Wednesday, February 11, 2009

My Own Christmas Club!

I've given myself a couple random financial goals for this New Year.  I share some when I feel like it!  ;)  My big one is my $5,000 on groceries and whatnot.  Another little one I have is saving money for Christmas gifts every month.  

We have a basic old savings account - which had a whopping $25 in it.  It just came with the territory when we opened up our checking account and money market account years and years ago.  It's just been sitting there.  So this new year, I have decided that I will put $50 in it every month.  Usually around the 1st when I'm paying bills.  So it's up to $125 already!  Woohoo!  If I am good about doing my monthly deposit, come Christmas, we'll have a chunky $625 that we can withdraw at the ATM to buy gifts.  I have to admit though, I don't think we've ever come close to spending that much on gifts.

This goes against my "Credit Card Reward" obsession, but that's okay.  The past 7 years I've had to hear it from my husband that it's not fair that I can look at the credit card statements online to see what stores he's been shopping at for me.  I don't even think he knows what credit cards we have - Other than the "one to use" and the one "in case of emergencies".  Poor guy.  

I've never really done this before but I'm hoping the lack of a huge credit card balance spike in December and January provides a less stressful holiday for me.  I'll report my findings next year!  

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Becky this is a great idea.. thanks for sharing.

You might take it one step further and buy some of the gifts you think you might buy @ Christmas Now or as you go while they are at rock bottom prices. You know it is easier to store the $$ at the bank than all the presents around the house waiting for DEC. But it makes DEC. so much more stress free and the bargains looking during the year are always better because usually you can get clearance or on sale. It is fun to gather all year.
I have done this a few times and it works well. I just have to learn to WAIT to give the gift!! LOL

Unknown said...

Thanks homescrapper!

My problem with Christmas is that if I shop early, the week before Christmas I always get in a tizzy and convince myself I don't have enough gifts. So I'm always out doing "last minute shopping" the days before.

I think I'm just going to be like a man this year and do all my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve! ;)

I do scope out and buy potential "Christmas gifts" but they usually end up as a birthday gift or some other gift throughout the year!