Is anyone still paying for Christmas?

[zinggorilla]

I have posted on here recently about my debt problems and I do think that Christmas is a big culprit. I get carried away.

I always overspend. This is inspite of buying presents throughout the year, including second hand gifts in order to spread costs. How can I do Christmas in teh future without being broke for the following four months?

You need to limit Christmas to what you can afford. Work out how much you can put aside per month and stick to it. No deviations.

No. (sorry, that doesn't really make you feel better does it ).

I don't have many people to buy for though. The dc's are still pre-schoolers to they don't want anything and I can still get away with second hand stuff.

what did you spend so much on last year?
write down roughly what you spent on each bit (be honest!) and then decide how much less you want to spend this year, you'll then know the total amount you need to cut and then you can work out where you're going to cut back.

I budget a total amount for Christmas each year. Food separate from gifts. Then I put enough money aside during the run-up and phase it to spend 1/4 of the budget in October, 1/4 in November and 1/2 in December.

If I don't have as much cash as I planned by October I let everyone (DS included) know in advance that it's going to be a token or modest present this year. Literally £2 or £3 for friends and rellies. Boots & Sainsbury '3 for 2' deals are great. Christmas cards I buy in the late December sell-off :) Being up front avoids the embarassment of anyone buying me something expensive and feeling put out that they only get a scented candle or whatever.

Food goes on the CC but I pay that off in full in the January statement. Clean slate for the New Year is the aim.

No we paid cash as we went along.
Much easier and no debt

We put money into a savings account every month purely for Christmas and we only spend what we have. Also put £10 a month onto a gift card for m&s so have £120 for a nice Christmas food shop. Can you start budgeting now for this Christmas?