How goes the holiday budget?
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How goes the holiday budget?
| Wed, 12-07-2005 - 12:33pm |
How are things going for everyone in terms of dealing with expenses that crop up this time of year?
| Wed, 12-07-2005 - 12:33pm |
How are things going for everyone in terms of dealing with expenses that crop up this time of year?
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Well thus far, I've pretty much stuck to my Christmas budget for gifts. Of course, there are always expenses that pop up unexpectedly. I plan on finishing up my shopping this weekend then I'll get cracking on the wrapping of presents. Thankfully I have all the wrapping supplies I'll need from last year.
My family and friends have discussed it already, this year will be our last Christmas that we spend a lot. My parents have already scaled way back. The other two people I buy for are scaling back next year due to a move so that will help alot.
Good idea, Danni! I do hope to plan better for next year. I've heard that the after-Christmas sales are a good time to do shopping for the following year, so I think I might do that. Also, when the stores start discounting their winter clothing in early Spring, I think I'm going to budget for some sweater purchases. Sweaters make great gifts, especially when you can get them 75% off! LOL! :-D I think I might purchase my holiday cards after the holiday also to get a savings on those. For those gift recipients who are hard to shop for, or might want a specific type of item, maybe I could watch for sales during the year, rather than waiting until November/December to do all my shopping.
I'm definitely going to be doing some planning. :-D
Pat :-D
Argh!! It's not going well at all!! Dh keeps having these things pop up--company gift exchanges, friends he doesn't want to leave out, and on and on. Our expenses have quickly grown from $200 budgeted to $700 budgeted. Luckily, I got a check from my freelancing for $500 that covers it all, but that was supposed to be tax money. And I feel like if we didn't have the money, we wouldn't spend it.
I've been REALLY good. I've been making these gorgeous little personalized gift baskets, and I can't wait to start giving them. They're averaging under $3 each, plus a lot of time and love.
But then there are all the people for whom a basket just won't do...and company exchanges, and family exchanges ($80 just to cover the four people we have to treat in the family exchange, for instance--argh!).
And then the stupid insurance company--dh wanted me to come meet this guy selling insurance. I didn't want to, because I knew I'd feel pressured, but dh insisted he was such a nice guy and everyone loved him and on and on. Well, sure enough he convinced us to sign dh up for a policy with his company because it was cheaper than what we were already getting and we could cancel it anytime in the next 30 days and get our money back. Nevermind that what we already have is a level term policy (premium never goes up during the next twenty years) or that we trust the company we have it with, let's save a couple or three bucks a month (for now). Well, a week or two later I come to my senses and tell dh to have the guy cancel it. Well, he talks dh into waiting a little longer to see if the premium comes in even lower. Sure enough it does. Finally, just before the 30 day deadline, but after they've charged us for ANOTHER month's premium, I get some backbone and tell dh to absolutely, positively, cancel the dadgum policy. Come Dec 8 and lo and behold, they are STILL charging us the premium. Three months premium is roughly $100. $100 that I have to find somewhere to cover these charges until they figure something out, and right before Christmas too. Can you tell I'm a little steamed. So I wrote this nice little letter (it was nice, honest) for dh to sign and send so we have everything in writing, and all he has to do is print it and sign it and I'll mail it. And he hasn't done it!! Argh!!!
Then we ordered some things online for Christmas and the place charged us wrong--another $30 we're out until they sort it out.
It's all money that's supposedly coming back to us at some point, but I sure could use the cash flow right now.
Then dh's car has been needing repairs left and right--$30 here, $150 there, adding up to probably in excess of $500 recently.
In all honesty, nothing's really that bad. Just frustrating. I mean, we have money set aside in lots of places, but I'd rather not be tapping any of it.
Sigh.
Well, at least we're not spending money we don't have.
So, that's my update. Thanks for asking. Whew. Glad I got all that off my chest! LOL
Heather
As far as gifts, we are doing well on money!
However, every Christmas my husband gets laid off for a couple weeks, and we tried to prepare for that, but really didn't do very well. :(
~Aravis~
Great so far.
Well...I (mostly) stuck to my list, but spent about 3x more than intended due to a few splurges. I don't think I have ever spent more during the Christmas season(!), but I am very excited to give my gifts. I am going to have a VERY frugal January to make up for this month, LOL!!!
BK
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