Next year I'm saving for Christmas

[pantsparty]

I say this EVERY year, yet I always cashflow it and it stresses me out. For some reason I always think, "Oh, I only have to buy for my H and my parents," but I forget about all the other stuff, like food and booze for parties, cookies, random holiday purchases like decorations, Secret Santa exchanges, holiday cards, postage, etc.

And I always wonder why I drink more this time of the year...

:drink:

[speckledfrog]

Time for a Christmas account!

[pantsparty]

Dec 21, 2013 15:43:48 GMT -5 pagas said:

Christmas Club!

I just looked that up. Good idea! I think I just need to externally transfer the money to my ING account. That way it's out of sight, out of mind until December.

[starlily]

Ditto ..... except I can't even drink right now!

(wilted flower)

[Booze Raccoon]

haha, I never think of the extras either and then I get pissy about it! We're going to a fancy ass party tonight with our richie rich friends. I have to bring something $$$. I can't very well show up with a bottle of Boones Farm!

[Deleted]

It literally pays not to celebrate Christmas. LOL.

[lilibet]

We say this every year and never do so I finally opened our first Christmas club account on black Friday (seemed fitting, lol).

And seriously it is always the extras that add up so quick - even going to Aldi for a lot of baking supplies adds up quick!

[cleo29]

Dec 21, 2013 15:42:27 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

I say this EVERY year, yet I always cashflow it and it stresses me out. For some reason I always think, "Oh, I only have to buy for my H and my parents," but I forget about all the other stuff, like food and booze for parties, cookies, random holiday purchases like decorations, Secret Santa exchanges, holiday cards, postage, etc.

And I always wonder why I drink more this time of the year...

If you bank with TD bank, they have a special Holiday Savings account you can set up. You save $X each month to that account and then you can only remove it at the beginning of December (I think). No interest or minimum balance. My mom's banks growing up did this too. It's a smart idea and one we will be doing next year.

I have done a money jar for our Disney trip, putting in $25 each week. This will be paying for our tickets and then some. It's kind of nice seeing the money grow.

[iamgrace]

December is money hemorrhage time. Gah.

[pirate]

I know myself. If I did this I'd end up spending twice as much because I'd think of the Christmas Club money as "free money" and spend more on everyone.

[hisno1girl]

In addition to the Christmas Club savings, we save all of our loose change in a jar and cash it in at the beginning of December for an extra couple hundred bucks. This year it was $239.88.

[snickers]

Have you seen this on Pinterest? Attachment Deleted

[rex]

I say this every year.

I start in October so it's a little easier but it's still awful.

This year is especially bad. I have way too much time to go shopping and I keep seeing things to buy my H and nieces.

I really need to plan ahead.

[pantsparty]

Dec 21, 2013 16:58:59 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

i seriously have an ing subaccount that gets an auto contribution every month. not much, but it sure does soften the blow. i figure year end bonus will cover most/all holiday stuff but so many little things add up like you say.

are you trying to say you don't want to participate in my white elephant exchange!!!!

Yes. I just told H he has to buy the gifts. I am DONE buying for people this year!

[pantsparty]

Dec 21, 2013 17:03:17 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

Dec 21, 2013 17:00:34 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

Yes. I just told H he has to buy the gifts. I am DONE buying for people this year!

you can just do 1 between you if you want!

Ha ha, no worries, we will come with 2 amazing gifts!

[pantsparty]

Dec 21, 2013 17:06:44 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Can you two please stop throwing your friendship in our faces?

Sorry, I know it's a real dick move.

[pantsparty]

Dec 21, 2013 17:07:22 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

I said I was going to do that this year. Never happened.

Next year. Really. I'm going to do it next year.

Let's be accountabil-a-buddies!

[Deleted]

Dec 21, 2013 17:06:44 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Can you two please stop throwing your friendship in our faces?

LOL. I might see farmvillelover tomorrow. Maybe polka, too.

[Deleted]

It's a tradition for us now to see farmvillelover on our way back to L.A. from San Diego!

[polka]

Dec 21, 2013 17:24:15 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Come down here and visit us, woman!  

We'll even teach you our secret handshake.

[RoxMonster]

This holiday season has SUCKED for us money-wise.

Besides all the gifts and holiday things, we had a bunch of unexpected expenses: vet bill, I had to get a new tire, we had to have the plumber and electrician both come out for different things, etc. I know, I know, it's part of being a homeowner, but it blows when this all happens in the month of December on top of holiday expenses.

[Deleted]

H and I discuss this every year too. 'If we just set aside $10 every week when we get paid...' never happens.

[pantsparty]

Dec 21, 2013 18:06:44 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

This holiday season has SUCKED for us money-wise.

Besides all the gifts and holiday things, we had a bunch of unexpected expenses: vet bill, I had to get a new tire, we had to have the plumber and electrician both come out for different things, etc. I know, I know, it's part of being a homeowner, but it blows when this all happens in the month of December on top of holiday expenses.

I feel like December conspires against us. I have to renew my registration this month, plus I needed a refill on Differin, which is over $100, plus I ripped my last pair of contacts, so I had to get a contact eye exam, and contacts. DAMN YOU DECEMBER.

[eb777888]

Dec 21, 2013 15:43:16 GMT -5 speckledfrog said:

Time for a Christmas account!

DUDE!!! I totally need to do this.

Early last month I posted that our Christmas budget was $500, maybe $700 at the most.