Has the economy effected your holidays this year?

[ASweetHeart]

I know a lot of people are out of work right now, and I thought it might be an interesting thread to see how and how many of us may be effected.

As for me - I haven't been effected. I'm pretty much where I was a year ago.

[kval07]

I'm better off than I was a year ago. I'm in Michigan where things aren't too hot though. My spending will be about the same, but I won't be buying for friends/family. I'm buying for DF and the dogs only. The vast majority (about 95%) of my money spent for holiday purposes will be spent on those I don't know.

[aimeebee]

Yeah, it has definitely affected us since dh has been laid off most of this year. I have been shopping for Christmas all year, getting things on clearance or sale, finding creative ways to pay for it like rewards programs, mystery shopping, ECB, etc. The kids are getting less in quantity of gifts. Usually they might have about 15-20; this year it is probably gonna be closer to 8 or 10. Several of them are things they need like shoes, coats, pajamas, etc.

I try to make some of the need gifts more special so that they are something they really want too, like my 12yo dd is getting Chuck Taylors. Last year she bought a pair with her Christmas money and they now have holes in them. She continues to wear them everyday even though she does have other options. At least I know that if I spend my money on that, it is something she will actually use and like.

[melodyjg]

Not really although....I truly am trying to go about my shopping more smartly and getting things they want and combining it with value and the like so that when Christmas is over. Everyone has something they wanted and needed and I am not in debt for it! LOL

I did get two electric razors for my teenage sons at Walgreens at a fantastic price! I was so excited!

[tinabohio]

For sure. We are trying to figure out Christmas. I am making the girls some clothes and stuff (a wearable blanket for each because they want one & I have lots of fleece). I may look into making them more stuff. My next paycheck will have zero hours, so it's so tight right now.
We are hoping I get a job soon and maybe that will happen. A full time auto parts gig would be great... heck, the part time video store job would be fine right now too. This time of year is the worst to be broke for!

[shelleyf]

It has been a horrible year for me. Not just financially but emotionally also. My Mom and Stepdad having cancer and my finances are horrible. It will be a tight Christmas this year unless I get enough flea collars and rolaids to get overage. Working very hard to accomplish this.

[shannon1189]

Yes, its hard on us. I do have a christmas club set up with my bank. However its not alot of money. I have been out of work since Sept., we are only buying for Madison and I am putting together a gift basket with some goodies for my parents and my sister and her husband.

[XUfan]

I thought that this year would be better for us. Last Christmas, neither of us were working. This year, we both have jobs, but our income is barely covering our bills and necessities. We've also had some unexpected car repairs and doctor visits (no insurance) tossed in recently.

We're buying a few toys...but mostly we're buying things that we would have had to buy anyway. The stockings will be filled with school supplies and hba items. The gifts will be socks, underwear, jammies, hats and gloves.

The biggest change in Christmas this year for me is that my daughter won't be able to come home and celebrate with us. The round-trip flight costs around $400...and there's no way she can afford it this year. It's going to be rough emotionally for me.

But...the "good" news is...I'm working on Christmas day. Good, because I only work a 4 hour shift...but we get paid for 12 hours!!

[greenfrog57]

I'll be spending less -- DH's income dropped drastically when his old employer closed its doors in June. It's sad when the economy prevents cardiologists from moving to my town.... We're not the only ones suffering ehrn his job ended. Patients are as well. At least DH was able to get a full time job at his part time employer. Do glad he had that job, it just pays way less..... I just wrote out my holiday list.... I need to get on the ball since I should mail out packages starting next week....

[cheynesnana]

I'm spending a little more... but not much.