This Darn Economy!

[40plusmom]

How are you managing Christmas this year? We are strapped big-time! 

[Krystallized]

Good question...We're strapped too. This economy is taking it's toll everywhere and on just about everyone.....

[GsmackMom]

Part of managing it that always works for me is really pouring over ads and shopping Black Friday.  I don't know how old your kids are but Target and Walmart usually have good toy sales and video games and movies for older kids.  Another thing if your kids have gaming systems is going to places like Gamestop.  I buy my kids some pre-owned games evey year, and they don't care.  Last year Walmart had $2 DVDs.  And Target usually has a better selection for $3.99 and $5.99.  You can sometimes get the newer releases for $10-$13.  If your kids like books, my youngest does, you can get lots of them at the $1 store.  Last year for his bday I bought him like $15 of Pirates of the Caribbean books.  They also have some smaller toys there, but sometimes the quality isn't that great.  I will buy a couple things for stocking stuffers though.  I hope this helps.

[MommaReynolds]

I am selling some old clothes we have in boxes around the house on Craigslist. what I sell is what's Christmas money! So far.. $50!

[Lisabrenner]

So far so good.  Even though my husband is in sales....we are doing the same as before...so everything is good.  We are trying to cut back ourselves, just because winter time is always slower for him that spring and summer.  Good luck ladies and have a wonderful holiday season! 

[Barb10]

We are strapped too. Just buying for kids in extended family this yr as well as our 4 kids. Cut down on amount spent too. Probably not sending out too many Xmas cards cause all that adds up too. My kids already know that they arent getting a ton,they will get 1 gift that they asked for and a few others  and a stocking.

[mikeysmom989]

Its going to be really strapped for us also. DH and I are going shopping this Friday and right now, its just a minute by minute thing! I know for Thanks giving dinner we are having to have our church bring us a "dinner box".

  Its either bills or turkey dinner, and the bill people wont bend this year! :0( Im praying for all of us this year, its soooo hard.

[lalasmama2007]

I shop all year long for gifts on clearance so that I don't have to put out a ton of money all at once. In addition to Christmas, my niece and nephews's birthdays are also in the next 2 weeks.  I've been a SAHM since my DD was born 2 1/2 years ago and my SO has been out of work for the past year and a half.  This year is definitely going to be tough.

[Rogue35]

I hear you we are low on money too.  I haven't started buying anything yet.  Honestly Christmas just stresses me out it feels like I relief to me when it is over.  I hate to say that but that is how I feel.

[fmaziarz]

Quoting Rogue35:

I hear you we are low on money too.  I haven't started buying anything yet.  Honestly Christmas just stresses me out it feels like I relief to me when it is over.  I hate to say that but that is how I feel.

AMEN!!!  =)

[iHEAVENn]

We're actually in okay shape this year..

My son's birthday is December 1st.. so that always takes away money for Christmas stuff.. but we just don't buy gifts for everyone.. We normally do it for ourselves.. and one of our nieces/nephews.. Depending on where we're at.

We wont have the money to shop Black Friday.. but that's okay. Rent and other bills come first. We do already have our shopping list put together, so we know what to get and so we wont go over budget on on extra spending money.

Hubby gets paid this Friday.. but like I said.. that's our rent/bill money. (Momma taught me right by making me and hubby start our lives together dirt poor lol!)

Hubby also gets paid on the 11th.. so that will be our holiday/grocery money for the month :)