[New Sparkles]

HI all,


Come in here and get yourselves a list together of what you need to sort out before Christmas! Keep motivated with me in paying off stuff, and in finding bargains before Christmas hits.

Bits about me....
I am in a relationship with a beautiful man and we have some STD- debt! too much, nothing we can't get under control of within 2 years but it has me thinking that we have to be smarter about where our money goes.

So, 1. We have this debt of about $30,000 to sort out, in the process of applying for a low interest balance transfer....

2. We have to buy presents for a kris kringle for his family, so we need x2 adult presents I think the limit was $80-100 pp but need to check....

3. Sell our extra washing machine and fridge either Gumtree or Ebay....

4. He has gone through all his X box games and will trade/sell those....

5. I have a Harvey norman gift voucher from a credit card reward points to regift or use...

6. we have to move from this rental soon, so in process of getting a rental bond sorted out again and gather up boxes and find a place to live.

7. we have agreed that I will pick up extra shifts at work too, so Im very lucky that we have that to utilise too.

8. I threw out our plastic christmas tree last year, and as i will have the kids this year Im nearly sure of ( I am a divorcee) I will go el naturale this year and el cheapo and will probably get a Huuuuuuge stick to decorate for Christmas this year instead of my vision to have a lush green pine smelling tree.

Fess up, What are your goals before the Christmas rush?

I guess I'm using this forum to keep me disciplined and on track, we were aiming to to go to NYC next year, but with soo much debt and the moving of houses sooner than we thought, I am going to cut down and work off the extra debt before we can get to NYC.

[Delirium]

While we celebrate Christmas, I really don't think there's any point in going overboard for it, especially if you can't afford it. I have a tree and decorations left over from years past, so that's sorted. My DDs gifts have either been picked up on sale throughout the year or they're on laybuy which I have been paying off since July. I need to get my parents, nieces and nephew something small, but that's it.

I don't have any debt, but am a single mum on Abstudy, so I need to keep to a tight budget. It's just one day of the year and I don't think there's any point in getting yourself into financial stress over it.

[*melrose*]

Oh i think this is just the right place for me... i spend around $3000 at Christmas so would love to cut that down to at least $2000 so i am on the look out for some bargains.

[lifehacker]

It's just one day of the year and I don't think there's any point in getting yourself into financial stress over it.

this. We don't have debt either but we are paying off big utility bills.

I can't think about xmas yet as we have other stuff going on but when I do it will be very low budget.

I have a gift card (was from stuff I returned) at Forever New so that will be used for one of my dd's gifts. that's as far as I've thought about so far.

[justthegirls]

While we celebrate Christmas, I really don't think there's any point in going overboard for it, especially if you can't afford it.

This. Kid's don't know or care if you spend $50 or $500.

Oh i think this is just the right place for me... i spend around $3000 at Christmas so would love to cut that down to at least $2000 so i am on the look out for some bargains.

I'm sorry, but spending $3,000 is just plain ridiculous. The more stuff kids get, the less they appreciate what they have.


OP, why if money is tight would you throw out the Christmas tree? Also just because the maximum Kris Kringle amount is $80, doesn't mean you have to spend that. I'm sure if your family knows things are a bit tight for now they'll understand if you hand make gifts or don't spend that much.

I think you need to forget about the NYC trip for now. Either that or resign to the fact that if you do go you'll still have a mountain of debt to come back to. Guess it depends which is more important to you right now, going on holiday or being debt free.

[purpleblackqueen]

My list for before Xmas:

1. Settle on House
2. Renos on House
3. Move on 15th Dec
4. Clean Old House


Then I will worry about Xmas- I am about 3/4 way through shopping

[New Sparkles]

I'm a bit of a bah humbug at christmas and really agree that its an overrated day of overindugence... but I am jealous of the crafty people out there who make it a big deal in their houses with hanging up decorations and making it a meaningful day, I would like my kids to have memories of it being more than "how much did you get?" I have pulled out my chrsitmas decos box, and have quite a few of their daycare treats that they made to hang on my stick, so Im happy with that.

In saying that, I'm actually working Christmas day so my kids are going to spend it with my partner and his family. My ex was supposed to take them this year, but

We are celebrating Christmas and my dads birthday 2 weeks before Christmas as they are going o/s this year.

Im looking forward to simplifying the whole concept, I have a few presents for my DD sorted, and I need to get my DS a few things, we have agreed to keep it low this year, I generally don't spend alot on it anyway.


Melrose that sounds like alot! How many people do you buy for? Is Christmas a huge event for you guys?

Mummyone1 thats a start for you at least! I like it when I have presents sorted out before December hits, Like Delirium does! I guess its being more organised throughout the year, not just in the months before hand.

[FloralArrangemen...]

I am allowing about $1000 for Christmas gifts. That includes our family of 7, 2 nieces and a few other gifts. I have already ordered and received a lot of gifts online. I have mainly ordered from Amazon and Book depository. I have bought a lot of gifts for 1/2 the price they are sold for here.

We don't spend what we don't have. We don't have and have never have had a credit card. I use a debit card for online purchases.

[SMforshort]

My tip for planning for Christmas gifts is to write a list.

Write down eveyone you need to buy for, an idea/ideas and a budget.

Then shop for bargains and tick them off.

For the kids - this is what I do:

One family present to share
- budget is up to you. From big (trampoline), or something smaller like a blow up pool or board game to play together

then each child gets:
- book
- shirt
- food treat (they love those multi pack treat breakfast cereals)
- toy (1 or 2 depending on the budget)

And that is it. Tick them off and this will stop you buying impulse items then having to buy extra items for the other kids to "balance it".

If you really plan and be disciplined I think it will make a difference.

[Purebells]

I am on a strict budget this year with Xmas and am hunting out the bargins.

Have already started Xmas shopping. Got DD big present and now just have to get 1 or 2 small presents and her stocking bits and pieces - that will merely be things like bubble bath, shampoo etc - so things that are essential anyway

Family have a limit of $50 or less.

Food - I have Xmas eve at my house so will need to start working out the menu for that. Will just be some nice nibbles and some bubbles so pretty low key

I agree that you need to plan and be diciplined and not go crazy. Its one day and you need to be realistic