Christmas is just 100 days away!
We have saved some money already. We spend just about $600 a year, and simply save $50 a month. It's nice to know the money is there. I don't include money for gift wrap, baking, or the occasional new decoration. The amount we spend on that is very minimal.
I wanted to bring this up now for anyone that often finds themselves scrambling at the last minute to find cash or pulling out the credit card. Remember now, how disappointing it is to get that big credit card bill in January.
My suggestion is to make a list now of who you buy for and what you can afford to spend. Add that up and then divide by the number of pay periods you have left until Christmas. Save that amount going forward. Now if that seems like too much to save, then you need to go back and adjust the amount you are spending on each person or eliminate some gifts. Look for deals while shopping to make every dollar count. The sooner you start shopping the more time you have to find the right item at the right price.
I'm going to do a little better this year buying my baking items on sale. Last year I divided the items up and bought them during two different regular grocery trips. This year I'm going to watch the sales, probably in the weeks before Thanksgiving.
How are you planning for Christmas (or other holidays) to make it fit within your budget? Do you have a budget?
100 Days Until Christmas!
September 16th, 2017 at 05:50 pm
September 17th, 2017 at 03:30 pm 1505662241
I wonder how many folks have planned and saved several thousand expense for Halloween.
September 17th, 2017 at 07:59 pm 1505678342
Creditcardfree, we also save money each month in our Christmas Club account so we don't have an outstanding bills. I've been making things for Christmas gifts all year. I have a set of pillowcases that were new in the package I bought at our church rummage sale that I did the embroidery on and have set aside for a friend who will like them. I have crocheted some potholders and dish cloths for some other folks. I have also been making jam and jelly to give away and I have a couple of friends who will get the gift of home canned tomatoes, tomato juice, and green beans. I bake for our church's Christmas bazaar and I look for sugar and flour that go on sale. One store had a sale with a coupon on sugar so I bought the limit of 2 for the sugar. Usually around Thanksgiving they have other stuff on sale so I intend to buy whatever else I need. I also do some baked goods and fudge to give away as gifts. I have been purchasing these lovely little mini loaf pans that are holiday themed at thrift stores. I think they are around $4 to $5 new and I pick them up when they are $1 or less. Most still have the original price sticker on them. It's amusing when I give them to someone with a sweet bread in them. The folks just love the little loaf pans so I figure it is a nice treat.
September 18th, 2017 at 10:35 am 1505730936
I really do love homemade goodies, rob! We usually bake several things and freeze them. Eat a little at a time, but always have plenty to share at work and with friends.
September 18th, 2017 at 02:40 pm 1505745613