Last year we spent less than $100 to provide Christmas for our family. It was a very difficult task which involved me combing through garage sales every week for months to find hidden treasures. I did it because I had to. This time last year we were living off of savings. Not only that, but we couldn’t see any way to replenish those savings in enough time to prevent running out. We drew a financial line after which Howard would have to seek outside employment rather than depending upon cartooning. That deadline loomed and I was desperate to keep it as far away as possible.
This year our situation is very different. We successfully self-published the first Schlock book. We’re on the edge of publishing the next one. Our budget is still necessarily tight, but the future is open and free of that we’re-out-of-money deadline. Without desperation driving me, I simply haven’t been going to garage sales this year. I”m still collecting stuff that I run across, but I’m not seeking out things to acquire. This means that as Christmas draws closer we’ll be spending money. I figure the budget for this Christmas will be around $500. And that probably won’t include travel expenses for going to my parent’s house. Compared to last year this proposed budget seems extravagant.
Part of me feels a little guilty about the difference between last year and this year. There were some truly wonderful things that occurred because I was so focused on not spending money. I want to find a way to keep those good things without having to work quite so hard. I’m not sure whether that will be possible. After so much time spent squeezing every penny, it feels like cheating for me to spend money to solve so small a problem as Christmas gifts. Part of my brain is convinced that the right way to do Christmas is the way I did it last year. A very different part of my brain is very glad that I can relax and not work so hard.
A third part of my brain is wondering why on earth we’re spending so much energy thinking about Christmas at the beginning of September.
David & I are trying to cut back in big ways to pay off some debt, so Christmas is going to be a lean one. We’re finding all sorts of ways to cut corners, and one of those is to start now!
So, I don’t think it’s strange to be wondering about Christmas already – I’ve been worrying about it for a month.
David & I are trying to cut back in big ways to pay off some debt, so Christmas is going to be a lean one. We’re finding all sorts of ways to cut corners, and one of those is to start now!
So, I don’t think it’s strange to be wondering about Christmas already – I’ve been worrying about it for a month.
Sandra, you are amazing. I really mean that. Just amazing. Your kids are very very very lucky to have a mom who cares about them as much as you do. Someday when I have kids I hope I’m half the mom you are.
Sandra, you are amazing. I really mean that. Just amazing. Your kids are very very very lucky to have a mom who cares about them as much as you do. Someday when I have kids I hope I’m half the mom you are.
I figure you pich those pennies so you CAN do something like spend it on Chritmas…
You and Howard certainly hold it close, and don’t spend much at all on yourselves…
Do what you can to keep the spending light, but you should enjoy being able to relax…
And never forget… You have a small army of people to whom you can and a wishlist on Amazon, andsit back KNOWING it will get cleared out in days…
And the fact that you really hate doing that just proves to me why we should jump at it when you DO do it. We know ou aren’t pumping us for stuff.
We want to get you folks stuff… Honest…
And while I hope I’m nowhere near as good a mom as you, I’d happily take second place to Howard in the “Best Dad” catagory…
I figure you pich those pennies so you CAN do something like spend it on Chritmas…
You and Howard certainly hold it close, and don’t spend much at all on yourselves…
Do what you can to keep the spending light, but you should enjoy being able to relax…
And never forget… You have a small army of people to whom you can and a wishlist on Amazon, andsit back KNOWING it will get cleared out in days…
And the fact that you really hate doing that just proves to me why we should jump at it when you DO do it. We know ou aren’t pumping us for stuff.
We want to get you folks stuff… Honest…
And while I hope I’m nowhere near as good a mom as you, I’d happily take second place to Howard in the “Best Dad” catagory…
Don’t feel guilty because you have more money to spend. Both you and Howard have worked very hard to get to this point and you should be proud of that fact. As to your “brains”; take the fun stuff that made last Christmas special, do those things and ignore the other bits. Some of my best Christmas memories are from the time when my parents were carrying 3 mortgages because Uncle Sam wouldn’t let noncoms keep families on base and we were on our third transfer.
Don’t worry about thinking about Christmas early, I already have half my shopping done, that way I can enjoy holiday season without going insane or stressing out. It is suppose to be the season of joy not the season of insanity.
Don’t feel guilty because you have more money to spend. Both you and Howard have worked very hard to get to this point and you should be proud of that fact. As to your “brains”; take the fun stuff that made last Christmas special, do those things and ignore the other bits. Some of my best Christmas memories are from the time when my parents were carrying 3 mortgages because Uncle Sam wouldn’t let noncoms keep families on base and we were on our third transfer.
Don’t worry about thinking about Christmas early, I already have half my shopping done, that way I can enjoy holiday season without going insane or stressing out. It is suppose to be the season of joy not the season of insanity.
We’re having a Christmas in September / Christmas Around the World Enrichment Meeting.
I am in charge of giving a report on a bunch of books I’m reading about having a less stressful, more meaningful, cheaper, funner Christmas with your family.
Would you like a copy? 🙂
yeah, I know, you know how to do that… you should be giving the report, not me. 🙂
Actually, I got a little argh!y at nahhto for bringing up Halloween.
I said, Why did you have to bring up Halloween?
and Halloween’s so much more closer than Christmas… {:O
We’re having a Christmas in September / Christmas Around the World Enrichment Meeting.
I am in charge of giving a report on a bunch of books I’m reading about having a less stressful, more meaningful, cheaper, funner Christmas with your family.
Would you like a copy? 🙂
yeah, I know, you know how to do that… you should be giving the report, not me. 🙂
Actually, I got a little argh!y at nahhto for bringing up Halloween.
I said, Why did you have to bring up Halloween?
and Halloween’s so much more closer than Christmas… {:O