Comments on: Beware of Interest-Induced Holiday Hangovers

By: Lois

Lois — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:11:03 +0000

We started doing using the take away gift exchange once the kids were old enough to participate. Gift can be anything; for a man, women or more netural. The first couple years everyone was afraid of taking away but now we have lots of fun to see who ends up with what. Afterwards we spend some time with a family game and just relax and enjoy. Every year we rotate who will be the host.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:28:24 +0000

Instead of trying to buy gifts for every family member, try drawing names and set an amount to spend. In my family, each adult member makes a list and the spending amount is $100. No more or no less. This way everyone gets a gift they want without a lot of expense. Also, the parents buy for their own kids. It works great!

By: Nedra Hooks

Nedra Hooks — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:22:22 +0000

I’m a military dependent so I’m not afraid to use my discount. Do not be afraid to ask about special promotions and discounts , discounts for military, students, senior citizens, children, club memberships/business owners, etc. I had the manager of Chucky Cheese give me a huge discount, for $20 or less (this included food and drinks for 3 people and 2 cups full of tokens) for being first customer of the day. Ask to buy display shoes at store.

By: Mike Conway

Mike Conway — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:41:56 +0000

My wife & I make a list of those whom we gift & attach a value to each name. We then take cash & place it in an envelope along w/ the list from which we use to make the holiday purchases. (We’ll carry specific envelope(s) along so as not to carry around a lot of cash, but we refuse to use credit cards. We may purchase online w/ debit card & then refund bank account w/ cash. We also use this same technique for end of year charity giving.

By: Philip Tirone

Philip Tirone — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:57:14 +0000

Aleta – this is so simple, and right on. Make sure you don’t get hit with your banks overdraft fees… they are $35 per occurance for most banks! Ouch. Thanks for the post!

By: Jane Garner

Jane Garner — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:24:24 +0000

I stopped using my credit and debit cards. I take out my cash for the week. That covers all persosnal expenses like food, gas for the car, haircuts, personal care products and the like. When that money is gone that is the end of spending for that week. I really think twice before spending. I don’t want to get to that point where I have no money.

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:48:26 +0000

My best shopping idea is to do no shopping at all. I stopped shopping for Christmas when my child was about eight years old. We talked about it and made the decision not spend money for just one day and it has worked well.

By: ChaCha

ChaCha — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:07:36 +0000

MY family and I decided we are not doing gifts this year. Talk with your family, especially if everyone is having a hard time this year, decide together. Maybe even do the white elephant type Christmas.

By: Sandra Gibson

Sandra Gibson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:58:52 +0000

Each month, keep receipts of all purchases. Write out a list of all receipts. Then decides if you reallly need everything purchased. Don’t be afraid to return the things you don’t need.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:12:16 +0000

Your message here…Negotiate a paycut (say 10%) with yourself, just as if your ‘boss’ had offered the ‘team’ a choice between a voluntary cut -or- a layoff. Learn to live on the ‘new’ income level while banking the difference in an ‘emergencies fund’. Never know? – it just might be prescient.