Gamer In Debt

A Personal Finance Blog by Emma

Christmas Shopping & Kickstarter

on November 10, 2012

I am contiously learning lessons.

I hate spending money.

However, I think the truth is – I hate spending money on myself. When it comes to other people, I’m willing to go and blow loads of money.

This happened this Christmas, and it happened last Christmas.

Minnie Mouse Shopping Bag

More bags than this

Yes, I said it, the dreaded C-word and it’s November. Apologies to anyone who works in retail, who probably hates this time of year.

Because I like being economical, and I hate shopping, I tend to always do my Christmas shopping in one go. When really, I should spread it over a few months, because I can’t really afford to do these things:

  • Christmas shopping
  • Watch everything I want at Leeds International Film Festival (I hardly ever go to the cinema, considering the Vue cinema in Leeds is so bloody expensive, but thank fuck it’s not an Odeon!)
  • Go to London for a weekend
  • Back every Kickstarter I see
  • Yeah. I love Kickstarter. Although, my main warning about it is:

    Take note of when your backings end!

    I did the daft thing of backing 2 that end in November, and because of it I um. Spend… more that I earned.

    It’s not as bad as all that – I transferred some savings to my main account (you could say it was for Christmas presents, I’ll try to make a more solid Christmas present fund for next year) – but I know that I can transfer it back easily next month. But the point is, things like this shouldn’t happen. I’m an adult person.

    So, my newest rule is – create a Christmas fund throughout the year rather than just blasting my October/November pay on it. What’s a good amount? A minimum of £300 and a maximum of £400 I think (so, £400 to be safe). So what, £30-£35 in savings a month? Easy enough. It’s a similar process to how I save for holidays.

    Hooray!


    3 Responses to “Christmas Shopping & Kickstarter”

    1. Heather says:

      Great idea about a Christmas fund – I definitely plan on starting one myself next year as I know my November pay will also take a bashing. Just one thing to suggest – if you do all your shopping in one go, try and do it through a cashback website. I try to do most of mine online and if I’m spending the money anyway, I might as well earn something back where I can – then it can go towards a next years present fund (or perhaps just a little present for me in the January Sales!)
      Heather recently posted..It’s not sexist – it’s just women being savvy…My Profile

      • Gamer says:

        Cool idea – never thought of a cashback website – to be honest, I don’t know much about them. I used to do all my Christmas shopping online (in fact, I did this year) but sometimes it’s not always the best for me.

        Thanks!

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