How Can You Keep Christmas Spending Under Budget?

Leannexxx Oh no! At least you can concentrate on yourself again though instead of other people now Christmas is over for another year.

JLouM it was all worth it my kids are happy my freezer is full so I'm not worried and if I need help my and my other half family will help us with anything

Leannexxx Ah that’s good. As long as you are ok.

MrsCraig Yes never too early to start saving again!

MrsCraig I really get emotional when I hear families going into debt just because they have to keep up with the Jones and playground.

Pjran absolutely, it is just silly. You spend what you can afford and if you can only afford one gift then you only buy one gift.

MrsCraig I feel as though there is too much pressure on parents especially when children ask for expensive things. We all know you should stick to what you can afford but sometimes your heart rules.

Pjran luckily my son only asked for 3 things from Santa. I agree there is too much pressure on parents. One of the reasons that I save all year to make sure I can afford to give him a good Christmas.

MrsCraig I too have never been in debt but I do understand how easy it is to fall into that trap.

Pjran very easy to fall into that trap unfortunately. It's getting out of it that's the hard part.

MrsCraig Partners grandson wanted one thing from Santa (a golden gun toy £19.99). He got TV, mountain bike, drum kit plus lots more it only just fit into a Fiesta, I couldn't believe how many parcels we'd been storing for one 7 year old. Christmas morning when he visited the only thing that got mentioned and shown was the golden gun. We hope his father might realise for next year but doubt it.

lilyflower I made sure he got the 3 he wanted and a few other things, but it certainly wasn't as much as that! I doubt he will realise and will do the same next year. I would understand if he had asked for a TV and mountain bike but those are expensive items to buy just for the sake of it. Hopefully your partners grandson will use them and enjoy them.

MrsCraig Apparently he is now in his bedroom watching TV - all the time. 7 year olds should be interacting with others not playing playstation games all day every day.

lilyflower 100% agree.

MelissaLee1 That’s good you are healthy and content with what you have.

Imnotcheap Have you looked on the mse website? They often have glasses deals or the best prices you can get.

JLouM is that for prescription glasses

Imnotcheap Oh I don’t know, sorry. Worth a look though just in case.

JLouM thanks

Imnotcheap tell me about it damn glasses costs so much!! Too expensive!!

Imnotcheap I no longer buy glasses frames and lenses in brick & mortar opticians. When I was going to buy my last pair of prescription glasses 7 years ago, I would have spent £150 on frames/lenses (about £250-300 today). Instead, I bought my frames on eBay (new/authentic Fendi) for £20 and sent them off (registered mail) for reglazing to an on-line optician for £30 (scratch resistant/anti-glare). So, total including postage came to about £53

JLouM selectspecs do prescription glasses. I think there is also one called goggles4u. Its all online - you just need your prescription from your eye test. They are online. I will check my emails now for you as i have bought glasses from goggles4u - so if there is a sale on i will put it up on deals.

JLouM goggles4u.co.uk/

They are having a 50%’off sale. First frames I saw were £12.95 then take 50% off. You obviously have to pay for lenses - but they are so much cheaper than the High Street Opticians. You just follow the steps to get exactly what you want. I was unsure of how my prescription actually worked so I just forwarded them the email from my eye test and they did everything for me.

suevernon1968 Thank you for your reply to my post but this information is to benefit poster Imnotcheap as he is looking. Not me at the moment but still useful to know.

JLouM I’m sorry. I blame my age and sheer exhaustion after a Christmas with 11 Grandchildren!

suevernon1968 Don’t be sorry! I was just pointing it out. 11 grandchildren!!! . Bet that was a busy Christmas .

Imnotcheap i have got several pairs of prescription glasses that also turn into sunglasses from goggles4u .co.uk. Very cheap but also very good quality

JLouM i have to be organised lol. Ive bought all the wrapping stuff for next year as it’s reduced so much. I have a bit of a look through the January sales but in June I start shopping/saving properly . And I actually dont like Christmas!

Used to love Christmas but it’s so different when everyone is older generation and no little ones any longer. All young adults, middle aged and pensioners now. Much quieter.

suevernon1968 she didn't get email they would have sent to me

JLouM my kids are 7,9 and 20cdo still young

janphoenix51 I agree with your mum!

janphoenix51 Yes I agree only buy what you need not want! I just earned an amazing amount in amazon vouchers via this app too!

Hope you can get the rewards too! It really helps!

comriegold Why did it get binned? Was it not alright or just children didn’t like it or just too much??

JLouM my adult children just won't eat it after its cooked. There will be no turkey in this house Christmas 2024. I work for a food company and hate food waste

JLouM it wasn't too much it was a crown. I was really ill over Christmas and would have salvaged it. I did salvage the remaining ham

comriegold Sorry you were unwell! I wonder why they wouldn’t eat it. As long as thawed and cooked properly should have been ok with all the accompaniments with Christmas dinner. Maybe stick to fresh in future but budget for it.

JLouM oh it's lamb next year. We have decided. I don't actually eat meat. My special Christmas Dinner is still in the freezer

comriegold Aha!!

comriegold That’s quite a shop there! Bargains. I like your blue tiles!

JLouM oh I had a fight with the guy who put them up. He said they would take ages to put up. Glad I won though