We've finished our Christmas shopping.
We had a $500 budget. We had $500, in cash, actually saved for Christmas. Our list was 25 people long, including the two littles that live in our house.
All told, we spent $531, only slightly over. And the overage mostly had to do with me completely forgetting to plan for a couple of people.
It's amazing how much of the Christmas season I spend thinking about how I should spend more, and worrying that people will be hurt that we haven't spent enough on them, and caring (a lot) that maybe they've spent more on us than we have on them. And I would bet I'm not at all alone on that.
But the thing is? I can't even remember what I got for Christmas last year. I can't remember what I bought for Christmas last year. How ridiculous is it to overspend our budget, to put ourselves into debt, to make payments on things that we can't even remember?
The kids visited Santa yesterday. E asked for Wizard of Oz dolls and footie pajamas. D asked for a new Wiggles Dance Party DVD (for months he's been sad that he broke the VHS of this). I'm proud that they didn't ask for a single thing just because they saw a commercial for it. In fact, they very rarely see commercials at all, and usually only at other people's houses. I know we won't always have such reasonable requests from our children, but this year, before they're old enough to be conscious consumers themselves, I plan to enjoy it.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Speaking of Consumerism
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3 comments:
That's about what we budgeted and spent too! And we don't even have kids!! SO you are doing awesome!! great job! I LOVE the consumerism video below! I have sent it to all my friends! Thank you for sharing such a great resource, it's really inspiring me to Do even more than we are! We are so driven by commercials. It's so sad! I love your blog!
Enjoy the easy years with your kids! The older they get, the smaller the gifts get and the more they cost. Even if they do not see the commercials, they see things their friends have and it is hard. You did an excellent job with the budget this Christmas. You should be very proud of yourself!! Now that you found my blog, you can have a bunch of free things from throughout the year on hand by Christmas. They make the great beginnings of gift baskets!! Also, maybe go shopping after Christmas with a limited budget and stock up on a few things you could give as gifts next year for just pennies. Target's 90% sale is the best!!
Happy Holidays!! Carol
I was actually quite depressed by my children's greed this Christmas. We under-bought for them, just for that reason. Because we probably created monsters the two previous Christmases.
Good job, Neno!
(I've been out of blog-reading commission for so long, I love having 8 or 9 of your posts to read at once. It's like having The Office season one on DVD...I don't have to wait to see what happens next!)
Happy Holidays!
Bread machine not forgotten.
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