Debt free Christmas but now low on funds

[Bellgino]

Hi everyone,

I absolutely love Christmas, but every year I spend too much and go into the New Year in debt. Well I am always in debt but I go into the New Year with more debt just from Christmas, which is mad.

I made a pact with myself this year that Christmas would have to all be paid for upfront before the big day arrived. I have save money throughout the year, cut back a bit on the presents and I generally try to just be a bit more sensible and I’m really pleased that I have managed to not use my credit card or catalogues at all this year.

I bought my final two presents this morning and the food is ordered and paid for with my debit card. It will be nice going into January without the Christmas debt hangover, however because I have paid for everything upfront I am now very short of money up until the 28th of December.

i’ve got a night out on Friday which will cost a bit for drinks. I’ll also need to put a bit of petrol in the car as well as a general day-to-day expenses with the children etc

i’ve checked my bank account and I have £148 left. On a normal month this would be fine but I’m conscious that there’s a lot going on over the next week and I’m determined to not use my credit card.

Would you cancel the night out on Friday? Or would you go I just try and wing it till the 28th

I would either cancel or go and not drink and not buy any rounds, but probably not go tbh.
You have done brilliantly to have sorted Christmas without getting into debt! 🙌🏻

I would cancel. The temporary ease of doing the socially expected thing is completely outweighed by the buzz of reducing/ removing the financial stress of Christmas.

I would go but just drive and have a soft drink

Id go out and drink lime and soda! If you can’t stick to something like that, yes I’d cancel. Booze isn’t worth the debt.

I would probably cancel because if I went I would end up spending more than planned (assuming you are going out out).

I would go if it’s a night out with close friends, even if you only stay for one or two drinks. Take cash only if you are worried about overdoing it.
Any cash down the back of the sofa or lost tenners in jacket pockets?

If it's just a few drinks at the local pub, I'd go and have a cheap soft drink. But if it's a night out in the city meaning entry to clubs, taxis, trains etc, I'd cancel.

I just wanted to say well done. It takes a real minder shift but once you experience no debt after Christmas you will realise it's such a better way of living.
I put away £10 a week so by Christmas I have £500 towards it. Plus I can buy things off peak if I see them.
Well done and enjoy your debt free new year xx

I’d go if it’s a night out you were otherwise looking forward to and either drive/stick to soft drinks or just stay for a couple. If it’s a night out you are on the fence about or don’t particularly fancy then I’d duck out.

For me the “win” feeling of going into the new year in the green would be too strong to waste away on a thing as trivial as a night out…

I would still go but just drive and have soft drinks

Cancel the night out, and have something nice for dinner- even a bottle of wine for home will be cheaper. You can re-book for Jan when you have a bit more money.

You've done really well, don't add more stress!

I’d still go but just wouldn’t drink

Ooooh- cancel the night out. Instead give yourself a £15 budget to buy a bottle of wine, lovely nibbles and have a particularly nice night in.