Snooze2978

My parents grew up during the depression so money was important to them. They worked hard 6 days a week, put money into savings or stocks and was able to retire early in life. Having money didn't make them happy though as they missed out with spending time with the family (kids). My father always told me that if you didn't have the money, you didn't need whatever it was that you wanted. Today that's hard to live by as everything has gotten so expensive and in this system of things, we're taught we can always charge it or take out a loan. Now that I'm retired, I'm trying to get back to the thinking that if I don't have the money to buy it, I don't really need it. Yes, its hard at times but I'm finding it easier to live by those rules. If I quit buying fabric right now I still have enough to use for many years. I find sharing what I have more fulfilling too.

Making gifts for others shows how much I think of them as I'm taking my time, effort into making the gift. I haven't given a store bought gift in years and most everyone around me know that. I try to make something they can use or enjoy with their likes in mind. If that makes me a Scrooge, so be it.

If I have more than I need whether its food, clothing, etc. I will share with someone that is in need. That's what the good book asks of us and to do it joyfully, not begrudgingly and not expecting something in return.......and not bragging about it either. Giving should be between you, the receiver and God.

That's all I have to say on this subject.

ziegamomma

I, too have cut back on giving this year. We are helping our son with some very expensiv dental bills and that has really strapped us. We need to simplify our lives....all of us. In Bible study this week, I heard a great quote. "Remember, it's not you birthday." That has really stuck with me. We are making donations to favorite charities.

svenskaflicka1

this year we pared down, hugely. i'm in my second year of retirement. hubby's in his 15th. income is down by 75%. i'm at a place where i really only "need" the necessities of life. my kids are grown, with families of their own. so, no gifts for the grown kids. none for us, please. if you really want to get us something, a roll of stamps is good, or a giant pack of toilet paper! the grandkids will get spoiled, but not to the extent of the past. the oldest are "challenged", so they, too, will get goodies--but again, not like in the past. the babies (both under a year) only want to rip up the paper, anyways--so small gifts, and a check to their folks for the baby bank account. we do charge things, but they are paid off immediately. rule of life: if we can't pay for it, right now, we don't need it. my youngest's opinion is that it's really about family and food, and the celebration of christmas, anyways. i agree. time to take it in hand, and keep it controlled.

mike'sgirl

I don't see one thing on your list that's unreasonable or Scroogie. They are all sensible.Go for it.

pocoellie

Today's manufacturers just want you to spend your money and the REAL reason for Christmas is forgotten, and today's "modern" society goes along with it. I find it utterly stupid to buy gifts by credit and you're still paying for those gifts, years later. As far as I'm concerned, Christmas gifts are for children, so if there's none around in the family, then there's no gifts, we already have the "gift" of life.

Caswews

Like Nessie; we use the credit card to buy then pay it off immediately... But we don't buy the granddaughters the lavish gifts that the other side of the family does (her inlaw family).. we find out what size clothes they need, socks, undies. If they need a new back pack; items like that. We do give the three granddaughters each a 25.00 gift card to their favorite store to buy something they truly want as well.
We don't like to go into stores carrying alot of monies, and its just a little safer with a card (unless of course you get the card number thief.. then its heck with credit card company!).

ekuw

We are spending Christmas with my in-laws. For them, there is no "christ" in christmas. It's just about exchanging gifts. This year I've lowered my amount to spend on each person to about $10. I have realized that I cannot get these people the "perfect" gift with my budget (cash only) so I am just trying to get them something semi-thoughtful. It has reduced my stress level considerably. My kids know we don't have a lot of money; we spend about $200 each on them, and my husband and I just exchange stuff we need like socks and clothes. We are starting to simplify things a little more each year.

ManiacQuilter2

I think you are being sensible. It is better to pay cash than get too far into debt with the credit card companies !!

Cogito

why on earth would any of these reasons lead to being called a Scrooge?

Sdwill

I have gotten a "prepaid" debit card and put the the Christmas $ on it. When it's gone, I better have all the Christmas bought because that's it. No more. DH and I always make sure we buy for our kids first (even though they are grown, we try to buy things they "need"). Then we buy something that our parents "need" such as clothing or replacing something that broke. then if anything else is left, we buy for each other, but it's usually something we "need". I don't need anything else sitting around the house to clutter it up. Oldest DS doesn't really buy us a Christmas gift. He gives us something large that we need during the year. He still lives with us, and last year he bought us a new 50" TV as were still on old analog TV and it was about to go out. That was our Christmas and birthday gifts from him. Youngest DS is still in college and planning a wedding. We try to help him out and get stuff he needs. He doesn't have much under the tree this year, he's doing a lot of work on his house fixing it up so we got him a gift card to Lowes and told him to name a weekend and we'll be up to help him with a project. The future DIL told me that the curtains I made for their house was her Christmas present. I still buy a little something for my nieces and nephews that are under 18 years old, but it's usually kept under $20. After they turn 18, I don't buy for them anymore.