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Christmas/money woes
So money is tight for us right now...I'm sure I have mentioned that here lately before. Our house is on the market (has been for almost a month) so we still have a mortgage payment and we rent in our current town. Mortgage+rent+utilities on 2 places+all of life's other expenses = little money for us. We are getting by with putting little into savings each month. When our house does sell - we will basically be wiping out our savings when we close because the market in that area went to shiit.
Now it's Christmas time and we love giving gifts, but we just don't have the money this year like we have in the past. I figure we will do small gifts, but nothing too crazy that will break us.
I get a call from BIL today asking if Dh would like a north face fleece jacket because they are looking at it for him for Christmas today. I am well aware that those things are not cheap and I am going to feel horrible if they are spending that kind of money on us and we can't do the same. I know there is nothing I can do, but I will still feel like an ass.
I know this is the first year that BIL has had a good job and his gf is out of school so I am sure this is what they want to do. I just wish we could do the same for them.
Re: Christmas/money woes
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Yeah, this. My siblings and I are frequently financially imbalanced around the holidays...we give what we can when we can. Nobody in your family is going to want you to stretch too much to get them gifts.
It sucks, sure, but it happens. Try not to let it bug you, its not what Christmas is about.
ETA: I also want to add that I find the fact that you are paying mortgage, rent, utilities, etc without going into the red every month incredibly impressive. Good for you!
I think everyone will understand. I personally think the holidays have gotten too out of hand with gift giving anyway. I also think people follow examples. I used to always set a spending limit with DH and he would always go over it. I then started feeling like I had to buy more for him to make up for it. I'm not at the point where I do what I can and he's starting to back off in response as well.
When someone gives me a gift I know they can't afford it breaks my heart more than gives me joy (I am still very thankful and appreciate it).
Don't worry, just do what you can, your family will understand!
In my family we know that everyone will do what they can comfortably afford and we have an upper limit that we're not to go over. My brother and sister don't make a ton of money, so I know they won't be spending lots on me (and I would never expect them to). The 3 of us (and DH) will often pool our money to get a nicer gift for our parents if they have something more expensive on their list.
DH started setting a limit with his family once we started dating because his mom was getting a little out of control. It's taken 5 years, but she's finally figured out that we don't need piles of presents that break the bank, one or two are just fine. We've even managed to bring the limit down over the past few years! Yay for saving money!
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DH and I haven't got gifts for each other for 2 years. This year we are getting 3-4 things for Landon and that's it.
Money is always tight around here!
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