that this christmas budget opionion gets out of hand?

[mrsEbruce]

So its that time of year again and were all wondering what others are spending on the children

however if your in the lower end you feel the need to judge those on the higher end for spoiling there children or asking what the could possibly buy or justify the amount

on the other hand if you spend alot you cant ask how the other half manage on there smaller buget without someone saying your smug.

Why does others finances upset them?

Surely everyone does there best and asking peoples buget in the first place was mearly ment as an interest to gauge there own?

it's a bit off asking anyone about their spending - like asking what people paid for their houses or cars - why does it matter?

I couldn't give a shit what others spend on their offspring. I'm a lone parent to one child, I spend what I can afford, if I could spend more, I probably would. I don't begrudge those who are able to.

I think it's sometimes handy to know what others spend, but it's not gospel! I have friends who put themselves into debt to keep up with what they think is 'right', I roll my eyes at those sorts.

I dont understand why people participate in those sort of conversations. Nobody can benefit from it.

Well i joined this site after reading a thread on the subject only as i was interested as to what others were spending and cant believe how catty the comments were getting. Naturally there will be people who spend more than you and less than you but i cant understand people being made to justify there spending its unreal!

I spend far too much every year...... I really couldnt give a flying turkey what anybugger else does so long as my dcs are happy.

Couldn't give a shiney poop, my budget is probarly X X X above a few people's, as my budget is X X X below people's households, as log as you can afford it. But then I accept that people are in a better financially or have different opinions on Xmas day/budget/ idealisms.

Meh some people think their way is the best way and judge everyone else.

Some people don't care about others choices (me) and just gets on with what they want to do.

As someone in 'the lower end', can I say I don't judge people who spend a lot. Like hairy I have no interest in what others spend....aren't they just making conversation?

The only thing that does pique my interest, is that other people seem to be able to make their money go much further than me....I could have a long conversation, if someone wants to tell me about best pound shop buys [grin[

Am not sure what the reason is - surely it doesn't harm anyone if I spend more than you or you spend more than me?

I hate how it seems to be a competition as to who can spend the least, and if people spend 'a lot' then they feel they have to justify it. I did the same thing on another thread and afterwards thought why did I do that? What does it matter to anyone else if I spent what is considered to be a lot?

What is a lot of money to spend anyway? It is an opinion, everyone has a different amount in mind.

Thats true i also only aim to pleace my children on this day and if it costs me x amount so be it i certainly wouldnt get into debt for it. Or judge others i commented on the other post my buget which prior to reading myself and dh thought was average only to be rather rudly told it wasnt! I guess im not used to being told off for spending my own money haha

*lovestotravel saw you on the other post like myself having to justify your spends. Very dignified reply may i add.

I think it becomes emotional when your kids discuss it with the child who got a DS, iPad, Playstation and they didn't. You want your child to be happy and we equate things with happiness.

Thanks Mrs Bruce - I was quite taken aback!

It might be a competition on mumsnet to spend the least but imo it is often those on low incomes who spend the most. But if you buy via littlewoods etc you pay little and often, and spread the cost over a year, so you can spend more. I don't see the point in comparing - it surely depends on what you spend during the year as well. Mine get naff all the rest of the year :)

It might be a competition on mumsnet to spend the least but imo it is often those on low incomes who spend the most. But if you buy via littlewoods etc you pay little and often, and spread the cost over a year, so you can spend more. I don't see the point in comparing - it surely depends on what you spend during the year as well. Mine get naff all the rest of the year :)

Why not just avoid the conversations?
I do, now.

And to balance things I have seen threads where people are pulled to bits for spending too much. But also people are blatantly rubbing what they can afford in other peoples noses and are quite rude to people who don't spend thousands.

It works both ways.

I never wrote the unhappy faces comment or agreed with it! I said no matter what your budget all children will wake up happy thank you very much! I however did say i would struggle with a £100 budget.

Average spend per child 2011, here it says £112.50 and another 2011 survey says £178. Why then would anyone posting they are spending substantially above these amounts be surprised as to questions like how, what, why? It would seem the vast majority of responses on the other thread back up these straw poll surveys that a typical spend is between £100 and £200 per child. For me personally, it's a matter of thinking hard about our materialistic world and how some people see spending as linked to happiness.

www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/8933225/The-price-of-Christmas-112.50-per-child.html

I think my comments were the ones in question

It wasn't what people spend that got my back up, it was someone opening their first post by not only bragging about how much they spend, but also feeling the need to let people know how very little of their disposable income this was in % terms

Which I feel is tacky , gratiuitous and reminds me of the Harry Enfield "consdierably richer than yoouw character

Given this is a thread about a thread I don't suppose it hurts to re-post what I found to be rather brash and unecessary which was

We normally spend around £1000 on our DD but we are fortunate that this sum is easily afforded (less than 1/3 of a months disposable income)

Its just a needless argument in my opinion. It does go both ways but ive watched people say larger budgets than mine in a very normal message and be ripped to shreds for being better off its seems you cant say anything without it being taken wrong and thats the person who mis interprates fault.

Its just a needless argument in my opinion.

Don't start threads on it?

I read that on other thread and i dont find that being tacky shes merly stating how she can afford such a big budget and quite frankly most with that to spend would. Its sad that people are struggling at this time of year and the lady clearly stated they came from nothing and have built a wonderful life in my book thats a pat on the back they deserve not made to feel the should be ashamed of having a good lifestyle. But hey that only my personel opinion.