Gifts

[BROKENN]

Yep, we picked names for extended family for years. This year we bowed out and everyone understood. We are doing a picture and sending that out

Children, forget it. I spend. And I can do very well with what I call "happy gifts" that are cheap and creative. I also spend on what they would NEED and get credit for a gift. Clothes, shoes, school supplies, etc. Sometimes I make things for older family. That works too.

[broncho14]

Since I filed in June this year, I have been putting money back for Christmas, Savings, and a trip that I have to take for work in March (They are paying my expenses but I don't like to be out on the road without money). I was able to save $500 for Christmas. 2008 has not been a good financial year for me or for my extended family. We decided this year we would all get my mother a present and then the rest of us would draw names. Kids that are in High School or younger all get a present as well from each of us. I am done with my Christmas shopping. I started Saturday and I ended on Sunday. It was not easy saving the money but when I am not gambling, which I am not, then I found that evenin a Chapter 13 I had enough room to save for the things that I needed to save for. What is going to be hard for me is that I am getting ready to have two weeks off and I like to go out and have lunch or dinner every day when I am off. However, I know that I can't do that. I might be able to go out twice the entire time I am off. I was spoiled. Now, when I do get to go out, I really do appreciate it more. I have also become quite the cook. As far as presents go, they may not be expensive gifts but they are gifts that are nice.

[Andyman]

I spent less than $100 on friends this year. I don't have any family other than my brother and sister. My brother and I never exchange gifts but rather talk on the phone. I have no idea where my sister is. I'm spending about $50 on my girlfriend and the other $50 goes to my friends that I live with. Of course I might spend some money on on a bunch wine and food and that's really where the great times come from. We all hang out in the kitchen making dinner, drinking wine, laughing and telling each other that when all is said and done, we really do have a good life. Credit card debt sucks no matter how big or small it is.

I wish I would have learned the lesson my dad tried to teach me. If you can't afford to pay for it in cash, then you don't need it. Save some money for those time that you really need to have it.

[Flamingo]

I will be filing ch 13 in the next few months. I have not talked to an attorney yet. How does the trustee look at Christmas gifts? I am planning on spending around 1,000 this year as I have two kids and a husband. My family and husband's family also to buy for. I have stopped paying all credit cards this month and just paying for mortgage, food and other bills. Does it look bad to go buy gifts and not pay credit cards? I have not used any credit cards in over a month and don't plan on using them ever again. I am just using money from my paycheck.

I didn't read the other responses you received as I know they will be varying. After going through 4 Christmas holidays and numerous birthdays and other events during the time period of our Chapter 13 (two weddings also), we learned a few tricks we still carry on to this day to save funds. First, realize please you are insolvent and you will need to learn to cut down and don't view Christmas as a holiday where you have to spend a fortune to make everyone happy. Adults can do without - bake some cookies or a cake to take into work, to your in-laws, friends, etc. For your kids you can still do something and it just takes a little organizing and creativity to do and this also works for birthdays throughout the year and/or the occasional other event like a wedding. Anyway you can save some money on the side while in your Plan can help give you a decent sum for Christmas. What we did is at the end of the day was to take the extra change in our pockets and put in a large jar that we swore we would not touch. You will be surprised what accumulates in there in a year's time or less. However, you cannot touch it under any circumstance - just forget you have it. You can probably think of other similar ways to save also.

Learn to adjust your lifestyle. When things are better in the future after all this is over you may be able to do more then but you will learn from going through a Chapter 13 that you really don't need all that stuff that is out there for sale, holidays are just commercial events and you will eventually realize you don't need that credit card.

Best of luck to you!