Christmas Confessions

Posted on December 19, 2008
Filed Under budget |

One of the ways that I stick to my budget all year long is by NOT shopping. I avoid the malls, I don’t go to clothing stores or big box stores. When I have to go shopping, I make a list and I am like a guided missile. I go, I get what I need and I get the heck outta there. Thus, I rarely ever see all the really cool tempting stuff that makes you really want to have one.

At this time of the year in particular, I try to avoid the stores. I shop online as much as I can and when I do go shopping I try to have a pretty good idea of what I want to buy. There are traps though and this brings us to my Christmas confession.

I am absolutely addicted to musical Christmas toys. Whether they are stuffed or statues, if they are animated and make noise, I almost have to buy them. They cry out to me. My grandkids have the best time turning them all on and letting them play during the holiday season. They even get a little wild and turn them all on at the same time.

If there is one single thing that I am tempted to buy myself during my holiday shopping season, it’s animated musical toys. Before I started on my personal finance journey, I might have spent $100 or more every year. Since I have been on a budget, I do not have them in my budget but they still find a way to sneak into my cart.

The stores are tricky. They will put them up all over the place and they start reducing the price early on. Then there are the really cool ones that they only have one or two of that I just fall in love with and have to have. I have started avoiding the Christmas section of Walmart so they move them to the front of the store.

I am in control this year. I have not bought a single one. Of course, I am on my way to Walmart this morning.

Is there any one thing that you have bought yourself that wasn’t in your Christmas budget? Do you have a secret holiday confession? Ever bought yourself a Christmas gift?

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Comments

3 Responses to “Christmas Confessions”

Jen @ Money Saver (1 comments.) on December 19th, 2008 2:14 pm

Oh I’m just as guilty. I gotta tell you. I get a little tired of it, honestly, but we go out and buy stuff for the kids before the big day and then let them have it before Christmas. Then there’s nothing from us to them that they can open on the big day. Urgh.

I’m like you. I’m not a browser when I go shopping. I make my list, get in, and get out. But those holiday aisles - I’m a sucker for them too. I can’t help it. I love Christmas!
Mrs. Accountability (4 comments.) on December 20th, 2008 11:43 pm

You’ve got to check out Target when the 90% off sale goes on. I always find several of those musical toys each year but I donate them to a blind center and then they use them for the next year’s Christmas raffle. I usually have to change the batteries as they put those really cheap ones in, but then they work fine. And they end up costing $1.49 or $2.49 (normally they were $14.99 or $24.99). My favorite time of Christmas is the after Christmas Target sale. I have got several coworkers who ask me to shop for them, so I get to buy a bunch of stuff, it’s so exciting!! One year I bought $140 worth (regular retail would have been $1400!!!!) and only about $20 of it was mine after everyone bought the Christmas cards, wrapping paper and other things.
cindys on December 22nd, 2008 7:59 am

Jen & Mrs. A, I didn’t usually give my kids the stuff early but the earlier I shopped the more I ended up buying.

I am planning on hitting the after Christmas sales this year because my tree lights are about ready to give up the ghost. I have 2 strands out of 4 that aren’t working.

I also want to get some yard decor for next year. We will see if we manage to do it without blowing the budget.