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Did You Spend Too Much This Christmas?


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Old 29-12-2016, 00:15
Brandy211
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According to Mumsnet, the average adult spent £530 Christmas 2015.

Did you spend more or less than the average?

Are you now feeling the pinch after Christmas & maybe a spending spree at the sales too, or do you put some cash by for this time of the year?
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Old 29-12-2016, 00:19
dee123
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Only on myself and a selected few. The rest had a limit of 30 bucks each.
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Old 29-12-2016, 00:22
Gordon g
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We probably spent just over that this year but that included food as well. There was supposed to be a 50 pound limit on buying presents for me and my girlfriend but she broke that rule this year.

By far the biggest expense this Christmas was the repair bill for the car.
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Old 29-12-2016, 00:25
Brandy211
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Only on myself and a selected few. The rest had a limit of 30 bucks each.
Last year I treated myself to something rather expensive. I wont be doing that again until maybe next year.

I have managed to pick up most of my presents for next Christmas though, so I wont need to join the crowds next Nov/Dec. They are paid for too.

What I did spend more on this year, was food.
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Old 29-12-2016, 00:28
Brandy211
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We probably spent just over that this year but that included food as well. There was supposed to be a 50 pound limit on buying presents for me and my girlfriend but she broke that rule this year.

By far the biggest expense this Christmas was the repair bill for the car.
My son had the same problem this December. An unexpected £600 car repair bill.
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Old 29-12-2016, 00:35
Toby LaRhone
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I'd say Yes but not in financial terms.
I just look at the bewilderment on my grandchildrens faces as I did on my children's faces when they were infants as they were simply overwhelmed by the overkill.
It's an aspect of Christmas that I don't relish.
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Old 29-12-2016, 01:51
Reserved
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Don't think I did, no.

I spent about £300 - £400 on 12 people. I think £30 - £40 per person is a fair amount. Not too stingy, but not too over the top, either.

I don't have kids, though. If I did, I think I'd probably go over that £530 figure.
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Old 29-12-2016, 01:57
Keyser_Soze1
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No.

I never spend more than I have.

It was the most boring Christmas ever - money was exchanged back and forth between the adults.

The only highlight was buying my nieces and nephew gifts but I missed them opening most of the presents I bought anyway.

All the magic has gone I am afraid.
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Old 29-12-2016, 02:20
francie
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No.

I never spend more than I have.

It was the most boring Christmas ever - money was exchanged back and forth between the adults.

The only highlight was buying my nieces and nephew gifts but I missed them opening most of the presents I bought anyway.

All the magic has gone I am afraid.
There must be have been some joy surely?
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Old 29-12-2016, 07:36
sarahj1986
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Without checking my spreadsheet I'd say I spent over that figure but in terms of my own personal budget so no I didn't go over. I do have quite a few people to buy for but then my husband does contribute to the costs of that.
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Old 29-12-2016, 07:40
1manonthebog
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I spent almost double the average.
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Old 29-12-2016, 07:59
TheEricPollard
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I spent about £15. That's what happens when you buy all your presents in Home Bargains.
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Old 29-12-2016, 08:20
elliecat
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We say every year that we will save money for Christmas but come my December payday it's always the same. Then January is a struggle as the little money I have has to last 5/6 weeks.

We had intended to buy a new duvet in the sales, no chance now. I also need new tyres which is something I have no choice in buying. So January is going to be extra tight this year.
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Old 29-12-2016, 08:22
StrictlyEastend
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I probably spent around the average.
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Old 29-12-2016, 08:48
Ovalteenie
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I spent about 4x more on gifts for other people than I received
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Old 29-12-2016, 09:06
spimf
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Yep spent more than that.
Yep January will be tight.
Yep I do wish I had used a bit more self control and not spent as much on last minute stuff that really wasn't needed.
Nope I don't suppose I'll learn my lesson next year either 😂
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Old 29-12-2016, 09:13
TheEricPollard
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I spent about 4x more on gifts for other people than I received
Just go to Home Bargains next year, that'll teach 'em.
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Old 29-12-2016, 09:23
Glawster2002
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Whilst we're not on the breadline we've always been careful with our money and spent @ the same as usual, i.e. what we can afford.

We certainly wouldn't get in to debt for Christmas.
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Old 29-12-2016, 09:55
Lushness
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Yes I spent a fair bit more than that, but I never go over my budget. January will be the same as any other month for me.

I learned the hard way about spending too much at Christmas then struggling through January.
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Old 29-12-2016, 12:59
CLL Dodge
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Spent £500 on myself, £50 on relatives.

I resent the latter.
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Old 29-12-2016, 14:33
Rab64
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Spent about £400 in total. Well within budget
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Old 29-12-2016, 14:37
CBFreak
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Probably around £100 per five people and four cats.
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Old 29-12-2016, 14:44
muggins14
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No debt incurred - I spent the money I had saved for the purpose and my brother always sends £200 ASDA gift card which covered a few gifts, a couple of household items and the food.

ETA: Although, saying that, I went to ASDA on 23rd December at 6pm and the shelves were empty, so I had to go to the nearest Tesco to get half of the shopping I needed.
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Old 29-12-2016, 14:53
bornfree
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Last year I spent £1200.00 but £250 was on my OH on clothes he needed. £300 on food as Christmas was around mine. £120 for work people (I work with some very nice people - ) to thank them for their hard work. This year it was half the amount and I wasn't stingy but lucky that I left my buying till the last minute and got lots of very decent bargains and only had two other adults with us.
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Old 29-12-2016, 15:06
Moany Liza
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We rebelled against consumerism this year. Token presents (maximum value of £20) only for us and our grown-up kids and apart from gifts for two relatives who had already bought for us, and three children in the family, we skipped exchanging gifts with other family members.

Instead we bought items from Oxfam Unwrapped to donate, such as goats, soap, honey bees, a toilet, manure etc and we also made donations to various charities which we wished to support.

Far more worthwhile than trudging around trying to find suitable gifts for people who neither need not want them.
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