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Reply With QuoteGuess it's just me. Everyone must be out shopping....
:)
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Anyone else feel a little sick? I'm getting so stressed out spending money on Christmas stuff. We're only buying for our own 4 kids, a friend who is out of work, another close friend, the IL's, a nephew, teachers (X3), and I'm buying for DH (I doubt he'll buy for me - he typically doesn't). So 13 people (more than I had thought!) but I'm stressing. I spent $559 today and I'm probably 1/2 done.
*sigh*
I'm so used to being tight with money that this is agony for me!
Re: Anyone else feel a little sick? I "shopped" deals all year so my shopping is 85% done. I refuse to be stressed out about Christmas. Money is tight everywhere. Thank goodness my hobby/addiction of couponing and deal seeking has paid off. What is the dollar amount you are spending on each person? I have gifts for 20 people and have only spent MAYBE $200. Nice gifts too. DVD's CD's. razor gift sets, Victorias Secret, Starbucks gift cards...
Re: Anyone else feel a little sick? Originally Posted by pejkug3
I am sorry that you are feeling so stressed out about Christmas this year. I typically try to shop throughout the year so that it is not a big crunch near the end. I also set up a Christmas fund at the beginning of every year. That way I don't have to pull the money out of our regular accounts. Good luck and try to enjoy the season!
Re: Anyone else feel a little sick? Considering that we are trying to avoid being evicted and having our power shut off, I cannot fathom spending $500 on Christmas gifts. I have 4 children, an unemployed husband and a baby due in February so there is no way I am going to even attempt to buy for my extended family. My kids only, and even that won't be as much as I wish I could get them.
Re: Anyone else feel a little sick? our 4 kids - I know that the IL's and us are the only people they'll get gifts from. My mom has no $$ and I begged her to not worry about it. We spend absolutely no more than $100 per kid on three gifts. Three gifts is the tradition we set up several year to avoid going overboard and I'd like to stick to that. I've shopped for one kid, the others I haven't. We're having Christmas with the IL's next weekend and I want to see what they bought from the kid's lists. (Kids are 11, 9, and 4 - twins)
DH - I dunno. I bought a video game ($40) but need two other things to keep w/tradition.
a friend who is out of work - $100 gift card. Yes, $100. We give someone who is having a hard time an unexpected gift in memory of a child we lost. Once again, tradition - and our friends have been out of work since March!
another close friend - $25. Only because she bought for my kids.
the IL's - I've spent $128 and they are done. Hot Mustard collection (why?), NFL sweatshirt and Hat, AA batteries, DVD-R, CD-R, gift card. Our limit is $100/ea.
a nephew - $25 gift card. We see him once a year. No idea what he likes.
teachers (X3) - $20 gift cards. But I may go w/flameless candles instead. Is $20 overboard?
I only started couponing in July. So I'm used to our typical Christmas budgets. Now, with getting things so cheap since July, spending that much money in one month is stressful!
We did set aside $750 throughout the year for Christmas. And my DH is retail and works on commission so Oct-Jan are our BEST financial times all year. Yesterday, despite the crumbling economy, he did just as much in sales as last year.
Anyhow - help me ladies - I know I'm spenmding too much. How can I do better?
Re: Anyone else feel a little sick? I guess maybe my mistake is going by their own lists. I bought things directly from their wish lists. Since I only got those a week ago, I didn't really get the chance to shop around. I didn't want to buy something just for the sake of getting something - I wanted it to be useful and wanted.
Unfortunately, that wasn't cheap!
Re: Anyone else feel a little sick? I think you need to listen to what is nagging you.
1) DH does not purchase you anything, why are you spending on him? If you must spend something on him, spend $10-$15. He may get the message. You deserve a gift.
2) Be careful whom you purchase gift cards. Many retail stores may not be here in a year. Here is a list of businesses whom great caution should be given with gift cards:
Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide A company spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be shuttered. It will let the stores that will close this fiscal year know over the next month.
Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.
Cache' closing stores
Women's retailer Cache' announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide The owner of retailers Lane Bryant , Fashion Bug , Catherines Plus Sizes will close about 150 underperforming stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info, spokeswoman Brooke Perry said today.
Talbots, J. Jill closing stores
About a month ago, Talbots announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 underperforming stores.. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill , another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year, according to a company press release.
Gap Inc. closing 85 stores In addition to its namesake chain, Gap also owns Old Navy and BananaRepublic . The company said the closures -
ll planned for fiscal 2008 - will be weighted toward the Gap brand.
Foot Locker - to close 140 stores
In the company press release and during its conference call with analysts today, it did not specify where the future store closures - all planned
in fiscal 2008 - will be. The company could not be immediately reached for comment
Wickes - is going out of business Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores, Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
Goodbye Levitz / BOMBAY - closed alreadyThe furniture retailer, which is going out of business. Levitz first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first furniture store in Lebanon , PA. In the 1960s, the warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay .
Zales, Piercing Pagoda closing stores.The owner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda previously said it plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Today, it announced that it is closing another 23 underperforming stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.
Disney Store owner owner has the right to close 98 stores The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Walt Disney in the news release said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The press release didn't list those stores.
Home Depot store closings - store closings (E. Brunswick, Rt 18 just put up their closing sign) ATLANTA - Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot Inc.announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping U.S.economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. It's shares rose almost 5 percent.The Atlanta-based company said the underperforming U.S.stores being closed represent less than 1 percent of its existing stores. They will be shuttered within the next two months.
CompUSA (CLOSED) clarifies details on store closings. Any extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebates purchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9834177-7html
Macy's - 9 stores
Movie Gallery - Closed 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy. The video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500
Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.
Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores
Pep Boys - 33 stores
Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the axe on 4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mortar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will consolidate its headquarters in Kansas . Sprint Nextel shares are down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing.
J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are scaling back
Ethan Allen Interiors: The company announced plans to close 12 of 300+ stores in an effort to cut costs.
Wilsons the Leather Experts - 158 stores
Sharper Image: The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close.
Bombay Company: (Freehold Mall store closed) The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores. The company's online storefront has discontinued operations.
KB Toys posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. To see the list of store closings, go to the KB Toys Information web site, and click on Press Information
Dillard's to Close More Stores
Dillard's Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing underperforming stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise in 2008. At the company's annual shareholder meeting, CEO William Dillard II said the company will close another six underperforming
stores this year.
3) While I love tradition, we are in an economy not seen since the Great Depression. No gift is worth placing your family on shaky ground.
4) Online sites appear much cheaper than in-store this year. I suggest you check your creditor or other sites for additional savings for online shopping.
I really wish you peace.
Re: Anyone else feel a little sick? Thanks, Mothernature.
The economy thing is of concern. I know we're shaky - I'm spending less than in years past but I've gotten so used to walking out of stores for less than $40 - well, it's nerve racking!
Christmas for the IL's is over. Just my own kids to buy for. One is finished - three more to go.
