Are You Shopping as Much This Year?

[SunshineGirl]

I was just reading a study that the numbers coming in for the holiday season so far are dismal. I'm wondering if people are really tightening their belts this year because they NEED to (loss of jobs, cost of gas going up, etc) or they WANT to (afraid that economy is going to get worse). Or are people really feeling like they are spending the same as ever. So here's a quick poll. How about you?

[mia214jia]

I wouldnt say I'm not shopping as much. But I have been staying more budgeted and I started early (July) for my shopping. Having worked retail I kinda know when stores start marking down, before they start "marking up". So really I havene spent neasrly as much this time as I did last year, Mainly because 3/4 was already done!

[wdwabby]

I've spent much, MUCH less - the few storebought gifts I'm giving were all purchased during the course of the year. Everything else will be homemade and I haven't spend all that much on supplies, maybe $50.

I'm trying to get myself out of the little bit of consumer debt I have so I can start saving again for replacing my car and get some cushion savings in place for when I change jobs, whenever that may be.

[PSL1013]

I'm shopping less because our family has decided to draw names for our gift giving and so instead of having to buy 4 separate adult gifts x about $50 each we are buying one gift and spending about $30-$35. None of us needs anything anyway, we all buy what we want throughout the year...it's about getting together for the holidays anyway and not about the gift giving! Hubby and I don't buy for extended family members, just immediate family, our family is very small compared to the rest of my friends. So, I would say we are spending alot less than previous years!

[bs4free]

Yep less this year, less spending and shopping, but more thoughtful gifts.

[m 'n c]

I started shopping earlier this year so that I spread out my spending. I think I cut back a little on my parents and brother but spent more on Mike. I did notice that I tended to go for better quality items that cost a tad more than cheaper gifts but buying more gifts if that makes sense.

[Blessing and Miracle]

I've actually tried to cut back on shopping this year. My kids don't need much of anything. DS 26, is moving the begining of the year, so he want items geared towards that. Now, the twins, that's a different story!! All day long, I hear "Mommy, can we have that!?" At first, I would say yes, but now I say no, without even looking at the commercial!! LOL. Although, I think I've cut back, DH would disagree! LOL.

[DisneyMa]

Spending a little less here. I started shopping in March (Disneyland trip) and shopped throughout the year. I also haven't bought as much, just better more thoughtful gifts. The girls got clothes that they wanted (but I didn't want to spend that much on!) and toys that I have accumulated from Target shopping trips:D I also did more online shopping this year (yeah to SR) The family decided we would rather do Disneyland 2 times this year and have a smaller Christmas:love:

It's really nice to be done with shopping and have NO credit card debit to show!! Only SR credits and Disney reward dollars:D

[Anne]

I, too, started earlier. I am also looking for the deals more than I have in the past. I probably have spent a little less, but I have spread it out, too so the credit card bill won't scare me as badly.

My big reason though is that dh's christmas bonus won't be paid until March. I used to use that for x-mas. Now it isn't there...grrrr.

The thing is, I just don't see it getting much better. Gas prices leads to higher groceries and other goods. Health inrurance keeps going up too. I just don't see any of this ending anytime soon.

:(

[lmroyea]

I think I'm spending about the same. The huge difference is that I only had one gift to buy from a store. I did everything else online and through SR. After working in retail for 12+ years, this is the first year I allowed to stay away from the mall and I certainly took advantage of it. Plus it's the first year I actually made money back while I was spending it!

[sunshinecindy]

I've bought for a few less people this year (since its just me and kevin, tricia and Angie I work with not 13 techs and 3 drs), but I think I spent about the same if not more. The only thng on cc is what had to be to get the discounts, but thats ok, it helps spread it out and then I can pay those off when they come in next month.The economy really sucks this year, gas is outrageous and employment is at an all time low, it just looks better because our service men are considered employed, and I can tell you first hand that the unemployment offices don't even recognize 1/4 of the claims for unemployment they get. Hopefully next year will be better. But whoever you buy for, and whatever you buy, I'm sure they will appreciate it not for the value but for the sentiment behind it.

[Riyaa]

We cut back our holiday spending quite a bit last year because we were in the process of moving from Hawaii to Colorado. So, this year I figure that budget will work for us again.

[~Kathie]

I'm spending less but I'm shopping almost just as much. I haven't bought anything unless it's a deal with a coupon or free shipping.

I'm finding I am getting more emails for companies offering % off and free shipping. Seems everyone is clammering for my business. Yay!! Better for me. Some of the sites send emails daily!! I think they are hurting.

DH and I are going to Ireland in June 2008 and we want to take an Alaskan cruise and land tour in 2009. Alaska is going to be expensive. We decided not to buy each other more than a few gifts. We always spend too much on each other and it really isn't necessary.

Of course I always go overboard on the kids. There may come a time when I can't do it.....but for now, I can......so I do! :cooldance:

[disney_girl]

Overall, I think I'm spending the same. With two kids of my own now, I've shifted the spending from other family members to my immediate family. By starting my shopping earlier this year, I have also been able to get some great deals. With higher gas prices and online sites offering free shipping (in addition to being pregnant), I did about 95% of my shopping online this year.

I have also bought things when I have found good deals and have a nice stash for Valentine's, Easter, Birthdays and rewards. I found a lot of books and craft type stuff that I couldn't pass up. But I do agree that for the main Christmas gifts, it's hard to know what small kids will want before like October or November.

[speechteachri]

I am spending about the same as always, but I start shopping for next year's gifts VERY early. I watch for deals, and take advantage of them when they come along to make my purchases more budget friendly. I do this every year though, not just this one.

[askomsky]

It's about the same but I'm figuring in our Disney trip.

We warned the kids that Disney would be part of their christmas present, BUT for DH and I that was bc we're tired of the over commicialization of the holiday not to mention how many plastic toys we have with 3 children 8, 5 and 4. last year was a little too much, just too many small things that they only play with half the time. We don't buy our kids gifts just bc, when we're out in the store the kids know their not getting anything, so things I do buy throughout the year will go towards Easter, Valentines's etc.

This year the kids are getting the Wii from Santa with the accessories. Mom and dad got them each a big game (Guitar Hero, HSM2, Mario etc) they got new jackets (girls area getting Disney Pirates and HSM varsity, son is getting a fleece from his hockey team with name and number) and some other dolls and small things, but not much.

We cut back the last 4 years big time. It was getting to be too much.
I buy for my 3 kids, my 2 younger brothers and my neice. the grandparents get Kodak calendars and something else, this year a fleece blanket of the kids and usually a gift card out to eat or movies. DH and I don't tend to buy eachother anything for xmas, bc we'll make big purchases. 2 yrs ago I needed a new digital camera. this year he bought his hockey equipment for his 40th and he also ref's hockey games so the ref gear he's considering his xmas present. this year we needed a new camcorder so that's our big gift along with Disney. We're pretty good about being realistic, if we don't need it we won't buy it. I always use coupons or buy things on sale. Poor DS8 in the grocery store knows, he'll ask to buy something and then look and say oh wait it's not on sale, but mom do you have a coupon? lol Very practical.
Which is why we won't put anything on the cc that won't be paid in full the next month.
Ok so I got off topic.... :)

It's about the same over all but I'm figuring in the extra's we purchased at Disney, the kids never do without and they'll be more then happy with what they do get. When they out grow Santa, it'll probably be cut down even more, but that's when their stuff starts geting more expensive anyway!

I'm trying to get hte kids to focus on the real meaning and giving then the actual presents, but it's so hard at this age.

April

PS forgot to add I start my shopping for xmas the day after xmas! lol Last year in Jan Target put most of their toys 75% off I was able to pick up a ton of stuff mainly for bday's and friends bday parties for the whole year. I'm happy to say that most of the stuff Target put on clearance was still in other stores full price so a $20 or $30 toy was $5-$10 and my kids were able to attend most every party they were invited too. [Plus I put some aside for their bdays and other events. I try to pick up some things throughout the year, but with kids this age you never know what they want until they see it on TV in november! lol

[vegaskjk]

I just hope if the numbers are down that means that the Sat. before Christmas will have some great sales! I know I will hunting for some last minute stuff before we head to Disney on Christmas Eve.

[TtownAnne]

About the same here - there are family members that we MUST buy for, we want to do nice things for our parents, and are beyond lucky and fortunate that the changes in the economy have not really affected us.

[OhMari]

I'm the frugal shopper and my dh goes at the last minute and blows my budget.
I was hoping to have airline tickets for everyone's Christmas Present but the price of airline tickets is outragious for the week before Easter.

[barbaraapple]

I have spent the same as last year..

But every year I say "we are going to cut back this year" :rotfl:

[Hedy]

Yes, BUT my economic position is different (grown-up job, not a student) than it was last year, so i'm spening more $ but probably a smaller % of my income.

[spring]

Each year I tell everyone and myself that I am going to scale back on Christmas gifts. Yeah, right. This year I spent as much, and probably more than last year. I just never seem to be able to cut down on spending on my granddaughters. Everytime I think I'm done, I find something that is perfect for one of them, then I need to get something for the others to even my spending out. This just goes on and on...........:rotfl:

[Alice28]

I'm not sure - I voted same as last year, cause I know I spent about the same on the kids, our parents, niece, nephews. But I did spend less on DH. I got him 2 small gifts. You know why- he bought himself a 'toy' two weeks ago. A $1300 rifle. Too bad I can't get Sunshine Rewards back on that purchase. :headache:

Also, we bought a house this year, along with new furniture, new landscaping, new a lot of stuff! Neither one of us could really come up with much that we wanted for Christmas anyway. It's been a very good year for us. :heart:

[sunshinemckenzie]

We simply had too. We have a huge house and go through 500 gallons of propane a month. Last year, it was almost $500 to fill the take. This year it is over a $1000 to fill the same tank. Luckily for us...three of our children are grown and they completely understood. So for Christmas, they are getting one larger gift and we are taking them and their families on Vacation this summer...instead of a bunch of things they really don't need. They can't afford vacations with their new families and thought the idea was great.

[aknight373]

well none of the above really fits mine. i am spending less because last year we spent a lot and all we got was very cheap things. so i said i was not spending 300-400 per couple again. so this year i spent around 100-150 per couple.

[TtownAnne]

I think I could spend a LOT less if my family would agree to do name drawing or whatever, but they won't! With DH's family everyone has agreed to just buy for the kids, so that is great. But with my family my aunts and uncles won't agree to that - so not only do we have to buy gifts for all my cousins, but for my six uncles and two aunts too!