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Own Your Christmas Challenge
It's just twelve weeks until Christmas Day, the most expensive day of the year. There are many Australians who didn't plan for last Christmas and they are still paying for it - chances are they will still be paying for it come this Christmas.
The best way to have a stress-free, debt-free Christmas is to start early (isn't that the way with everything?). The more you prepare now the more you'll be able to relax and enjoy celebrating with your family and friends. Imagine being the one who can sit back with a long, cool drink whilst everyone else is queuing for hours in the summer heat to pay exorbitant prices for gifts they are not entirely happy with. Puts a smile on your face already doesn't it?
Take a few minutes and a pen and paper and work out how much you spent on last Christmas. Did you manage to own it or are you one of the many still paying for it?
My challenge to you today is to do everything you possibly can, with the help of the Cheapskates Club of course, to own your Christmas 2017. You won't be alone. I'll be right here alongside you, encouraging, cheering and sharing ideas, tips, recipes and more with you through the Tip of the Day, my blog, Christmas Challenge newsletters and of course our home right here at Cheapskates Central.
Take up the challenge, and own your Christmas this year. I challenge you to own Christmas 2017 and celebrate debt free!
It's not too early to start your gift shopping, in fact I know quite a few Cheapskaters who have not only finished their gift shopping but have the gifts wrapped and labelled, ready to put under the Christmas tree!
Start by making a list of people you give gifts to. Mark beside them whether you give a handmade or bought gift and the budget for each. Then use your list and shop the sales to your advantage. If you can buy gifts as you see them for the right price you'll be able to stay in budget (and hopefully end up under, way under, budget). As soon as you have a gift, wrap it, label it and put it in the present box. Then take a nice highlighter and cross it off your list.
If you are going to be making your gifts this year START NOW! Christmas Eve is not the time to be putting the finishing (and starting) touches on Grandma's quilt or your cousin's new baby's memory album. And if you are planning on giving edible gifts, you can start gathering the ingredients now. Keep an eye on the supermarket specials and buy ingredients when they are cheap and start collecting jars, baskets and other containers you might need come December.
Now this is very important: once you have gifts don't second guess yourself. It will happen. You'll find the perfect gift, wrap it and label it with love and put it away in October. When December rolls around and you start to put the presents under the tree you'll begin to think that perhaps it's not enough. You'll wonder if you shouldn't add to it. That little voice inside your head will be telling you that you bought it on sale so it's not really all that valuable.
Don't listen to it! Trust your instincts and stick to your list. You stuck to your budget and have paid cash for everything so be proud of your achievement.
It's much easier to celebrate knowing you don't owe any money than it is worrying about how many pays you have before the bills start arriving.
Just keep picturing that long, cool drink and how much you are enjoying it, knowing that you are having a debt free Christmas in 2017. And beyond.
The best way to have a stress-free, debt-free Christmas is to start early (isn't that the way with everything?). The more you prepare now the more you'll be able to relax and enjoy celebrating with your family and friends. Imagine being the one who can sit back with a long, cool drink whilst everyone else is queuing for hours in the summer heat to pay exorbitant prices for gifts they are not entirely happy with. Puts a smile on your face already doesn't it?
Take a few minutes and a pen and paper and work out how much you spent on last Christmas. Did you manage to own it or are you one of the many still paying for it?
My challenge to you today is to do everything you possibly can, with the help of the Cheapskates Club of course, to own your Christmas 2017. You won't be alone. I'll be right here alongside you, encouraging, cheering and sharing ideas, tips, recipes and more with you through the Tip of the Day, my blog, Christmas Challenge newsletters and of course our home right here at Cheapskates Central.
Take up the challenge, and own your Christmas this year. I challenge you to own Christmas 2017 and celebrate debt free!
It's not too early to start your gift shopping, in fact I know quite a few Cheapskaters who have not only finished their gift shopping but have the gifts wrapped and labelled, ready to put under the Christmas tree!
Start by making a list of people you give gifts to. Mark beside them whether you give a handmade or bought gift and the budget for each. Then use your list and shop the sales to your advantage. If you can buy gifts as you see them for the right price you'll be able to stay in budget (and hopefully end up under, way under, budget). As soon as you have a gift, wrap it, label it and put it in the present box. Then take a nice highlighter and cross it off your list.
If you are going to be making your gifts this year START NOW! Christmas Eve is not the time to be putting the finishing (and starting) touches on Grandma's quilt or your cousin's new baby's memory album. And if you are planning on giving edible gifts, you can start gathering the ingredients now. Keep an eye on the supermarket specials and buy ingredients when they are cheap and start collecting jars, baskets and other containers you might need come December.
Now this is very important: once you have gifts don't second guess yourself. It will happen. You'll find the perfect gift, wrap it and label it with love and put it away in October. When December rolls around and you start to put the presents under the tree you'll begin to think that perhaps it's not enough. You'll wonder if you shouldn't add to it. That little voice inside your head will be telling you that you bought it on sale so it's not really all that valuable.
Don't listen to it! Trust your instincts and stick to your list. You stuck to your budget and have paid cash for everything so be proud of your achievement.
It's much easier to celebrate knowing you don't owe any money than it is worrying about how many pays you have before the bills start arriving.
Just keep picturing that long, cool drink and how much you are enjoying it, knowing that you are having a debt free Christmas in 2017. And beyond.
Christmas Tip Sheets |
Christmas Cooking |