Saving money the obvious way

Gifts!!!!!
The complete and total reason that most people go through the trauma of Christmas. Children make lists, family members add pressure, society expects, advertising entice and we like idiots follow...

I am probably one of the most guilty of all for this unnecessary manner of stress during what should be a peaceful and wonderful period of the year. I go off and find out ( throughout the year I might add) what would be the perfect gift for each one. Then I plan, plot and spend every dollar and dime I have and more to ensure each person has all that they want. Not to mention how I go about the task of perfect wrapping and colour co-ordination.

Unlike many others I start early which I believe is my only saving grace but never enough to give me complete peace of mind and rest during this time of year.

So this year the plan is such.
I bought ( yes bought) the most basic of things for each child ( NO ADULTS) saving myself a huge amount of money! I also chose to buy when there was a fantastic toy sale on at my favourite store and guess what I put these items on lay bye ( yeah I know a really old fashioned way) but it meant I had no credit card debt, I had to pay it off during a set period of time, and because I chose the gifts before I went to the store, I took only what I needed and then had a clear amount in my head to stick to my budget.

Calculating the savings it was over $300 on the regular price ( have many kids to buy for) and it took away the stress and cost of last minute shopping. DO NOT EVER go and shop at the last minute. You end up taking what you can get at an insane amount of money because you don't have a choice or believe you don't have a choice.
You always have a choice!!!!

The other thing about gifts at this time of year is that kids receive so many that none have the full impact of enjoyment that they should have. Everyone rounds up and wrapping gets torn while they excitedly pull open the gift to find the treasure inside. Without delay they are on to the next one and the previous is forgotten at least for the next few minutes.

What does that mean? Why do we do it then? Self satisfaction? Pride? Forget all that and harness yourself against this detrimental behaviour!!
Children will love a pencil that has a fancy little bell if you give it to them correctly!
Wrapping is a perfect way to make something exciting and build up the fabulous way children receive gifts.
STOP spoiling your children and others with items JUST BECAUSE you think it will be nice and you don't want to be the only one at the family Christmas who has spent "too little" STOP STOP STOP!!!
Now particularly with the prefect excuse of a recession is the time to discuss with other family adults and friends what you think the best amount is to spend on each child.

Try adding dollars together and buying something the child really wants more than anything else and saying it comes from everyone. Whats wrong with getting 1 or 2 perfect gifts?

Make a maximum spend, forbid others if you must on how much they spend, that way you do not need to feel guilty when you buy or make something that costs less.

If your not crafty get someone to help.... there is always a crafty one in the bunch. Buy it off them if you must, pay your own friend or family member for their time spent. Keep it in the circle its the best way to save money and to bring in enough to spend on others.

Smiggle is the new craze a frightlyfully expenisive stationery trend that has taken NZ/AUS to the next tween chaos level.

I refuse!! I purchased 10 smiggle note books ( nice and pretty) in white at $2.50 each ( when they were on sale) each multi coloured ink pen cost $1.90 Total purchase for those were $44.00
At Spotlight I purchased from the 50c box 4 sheets of paper ( pretty as I could find) 4 packs of stickers and 1 pack of sparklies Total purchase for those $4.50.
Not calculating my time in a monetary value I then cut strips of paper and pasted it on the ends or sides of each cover. decorated with sparkles and stickers and used a vivid to write the name of each child. I used the left over stickers and sparklies to add to the pens.

Purchase price of a sparkly pen at another store $10.00 each, purchase price of a hand covered or fancy notebook $24.00 each. Total price per set $34.00
Total price for a set made by me with love and care $4.85

Saving a wopping $29.15 each ($291, 50 people)


Think of ways to do this, think of things you can do, think of others who can help you make them, have parties that come with a "bring a platter and drink" and get those sparkly things out, pull together bits of ribbon, paper, books, pens, crafts and get SAVING ladies get saving..

will continue to keep you posted.....

xoxo
DG