I am fully aware that you hate me right now and that your finger is hovering over the X in the corner of your screen but I have some very good reasons for using the dreaded C word so early in the year.
Shall I tell you my reasons why?
It’s because for those people who are paid monthly, Christmas is now only four paydays away and that’s if you’re counting December payday which is usually right before Christmas and has to last you until payday in January. That means that in reality, you only have three paydays left until Christmas.
Are you still with me?
There’s also the fact that every year for the last few years, I’ve managed to do the vast majority of my Christmas shopping (and wrapping) before the first door on the advent calendar is opened and every year, so many of you tell me that you would love to be as organised as me and that you don’t know how I do it so this year, I’m giving you the chance to be because I’m encouraging you to start your shopping early, if you haven’t already started that is.
Now you know why I’m posting so early I hope you’ve forgiven me for spoiling your day by reminding you of the upcoming drain on your budget and on the plus side, I haven’t filled my post with Christmas photos or told you that there is only 107 days to go until Christmas (ooops) so we should still be friends. 😉
I’ve done quite a bit of my shopping already as I tend to buy things I see on sale throughout the year for stocking fillers but now that the kids have gone back to school, I’m starting to think more about it. Am I the only one?
Even if you’re not ready to start now, at the very least why not write out the list of who you need to buy for and set a budget for each present so if you happen to see a bargain in the sale then you can check your list to see who you need to buy for and buy it.
I find that I save money this way as I’m not under pressure to buy things that are highly likely to be overpriced in the run up to Christmas. And let’s face it, Christmas is expensive enough so if we can save some money by planning in advance then why not?
I have my list written along with an idea of what I want to buy or make for each person and I’ve already got most of Miss Frugal’s presents now so I’m going to start on her brothers now. I know he’s going to ask for XBox games and I’ve been saving £10 a month on payday with the local games shop so I’ll have enough to buy three of them by the time Christmas comes around which will be a big part of his presents as they’re about £35-£40 a game!
I’m also planning on a mini pamper hamper as a gift for someone so by planning in advance, I’m able to buy something each week to go in it when I do my shopping for a couple of pounds. So far I have a miniature bottle of wine, a face mask, some nail varnish and a really pretty glass that I bought from a charity shop with the vague idea of painting it up!
PS Mr Frugal has just asked why I’ve called this post controversial and I explained that it was because it was ridiculously early to post about Christmas so people would probably have a moan about it. He says anyone who wants to save money will be thinking along the same lines so it’s not controversial at all! I’m not convinced though….
Don’t miss out on future posts like this – receive updates directly to your inbox by email by adding your email address to the box on the top right of this page and hitting subscribe. You can also follow me on BlogLovin or Networked Blogs and I’d love to see you over on my Facebook page and on Instagram.
Image credit: Shutterstock, YURALAITS ALBERT
