Christmas comes but once a year, thank goodness, because we couldn’t afford it twice.
asserted
we → come → it
Thinkmoney consumer expert Vix Leyton says it’s never too early to think about the “C” word if it means not overspending, using up your social bandwidth or thinking you’ll bag a bargain on Black Friday.
1.
asserted
you → say → Friday
“Your social and financial bandwidth are interlinked,” says Leyton, “and you’ve only got so much to go around.
asserted
you → interlink → much
Saying yes to all the Christmas drinks now might hit different when you’re out for the fourth day in a row in December with Colin from accounts, or the “let’s just go for one drink” which inevitably turns into an all-nighter.
uncertain
which → say → nighter
“It’s easy to fill up that social calendar,” says Leyton.
asserted
Leyton → ’ → calendar
“People who haven’t seen you all year start to feel guilty about it and want to get something in before, what is, an arbitrary calendar point.
asserted
what → see → point
Remember – we’re all going to be around after Christmas!”
asserted
we → remember → Christmas
2. Buying rounds in the pub
“If you are planning on only staying for one drink, just say that,” says Leyton.
asserted
Leyton → buy → that
“People are worried about not buying their round, but it is OK just to have one drink and go home.
asserted
it → buy → drink
You don’t have to make a social contract with everybody around the table to buy every drink!”
asserted
You → have → drink
If you’re worried about speaking out, Leyton says be the person you need around that table.
asserted
you → ’re → table
“Think about the other person who’s also a bit shy to say anything, and how relieved they will feel if you make a stand.”
asserted
you → think → stand
3. Buying gifts out of habit
Audit your list of gift recipients to avoid getting into a buying habit with some family members, who may be looking for a way out.
uncertain
who → buy → way
“If it’s going to be a tight year, have that conversation now,” advises Leyton.
asserted
Leyton → go → conversation
“You don’t have to say, ‘I’m not buying presents,’ but you could agree to some rules, such as doing a Secret Santa or just buying for the kids.
uncertain
you → have → kids
“And just because someone’s bought you a gift, it doesn’t mean you have to buy them one back.”
4. Giving everyone a surprise
“I think we’ve been conditioned that the surprise is worth more than the present itself,” says Leyton.
asserted
Leyton → buy → present
“Ask yourself – does the person you’re buying for actually want the item, or will it just end up being landfill?”
asserted
it → ask → item
Those “three for two” may look like nicely packaged gifts but it’s better to ask someone what they genuinely want for Christmas.
uncertain
they → look → Christmas
“It might be they’re saving for something and would rather have a gift voucher,” she adds.
uncertain
she → save → voucher
“Or maybe they want your time – like babysitting or cooking them dinner.”
asserted
they → want → dinner
Read More
5. Buying too many presents
The retail juggernaut gets started early – and it sometimes feels like we’ve forgotten the spirit of Christmas.
asserted
we → read → Christmas
“It’s not just about stuff!” argues Leyton.
asserted
Leyton → ’ → stuff
“We’re all now putting ourselves under too much pressure and spending more than we’ve got.
asserted
we → put → more
“Especially with present creep, it’s so easy to get a couple of extra stocking fillers because they’re a bit novel, but is it worth it?”
asserted
it → ’ → fillers
“Family and friends would hate to think you’re sacrificing yourself financially to buy them tat they don’t want.”
asserted
they → hate → tat
6. Overfilling the cupboards
Supermarkets always bring out those traditional Christmas boxes of Turkish delight or German ginger biscuits, but Leyton says, “Every house has a traditional food that they buy – and nobody ever eats.
asserted
nobody → overfill → that
Remember what was left over and don’t buy it again.
asserted
what → remember → it
“We’re also culturally less likely to just ‘drop in for a sherry and a mince pie’.
asserted
We → ’re → sherry
If you’re inviting people over, ask them to bring mince pies while you make mulled wine.”
asserted
you → invite → wine
The supermarkets are after your big Christmas shop, so it’s a great time to shop around.
asserted
it → ’ → shop
“You will see the cheapest rates on Christmas staples like Bailey’s or tubs of Quality Street,” says Leyton, “but avoid the ‘three for twos’ unless you really need them, and don’t buy them too early, or they’ll get eaten!”
asserted
they → see → them
7. Buying gifts on credit
asserted
Buying → buy → credit
Ignore the Christmas advertisements that tell you buying a diamond necklace in 10 easy instalments is the only thing that will make the season perfect.
asserted
season → ignore → instalments
“Don’t spend money you don’t have and kick the problem into the new year,” says Leyton.
asserted
Leyton → spend → year
“As tempting as it is to spend a couple of extra pounds on credit cards or Buy Now Pay Later, debt racks up very quickly.
asserted
debt → spend → cards
“Nobody wants to be panic shopping on Christmas Eve, so buying presents and wrapping them over the next few months will make December more relaxed,” advises Leyton.
asserted
Leyton → want → months
“Although remember what you got to avoid double buying.”
asserted
you → remember → buying
Getting travel tickets in advance is also a saving.
asserted
Getting → get → advance
“If you’re planning to travel home for Christmas and not drive, get your train tickets as soon as they come out at the end of September.”
asserted
they → plan → September
9. Wasting money on Black Friday
asserted
Wasting → waste → Friday
…and 2 more, not listed.
The Aporia
