Bah, Humbug!

We have a $40 limit person. We celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Some how becoming in debt is the way for most people celebrate. we are teaching our children the wrong way to live. If you do not have the cash to pay for it, you do NOT need it. It took me almost $10000 in credit card debt (all since paid off) to realize this. And my family still loves the gifts that they get and think no less of me for not being extragavant.

Last year, after seeing my two nieces (9 and 11 at the time) with closets STUFFED full of clothes, shoes, etc., etc., etc., and getting to have swimming lessons, gymnastics lessons, etc., etc., and them COMPLAINING because they were the only ones in their class WITHOUT A CELL PHONE, I decided that I would give everyone on my Christmas list a donation to a charity in their name. I wrote a letter explaining how we all had more stuff than we needed, and there wasn't a better time than Christmas to put aside our devotion to material goods, and think of others who had less than we had. You wouldn't believe what a positive response I got from people! They not only agreed, but were happy to have a reason not to shop, wrap, and send some gift that was probably going to loose it's allure within a month or two. (Even the nieces warmed up to it after I explained how good it feels to share!)
I'm doing the same this year and from now on. There are lots of wonderful charities out there - you can pick a cause that is special to you, and usually the money you give to a charity goes a lot further than having to spend a certain amount of money to "impress" the gift recipient anyway! And for those of you who need some more motivation...you can deduct cash contributions made to a legitimate charity on your taxes! Now is the time...start your own "Charity Christmas" this year!

Class of 58 is correct. Credit cards and loans in general are a suckers game. A SUCKERS GAME! You simply should not purchase thing you do not have the money to purchase.

MsGingerRogers and people like her are going to bring this country down. By down I mean we will be like all the other former great countries that now barely make it. Her description of why she is voting for Obama is the exact definition of socialism. America is NOT the greatest, richest most powerful country in the world because of socialism. We are great because of capitalism. It seams like we could look at our country and the history and look at others who choose a different path. Under the phrase "deserve to be happy" she just took what belongs to another. If it would make me happy to have your stuff, should I have it? I would encourage all you to vote for McCain. With Obama and the dems leading this country we will soon be France. WE ARE CAPITALISTS, WE SHOULD REMAIN CAPITALISTS! THIS IS THE REASON WE HAVE WHAT WE HAVE!

Class of 58 you sound like a dave ramsey groupy. I've bought plenty on credit and I see it as a great tool you just need to know how to manage it. ramsey is such a whiny blow hard idiot and you sound just like him. I think I'll go out and charge something today just for the hell of it. Hopefully I don't get what I deserve.

Living within one's means has a whole new meaning today, thanks to credit cards. We view our "means' as what we're allowed to charge, not what we actually earn. Everyone benefits from that system until the scheme collapses. The guy at the bottom gets the shaft, and he sort of deserves it. Whoever said we deserve what we want, instead of what we need? Not to disparage fixed income people who need to eat, buy medicine, and drive to work.

This is Horrible!! I have a small business and have used all of my credit to stay a float, hoping things would change. I have no clients because they are hurting just as I. Where is my bail out? I won't make Christmas. $700 Billion dollars to Wall St. was the biggest slap in the face my Govt could do to me. Give them more money to gamble on instead of where it is needed, it's insane. Main St USA, it's gone. Merry Christmas! Merry for me would be a bullet in the head, if it weren't for my family...RVA

As I heard a commentator say today, it isn't that American's were/are using credit to live beyond their means - they aren't buying yachts and so on. Sure there are SOME people that over did it, but generally people have just been using credit to live at the means, the means of the typical middle class. It's because of credit that we mostly even have a middle class at all right now and not just the poor vs the rich. People need credit just to pay doctor's bills, gas and so on at times. Especially in times like these. The fact that the divider between poor and rich has grown so enormous is unacceptable. That is why I am voting Obama. He is giving the rich the financial burden and giving the middle class a chance to exist peacefully once more. Not everyone will be rich in their life times, that doesn't mean they can't and don't deserve to be happy.

I agree that unnecessary items should not be charged, but you have to remember that some of us are living on credit right now...groceries, gas, medication.

Credit Cards. Thank Joe Biden.

For the last 12 years I have purchased Christmas gifts without credit cards. I don't even write checks or use and ATM card. I save for Christmas - some years are better than others. This is not one of those good years. I make my list and rarely stray from it - if I do stray it is under ten dollars. I always make sure I allow for sales tax. For 12 years I have not had to worry about the debt that keeps on giving after Christmas.