WITH THE ECONOMY: Are There ANY Changes For You Over The Holidays?

g under p

Or are they Same As It Ever Was?

With the economy in the shape that it's in do any of the Pjammers intend on making changes to your spending?

If there was ever a time to change our ways this is it.
Since I don't have any credit cards I will as usual stay within my means I won't be over spending.

I'm going to teach my daughter how to make and plan a budget.

Less or no gift giving with more intent on giving of my time to homeless shelter or my service to churches in Palm Beach, Florida. Even some of the wealthy have been hit hard too.

Peace

K.LO

I'm staying at home because I work, but not out of neccessity. My family doesn't usually go out of state for Thanksgiving anyway since the immediate family lives in Texas. Our spending habits in general haven't changed much. We cut down on buying clothes and other unnecessary items a little, but not much has changed.

mammasan

g under p wrote:

Or are they Same As It Ever Was?

With the economy in the shape that it's in do any of the Pjammers intend on making changes to your spending?

If there was ever a time to change our ways this is it.
Since I don't have any credit cards I will as usual stay within my means I won't be over spending.

I'm going to teach my daughter how to make and plan a budget.

Less or no gift giving with more intent on giving of my time to homeless shelter or my service to churches in Palm Beach, Florida. Even some of the wealthy have been hit hard too.

Peace

I'm planning on spending a lot less than I have in past years, not because money is tight or anything but because I would rather save that money just in case. I work in advertising and that is an industry that tends to suffered greatly when the economy is down. Right now I have a job but if the situation keeps getting worse that can quickly change. I don't even plan on using my credit cards either. All my purchases will be either cash or my debit card.

Heineken Helen

Yep, because of the economy I'm in another country and will be spending christmas with another family :( . Also half of my family are the other side of the world because of the economy. This is the first year I'll be doing all/any of my shopping online.

decides2dream

the holidays will be the same as ever for me/us. my shopping is already done, most of all our plans made. granted, we usually don't overspend during the holidays in any case - we do that moreso during the year haha - our celebrations are mellow and adult, not many gifts involved in years. definitely nothing *crazy* money-wise at all. not b/c of the economy, just b/c that's how we do it. i think i actually spent a bit more this year on other gifts outside of my husband, but it's simply b/c i found better things to give this year to please the people i love. my husband and i tend to do and buy and spend what we want, so there is no need to go crazy during the holidays. also gave a bit more $$$ to charity than usual, just because...

jbalicki10

Actually will spend more this year. I saved like mad in the year earlier because I didn't have much of a Chirstmas last year. I noticed when shopping this year that there are not as many good deals either. I havent bought much just for that reason alone.

CHANGEinWAVES

No gifts this year, and I'm not decorating... But that's due to my divorce:rolleyes:

Basically just having christmas eve dinner and that's it. I don't even wanna think about new years, though I'm ready for this year to be over!

saveuplife

My wife just suggested adopting a child from our church. Not like a real adoption, but a poor child who you give presents to on Christmas because their parents can't afford to. They give you their profile and everything and they are local.

I agreed,... it sounds kinda neat.

That said, I said maybe we should do two kids instead of one and just not exchange gifts to each other this year at all. She just emailed me back saying she likes the idea. I have to admit, now that I think more about it... I kinda like to wake up to a present on Christmas. I guess I'm an idiot. I really wanted a Wii.

Atleast those kids'll be happy.

know1

Not much different, but then again I don't do very much other than give gifts to charity.

For the few gifts I do give out to family, I put away a certain amount all year so I have the cash to buy them at Holiday time.

mammasan

saveuplife wrote:

My wife just suggested adopting a child from our church. Not like a real adoption, but a poor child who you give presents to on Christmas because their parents can't afford to. They give you their profile and everything and they are local.

I agreed,... it sounds kinda neat.

That said, I said maybe we should do two kids instead of one and just not exchange gifts to each other this year at all. She just emailed me back saying she likes the idea. I have to admit, now that I think more about it... I kinda like to wake up to a present on Christmas. I guess I'm an idiot. I really wanted a Wii.

Atleast those kids'll be happy.

That is a great thing you and your wife are doing. My holiday charity is Toys for Tots and I usually donate a few different toys each year. This year will be no different as far as charity is concerned.

yoke

Wife and I are cutting back as much as we can. Honestly most of my family doesn't need more stuff. They all have plenty already, myself included. We are doing a family grab bag($25 limit) this year so we don't spend on everyone.

I told my wife if she wants to get me something to grab me a couple vinyls for Christmas.

stuckinline

saveuplife wrote:

My wife just suggested adopting a child from our church. Not like a real adoption, but a poor child who you give presents to on Christmas because their parents can't afford to. They give you their profile and everything and they are local.

I agreed,... it sounds kinda neat.

That said, I said maybe we should do two kids instead of one and just not exchange gifts to each other this year at all. She just emailed me back saying she likes the idea. I have to admit, now that I think more about it... I kinda like to wake up to a present on Christmas. I guess I'm an idiot. I really wanted a Wii.

Atleast those kids'll be happy.

i have "adopted" a child as well. and thinking about "adopting" another.

yoke

saveuplife wrote:

My wife just suggested adopting a child from our church. Not like a real adoption, but a poor child who you give presents to on Christmas because their parents can't afford to. They give you their profile and everything and they are local.

Atleast those kids'll be happy.

We do the same thing around here also but its on a smaller scale. We go to the town hall and they have a Christmas tree with kids names on it and what they want. You grab one of them off the tree and go get the gifts and drop them back off at town hall. Its a nice way to give back to people who can't afford much.

g under p

saveuplife wrote:

My wife just suggested adopting a child from our church. Not like a real adoption, but a poor child who you give presents to on Christmas because their parents can't afford to. They give you their profile and everything and they are local.

I agreed,... it sounds kinda neat.

That said, I said maybe we should do two kids instead of one and just not exchange gifts to each other this year at all. She just emailed me back saying she likes the idea. I have to admit, now that I think more about it... I kinda like to wake up to a present on Christmas. I guess I'm an idiot. I really wanted a Wii.

Atleast those kids'll be happy.

Awesome idea, Im moving to Palm Beach for 6 months (snowbird) for work and don't if they a program like this down there but I'll check into it. Also for Thanksgiving I'm baking a turkey along with stuffing and giving it back to my church to feed the needy. If I'm off from work I help with the food line at the church.

Always feel better putting a smile on someone face during Thanksgiving.

Peace

yahamita

I am making all my gifts this year, and trimming my list to immediate family.

pearljamfan1212

I've already spent way more this year then I did last. and I'm on where near done. I always spend big during the holidays and this year will be no different.

Ms. Haiku

Because I wasn't laid off (my employer already announced that those who are to be laid off have been notified) I decided to celebrate by buying my brother and his wife, and my sister and her husband gifts. Usually, I just give their kids gifts.