angied64084 Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Do you keep track of how much $$ you spend on Christmas? I *thought* I had a good grasp on what I spent last year, but sat down last year and added up my receipts. So in trying to sticking to a budget this year, I am keeping an excel spreadsheet. How do you keep track of what you bought/what you spend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmck Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I usually do (did not last year) Dh and I were having problems and shopping is good therapy!! This year I am sticking to the budget, I really have to. I write everything down, and when the total is met I stop. I do allow my self a little leeway but not much. I am trying to keep it a $150 per couple for my older kids, $100 for the single one in NV and for the 6 year old I will probably do around $200 maybe more depending on the budget. The older kids all had bigger Christmas when they were little so now it is her turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyaj Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Yes, I keep track with an Excel spreadsheet. That way I know if I find something cheaper I can take it back. I also don't forget what I bought because it's all on my list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfaddict1977 Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Wow I never thought to do this. I spend WAY too much and each year it gets worse:) Course it's all my kids I spend money for mostly:) I used to do this for a friend and gift her kids for several years before I had my own so i feel I owe it to my own kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Moving to Holiday forum... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjunea Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 My husband has a spreadsheet that he updates after every one of my shopping trips. It goes back YEARS, showing budget, presents bought, actual spent, etc. But then again, he is an accountant. I fudge a little though..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vsa3janes Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 My husband has a spreadsheet that he updates after every one of my shopping trips. It goes back YEARS, showing budget, presents bought, actual spent, etc. But then again, he is an accountant. I fudge a little though..... lol this is exactly what I do....I can tell you what I gave people and spent for gifts back to the early '90s.Before that I kept a small notebook in my purse and wrote everything in there. I still keep a small notebook and write down gift ideas and who I still need to buy for year to year. Must be the accounting gene in me, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy0479 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 No I don't. I know what I have to spend before I go on BF and when that is gone, I am done for the day. But I do continue to shop off and on til Christmas but nothing as big as BF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conj Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 nope. we have lists - from years past - of items... but they are not complete and I never look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof3luvs1 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I make my lists about 10 different times because I constantly change what I want to buy for the kids. Each child or person im buying for is on a seperate page so I try to list all I bought and spent. It is kinda funny cause Im so serious about my lists but by Christmas eve there are a million gifts under my tree and I went way over $ budget and gift per child limit....But I can't help myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelbabymommy Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I keep all my receipts in one place & on Christmas Eve I add them all up. They usually get shredded around this time the following year when Im positive I dont need them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illinoismom Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I keep a binder with every ones list, the ads, the reciepts. On a each childs page I write what I bought plus the cost and keep a running total. I then the following year move everything to a large envelope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elena_398 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I always say I will keep track but that goes out the door. I am actually almost done with christmas shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hummin Bird Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Im an accounatnt so its in me to atleast TRY to keep track, but some how every year I manage to go over budget and I dont seem to realize it until January lol. I have software I use and everything lol. I keep a log of what I spend for gifts, crafts, food, decorations, everything. But for some reason the week and a half before Christmas I lose my mind and just blindy buy whatever I want and shove the recipts into a box, never once checking the spreadsheets for budget lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angied64084 Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 I was talking to my sister last night, and we determined everything bought before BF really shouldn't be included in the holiday budget.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjunea Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I was talking to my sister last night, and we determined everything bought before BF really shouldn't be included in the holiday budget....Isn't that kindof like anything you eat with a diet coke doesn't have any calories? hehehehe It's like on BF where I always sneak a couple of things in there for me, like some new jammies, etc. It doesn't count! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DramaQueenLucy Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I have an excel workbook a new sheet for each year lists each child and any family/friends gifts then I add it all up. I try to keep the kids even money wise...but this year DS17 got a car for Christmas/Birthday so he will get only a few gifts Christmas morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellane26 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I don't - it would just be depressing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angied64084 Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 Isn't that kindof like anything you eat with a diet coke doesn't have any calories? hehehehe It's like on BF where I always sneak a couple of things in there for me, like some new jammies, etc. It doesn't count! You get it! However, I suppose I should really stick to my guns and record all the receipts. I may end up increasing the budget to accomodate my purchases! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublehsmom Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I might have to not include everything that I have bought before black friday in order to stick to my x mas budget..lol..I am not sure how im going to stick with it this year I have already gotten a lot of good deals! However I just keep track on a spreadsheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrispizza4 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Nope, I don't think I want to know how much I spend! As long as there is enough money to pay the bills then I'm all good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacyk9 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Absolutely!!! We refuse to use credit cards, so everything is bought with cash. I use a spreadsheet that lists gifts, budget and actual cost. I put money away every month into a mutual fund (DH is a financial advisor) so it earns interest!!! By the time BF rolls around, I've got more than enough! We took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace class and it has really helped us budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof3luvs1 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Nope, I don't think I want to know how much I spend! As long as there is enough money to pay the bills then I'm all good!Itotally agree:tongue1: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrystalMae1231 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Down to the penny. I just like to compare previous years and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dd50 Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 I have been the last few years but sometimes I don't update my list for a week or two and notice that one kid is over the budget and the other kid is way under and on it goes with the other. I try to keep the money the same that I spend on my kids but not the amount of gifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogiporkchop Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 I try, but it's usually a more specific list of items bought for each person sans numbers :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyjar Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I wish I didn't have to, but that's how a budget works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TazErase Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Same here. I keep track of everything and how much I spend on each child. I always make sure all the totals for the kids add up to within $5 or less so none of them ever feel I spent more on one of the others, lol. I often have to pick up a few $1 or $2 items near the end to balance them out properly but there have never been any complaints. The worst is when something doesn't work and I have to return it and the item is no longer available and because I bought it on Black Friday I return a $40 toy that I paid about $15 for at the time and the $15 toys after Christmas are junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohitsunshine Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 In years past we have not. We always start with a budget, but we go overboard on the kids for Christmas. This year we are sticking to a budget as a cruise is the majority of their gift and they are only getting a couple small things to go with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tntsmomie Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 We don't normally, but did this year while trying to figure out how much we spent on each child to ensure fairness. We aren't super strict with budgeting, but like to plan what we have to spend to help with our budget each payday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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