I’ve decided that this December, and quite possibly *every* December is going to be my un-budget month! December is usually crazy busy, with lots to do! Worrying about saving money, or coming in under a certain amount when unexpected expenses pop up all month is something that I really don’t want to have to stress about this month! I like to give extra money to charities, help those in need, etc…
I need to finish up my Christmas shopping, some stocking stuffers, mail out some Christmas gifts, etc… I’m also going to a craft fair this Friday and would like to not worry about how much I spend. I will be staying under our variable income every week but won’t be allotting a certain amount to my jars, or doing any saving over & above hubby’s monthly work-matched savings program of $200/month. We also have lots of food in the house so I’ll keep our grocery shopping pretty low with the bulk of it going for Christmas foods!
One way we are going to save on food costs this month is with GC’s! We’ve saved up a good amount of Air-Miles which we traded in for $60.00 worth of GC’s to Metro. I’ll use those to buy meat to fill our freezer with the next good sale… We’re short just 4 air-miles for one more $20.00 GC, so I’m going to watch the Metro Flyer so I can try to get a quick & easy 4 air-miles! $80.00 worth of free meat for our freezer would be nice! Especially since its crock-pot season! 
I’ll be sticking with menu planning this month and will be focussing on lots of Christmas baking! I’d love to have a nice assortment of baked goods in my freezer ready to pull out for over Christmas & New Years. Anyone have any tried & true recipes that I should try out? Baking is NOT my strong suit!
I am also now declaring that January will be a *No-Spend* month here!! What better month to take inventory of all your blessings, save a little extra money, hang around the house with your family, enjoy your new Christmas gifts, and perhaps do some needed decluttering! Details will be coming up soon, and I’ll be begging requesting that some of my readers join me! So get ready!!
How are easing up the stress of the holiday season on yourself?
Well I’m off for the day, I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!!
I have cut so many people out this year it’s not even funny. With the wedding and everything this year, money is just so tight.
I will probably join you in the no spend January…
Gill
A no-spend January is a great idea! It’s a good detox from the holiday spending season.
I’m so stressed about December! So much to do. I don’t even want to think about it.
What a great idea to have a no-spend January — especially since you’ll likely spend more than usual in December
O my stress buster technique is awesome! Just don’t think about money or what I have to do. It helps! Not.
I’m in for January! Feel free to join me for Operation Give Back, my December challenge…
I’m reducing the stress of the Christmas season by not sending out Christmas cards this year… only a select few to my very closest and dearest friends and family. Traditionally I’ve written a Christmas letter telling everyone all about our year, but this year I can’t bring myself to write one, with all the bad things that have happened in 2011. Anyone who knows us well, already knows how our year has been… and anyone who doesn’t already know doesn’t really need to know. So no Christmas letter this year.
As for the January challenge, I might be in. Must review how the finances will look – I might just NEED to do it regardless of whether I want to or not!
I’ve reduced my stress factor by 100% just by being done with shopping and wrapping! I have hubby’s stocking to fill, and a Christmas tree to purchase but that.is.it!
We have three holiday parties in December, two of which I will bring bottles of wine to the hostesses. (Already have them!) The third one is hubby’s office party..no need there!
We’ll be baking quite a bit here too, thanks to my son’s history project! I froze cookies last year and they worked out great. I’ll do the same this year too.
A “no spend” January? Sounds good, except I’m much better at the weekly fiscal fast…How about if I join you for a week of it!
! Believe it or not, I’m doing a fiscal fast in December too! 
! I need to save some $$ for our Christmas Eve feast (Crab, shrimp, pasta).
I am finishing up my shopping in November (going shopping on Wednesday to pick up my last two gifts), and plan to order my holiday cards by then as well. All that will be left: bringing in treats for the preschool teachers at my son’s school & mailing the cards. Other than that, I’m excited to enjoy December! We put up the decorations & tree yesterday, so we just have the outside lights left.
I’m easing up the stress by letting myself do what I want to do, when I want to do it. Trying to fill 20hrs a week with business stuff right before Christmas is a bad idea, so I’ve been alternating business days with Christmas days. Stress reduced! Having my gifts planned out with money set aside in my budget has also made my shopping way less stressful. I’m also piggybacking business and shopping with hanging out with friends, so I get to see everyone while I’m getting stuff done. Bring on the Christmas madness, I’m ready!
This year I told my sister and brother that there will be no gift giving except for the kids. We all have everything we could possibly need and all of us have tight budgets. That has eased the stress immensely. I also did not pick up a ton of shifts around the Christmas break. Last year I worked every day after Christmas and it was HORRIBLE!! This year I picked up 2 shifts. Boxing day is double time, so that is like an extra shift….yay!!
Your decorating looks really pretty by the way.
I’m sorta in for the No Spend month in Janyary, the exception will be picking up wrapping paper and such for the next Christmas. Last year I broke my no spend Jan. because the deals were just to good to pass up, wrapping paper $.09 a roll, bath and body works candles $.35@, other than SUPER DUPER sales I am all in.
Less stress this year because we are done shopping for gifts!! House is decorated, except for the live tree, all handmade gifts are done and ready to mail, have some fun sewing I would like to do but if it doesn’t happen thats OK. I do still have Christmas stockings to finish for the Grands, but they are not old enough to complain yet!!
I don’t have too much Christmas stress anymore. Kazi’s gift is already bought and I have some of Michael’s done too. I don’t worry too much about the budget in December either, my hope is to still reach my debt reduction and savings goals but I can scale back a bit if I need to and it won’t upset me too much. I’ll join you in January for sure!
I have it so unbelievably easy its embarrassing…gifts for DH,MIL and my mom usually come from their Amazon wish lists or they get a gift card. We don’t decorate, I work retail so that is enough busy work for me. I will do a little baking for work folks, I have a cow coming and we will have the prime rib for Christmas dinner. I really enjoy reading about all that you guys do and am amazed at your energy!
I am not stressing this year. Shopping is done, cards done and mailed, house decorated(but we scaled it back this year). I am just going to enjoy the season.
I’m in for the January no-spend challenge. I’ve done it for the past two years… I only buy milk fruits and veggies as needed.
I just finished posting about my No Spend January on my blog and now I see that you’re doing the same. Great minds think alike
I’m very stressed at the moment, mainly because I didn’t get myself organized earlier. I need to improve on that for next year.
We get frequent flyer points on our credit cards, and that is what is paying for our flights to Italy next year for my 50th. Mr Sammyleia is saving for the rest of the costs for the trip , exceptI have to save for the spending money I need. Therefore I MUST budget better next year!
I think I am going to do something similar to this and just go with the flow. I’ve been stressing to much about it. Make sure the bills are paid and then whatever happens happens.
I am so behind on Christmas shopping. My focus right now is on my youngest son’s birthday which is on Saturday. Next week I will be in full throtle Christmas mode. Christmas baking will also commence…just purchased a Gingerbread House mold I have been eyeing for a few years now. My boys are super excited to decorate it now that I have found allergy friendly candies.