Did you spend a lot of money during the Christmas holidays
By kingparker
@kingparker (9673)
United States
January 1, 2012 11:50am CST
It might be a common questions; usually before the Christmas, people might spend and spend on buying gifts, or prepare a nice Christmas dinner for family and friends, so everyone can have a memorable holiday. After it, a monthly bill from your credit card company, and there is an amount of 2 -3 thousands dollars balance. That just scary. I remember a friend of mine really spend more than 4 grands last year, and he couldn't even remember how that money had gone. This year, I really didn't spend that much money myself, and I do my best to avoid use my credit card. So, do you think that you spend a lot of money this Christmas or New Year?
2 people like this
19 responses
@Neriz69 (1093)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
I didn't spend too much this Christmas and New Year, we just kept it simple. Just to feel the spirit but not too extravagant, enough to be able to share to relatives and friends. I have to admit that life is really hard these days and we need to save for the rainy days.
@manubla (472)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
I was a little over my budget but I think it's not something to keep me in deep debt for the next few months. I still use my credit card simply for the points I get but I make sure that there is available cash to pay my purchase using the credit card. Since I pay my bills online, it's easy to just pay right away after a purchase.
This year, I have already created my budget and as early as January, I plan to start saving for Christmas 2012 so as not to overspend.
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
2 Jan 12
I did spend a lot of money but luckily I paid cash for everything but $200 worth of gifts! I am lucky that I can do it that way, since hubby has a good job and my money is used for the cellphone bill then whatever other things that are not included in the household monthly budget.
I work at a grocery store part time, job #2, and I really haven't seen a lot of people cutting back on their food budgets. Probably because we have to eat! A customer said to me that we actually rent food.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
2 Jan 12
Indeed the one time of the year, where I tend to open up the wallet rather a bit more than I likely should. And indeed, a lot more than I do for the rest of the year. I think that I might really be spending more money from October-December than I do from January-September. Of course, I more than make up for it by some kind of supreme budgeting.
Still I think that a budget really does go out of the window a lot during the Christmas season. Granted, I do think that I did spend less in Christmas Season 2011 then I did in Christmas Season 2010, so that is a moderate victory. That is really just going to be the way it is to say the very least. There are people who go more insane with their Christmas shopping that I do.
@bashabasha (400)
• Philippines
2 Jan 12
I spend some money because its a occasion day but still I spend it wisely because its really hard to earn money. And I'm not one day millionaire when I have money. When its Christmas day i'll make sure that I still have money in the next few days.
@nethwork (31)
• Philippines
2 Jan 12
Yes, I have been doing it before. But now, with all the tragedies happening in the world, it's not wise to do it. We(our family), had just decided to buy something to cook before New Years eve as a way of gratefulness to our heavenly Father for the blessings and guidance He has given to us last year. On the 1st day of January, we chose not to spend any single cent but rather, open the store to make an entrance for an income.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
2 Jan 12
Yes. We did spend a lot of money for the holidays. We have a new baby in the family and she needed a lot of things.
@brew2x (3094)
• Philippines
2 Jan 12
We spent more than we usually do last Christmas but still I don't consider that as too much. The money was spent on food for Christmas eve and for gifts to relatives and godchildren. I think we actually spent less compared to previous Christmases since this year, me and my husband managed to buy gifts instead of giving money. Our money was well spent I must say.
@ayumitakashi (4462)
• United States
2 Jan 12
Four grand is a lot of money to spend! As a college student who is about to start paying her loans (I am so nervous and scared about this) I can't afford to spend too much money but of course I wanted to buy presents for those close to me. Since I'm a part of other sites I was able to redeem some gift cards that I used to buy clothes for my little sister and some lotion and body washes for my grandmother. I bought my mother a book that she's been wanting to get, which wasn't too expensive. Then I bought some non expensive jewelry for my friends, that they loved, and some clothes for my brother.
So I tried to stick to a budget but at the same time I tried to buy somethin that I knew everyone either wanted or that they would like.
@longbangod (1785)
• Philippines
2 Jan 12
I used to spend a relatively big amount of money during Christmas. I regularly buy gifts and of course food for the family to be shared during noche buena. But this time aside from the fact that our family experienced hardships in life specifically on financial matters, our city was recently affected also by a very strong typhoon which took hundreds of lives. It's but unethical or impractical to spend more when a lot of people don't have money or even food to eat. I hope it will be the other way around next Christmas, no more sorrows, but love, peace and more blessings...
@doggydimon (1369)
• Philippines
2 Jan 12
I did have a budget listed for this Christmas season and I spent more than what I listed. Though it is not that much, I didn't see it coming. The good thing is, I never did want to have a credit card and still I haven't. So I would have nothing to worry about the bills that are yet unpaid. All I have to do is to focus my remaining budget until the next payday. hahaha...
@deadbeat (82)
• United States
2 Jan 12
I can't say I did spend a lot of money during the holidays. In fact I was on a very very tight budget. The past couple of years I was able to spend money for my kids on Christmas but this year things are way different, and money is much tighter, they said they understood, I hope they did. We had a small quiet family Christmas and didn't do much special.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
1 Jan 12
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@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
1 Jan 12
I know I spent a lot this year on Christmas and I did an all cash Christmas. I did not use any credit cards which I am proud of. I am trying to find ways to make a little extra money so I can get a head start for next year. I am also hoping to find a job soon so I can get back on my feet again. 2011 had been a rough year and I am just glad that it is over. For New Years Eve my husband, my brother and I went out to dinner then we came back home to play games, drink sparkling cider and watched Mr. Clark's Rock n- Eve on television. My nine year old nephew was awake and he joined us in a toast.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
1 Jan 12
We have cut back on spending for the holidays over the last few years. I still use my credit card, but check daily to make sure that I have not purchased more than I had planned. We later use the points for travel. Over all, I think that my credit card bill was only about $200 more than normal.
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