Can You Afford Christmas?

I'll spend as little as possible this holiday season.
I bailed on stocks when the market was up, now useing that to pay off the one credit card I have and banking the rest.
I DO NOT shop at Wal-Mart, I've had enough of their CHINA crap products.
I see the bottom of the stock market between 2,500-5,000....some thought I was nuts....well we'er almost there and if a US Auto Maker goes down it could less than that....THINK ABOUT IT.

My husband and I are making all the Christmas gifts we will give to others. Our entire family has had to cut back severly, but we look at it positively. Instead of rushing out and just buying thoughtless gifts, we are taking the time to make the gifts. My husband is a pottery teacher and he throws the pots on the wheel and I paint them. I crochet afghans for some. I grow my own gourds and then work them up in various ways. We just can't afford to do otherwise and we don't really mind that much. We have a lot more fun making gifts than we would running around trying to shop and get so stressed with the economy the way it is.

I put aside some money each month this year, & will use that money to fund our Christmas. This is the old 'Christmas Club' concept, & avoids using credit cards that come due after January 1st. However, I've also advised family that we are reducing our spending by half this Christmas. In order to buy nice gifts, I will avoid going to local stores to shop, & instead shop on the internet. No long lines, & you can find many great items that are usually not available locally without trips to multiple stores! Sites like giftfinder.com & ask.com help you find multple sites with a varietly of items and prices. Try it!

Christmas is for kids. find a way!