Hristmas debt

[Sillyme1]

How many of you put yourself in debt because of Christmas.not nosy, just wondering. In case you are wondering I am a lower than average paid pensioner.

This is actually the first year I haven't gone into debt at Christmas. No Klarna, Paypal, credit card etc. I paid for everything upfront for the first ever time

We dont get a loan we save all year for Christmas. Its not a big Christmas but is nice. Dd is a teenager but is ok.

I try to spread the cost over the year getting few gifts in the summer and theatre tickets when they are released in the spring but its still tight, i forget that I'll need an extra half tank of petrol to visit family or money for drinks after work. I do dip into savings but try to repay myself ASAP.

Technically I did in a way - my work are part of a techscheme so I brought stuff through that and then it gets taken out of my salary each month

No, never. I can't imagine why anyone would ever do that. I've had times of great poverty, and have just given / spent less.

Nope. We also had plans coming in 2026 that would have had a serious impact on our expenditure (they are not happening now for various reasons, although, we have shifted our focus now to something that is still going to be costly, just not as costly). On this basis, this year year, given most of the children in the family are now teens and both my brothers have plans that see their families needing the money too, my brothers and I all reached out to one another and decided it was pointless buying expensive gifts for us and our children/step children and to just get a small something to unwrap and leave it at that to avoid exactly these circumstances. I also reached out to some friends who we dont see as much for the same reasons. I think it’s best to have a conversation and be honest with people and discuss these things than put yourself in debt.

This is what I hate about not having cash anymore. I used to save my £2 coins and by Christmas I would have a nice sum to buy presents. It’s not the same saving by bank account. I’ve still got a money box with £2 coins in.

I used to… when the kids were growing up it was a massive struggle with huge mortgage and bills, could barely live so in the days of catalogues thats how i bought xmas presents, replacement washing machine, school shoes etc, it was a mightly debt that took years to pay off… but there we are … we all have different struggles…. And we all do things differently.. main thing is, we do our best

When i did do xmas no never got in any debt ever.
Ive not done it in years now but i still save throughout the year with park, and spend it on myself.
A spending spree once a year.

You need to get ahead and save up a little a month from January onwards. That's better than paying a debt off. Christmas isn't a surprise, it's the same date every year. You don't need a massive Christmas to have a lovely time.

A little bit, and there will be loads of people who have. I normally end up putting a bit on Klarna so it is paid off by February, and I bought some bits from very which will be paid off before the interest free period ends.

No

I used to save £50 per month for 10 months a year but I don’t do that now.

I always had one big purchase on my catalogue and when that was paid off I bought the next thing I needed. I remember my DM teaching me to do this.

Well done!

I've not gone into debt, but I am careful and very much shop on a budget. January is always a tight month money wise, just because of the increased food costs, entertaining, present buying etc, but I just have a frugal January, maybe put a few more things on my credit card, but I always pay it off in full every month so no interest. I know I'm lucky as many people don't have that luxury

No, but I think nothing of buying second hand presents for DS and don't give to many other people.

I do the park vouchers and so instead of paying after Xmas, I pay a bit each month before Xmas.

I will also save a bit every month from sept for things like Amazon which aren’t covered by the vouchers.

When my DC were young I used to get in so much debt over Xmas and I would end up with even less money because of it and so it was a vicious cycle.

Its January now and so why don’t you save £25 a week - if you don’t use it all for Xmas then you have savings or can treat yourself.

We also now only do secret Santa for the adults with a limit of £10. So now I’m spending a lot less money overall too.

With the cost of food alone, I should imagine that a high number will have gone into debt due to everyday expenses/emergencies and the rainy day fund that isn't available. Budgeting is all very well in certain circumstances, but true poverty pushes people to desperate measures. It's not all about having only what you can afford. Now, it might be booking an eye test or paying for a prescription. Remember that a lot of working families on basic wages do not qualify for benefits that cover these things and really struggle. Christmas would be just another reason!

No. Not this year. I have in previous years. Never a huge amount. This year I started shopping earlier to spread the cost.

I save all year...not a high income....no debt for Christmas or generally

Never, had some credit card debt when I was younger, took out a loan to clear it (just 5k but still) have always payed off the full balance since.

Unfortunately we did, mainly because we went to visit our son and his family

Nope

Never. I’ve done second hand many times. I’d rather look my kids in the eye and tell them Father Christmas has died than get into debt for Christmas.

*disclaimer - they’re too old now, I mean when they were younger 😁.