CREDIT FREE HOLIDAY CHALLENGE, Make it through the holidays without credit -- without debt! Options

[OTM_Web_Guy]

Take Carmen's Credit Free Holiday Challenge!

The challenge? Making it to Black Friday, November 27, with the goal of either $500 or $1,000 saved for your holiday budget. In the current economic crunch, you'll need to come up with creative ways to cut corners -- but you don't need to sacrifice a wonderful holiday season with the family!

You can do it with small money-saving techniques like skipping the bottled water or latte habit for now and cutting down on ATM trips during the week.

What are some other little ways you and your fellow viewers can save $83 or $167 a week from now til the end of November?

Share your ideas here and we can all have a Credit Free Holiday!

[Shareez68]

Instead of buying oodles of gifts for kids, why not give a little of yourself. Share a passion or a hobby that you have. Kids in your family will have a lasting memory of the experience of doing something creative and fun with you. As for toys and such, unless they are the "in the moment gotta have it 'cuz all my friends do" items, they will forget about every other purchased gift within a week after Christmas. Leaving you with a pile of junk that amounts nothing more than empty sentiment and wasted money.

[solja67]

I have not used a charge card for christmas in over 5 years. I really do not purchase many items for Christmas. It has lost its family significance over the years. I have contiued a tradition in my house that Christmas is about family and being grateful for the things you have. I normally spend about $500.00 on my kids, 5 kids, $100.00 perkid. I spend about $200 on my wife and $50.00 on my father. I start my shopping in June or July thus spreading out my expenditures. The holiday meal cost between $100-$200 depending on how many family member show up. My wife on the other spends about 350-500 per kid for our youngest 3 while my ex spends roughly the same for my oldest 2. They both grew up in households with limited budgets. My father gives each of my kids $500.00 toward their invest account that we both set up and $100.00 for each child for a gift.

[golf99]

Years ago when things were tight, the adults (18 and over) in the family would draw one name at Thanksgiving and buy for that person, with a money limit, usually 25 bucks. That save lots of money in our large family. For 2 years, I taught myself how to crotchet and did projects throughout the year for loved ones for gifts. This year and last year, being an amateur wildlife photographer, I published my own calendar using photos of wildlife taken throughout the prior year, and would send those as gifts along with framed photos that they could use for other uses or regifting. Last year I had several requests for copies of my calendar and this year have many asking for copies, which I sell to them at cost. I still buy my own copies to my immediate loved ones for gifts, but the extended family and friends are buying on their own. For my grandchildren out of state, I simply send a check to their parents who buy what their child wants and has it gift wrapped and signed with my name, saving me guess work on what to buy and also saves a lot of money on shipping charges. One year I decided to buy my own gifts for the children and it ended up costing me over 100 dollars for shipping costs! No more! I did buy some gifts one year online which had free shipping and had the items sent directly to the recipients home, saving me money too.

[Christs4u2]

Some the best gifts I've ever received are things like inexpensive but priceless family heirlooms handed down from my parents and grandparents (even aunts, etc.). Even on a fixed income they feel good about being able to give and I fall in love with a peice of my childhood and history.

[Pearlhanna1]

Carmen, I use my credit card however I pay the balance every month. I can get gift cards from the points I earn as Christmas gifts.

I use my credit card over my debit card cause the credit card guarantees my purchases. I get 3 points for every dollar on my credit card; debit card I only earn 1/2 a point.

Sometimes my bank has a contest during holidays, if I use credit/debit card, I can win money... never did win .

Another idea, for those who are coupon users, make a coupon for friends for say babysitting, raking their leaves, cooking a meal/bbq.

I check sites like Freecycle and Craigslist. I wish I could knit then I'd make everyone gloves, mittens, scarves.

If anyone uses credit/debit card, hand the card to the teller with numbers facing down. Someone behind you with a camera phone can take a picture of your account number.

I also get a free turkey from the supermarket. I donate it to a friend in need.

Pearlhanna1

[golf99]

Has anyone admired something in your home during the year? Painting? Pretty dish? Make a note for yourself, then wrap the item up and give to that person as a gift. If its a dish you can fill it with their favorite chocolates or homemade goodies or fill it with fresh flowers. Tell them how you remember how much they liked the item and you wanted them to have it. This can help declutter your home too. Even magazines, such as fishing magazines or birding magazine that you subscribe to, bundle up 6 recent issues with a fishing lure or a pretty bird magnet for the fridge to give as a gift to someone who shares that passion. So many people read the magazine once then throw away. I never throw them away, I am always giving them to family and friends.

[ub2009]

Last year in November I asked everyone in the family to pick a color of Fiesta wear dinner plates. On Christmas morning they each got one place setting in the color they chose, and a check instead of presents. We can add to the collection as years go by and children marry, or they can take their set with them when they move out.

It was fun, they had no idea that why I had asked for their input....