Anyone else have to turn to credit accounts to pay for Christmas?

[sammyjayneex]

So as the titles says, is anyone else struggling with finances leaving them with no option to turn to credit cards/ Catologs this year for Xmas. I never have the spare money to buy things out right but do have money to pay the weekly amount.

I agree don't get into debt over one day its much better to save. ive used park and get my vouchers half love to shop (can use loads of places including Iceland so even to top up food shop) and half Amazon.

if u must do credit this year look at the take 3 payments on very as theres no interest that way and if u are a new customer can often get codes to get 30 of a 60 spend.

but remember its about the time spent not all the stuff I remember fun times not what toys I received same with my dd, she remembers silly stuff we did and at school when they drew what they got she drew a toothbrush!!?

No i buy throughout the year and put it aside so that we dont have to get into debt for christmas

I used to be on a very low income and I'd use 0% credit cards or interest free overdrafts to help pay for Christmas, so didn't pay any interest. I don't see why the debt is a problem if there is not a huge amount of interest charged and the repayments are affordable tbh. Obviously avoid silly interest rate loans like Payday loans and the high interest credit cards.

Lots of catalogues quote interest free rates but if you shop around, they charge much higher prices for exactly the same items in other stores so effectively you'd be paying for the convenience of spreading your payments/home shopping. I only used to buy catalogue items from the sales as you could sometimes pick up decent buys and still spread payments.

I've never liked the idea of specific Christmas savings schemes for reasons above, you're tied to a particular retailer and also there was the company which went bust a few years ago, it seems rather risky when you could just set up a standing order for a separate savings account.

These days luckily things are much healthier financially and I don't really specifically put money away for Christmas, just put less into savings over Sep-Dec and spend that money instead. I also spread Christmas shopping over the year, some gifts I'm giving this Christmas were picked up at 75% off last January!

I'd be interested to know what the smug "I don't spend what I don't have" lot earn per month compared to the OP.

Pretty easy to keep within budget when your budget is £££££.

OP I buy stuff as and when throughout the year, when I see it and when I have the spare cash.

I only have one though and he's only little. I can imagine there is tremendous pressure from older kids to spend more than you can afford.

Socially

I said I don't spend what we haven't got nor have ever had a credit card.
I'm not smug though. I am a sahm and dh earns min wage, we have 3 dc but only one dependant now.
We have had some very frugal Christmases in the past and some more expensive ones if we have saved and cut back during the year.
I know it is difficult for so many, but don't see the point in getting into debt for one day.
You can have just as much fun and enjoy the message just as well with cheap or homemade pressies.

Agree with morethan - I don't think I am smug but I would never, ever get into debt for 'one day' - yes, I am sure my teenage son would love an ipad and clothes from Hollister or whatever the latest teenage fad is but he knows he is just not going to get those sorts of presents.

I do think it is sad if your happiness depends on the amount of money you spend on presents; I've been on Mumsnet a long time and every year there will be threads in January about the debt people have got into because of over-spending and the worry it causes ........... long after the presents have been forgotton. .

socially - I earn just over the minimum wage if you are interested.

Same as Ragwort. Ds is 15 and there's things in his room that I've bought him for Christmas that he's never played with or used once. I know that it's hard, the shops encourage you to buy more and more so you don't disappoint your DC, but you won't disappoint them anyway no matter how much you do or don't buy them. It's 'stuff' at the end of the day, and can't replace your time. The vast majority of children wouldn't want a stressed parent, they just want to have fun.

I earn 1.5 times the minimum wage so I'm not loaded.

We don't but the rest of my family do.
Everyone's situation is different.
I save £200 a month for Xmas, birthdays, school uniforms, however I have done this since my first child was born 12 year ago and then gradually increased it as the dds were born, it is by standing order as soon as I get my wage so I don't miss it, my nana used to say what you have never had, you will never miss... So that's my thinking. It just means if I see something throughout the year I can get it without worrying about money.
If you need to resort to catalogues /credit then as soon as it is paid off, why not buy a voucher for the amount you can afford each week and put it away for Xmas...

i try not to. instead i start shopping early and buy a few things each time i get paid. if they want a bigger item i will save until i have enough. i have used a layaway this year to order bikes from halfords but its not credit as i dont get them until they are paid for.

We do it exactly the same as SoonToBeSix .I never really understand this not being able to save for Xmas and yet being able to pay off credit. We save £30 a week for Xmas presents each year. Fully appreciate that everyone can't afford that (or some may save much more) but if you can pay off after the event, then the money should be there to save in advance.

OP - how old are your kids?

Nope, never. I have a relative who gets a wonga loan every Christmas yet spends £1000s holidaying in the Caribbean, madness to me!

socially ?

Strange comment, many are saying like you, they buy through the year, like....YOU.

I am happy to buy second hand, from car boots, baby sales ( have older toys also)....

Freecyle is great as well, esp now as people want to off load and quickly before xmas rush

I know this doesn't help much now, but I buy throughout the year. I don't really notice the money.

I shop offers and sales so I get good deals. This year, so far, I think I have saved around 30%.

Around now, I start to buy food etc with a good use by date.

I got last years xmas dinner in august i think the meat was reduced on meat counter, and i froze it, rib of beer ( £13) for 5. ( one child).

( Waitrose too).

I buy throughout the year but my Dcs are so young it's easy- I wonder how tough it'll be as they grow and hello kitty lip gloss isn't such a huge hit. Luckily we don't do grown up presents in my family.

I do use littlewoods for some things but I have a strict limit for myself. I don't buy things if they have put a massive mark up on and as it's interest free it doesn't cost me any extra, just spreads the costs.

Very do buy and 'take three' - spread payments over three months. I do this if I need something urgently or to get a few Christmas bits. I tend not to order any other time though.

We save £80 per month and that is to buy for DCs and family. I start buying in january sales (december's £80 pays for this as presents have already been bought) and then the odd bits in all the sales which I pay for out of wages. Some years are better than others.

OP, I really wouldn't advise it. I know what its like as we struggling this year too, so I feel for you. Is there anyway you could just buy things weekly or save up & spend just before Christmas? Cut back on certain things perhaps or use £ shops? Would you buy 'pre-loved' gifts for anyone?
Any way that you could give us your rough budget & maybe people have a few ideas to help you work with that? I posted asking for advice & got some brilliant ideas. I also got linked to the bargain thread (which has been great, already seen Minecraft keyring & finger puppets I'm going to buy ) Also the swap thread on here may help.

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I've also just joined a cashback site to help too. Could try that?

We are considered low income here in Jersey. But like i said. We don't spend what we can't afford. I buy throughout the year especially for the adults. I also rely on online alot as most shops you take for granted in the uk we dont have here or don't deliver here.

Not usually. Last year we bought DD a tablet (needed for school work, we don't have any other computer at home). Bought it from Very on 3 months interest free, was all paid off by March. Worked out better than saving in advance, and cheaper too - got the one I was after a couple of weeks before Christmas for almost half price. If I'd have saved diligently in the previous months and bought it earlier I'd have paid nearly £100 more!

Debt is only bad if you're paying interest/haven't made sure you're able to pay it back quickly. If it's a few months, interest free, and you can afford the payments it's a brilliant way of taking advantage of last minute offers.