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foreverserenity
Join Date 06/2004
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Keep Your Holiday Spending Under Control

Just in time for Black Friday!

November 19, 2007 5:40:05 PM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Liz Pulliam Watson offers up some good advice for those of us who wants to take it, about being frugal for Christmas, if there's such a thing! There are many who will go all out as they usually do, why, because it's Christmas of course! But there are things we can do and many ways we can hold off on going over our budget for the holidays!

In an article entitled Have a tightwad's Christmas on msn.com/money, Ms. Watson suggested the following:

First off to try something new!
We can make our list a lot lighter. For most of us, our lists tend to be endless. I know I for one like to get our kids a couple of items, it's like the more the merrier, especially if we didn't go all out for their birthdays! So take something off that list!

She suggests exchanging Christmas cards instead of gifts with adult friends.
Focus on the kids, get them the gifts and don't buy anything for the adults. That's an idea if you want to do it I guess. My suggestion would be to perhaps not go as expensive as you would normally do but still get something nice!


If you plan to have a party or even to go out to eat, have a pot luck instead!
I think this is a fantastic idea and that is what we plan to do for our office party this year!


Use last year's decorations and clothes!
I've done that before, for myself that is, reuse what I had last year, nothing wrong with that!


Put names in a hat and buy gifts only for one member of the extended family.
Great idea especially if there are a lot of people in your extended family!

She also suggests going on line to different Web sites to look for bargains, and also to get coupons if there are any. Last year I gave a list of Web sites where you could go and find bargains and also get coupons. I will see if I can find it again and re-post it!


She also suggests re-gifting, very carefully, giving to your friend's or family member's favorite charity. Even going to a rummage sale! You can see her full article linked below.

If you are one of those who brave the crowds on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday......wear comfortable shoes and go get them sales!


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foreverserenity
Jythier
Join Date 02/2003
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Reply #1 November 19, 2007 5:53:22 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I heard of a fun way for Christians to keep their spending down, well, hopefully.

Three gift Christmas plan - JOY
Jesus
Others
Yourself

You get one gift related to your spiritual journey (I suppose that could work for non-Jesus followers too).
One gift related to something you can do with others, for others, or anything to do with other people.
One gift just for you.

Hey, why not?
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foreverserenity
foreverserenity
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #2 November 19, 2007 8:16:44 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
You get one gift related to your spiritual journey (I suppose that could work for non-Jesus followers too).One gift related to something you can do with others, for others, or anything to do with other people.One gift just for you.Hey, why not?


Yeah, why not? Not bad ideas and especially including yourself! But I would skip giving anything overtly religious just in case!
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dynamaso
Join Date 09/2004
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Reply #3 November 19, 2007 9:37:38 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
My family does a Christmas draw (the names from a hat suggestion). It works very well and means we don't overspend.
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Dr Guy
Join Date 09/2004
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Reply #4 November 20, 2007 8:42:58 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
If I do venture out on Black Friday, it will be to one store and for one item.  The rest of my shopping is going to be done on the internet (with few exceptions).  Less crowded.
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Locamama
Join Date 12/2003
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Reply #5 November 20, 2007 9:48:06 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I did the after Thanksgiving sales last year and this year I am staying home.  It's just too crowded and crazy for me.  The savings aren't worth the stress.  Kohl's is opening at 4 am this year.  That's just crazy.  My number one priority in Christmas spending is my boys.  I can't afford to buy for everyone.  It doesn't mean that I don't love them.   
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Jythier
Join Date 02/2003
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Reply #6 November 20, 2007 9:59:40 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Well, the JOY thing was for immediate family members... Usually family members is where you can really spend if you don't have a gift limit.
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foreverserenity
foreverserenity
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #7 November 20, 2007 10:26:17 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
My family does a Christmas draw (the names from a hat suggestion). It works very well and means we don't overspend.


That's great! Keeping it to an agreed minimum of how much to spend is also what some people do!


The rest of my shopping is going to be done on the internet (with few exceptions). Less crowded.


Yes, Internet shopping has become the 'rage' and is so much easier to do now a days! My only problem with that is if things are not what they look like when you get them.


It's just too crowded and crazy for me. The savings aren't worth the stress. Kohl's is opening at 4 am this year. That's just crazy


Agreed! It's nuts and people go NUTS!


Usually family members is where you can really spend if you don't have a gift limit


Yes, immediate family members are the ones to go all out on, unless it's a really good and close friend and you want to do the same for that one person!
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