I can't sleep - awake and so anxious about Christmas :-(

[BlueberryMuffins76]

Just that really. I earn an alright wage, I try and budget every month but it just never seems to work. I'm crap with money and can never manage to save anything, I'm always at my overdraft limit by the end of each month. I try and write things down, keep track weekly - but I can't ever seem to keep a grip on it. I have a credit card but it's at its limit and I was refused another one (failed a credit check when moving house due to electoral roll registration) - so that's not an option, and the minimum payment is £52. I wish I could switch to a new card but I'm worried to apply after being refused once already! I am so bloody stressed about how I'm going to afford christmas. I've got a couple of bits, but nothing really yet - and certainly not a present for my DH who definitely deserves something nice. I'm going to start saving in January for next year...but that doesn't help me now. Why can't I get my head around budgeting?! I'm so stressed. I know people have much bigger problems, but I literally can't sleep and I'm just lying here working myself right up about it.

Buy selection boxes for the kids or playdough , crayons etc.Playdough is a firm favourite in my house.

Regarding NYC- you picked a really expensive place to visit. I presume that your airfare and hotel is covered? Just getting into Manhattan from the airport can get pricy. If you are flying into Newark plan on taking the train in, if you're flying into JFK take the subway.
A glass of wine or a cocktail can average around $15, so look for places that offer a happy hour. There are tons of really fun places in the Village that are much better value than bars or restaurants midtown. You could also take a look on Groupon and Restaurant.com to purchase discounted vouchers. I always look online for a coupon code first to stretch my savings. I often get $25 restaurant vouchers for $2 and then use them during happy hour.
For breakfast try Dunkin Donuts- they're all over the City. In addition to great coffee and doughnuts they have really yummy breakfast sandwiches and flatbread wraps. Much cheaper than eating breakfast in a restaurant. I downloaded the Dunkin Donuts free app to my iPhone and whenever I go there I check under 'perks' to see what offers I can get. For example today it's buy a large coffee get a free muffin...that type of thing.
Call your hotel and see if all rooms have a coffee maker. If not see if you can get one in your room. Pack some teabags, sugar packets, creamer etc so you can make cups of tea/coffee whatever in your room when you fancy.
Taking the Staten Island ferry is free and it gives you a great view of The Statue of Liberty. Just don't take it during rush hour! I also recommend walking over the Brooklyn Bridge or renting bikes and riding over.
China Town is great for cheap shopping and beauty treatments. They also have really cheap places to eat and yummy Chinese bakeries. Don't eat in Little Italy though, it's pretty pricey there.
If you end up doing any shopping make sure you google for coupons first- for example I looked for Macy's coupons and found one for 25% off. You'll see lots of street vendors selling handbags. If you go to the ones around Penn Station they sell all their bags for $10- much cheaper than the ones around Times Square. Walking around Times Square is free of course and so if the M&M Factory. Just don't buy any sweets from there as it's way overpriced.
See if you can get TV show audience tickets- again that's free. I've been in the Rachel Ray show audience twice and got to both meet celebrities and get some good giveaways.

So NYC advice over....I think you really need to rethink your priorities and instead of starting to save for Xmas in January you need to make it your New Years resolution to get out of debt. Regarding Xmas I totally agree with other posters- surely your NYC trip is your gift to each other? And why do adults even need to exchange gifts? And I would take it a step further and explain to your family that you simply can't afford gifts this year and need to skip Xmas gifts this year. If you still insist on gift giving then look at the Poundstore and bring back 'I Love NYC' mugs and t-shirts from your trip.

You need to focus on paying off your credit card, spending less, and saving. You should start off by writing down everything you spend. This should give you a better idea where to start cutting back. You also should be paying double the minimum payment on your credit card.

What are you spending your money on?

Does DH know you are in so much debt?

Am trying to say this nicely but.......you really need to get this sorted out before you get deeper into debt.

Dh needs no present at all. You are going to NYC so that is your gift.

Go to Poundland and buy selection boxes, pens and notebooks, Christmas DVds are in there now.......for £1!!!! ((No one will know))

Poundland also do cheap decorations.

Think you need to make time to talk to DH about your money worries.

Hi Blueberry, hope you are feeling more positive.

We try to do Christmas cheaply as well, as others have said DH and I don't buy expensive presents for each other, this year I am going to drop hints Re Marks and Spencer's Italian dessert chocolates! Not something I would ever buy for myself!

We do lots of frosty winter walks and always visit a local cathedral for a choir recital. Usually we potter around a Christmas market too....don't need to buy anything at all, just soak up the atmosphere.

We swap festive DVD's with friends and usually meet up at each others houses for a bring a plate buffets.

In the new year I think you really need to address your debt issues by making a proper plan and sticking to it, you may need professional help with this.

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this link should work, please ignore the first link. This website has lots of money saving and debt advise. Please make it your 2015 goal to get out of debt.