Did you stay within your holiday budget?
I went just the littlest bit over what I’d planned, but I’m still happy since I met my overall goal of spending significantly less than last year. It helped that I spread out the spending over half of the year. I also got more creative with my gifts, which was fun. (The dog especially loved me making ChexMix using a too-small bowl, which meant that a lot landed on the floor for him.) Regardless of how you did this year, now’s the time to begin planning for next year’s holiday budget. (Because the sooner you plan, the more painless it is.)
December 28th, 2006 at 10:35 am
Excellent advice! I’ve already started my savings plan for next year so that I can have a credit card free Christmas. Wasn’t so lucky this year, but I got a late start on getting wiser about my finances.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
I replied to this earlier and forgot the spammer code–so here I go again…
I am happy with how things went for Christmas. No credit card usage–cut those puppy’s up (thanks blunt money)
Got my daughter boots for $16 at the Kohls black friday online sale–got my son an IPOD shuffle–for free–earned it at ipodsweepstakes–got my other daughter an mp3 player–had a staples coupon for $30 off–so it only cost me $25.
This is probably the best I have done financially, while still giving the kids a good Christmas ever.
Thanks for the inspiration BM–whenever I feel like slacking–well I come here : )
In fact after reading the post about $20–well I got a check yesterday for $50–that’s going to go to paying off debt–rather than just blowing it.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Doh Liz, sorry about the spammer code issue. It sounds like you had a good Christmas :)
December 29th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
I stayed within my budget this year. I learned the hard way a few years back to not use credit cards & got rid of them. Now I am a cash-only girl.
In 2007, I want to get my shopping done earlier, though. Having shopping left to do when December rolls around is stressful!