Christmas 2008

**Nantahala** · 12-09-2007, 08:39 AM

I know we've not even reached Christmas 2007... but DH and I've hit yet another year where we failed to save for gifts, holiday food and activities. *sigh*

I've been super stressed out, like I am every year, so I am ready to do something different. *lol* DH and I've decided that come first pay in January 2008 we are going to take cash (this is the only way it will work for us) and start saving for Christmas 2008. We plan to take $50 a pay or $100 a month so we'll have just over a $1K for Christmas, and this will also give us money for shopping mid-year if we find a great deal.

Anyone else doing this or planning to for next year?

**lwlynch** · 12-09-2007, 08:51 AM

YOu know too, that Target and some other big stores all do clearance the week after the holiday. Maybe start buying then, we do.. goodluck

**Nantahala** · 12-09-2007, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by lwlynch

YOu know too, that Target and some other big stores all do clearance the week after the holiday. Maybe start buying then, we do.. goodluck

Yep! I love the Target sales, I try to hit them all - 50, 75 & 90% off.

**nodmicks** · 12-09-2007, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Nantahala

I know we've not even reached Christmas 2007... but DH and I've hit yet another year where we failed to save for gifts, holiday food and activities. *sigh*

I've been super stressed out, like I am every year, so I am ready to do something different. *lol* DH and I've decided that come first pay in January 2008 we are going to take cash (this is the only way it will work for us) and start saving for Christmas 2008. We plan to take $50 a pay or $100 a month so we'll have just over a $1K for Christmas, and this will also give us money for shopping mid-year if we find a great deal.

Anyone else doing this or planning to for next year?

This works great! We take $100 for the gift account the 3rd week of every month and have for a few years. Just look at that $100 as a regular bill.

**monkeymia** · 12-09-2007, 07:02 PM

I too am planning to buy my gifts through the year and start paying for a hamper for Christmas and the new year.

**sunshine** · 12-09-2007, 07:08 PM

I've already purchased some gifts for Christmas 2008! www.womanwithin.com was having a sale, with many accessories for $2.99 -- I stocked up.

**yonksgirl** · 12-09-2007, 08:33 PM

I am hoping to do shopping threw the year if I find deals and put money aside I will start in June when my CC is snowballed down.

**McD** · 12-09-2007, 09:35 PM

I set up a Christmas Club Account for Christmas 2008 last month. I'm kind of excited about it.

**Moor** · 12-09-2007, 09:48 PM

i have already started making gifts for next year.
i am compiling a cookbook to give to my sister and sil's.
doing the same for the guys, but it will be geared towards cooking what they get when they hunt.
for the kids, i am going to make each of them a coloring book.
for my in laws, i will get them a gift card for eating out. they love to do this on sunday's. so all of the kids, will get them one. we each give them one for $100 for places like mcdonalds or such, that way, they last all year.
the way i get mine, is every time that hubby gets paid, i go add a little bit to it. that way, it's not all coming out at one time.
i also give those to the older neices and nephews.

**bumplett** · 12-09-2007, 09:50 PM

ok, call me silly, but what's a christmas club account?

**monkeymia** · 12-10-2007, 01:35 AM

A Christmas club is a bank account that you deposit into but you can't touch until November or so.

You get good interest as you cant withdraw.

**McD** · 12-10-2007, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by monkeymia

A Christmas club is a bank account that you deposit into but you can't touch until November or so.

You get good interest as you cant withdraw.

The withdrawal policy varies by bank. I can make one withdrawal (in addition to the closing withdrawal).

Basically the Christmas Club is an account that you put a set amount of money in on a schedule you decide. For instance, you can make a deposit weekly, biweekly, monthly. We put 100$ in a month, and we started in November. At the end of October 2008, they will direct deposit my Christmas Club money into my account for me to spend on Christmas. At the bank I use, we get 1% interest, compounded daily, and when I opened the account I got a free disposable camera.

My dad's bank is a little different. Rather than pay interest, if he makes all his deposits, they will make his final payment for him.

**Nantahala** · 12-10-2007, 11:06 AM

Thank you for all the tips and inspiration, ladies! I am stressing less and drawing some boundaries for 2007 and 2008 will be much better all around.

**oct2667us** · 12-10-2007, 05:58 PM

I am right there with yall. I am putting up money for Christmas 2008. I will also be buying things true the year and saving my freebies too . I fell so stress this year. I am finding it hard to get in the Christmas spirit.

**VanVivCam** · 12-11-2007, 11:49 AM

i will be putting away $15.00 each week (i get paid weekly) for next year's Christmas and Christmas dinners. I am doing so much betther this year, i have not charged one thing to my credit cards and I have been totally truthful to MYSELF about what I am spending. I set a limit and next week i will know if i made it, so far so good, but we will see