AIBU to think it is REALLY daft to get into debt buying xmas presents etc.

[IceBeing]

Do people really go into debt over christmas and if so, why?

And any understanding of finance aer.

No, we should all have a value sausage roll with a twig of (scavenged) holly on top. And be grateful. Children? Pah! Take them round to look at the pretty lights in other people's houses, they'll get plenty of magic from that. Draw snowflakes on a piece of toilet paper and use it to wrap a small gift for them each - a Christmas Mars bar's enough, and they'll probably get more enjoyment out of the wrapping paper you made.

See? Debt-free Christmas!

worra ohh it's like capitalist brainwashing for the under 4s.

I wonder why are kids are growing up so materialistic and miserable....

Why they just HAVE to have the right trainers...or ipad or whatever.

Not sure they are going to thank us in the long run for permanently associating material wealth with success in their impressionable brains.

Anyone else think the OP is actually David Cameron?

The Govt aren't succeeding though are they Ice, seeing as the debt has grown?

Nah worra, I can't help but feel old callmedave owes a few quid here and there himself.

I would happily get into crippling debt right now if it were possible to buy the Op just a once of fucking empathy

Ooh no Ice I can't do what I like after this thread can I? There were rules of spending at Christmas I knew nothing about. It has been an eye opener for sure.

If you had a fiver for everyone on the thread you had wound up you would have a lovely debt-free Christmas.

Well this is all v nice isn't it? confused No telly, no Father Christmas, and no presents. Happy Christmas.

I never knew there were such miseries in this world until MN, all these threads about not telling dc about fc, and not giving anything above the tool and a piece of wood to wittle it, then look and give it away ..

Ice, YOU may have been knocked out by the choc orange but other people and indeed even your own DC are totally different from you....and will want and like other things.

Are you going to be giving your own DD a choc orange and nothing else? If so, we are doing a little shoe box at the moment for charity, we can do one for your DD too if you like?

I think you're being a bit unkind. Little children might not notice that they're not having Christmas, but even slightly older children will, children of 4 or 5 will know. They're not really old enough to understand that it's better for their parents not to be in debt.

They are old enough to have spent the lst few weeks at school talking to their friends about what they'd each like to get for Xmas, anxiously waiting for the day, anticipating the presents under the tree, trying to stay awake on Xmas Eve to see Fr Xmas delivering, etc etc.

They're not going to be happy going into school, hearing about all the presents their classmates got, and not being anle to say anything to the inevitable question "what did you get?". It's not going to make them feel better if they can reply "Debt-free parents."

aermingers yes I think that is the nub of the problem. I don't give a shit about xmas so I can't imagine why anyone else would put actual work into it.

I do in fact feel similarly about birthdays (someone asked).

In fact I used to dread november simply because people would start to ask me what I wanted for xmas. I don't in fact want anything. I never have.

I can just about see why people want to make xmas fun for kids but not at the expense of going into debt.

I accept however that it is apparently worth it to other people...I am not sure if I can not think those people are crazy.

I will try.

Our entire financial system is based on debt. This is a fact.

Our current government is successfully increasing our debt at a remarkable pace.

Perhaps you should give it some lessons, Ice

Op are you my sil? Did you send my dd that homemade recycled sock puppet last yule??

Just how many presents does a child need to make it wonderful? Isn't Santa supposed to bring you one present? Why the piles of stuff?

Icebeing
YABU

For those who are stuck in houses that they bought when they had jobs
For those who have been hit by utility bill rises as their income has fallen
For those who cannot move as rents have risen faster than wages
For those who already buy second hand
For those who max out their credit cards just buying food and clothes

to buy children a toy or a treat or even an non essential clothes item will involve going into debt.

50% of households in the UK have total incomes under £26,000

remember that

g
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a
d
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I just asked DS2(18 on 24/12) if he associates his iPad, laptop, smartphone, designer t-shirts, posh trainers with success. He said "No, it's luck. We were lucky dad wasn't one of the many pulled out to be made redundant. We've been extra lucky because he was promoted!"

So there you are.

Ok ice here's a practical, and real, example for you.

I have bought my child a very expensive, practical for their studies and interests, rarely discounted item. Due to a new model coming out the one I bought had 10% off. I was then able to get it from a supplier with a further 10% discount and 12 months to pay it off.

I have the money in the bank to pay it off but I don't need to, I'm paying it over 12 months, while my cash gets (minimal, accepted ly) interest and it is costing me 10 percent less than from anywhere else.

So that is debt.

Is it daft or are you being simplistic?

I think this is an unkind thread too. Most parents long to give their kids a special day and for some it's just so hard. I don't think it's helpful to make them feel feckless on top of everything else.

Kids have always hankered after the newest trainers, tech stuff, fashionable clothes, it was the same 30 years ago, nothing's changed,I don't know why people make out it's different now.

sparkling I am not sure if you will believe this but I am almost as surprised to discover people are pissed at me about this as I was to discover people would get into actual debt over xmas.

As somebody said earlier...no emotional intelligence whatsoever.

I think maybe somebody else should organise the office party...otherwise it is going to be a slice of chocolate orange each then feck off home.

ice I think you need to see the differences.

yes some will act irresponsibly just to have expensive gadgets and spend more on a coat than.they would a months rent.

They are not the same as people who have to go into debt just to have a present or two under the tree. why can't you see that.

why wouldn't you have sympathy for someone who's kids £20 argos voucher is the difference between being in credit or into their over draft.

that's a sucky way to have to live.

Is op Katie Hopkins by any chance?

Just think yourself lucky in your smug little kingdom that you have never been that poor that you live hand to mouth so yes, to buy any type of Christmas present puts you in debt, I know some people buy thousands of pounds of suff on cards, but that is not how most people get into debt.

So please don't ask a question then reply with smug answers when normal people tell you how they are doing their best and how bloody hard it is.

talking If you have to go into debt for clothing then that is a) not a choice and b) nothing to do with xmas.

I certainly know people have to do all sorts to survive especially at the moment.

Nothing daft about that.