Did anyone else plan on cutting back this year but failed?

[AutisticLegoLover]

I have. Again.
Every year I set a budget and use a Christmas gift app to track ideas and spending and what's left to buy. Every year I start buying early usually months before I do the app thing. Then I forget what I've bought until I'm already over budget by the time I update the app. Every single time. I'm a lost cause. Part of me thinks now that it's been a crap year for our family in many ways and why not buy things that I know will be used. I haven't bought anything for the sake of it and no tat. It's mainly books, Lego, pyjamas, those fleece blanket hoodie things, make up and perfume that I know they like, a watch for ds, chocolates for my lovely mum that are her favourites along with her favourite liqueur that she only drinks at Christmas, good quality drawing pencils and sketch paper and a few favourite sweets for the dcs. Oh and a small Squishmallow each. I have cut back on the amount of chocolate I get them because they've still not eaten last years! Two dcs have a birthday near Christmas and even putting things in to those lists they've got too much. Maybe next year I'll start buying on Black Friday and see how I go. I can see that will make me anxious though. I need help! Anyone else wants to join overbuyers anonymous? No judgement here.

Every year I say I will save and do one big shop with what I’ve saved but I never do. I’m to much of a bargin hunter to pass up on deals through the year. I admit, it dose not necessarily make it cheaper in the long run as I think o I got that so cheap I can now buy this…

Like you I buy things, put them away and forget about them. I’ve been a little more controlled this year but only because we moved mid year so I couldn’t buy anything until after the move. I’ve also written down everything as I buy it so I don’t forget, which is great except I don’t write down where I’ve hidden it 🤦‍♀️

The hardest part is when I’m done, feel all super proud, then all the Christmas stuff comes out and I end up buying more because, well it’s there and I know my DDs would love it.

Another problem I have is I live vicariously through my DDs, today I bought one of them an extra present, not because she has asked for it, but because I really loved it and thought it was cool and it was something I wanted as a child and never got. I know she will love it, I’m not forcing something on her she won’t like.

Even though I’m actually done, I will still buy things right up until Christmas, I just can’t help myself.

I have gone slightly over my v low budget I set this year but everything I have bought has been carefully thought out and I know will be used.

In the past I would have bought things just because it was a bargain especially from the bargain threads! Today I was tempted to buy lots on disney store but I resisted and just got a pin badge for dd1 that was on my list (order went down from £59 to £4.20) she would have liked the other stuff but doesn't need it. She would rather a day out after Christmas than another £50 worth of stuff!

It helps now dds are older so less options to be tempted by! Eldest dd in particular doesn't like clutter so i am mindful of that when buying her gifts. Dd2 isn't very good at keeping her room tidy so I'm being careful to just buy things that will have a home after Christmas rather than lots of random knick nacks.

Maybe that app isn’t the best way of tracking for you. Maybe post it note app on your phone and then transfer it to a paper chart on a wall or inside a cupboard door that only you access. Wardrobe door perhaps? You then have a weekly alarm on your phone to look at the chart and keep it fresh in your head. Or take a photo of it (updated every time the chart is) and look it before you buy anything for Christmas.

No judgment from me. Just suggestions. It’s hard to avoid the commercial pull. I feel fortunate in some ways that I only have DH & adult DD to buy for. 3 gifts each. Easy to keep track of even with DD’s birthday falling on the 29th of November.

I don’t buy through the year either and maybe that’s not working out for you. Perhaps give yourself a timeframe Oct 1st - December 10th or something. For habit if nothing else I start buying for DD’s birthday and Christmas after Halloween. I am finished by the first week in December but that might be a bit too tight for you.
What about the start of the academic year once the kids are back at school?

I do the same thing every year, aim to start in October thinking it will take me a good couple of months to get everything, then hyperfocus on it until it's pretty much done in a week and then I've got to try and contain my excitement/not go overboard with more stuff for 6 agonising weeks!

I have zero patience and ADHD, I'll be stuck in waiting for Christmas mode until it's here. I bloody love Christmas but I really need to start in November instead so it occupies my brain for less time!

I just make a spreadsheet, add to it as I buy stuff so I never forget anything, seems your app doesn't work for you.

I do buy a lot but thats through choice.

I just keep notes on my phone which I now find easier than having a spreadsheet. It will only work if you keep it up to date.

I use them for all aspects of Christmas be it gifts, activities or food.

These threads make me stressed. I haven't done a single bit of Xmas prep yet. Tbf we've just moved house and have to do a massive redecoration project before then. But it's not as if I'd be organised enough without that.
How do you all manage? I guess it's easier if you're a SAHM with kids school age. Sometimes I just feel like i'm faking life because everything is just a mad chase. (I work 4 days and have a toddler all the time I'm not at work)

Being a SAHM doesn't make it easier. Total misconception there. I'm a single parent of 3, 2 with additional needs, and a carer for my elderly mum so I don't have more time because I'm at home. I had more time when I worked full time. More money too. It doesn't sound like this thread is relevant to you so why comment.

I order online in the evenings or while I'm cooking dinner! It's a running joke in our house that Oct-Dec there's a parcel almost every day 😳

I have many online baskets on the go. My tabs are forever at their limit on my browser 🤣

When I shop early I overspend. This year I have written a list, decided not to buy anything more than what’s on the list and have cut back in buying for friends/family. DC’s will have around 5 gifts plus stocking (all things under £3 in stocking). My dc are now teens so it’s slightly easier, there’s not much they want or need.

I am avoiding Black Friday sales unless it’s something on my list, every year I end up buying crap that seems a bargain but no one really wants or needs.

Didn't mean to offend anyone, why the angry response?

@YukoandHiro

@YukoandHiro sorry that was meant to be a flowers emoji!!
Let me try again

@YukoandHiro OK I give up with emojis. Just felt the response was very harsh on you, so have some 💐

Well done for giving it a go! Sounds like while you're not quite where you'd like to be, you're better off that you would have been without the app. Just think if you hadn't started yet (I was smug about having bought 2 gifts so far 😁) keep at it and experiment if you feel you need to.

I'm the same every year and tbh I think it's starting early that's the problem. Gives too much time for overthinking/twitching!

We are actually having a bigger Christmas than usual this year.
I did think last year that we'd cut back, but changed my mind.

I decided if everything was going to be so rubbish, then we'd make sure this Christmas was a real highlight.

The rest of the year has been horrible for us, losing people we love, getting ill etc.. so I'm already finding I need to have that as something to look forward to.

Didn't mean to offend anyone

Sure.

Because you litrally condisended and belittled hundreds of people you dont know by saying their lives arent as hard as yours.

You work 4 days a week so less than most and Im not sure why you say the rest of the time you have a toddler as if that unusual, we all do that both working and SAHM (only SAHM have it constantly).

Most working mams I know are honest about the fact they went back to work for the break because they couldnt take 24/7 with a child and a lack of adult social life, lets face it with childcare costs almost all their wage is wiped out so most don't do it for the great financial income boost.

Its a choice to work or SAHP, neither is 'easier' than the other it all depends on personal circumstances... Im disabled, home all day with 2 under 5s (one with SEN), a full time carer and run my own self employed part time business, life isn't easy because I dont go to sit in an office to chat with adults (who dont need their shitty nappies changing) for several hours a day.

I think it's guilt. We want to make the people we care about happy with some great gifts so we spend and spend even though we know we can't afford it. I never feel like I've bought enough even though I really have 🤷‍♀️

It wasn't belittling it was saying I feel like shit for being so utterly disorganised.
But you guys read whatever you want into it... 🙄

Also @mam0918 I said "SAHM with school age kids" ie the possibility of a bit if time without ankle biting to sit down and make plans.
I know I'm a disorganised mess. I honestly don't know how everyone else does it, as clearly you all do. But I'll make my peace with it.

We saved 100 a month this year for the first time ever instead of trying to find all the money at the end of the year. This has been much easier to get stuff along the way.

I'm self employed too - no office - OP doesn't say anything about SEN. Maybe stop reading anything and everything into every post.
God this place pisses me off. It's worse than twitter under Elon.