Anyone else feeling the Christmas Crunch on their wallet?

[shannonmac]

Let me start off by saying I love Christmas, I love giving presents more than anything, yet for some reason this year I have NO MONEY!!!!
We just started living in a house, we don't pay a high amount of rent, but its a very old house, drafty and our energy bills are through the roof!
Well after doing all my bills I have $120 left and one more paycheck before Christmas!!! I have only bought my mother a present, and they were dishes I got on sale!
I still have my boyfriend (we set a $150 limit), my stepfather, my brother, 2 stepbrothers and my grandmother. My bf and I decided we'd each get our family's own presents and put both our names on it. But I have no idea what I'm gonna do!!!
Sorry, just freaking out a bit, (I still gotta buy for the puppies of course)!

 

[Madison's Mom]

Feeling the crunch here too. This will be the fourth year in a row that we Missouri state workers haven't gotten a raise :( Yet everything else keeps going up.

I paid bills over the weekend and have 120.00 to last me for the next two weeks and I haven't even gotten groceries yet. Some times it sucks to be a single parent!

Christmas will be tight this year but I'm so blessed because I get my kids for Christmas this year. I guess there are more special things then gift buying.

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

Yep... being a student at 27 sucks! I have no money... my visa is carrying a heavy debt, which I hate doing, but I had no choice this year. Thank god I have a student rate, so it is very low interest. The worst part is, I haven't even done my Christmas shopping! And I also have to start paying back student loans soon... Oh well... fingers crossed I will get a real job and get my finances sorted out this year...

 

[Austin's Mom]

Every fall we get a property tax rebate here in NJ, and the $600. just about covers my kids gifts. Considering video games are about $50 a piece now. Then there's Mom,Austin, 7 neices and nephews, and so on and so on........DH and I don't exchange gifts, so that makes it a little easier.

 

[Poohsmom]

I know where you're coming from :( I haven't worked since April, we have the old house blues too-gas heat and drafty,plus we're trying to fix a kitchen ceiling that had a bathroom water leak come through. Hubby is the only one working right now,so I have to shop cheap But you learn to be real creative that way I go to Big Lots, and the different dollar stores and can find just as nice things a whole lot less. I decided to do some homemade stuff this year. How about baking? Or crafts?
My grandma always told me that it's not the $ you spend -but the thought that counts. But it sure would be nice to have dough $ !! I always wait til the absolute last minute when things are marked down next to nothing. The only thing I really want is for some snow on Christmas morning to watch my babies romp around in

Sue and the kids,Pooh,Bownser,Dozer & Cissy

 

[hanley]

Yes,we all feel the crunch this year!

But you know what,Xmas will come anyway & money doesn't make happiness! Think about what gift you can buy anyone that will really make them happy?There is not 1, you can't buy health,love or bring your son or daughter home from Iraq or wherever they might be, with the war going on, or fight against terrorist.So don't let it worry you,just be happy if you get to share Xmas with family & friends, its little things that really make us happy!This is a Moms view & the best gift any Mother can get is for her children to be healthy, safe & loved. So spend a little time with your Mom,Dad & Grandparents,let them know how much you love them, because one day you might not have them, & money can't bring that back,Hind sight is always 20/20.Give them all the gift of love! Hanley

 

[Vela]

Go to the dollar store you can put together your own really nice gift baskets for next to nothing. Sure helps with the Christmas crunch! I am also making gift baskets, dollar store baskets tissue paper and home made mini breads of different flavors. Easier than trying to figure out who wants what for sure!
Like other said, Christams shouldn't be about the gifts.....if you have life and health and family and, in my opionin, the love of God, then you have all you need. Merry Christmas.

 

[shannonmac]

I've realized that I'm doing most of my shopping at target. they have awesome sales, plus I have a target card.

 

[Shanz]

When i was younger and ditn have a job but felt the need to get presents for everyone.. i baked cookies.

This year i have 2 jobs but my budget is still only about 20-25$/person...and i have mom dad bf brother 2 sisters sister in law 2 nieces 2 nephews (bought the doggies already) plus sisters bf's kid so thats about 500 :S

 

[shannonmac]

cheap idea for xmas cards

well I still wanted to send out christmas cards to my family & friends with the puppies santa photos, in the past I've had duplicates of the photos made and bought cards.
this year however, I bought the postcard kit that you can make at home. it was about $3. you print the photo on the front and can print or write your message on the back.
just a cute and cheaper idea