So many people are unemployed, federal government workers are getting a pay cut, that I wondered whether you’d be spending more, less or the same on holiday gifts this Christmas? So, I asked WSB listeners to share their Christmas spending plans. Are you spending more, less or the same? Please leave your comments on the blog.
Are you spending more, less or the same on holiday gifts this Christmas season?
Steve said he is spending a bit less this year on Christmas gifts. Why? “We’re in the process of buying a townhouse. And haven’t sold primary residence. But I got a great deal on town home and an amazing mortgage deal of 3.875% on a 15-year, so I couldn’t pass it up.”
Eddie is spending a little more on gifts this Christmas. Things are a little better.
Carmen is spending less this year because of the real estate market. She’s a real estate agent in Lilburn and said it is her Third year of spending less.
Ben says “I’m spending less, pretty much. I think President Obama is turning this country into a third world country and killing the economy.”
Jim says he is spending less because of the new legislation cutting salaries for government workers. “I’m a government employee and there was a freeze put on the cost of living. I’m retired from the military and there is a freeze on the cost of living adjustment to my retirement check. So, I’m spending less. My costs keep going up.”
John lost his job 17 months ago, and he said he’s not spending anything because he’s been unemployed for so long. we’re spending nothing on gifts. He’s trying to hold out before claiming Social Security until next year, so he can claim the full amount.
Darlene said she hopes she’s “spending smarter – which means spending less. We have lots of nieces and nephews and younger kids and I love to buy them gifts but I go overboard. So, this year, I’m taking my time and getting them good gifts.
Holly said she’s spending less this year because she’s trying to figure out if she can refinance an empty lot she purchased in a subdivision and build a home for herself.
Sam said he’s spending more this year “because last year we didn’t spend anything. Two years ago I was laid off and my credit cards went south. I made arrangements with two companies to make my payments at a reduced interest rate but then they closed the cards. Now, we’d like to refinance and the cards are paid off. I’m deciding if I should open up a new card to improve my credit score.”
ARE YOU SPENDING MORE, LESS OR THE SAME ON CHRISTMAS GIFTS THIS YEAR? PLEASE LEAVE YOUR ANSWER HERE ON THE BLOG.
FREE Ebook Deal
THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF IS THE GIFT OF INFORMATION
We’re all sold out of our free books, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have an ebook deal for you. Buy any two ebooks and get a third ebook for FREE (use discount code: freeebook). Or, get 25% off any ebook purchase (use discount code: 25off).
Here are some of our bestselling ebooks:
How to Find Great Tenants and Profitably Manage Your Real Estate Investments
Clutter Collector – How to Get Rid of Clutter Everywhere In Your House and in Your Finances
How To Save $50 Per Month Or More!
Last Ditch Effort: What To Do If Your House STILL Hasn’t Sold
Check out ALL OF OUR EBOOKS AND PODCASTS
Have a great week. Please leave your questions and comments on the blog.
I’m spending less because I practice what the scum in Congress won’t.
W (Shrub) sold us down the river with his two wars, tax cuts and no sacrifice scam.
I am spending about the same as last year. BEN is delusional and an idiot!!!!!!!
I have been on unemployment for six months now and there are no jobs in my small town.
The path to socialism in this country is being paved by a pretender to the throne. There will be no Christmas this year.
(Thanks for using the term Christmas because the Communists hate it when you use that term for this time of year.)
We are trying to give more to those in need and just grandchildren or the young ones.Can
afford more but just do not like the commercial side of where we are now in spite of the fact it helps the economy.
I am spending less. The holidays are a difficult time this year for lots of people. I want to send small amounts to my favorite charities and I think my gifts will be less expensive and more creative…ie. perhaps magazine subscriptions, cookies, etc. No big extravagant gifts this year!!
I am spending less than last year. I am unemployed and don’t receive unemployment compensation. We are learning to live on one income, ie my wife’s. I am pursuing my MBA. Hopefully when I am done with school in 18 months, the economy will have turned the corner.
About the same; maybe a little less; we are retired so checks come in each month; but prices are going up and not our social security. How did the greatest ever country & democracy in the world get in this predicament? What have we learned from this fiasco?
Thanks to everyone for sharing. I’m not surprised that everyone is spending less. I did another show on this topic on Monday night (filling in for Herman Cain) and every single person (I think) said they were spending less. If I have time, I’ll post their comments as well so you can see them. Thanks, and keep the comments coming.
I have been in the medical/sales field for over 20 years. In the past 3 years, I have been downsized -both large and small companies alike. I landed a new job in November and my #1 priority is to rebuild my 6 month emergnecy savings and resume contribution to 401k and Roth IRA’s My family and friends understand that gifts will be very limited this Christmas. Feel very fortunate to have found employment in this economy.
I lost my job 3 mos ago and can’t find anything and I have a BS and Masters degree. I will spend a lot less this Christmas and will attend retraining courses in January. Tough job market, I had interviews but employers are looking for EXCEPTIONAL workers. Example one job ask for a customer service representative with windows experience but in the interview they actually wanted a software engineer /Unix administrator but wanted to pay CS wages.