Skint at Christmas

[boo2]

I tend to budget for most things. I save a set amount each month for Christmas but doesn�t go as far as it used to! I�m kicking myself today because I just bought out main Christmas beef joint and some other bits arrived home and have a �8 off voucher for �40 spent ( I spent �43).
DH is not so careful and feels he �needs� to get presents/ treats for a higher amount than I would pay! Then he is surprised when we have no money!

[Doowop]

I think i�ve done ok, I do my present shopping earlier in the year so when we got paid at the end of November the last few things were bought and as I had a list I didn�t pick up extras, we always have family here to open presents and do breakfast for everyone so have that to buy and a big gammon joint which is my contribution towards dinner.

I used to think Christmas meant an expensive meal for a week and lots of drink but other than Christmas Day we just eat our normal food, i�m even debating if I need to buy cheeses this year as it�s only me who will eat them after eldest daughter left home to live with a boy ☹️ (Hope friends fans get the jist)

[orlando10]

Hi
I like to get cashback, use discount codes etc where I can, for Christmas I started to save �5 a month starting from November last year and at the end of October this year I had �60 to load onto my Iceland card in November and gained a �6 bonus and also had a extra bonus if I spent �17 a week for 4 weeks I would gain �7 so an extra �13 free and apart from the �7 bonus there is no time restriction on using your card savings so helps in January. Then some cashback from topcashback I claimed as a M&S giftcard as you receive a bonus so that will cover some food bits. Then also I do Shop and Scan receive about �90 a year so claim that as vouchers to cover some presents and use the cash I would have spent on them to do food shop. So doesn't cost me really any extra for Christmas food shop.
Hope this helps anyone looking to plan for next year and get a little bit extra back to go towards December spends.

[Sandra & co]

Bought all my presents and have only food to buy, we get a few money gifts for Christmas and I will give them to my dd16 for days out with her friends. The money tree in the garden is empty! Going into saving mode in January x

[Minnie18]

I've not got 1 thing for Christmas yet not even a card or a tin of celebrations. I buy Tesco saving stamps during the year for Christmas and New Year food/drink for me these stamps are up there with the slow cooker.

[florida addict]

We get paid early for Christmas on 21st Dec then nothing till the end of Jan ...dreading it

[Megandllsmum]

Originally Posted by florida addict

We get paid early for Christmas on 21st Dec then nothing till the end of Jan ...dreading it

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Both me and my OH get paid early in December too , end of January always seems forever away

[WhereIBelong]

Originally Posted by Megandllsmum

Both me and my OH get paid early in December too , end of January always seems forever away

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We get paid on the 20th of every month. It is lovely. Always nice to have payday just before Christmas.

[Megandllsmum]

Originally Posted by WhereIBelong

We get paid on the 20th of every month. It is lovely. Always nice to have payday just before Christmas.

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Ours is last day of month for both of us usually so it's nice to see our bank accounts swell before Xmas... Just have to remember not to overspend when the sales start cos accounts look a bit healthier before direct debits come out lol

[roxie2001]

I buy the little kids presents throughout the year in sales or home bargains (oh and I have 10 great/nieces/nephews between us so if I didn�t do that it would cost a fortune)
I make hampers for my adult friends, just a selection of fudge, homemade shortbread Jammie dodgers, puddinis and chocolate oak cakes. I buy the glass jars to put them in at car boot sales. Oh commented on how professional they looked this year and dd said I was extra. My mum always cooks Xmas dinner, and only have Dd to get a main present for so I wouldn�t say we have a really expensive time but it still feels tight.
I try to budget every month but it always seems something makes me go over, plus the cost of everything is rising.