Holiday spending plan: Where are frugalistas using their budgets?
Filed under: Reduce Reuse Recycle, Shopping, Simplification
Now that I've self-identified with the "frugalista," it's already time to buckle down and start budgeting for the rest of the holiday season. Frugalistas are known for spending little on typical consumer goods (think expensive decorations, electronics and clothing) but maybe a little more on good food (that they cook themselves, natch) and what I like to call "vital luxuries"; maybe a couple of hand-made wooden toys for their children, or a top-of-the-line food processor (the easier to make great dinners at home instead of going out).So: what is in the frugalista's budget this year? Here's how my Christmas spending plan breaks down:
- Christmas tree: Purchased from a local charity I believe in, $40
- Food: Extra organic cream, some direct-trade shade-grown chocolate, and a heritage turkey from a local farm, plus a couple of splurges on cheeses and cured meats from my favorite farmer's market vendors, an extra pound of coffee for my dad, about $200
- Toys: One or two hand-made wooden toys for each of my three little boys, $120
- Crafty: Four skeins of yarn to complete knitted Christmas gifts, $60
- Stockings: A trip to REI to get socks and new bike lights for my boys' stockings, $50
- Husband: New fenders for his bike, $30
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-30-2008 @ 7:09AM
SUSAN said...
1. Eat Christmas Dinner at someonelse's house. If asked take a dish to share.
2. Don't decorate- waste of time and money.
3. Don't exchange gifts. The children are grown and no one else wants or needs anything.
4. Attend church. It is a religious holiday. Wear what you wore last year. No one will remember.
5. Leave for some place warm for a week's vacation the day after.
6. Get back to work in January.
Reply
12-05-2008 @ 9:20AM
Sharonandcal said...
$500 is still pricey. we bake things to give and don't really give gifts to each other. Buying gifts doesn't occur now, it occurs throughout the year. If husband needs fenders, we look for fenders on sale throughout the year - price will affect our purchase, not the pressure of the season.
frugalistas.blogspot.com
Reply
12-19-2008 @ 9:41AM
Carla said...
I love what sharonandcal said about not buying gifts due to the pressure of the season! Priorities, priorities, priorities! Maybe the one good thing about a recession is the possibility of helping folks to remember the real meaning of Christmas, and steer away from all the commercialism.
12-12-2008 @ 11:24AM
Debbie said...
Your list shows your priorities -- for value, quality, and meaningful giving.
For me, I'll be wrapping in reusable boxes and recycled bags and papers. I make tags out of old envelopes -- some even have lovely foil lining. Giving gifts is a must for me, but they don't have to be expensive. For example, I'll give a basket of teas and home-made bread for my sister-in-law. I've bought more gifts this year at craft fairs and local gift shops. I'm supporting small entrepreneurs, because they are the wave of the future as major corporations downsize. Here's to 2009 and a more economical economy.
Reply
12-19-2008 @ 7:18AM
quicktolearn said...
1. No new Christmas decorations
2. I bought small locally made gifts from women who are struggling to survive
3. Purchased new coats for self and hubby - if this recession lasts long - we do not need to be cold
4. No books purchased - new library cards for everyone
5. Gathering and giving gift of self instead of gift of stuff
Reply
12-19-2008 @ 3:04PM
BusyMomof4 said...
Giving gifts still exist in this household of 6+ we just draw names & that's who is bought for. 1 big family gift & the rest is needed anyways so we wrap & recycle old bags & boxes from xmas' past. Homemade Christmas cards go to everyone else with photos of the Kids in them. I get my husband something he needs like new pj's & myself I bought my gift in August when I needed it.
Reply
12-22-2008 @ 9:57PM
Lori said...
Take advantage of the free gifts that you acquire all year long. Make sure you are registered for the absolutely free points that turn into real items with the swipe of every credit or debit card purchase ( as long as you "sign" for the purchase, not enter your pin number), such as Visa gift cards that can be helpful. For the past two years I have received over $600 worth of free gift cards from my bank for signing up for this program. There are no strings attached. We use are cards all year long and cash in November. You can order generic gift cards and totally take care of all the "I forgot them" gifts that send your budget over the edge at the end of the year or completely take care of Santa! I can not recommend this program enough!!
Reply