Thursday, December 12, 2013

Think It Thursday: Sticking to a Holiday Budget


It can be so difficult to budget correctly for the holidays. Of course you want to spend more on your own kids, but what is a good amount for the other kids in your family? And then there's the issue that older kids items usually cost more than the younger ones, so they seem like they get the short end of the stick. So you buy them more. Then they have as much as your own kids. So you buy them more. Then you're flat broke.

Consider this when you're trying to make the gift giving scales even all around. Perhaps you choose $50 is fair enough for nieces & nephews (or any other family member). You spend the entire $50 on 1 item for your 9 year old nephew, but you 2 year old niece got 7 things. So you decide to give your nephew a coupon book of sorts, filled with activities or special treats. Movie night at your house with ice cream served for a snack, check out the local softball leagues on opening day, take a trip to the museum (for a few ideas). Of course most of these take place the following year, but knowing that they have more "gifts" coming, makes everyone happy. Especially your budget.

3 comments:

  1. This is such a great topic, it can be really hard not to go in debt during the holidays.

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  2. Sticking to a budget gets tough, especially when it comes to my niece and nephew. I set a determined amount for each, but I do try to give them the same number of gifts to open. It can become a puzzle, and going over budget becomes so easy. Thanks for the tips.

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  3. I have had to budget this year, and it is tough but you can by making gifts yourself.

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