens for .75 each. I snagged a few for the boys. Got a couple of 100 pc puzzles for our daughter on clearance at WM for $3.50 each, plus each of them has a bonus trading card that she's been asking me for forever but I could never find (something to do with horses). Kroger had a deal where you buy the new X-Men movie and get a free Quattro razor system plus $5 off your next grocery purchase, so I got that to put back for hubby.
I also watch for neat mail-in offers during the year. Kellogg's especially has a lot of nice offers for sending in UPC's or tokens - usually free s/h too. I belong to a coupon trading group so it's easy to trade for the tokens I need if it's not a product that we buy regularly.
Our kids get one big "Santa" gift each year (I watch for good sales at ebay and amazon) and the rest is smaller stuff from us. It works out well.
For the older neices and nephews, I do gift cards and some sort of homemade treat. All year long I do mypoints and save the points to cash in at Christmas. I usually have enough to get $50 to $75 worth of gc's. For the ones in college I do food gc's and the ones in high school get clothing gc's.
_____________________________
I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. ~ 2 Samuel 24:24
Spirit of Ashes Creations
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/25/2009 1:50:05 PM
|
|
|
writerchick
Posts: 365
Joined: 10/3/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Harvie
OK, I want to shop with WriterChick!
LOL, Harvie! Bring it on. I'm ready when you are! You'd probably never believe that I hated shopping until I started shopping like this.
_____________________________
Secret Bodyguard - Available Now from Amira Press!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/25/2009 3:09:33 PM
|
|
|
APZR
Posts: 1053
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: GA
Status: offline
|
Santa shopping it done year round. When we see a deal, we jump on it.
_____________________________
Ya can't keep trouble from visitin, but you don't have to offer it a chair.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 9/27/2009 3:18:07 PM
|
|
|
lexie
Posts: 1151
Joined: 6/27/2005
From: Toronto
Status: offline
|
We don't really buy gifts for people but if we do it's in a gift card form (for family that doesn't live around here.) So starting around October I factor that into the "miscellaneous" part of our monthly budget and buy a little bit for three months.
I also put in our December budget some extra money for charitable giving. I like to pick a few things out of the World Vision catalogue as well as buy some food for the food bank.
Because my husbands job is contract teaching, he doesn't get paid for the Christmas holidays, so during the fall months we also put a little bit of money aside each month to cover those pay weeks that we miss.
_____________________________
I want to be more than an ordinary servant.
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
Budgeting for Holiday Spending? - 
MARRIED TO A MILITARY PILOT ~ PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS! 
