My idea of a Christmas plan.

Could you imagine how life would really be if we all actualy did this. Id like to quit using my credit cards all together but the world has made it so hard. I use my credit card to get gas or else I need to walk into the store. Doesn't sound bad until I need to unload my kids out of the car and lug them into the store. I like the convienence of some of it. This year for Christmas we are on our budget and we are sticking to it. We do this every week but this year we are on a tighter budget so it will be a little bit harder. Im working hard to make this all work out.

hello there mike! this is a nice idea and i plan to show the banks who is the boss this coming holidays! i think there will be a lot of promos during the season because of the people spending habits and so the banks will take opportunity. let us pay cash when possible or better yet make our own gifts

Stick with BCRMike...he always gives "advice you can bank on!" Sure wished, Mike, that it was all that simple....as you see there are NO banks on this "piece of the rock," so am forced to pay with Interac..so the banks can get rich. It's a double-ended sword...shop at home, shop local, support local and you use Interac. Pay the huge Ferry fare...shop Off-Island for better individual prices and you can use cash...altho, some cashiers don't recognize that funny paper stuff..LOL! You save on the article by buying OFF Island..but NOT when you add Ferry fare and FUEL into the mix...so NO matter which way I turn, just kiss the money goodbye! And, there seems to be something in the air...HOME-MADE seems to have lost it's appreciation value!

That is so eco-green-correct! Nice idea. Wow you are already thinking about Christmas and that is great because I completely forgot. Indeed we must plan right now what to do and I only thought about the Vegan food I'll cook, what will I cook and stuff. The presents are more important! lol. Recycling is so nice! I'm really excited by your idea, thank you.

Thanks for heads up. Well, definitely I can't use my credit card because I already reach my credit limit. I just thinking of a small gift for my mother. I think will do for now. Last Christmas I bought an LCD for her and early this month I bought a sofa. i think if i am going to give her a small gift she will understand.

I do believe that most people spend their bonuses in buying gifts for friends, family and office mates. Why don't you: a. Save half of it for your future expenses. You'll never know. b. share some to less fortunate. c. Donate to orphanage, homeless children or home for the ages. d. Organize a feeding program for malnourished kids in urban society. e. SAVE and spend more TIME with your love ones. Is more valuable.

Hi Mike, your discussion seems very interesting to me. Indeed, only our self can keep us free from debt. I agreed that we should not make bank go rich during Christmas season. In fact, i and hubby had been using cash more frequently now. We had tried to use less credit card as well but using more debit card during shopping. We only keep credit card for emergency purposes only.

I only use my credit card as a way of checking what I bought and where. I pay all of it every month so it´s not a real credit card. I need it though to travel, but I don´t get in debt EVER. If I can´t buy something, I don´t buy it. Every Christmas I buy a little something for my youngest grandchildren and make jam from the apricots of my apricot tree in my back yard. Christmas is about love, not about presents. Forget the Banks: hug your loved ones and sing Carols

I have a budget that i stick to for Christmas, but I put everything on my credit card because by putting it on the card and then paying the card off on time helps build my credit. I put a bit aside every month in an account, and when the credit card bill comes in January, I use the money from that account to pay it off. The last three years, I had more money in my Christmas account than I spent on Christmas. I put the excess money in my daughter's college fund.

BCRMike I agree and think this is an excellent suggestion/campaign. It would be good for all and a great example for kids too

well that is a nice plan, I hope I could do that too, because mostly we over spend during holidays, especially for christmas and new year, which is not good coz we could save some of that money if we only plan it like this. nice tip though!:)

great advice BCR! as debts from credit cards are rampant after Christmas. we should be more wiser now. getting everyone gifts for Christmas without being drowned with debts after the Holidays!

This is the time for giving. If you are to shop for some gifts and giveaways this coming holiday season, list down your budget so that you know what are your priorities to buy. Look for items that is cheaper but with good quality. Of course it is best to use cash than card because when you use credit cards it will only adds the interest. Give value for hard-earned money.

When I was young my parents would give my siblings and I a set amount of money (30-50) in order to purchase gifts to one another. What I did with my money was purchase many personal and small priced items in order for the quantity to be bigger since we are a family of six. It is very creative and fun since you are always trying to find the best find for your dollar and make the gift special.