austrya Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 We're not doing anything different this year that we haven't done for the past couple of years. We've decided that with Jason's side of the family, only the kids get gifts (there are 10 kids) and the adults were all fine with that. With my family, there's only my mom, my sister, and my nephew. We buy toys for the kid but I usually do something homemade for my mom and sister. This year bath scrubbies, soap, dishcloths, gloves, hats, socks, etc. I think I spent about $20-30 on all of the yarn I used to make that stuff and that's for both of them. With our kids, we set a limit and stick to it. $100 per kid (4 of them). Jason and I don't buy for each other. We're the type of people who buy things as we want them so honestly, there isn't anything I want for Christmas. Plus, I don't work so I'd be buying him a gift with his own money. We do a potluck type thing for both families for the meals. Jason got a raise in September and we used the extra money each month to finance Christmas. We pay cash for everything so we don't have to worry about running up credit card debt on top of everything else. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ZenLunatic Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 In what may be the worse economy in the last century I have never spent more money. In the last 30 days alone I bought a house, washer, dryer, fridge, 2 TVs, Sleeper Couch, Bed, Dining Room Set, Coffee Table, Area Rugs, Holiday gifts for friends and family and had the trees trimmed in the yard. I always seems to do the opposite of realty! Hopefully I am not completley out of my mind! You could be doing a great thing for yourself. The house is the big question. Depends how much of a deal you got on it. Most likely you got a great deal. It will probably still lose value as time goes by but alot of it was lost already. Also rates are soo low at this point, you may never get this buying opportunity. Hope you got a fixed rate for 15 or 30. If you got an adjustable one, I would seriously thing about changing it. Also all those things you said are useful things you will live with for years to come. Those are what is important, because when the dollar collapses, neccessities with cost high. As long as you didnt get all designer furniture, you are doing good. Just hope you didnt put it all on credit. And even if you did, you'll probably get bailed out. Here in America, we reward the irresponsible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 You could be doing a great thing for yourself. The house is the big question. Depends how much of a deal you got on it. Most likely you got a great deal. It will probably still lose value as time goes by but alot of it was lost already. Also rates are soo low at this point, you may never get this buying opportunity. Hope you got a fixed rate for 15 or 30. If you got an adjustable one, I would seriously thing about changing it. Also all those things you said are useful things you will live with for years to come. Those are what is important, because when the dollar collapses, neccessities with cost high. As long as you didnt get all designer furniture, you are doing good. Just hope you didnt put it all on credit. And even if you did, you'll probably get bailed out. Here in America, we reward the irresponsible. 5.5% 30 Yr Fixed. I only buy things I know I can pay for. Everything is mostly already paid for (Except the house of course). As far as deals we got about 12% off the asking price when all was said and done which seems fair to me. I understand the housing market may fall further but I am just throwing away money renting anyways. Also I plan on staying put for a decade or so it doesn't matter really what happens the next few years. All this spending just dwindled down my last 10 years of savings but whats money for if you don't use it? I also was fortunate to have very generous friends and family who mostly gave cash at our wedding which surely was a major help! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ZenLunatic Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 5.5% 30 Yr Fixed. I only buy things I know I can pay for. Everything is mostly already paid for (Except the house of course). As far as deals we got about 12% off the asking price when all was said and done which seems fair to me. I just dwindled down my last 10 years of savings but whats money for if you don't use it? I also was fortunate to have very generous friends and family who mostly gave cash at our wedding which surely was a major help! Congrats! You did good. You really set yourself well. Thats the way to live. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 'Zen Lunatic's Mad Money' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
isadorah Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Just hope you didnt put it all on credit. And even if you did, you'll probably get bailed out. Here in America, we reward the irresponsible. That's not a very nice or true statement. Last I checked no one with credit card debt is getting any relief, instead they are seeing their interest rates go up and the Fed hasn't issued any money to relieve the foreclosure crisis. Oh, sorry, wrong thread. Back to clever ways to save money and be thrifty this holiday season. It is nice to see that I'm not the only one that ditched the cards this year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 I'm finding this thread strangely reassuring....I hear that all of you are making careful and yet loving choices about what's really most important, and maybe that's the silver lining to a rotten economy. I'm especially moved by charitable gifts to those who are suffering the most. That's such a great way to remember the real priorities and live the real spirit of the season. For myself, goofy cards aside, the gifts beneath our tree are even more basic practicalities than usual. But getting new stuff, even if it's just for practical use in our lives, is still very nice....and sitting together around a tree, unwrapping small treasures, is a beautiful way to spend a Christmas and remember the point of it all, which is our love for each other. Our love is all of God's money! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hollinger. Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I am cutting corners by buying a house and using it as an excuse to spend less money than usual. I'm not so sure I win in the long run. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I am cutting corners by buying a house and using it as an excuse to spend less money than usual. I'm not so sure I win in the long run. Me 2! Yay! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
juicybrucy Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 We also decided to forego the gift exchange for the adults in our family. We have only three young children in my husband's family so that will be a help. Also my husband and I have set a $50. limit on each other, just a token gift. It also makes it more challenging and creative. We have only one daughter, 22, still in school, (and living at home), so she allways gets the lion's share. As for Xmas cards, I didn't have time to do them last year because my mother got ill and had been hospitalized days before the holiday. I think I have a psychological block in that I don't want to do them this year. So basically I just want to over-indulged with good food and drink with the family. Most of all I want to wake up in my own bed in my house this year and cherish the morning hours with just my hubby and daughter. I missed that last year, because I had to stay at my mom's and care for her after her surgery. Hope everyone's holiday turns out the way they want. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 same here with the gifts. i'm not bothering. a hug/handshake will do. the whole shebang has become a commercial fiasco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
c.lo Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Every year we take the kids & get their portraits done at the Super Store, a decent size package of photos is only $40.We give them to all the adults, my husband's brother & sister, our parents & grandparents & they really appreciate them. My husband hasn't worked since March, so we've cut way back on the two boys, about $150 each. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I am quitting my job because lunches out are costing too much $$ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Garbage bag ponchos for all my friends! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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