Do you pay bills or buy Christmas presents?

Between the two of us, my husband and I have 7 children to buy for. We live on one income and we are a military family so we don't make tons of money. I start shopping as soon as the prices start being slashed after Christmas. Even if it is just one thing at a time. This way we aren't hit all at once when Christmas rolls around. We used to do the credit card thing and it just got us in more trouble. Now we pay for everything in cash. I also use the gift cards that I work for all year round. I wait and cash out my MyPoints in November so I can use the gift cards for Christmas shopping. As for not paying a bill. I suppose it would depend on which bill. Even then, I would make a small payment toward it. I would buy for my children only. Everyone else in my family would have to understand that we just didn't have the money to spend on gifts for them too.

We save a bit each month and use that to buy Christmas presents. This year we are doing really good from getting awesome deals and go finds on ebay. For 12 people are have spent roughly $100. We still have to buy for myself and my hubby, and one last gift for my son which will put us around $450 total. I don't think that is bad for Christmas.

Bills do not go unpaid. It is too important to continue to have electric, water, gas, and other things. My children understand when we can not afford everything that they wamt. And they do know the difference between want and need. Of course, the littlest ones don't have a great comprehension. But they also do not comprehend money in the means of they do not know how little some things cost also. They are pretty happy with what they do get. :) Besides, since we also follow up out Yule with S'Mores, they tend to have their little minds on the Yule log burning and that means roasting marshmallows and chocolate all over their faces. :) BTW, congrats on the little one on the way!!!!! When are you due???

I am also a SAHM and have two boys 3 and 5. When this time of year comes I get worried. I only buy for them because I cant afford to buy for everyone. I spend around 300-400$ depending. I try to pay extra on my bills in sep, oct, and nov. That way I dont have to pay in december. If it came down to it I would skip paying a bill to buy my kids presents. Its not there fault I dont have alot of cash and they still should be able to enjoy christmas. When I do buy presents I use cash. We dont have credit cards and dont use checks. If I dont have the cash I dont get it.

Last year my money was really limited because I was only working 30 hours a week and I was still reeling financially from the huge amount of debt my ex roommate left me in when he left without paying me all the money he owed, so I had to make this choice. I chose the presents. Although everyone didn't get something super ornate or expensive, everyone got something and I still managed to spend almost $500 on Christmas altogether and just tried my best to catch up in the new year. This year was much better. I just got a great promotion a few weeks ago with a nice raise, and I paid a big chunk of my bills and then went CRAZY this past weekend and spent almost $1000 on my family, boyfriend and roommates' presents. I love that part of Christmas the best. I know my family doesn't expect gifts, but for so many years growing up my parents experienced financial hardship and always worked hard to ensure that we still had a great Christmas, so I think they deserve it now that we're all older and stable.

Well it dpeends on what type of bills were tlaking about, if its like rent and electric bill and water and so forth the necessity's i would pay my bills first.but if im running low on money and i know my internet or that magazine bill was due. i would definatly take the money and use it for my children for christmas.

Firstly, l would admonish us to take and follow things, logically . You should give birth to only the number of kids you can be capable of raising . For the gifts dilemma, the priorities are food,shelter, and clothing , then any other thing is secondary . lf you should choose to pay up your bills - then you've taken the right decision . --Merry Christmas in advance.

firstly, follow things logically; give birth to only the number of kids you can be capable of raising . for the choice dilemma, the priorities in life are : food,shelter,and clothing . So if you choose to pay your bills first , you've chosen the right decision.

I would pay as much as I could in bills, and get the kids something that doesn't cost a fortune. Do not let the bills go, as it takes a long time to get caught back up. Buy them each something they really want and a couple stocking stuffers. I am buying one big toy for the kids this year and an outfit. That is all we can afford right now. What they want is expensive stuff, so they will get one and an outfit.

A frugal at heart, I don't spend much over $200 on Christmas gifts. I make most of my gifts, such as crocheted items for the females and hobby-specific gifts for the guys. My daughter is the only one we spend money on, especially now since she is a teenager. I know she knows Santa is her dad and myself, but as long as she makes a Santa Wish List, Santa will still arrive!

I feel for you and know exactly what you're going through as money is tight in my family this year as well so there won't be as many gifts as I'd like to be able to give to my family, mainly my grandkids. I'd never really advise anyone to not pay their bills but if it came down to that or giving your kids absolutly nothing, I'd say there's always one or two small bills that can wait if you're sure you'll be able to catch it up after Christmas. Also, I've been down the road of using credit cards for Christmas and I'd say don't do it if you don't have to! The credit card companies are a bunch of greedy crooks and if you run into an emergency and are even a day late they'll hit you with higher interest rates and late charges up the whazoo. These days we buy only for the grandkids, our family is too large to get for everyone anymore. Gas and heating costs are killing us. One more thing I have to add - maybe I shouldn't but I can't help myself; don't be bothered by that person who made the comment about having more children than you're capable of raising! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all know every child we had would never want for a thing and that our lives would always be perfect? Unfortunately, even if we think everything's planned out perfectly stuff happens and sometimes we all have our struggles with money and the like and we have to make choices. It's obviously you're putting your children first and that makes you a terrific mom whether you have a lot of money or not! Merry Christmas, Hon, to you and your kids! Annie

If it is take to dission to me I will pay bill at same I will pay bill at that time ,I will noby my saree cosltly.I will buy simple.If I will not pay the bill at same time next time also I will adgest it will habit.

I am a mother of 3 small girls and I understand excatley how you feel when it comes to the holiday. But I really do the best that I can when it comes to holiday shopping for my kids or my family in general. I usually go to the store that have the deals and where I can get the best for my money.

christmas only comes once a yer. so u should save first before december comes... just like me, dont have a big budget for gifs, but the important is, it is not the price that counts, its the thought!!! its best to prepare urself because christmas is time for spending lots of money for gifts.be practical.

oh no christmans if you have bills to pay PAY THEM this whole comercial holiday is sickening! and it pisses me off when people dont have enoguh money to buy food or