@@DBest-pk2tr I agree It adds anxiety and can solidify some people really don't know or care what you want I'd rather play cards or something than open gifts
I agree, that’s why I like to get people candles and soap and gift cards (if they like those things) because they can actually use them and they don’t add to the clutter.
@@juliep1122 universally useful gifts are a good choice You just made me chuckle though because I make my own soap and candles A few people have for some reason gave me soap and candles as a gift 🤦♀️
My old workplace used to do a cookie gift exchange. Everyone would bake enough goods for the people involved and on the day of the exchange, you get one of each of the items made by the other people. It was so much fun and so meaningful. We worked in a very diverse place, so people had different recipes from around the world. I highly recommend it!
@@abdulaliakbar1175 if you do not believe, then don't celebrate. Your choice. I have Muslim friends who do not partake in "celebrating" and as a Christian, I would never force that on them.
Agreed! We really toned back this year and did secret Santas with our family. It's almost funner because you can go a little overboard and still spend less that of you got something for everyone.
I love Christmas it’s the best time to spend time with my family . The gifts are just a cherry on top it’s fun sure but the time we spend together it’s better than any gift .
Yeah, I do my family, parents and then it's secret Santa for extended family, in-laws and sister in laws, cousins... buying for 30 people would be insane.
you know... they say what gets tracked gets improved... i did the same thing a little over 2 years ago... cleaned up 50k in debt and increased net worth almost the same... when you track it, you can look back and see results and see the projected future.... makes a lot of sense, im surprised this is not part of the baby steps ... even writing it down on a piece of paper and trending it.. watching the debt go down and net worth go up... no longer is your chequing account a payment away from bouncing or hitting overdraft.... room to breathe... you'll never miss getting or giving gifts or going out to eat...
In one year?!?! Dude. Lucky you. Takes me 3 years to earn that much...before bills etc. I still save maybe 10k a year but 92k?! That will take me aWHile. 😳
@@christiantuininga7298 he didn't say he earned it... Crazy thing about investments and real estate is they go up on their own... I suspect this is why Dave doesn't discourage buying a house with borrowed money and gets you investing
About 15 years ago my doctor husband & I had a rough year financially as we had several kids in college & my husband was changing jobs. All 7 of our kids got $10 in gifts, that year, for Christmas as that was all we could without going into credit card debt. They all survived & remember it as a fun Christmas.
@@Chris-es3wf Absolutely, hence the critical thinking. At the end, we can't blame others for being followers (Christmas shopping) or for our poorly thought decisions (becoming an outcast at work for not participating).
Suggest to coworkers that you each throw in $20 and give $200 to a charity. You all spend less , feel good, and do something important for those who are struggling this year.
I don't like this idea--I'll donate the $20 myself and take the tax deduction (yes, I itemize). If I toss it in the pool at work, either one person somewhat dishonestly takes the deduction or no one does. I even saw this game in a Sunday School class--for years, the class treasurer would remove all the cash and write a personal check to the church for that amount. And of course. his check was a deduction.
We've always drawn names (18 cousins), however this year we agreed all adults were out and kids only with like a $20 cap. So far everyone is happy with that.
@@k-mart7475 thats what i was thinking. Unless you make bank buying gifts for all coworkers is insane. Most jobs I've had barely paid enough to survive and just having 1 secret santa at work was stressful. I cant imagine buying gifts for everyone!
Lots of women do, same with “having to go to happy hour” “having to go to a co-workers birthday” “having to......” people live to work, not work to live.
this is why working at home is amazing.. I don't have co-workers anymore..unless you count my cat and dog and their gifts are already bought, with cash.
This is great practical down to earth advice! When you’re after my husband got out of service and we had very little money as he was starting a new job, and we had three children and I think one on the way, my husband spent time after work in a friends garage building a little wooden barn with a roof that lift it up and I bought a plastic bag of little farm animals and farm machinery, And for my daughters he built a little wooden cradle and I made a mattress to fit it and doll clothes for an old doll that I washed its face and a little blanket and pillow; I bought some yellow terry cloth that was on sale and made us all bathrobes. Cards for the family.
In college, I didn't have a lot of money to buy everyone gifts. I would make salsa and other homemade gifts for everyone. No one ever said that they didn't like the gift. They knew that I was giving everything I had to give at that moment.
I used to hate Christmas because I was always SO stressed during this time of year. Then years ago I told my family that I wasn't going to give Christmas gifts anymore. I literally felt the weight lift off my shoulders & was able to like Christmas again. I told them I would continue to purchase gifts throughout the year when I saw something they might like. They seem to like the surprise gifts more. I still give the grandkids birthday gifts. But they've learned that I believe that Christmas is WAY too over commercialized and should be about family getting together, sharing laughs & presence not presents.
When I was 8 or 9 years old my grandmother was short of funds and I was given a stupid Christmas present that I hated and that money was wasted. I WISH she had taught me how to crochet. She was an expert at crochet.
The best news headline I could watch around the holidays would be "retail spending is down". Christmas in the US isn't about family or anything other than consumerism and spending. I hate it.
10 co-workers? Uhh no. They can keep their tradition and not get me anything. I am fine with that. I have a big family too however I only give gifts to my adult children pretty much and one for a gift exchange at my brother's house. I don't expect any gifts myself.
My Christmas is paying off debt this year . I’m an adult , I can skip Christmas one time . Live like no one else so later I can live and give like no one else.
I remember my mom stating she was going to do Christmas gifts this way (drawing names). Most of the family agreed. I was appalled. My mom was ruining Christmas! Now as an adult I totally get it and unfortunately rarely have the money to buy much in the way of gifts.
The best Christmas Party at work was the year with a ‚Secret Santa’ , when nobody was allowed to spend money on the gift or the wrapping! Everyone brought a thing that was found in the house, the basement, the garage, the garden shed, or wherever. That night I learned that someones trash is another persons treasure! 😃 Not to mention the big fun!
About 12 years ago my extended family started ditching the gifts and doing what we call "events" together. One family does a musical concert, one does a bonfire & storytelling ... I put together a family-trivia gameshow night once. Every single member of the family is relieved and enthusiastic about the change.
Two years ago I told all my friends and family that we wouldn’t be buying for anyone other than our kids and some took it a little harder than others but two years later everyone just knows that we don’t buy for anyone else and no one expects it. We halved our Christmas budget by doing this and now we don’t need to worry about what to buy different people and just need to think about our kids.
“Speak the unspoken,” well said, Delony! Also, this is what’s called having a supportive family. If you share your financial goals, they should stand behind you when you curtail your gift spending.
My wife and I have saved a ton of money once we had kids by not buy each other gifts. The kids still get some but it was just a waste of money buying each other something we didn’t really want/like.
My wife and I are going to be able to finish paying off our debt this month. We made the decision to skip the presents this month and give gifts in January.
Jesus did NOT come to earth for us to go into debt celebrating His birthday. Retailers have turned a sacred holiday into a spending frenzy. Thanks for the wonderful advice gentlemen.
Great advice...I think it’s important to tell everyone your gift budget ahead of time...I also tell my friends and family that they don’t need to by me a gift.
2020 can still be saved. Use this time to get away from holiday drama and stop bad traditions. In the long run you will look back on this year as the best year of your life.
When my family was hurting when I was young my mom made homemade Xmas gifts. When my grandpa passed I got the two homemade decorative pillows that my mom had given 35 years earlier! She also painted paintings for family members and I have a few of those. My mom has passed so they mean more now.
I'm so glad that there are no obligations to buying stuff for my co workers. We don't even exchange gifts or anything during the holidays. We wish each other a Merry Christmas and that's it.
The ability to hold my head up, look someone in the eye, & say without a drop of shame or self-consciousness, “I can’t afford it” is possibly the greatest gift my parents gave me growing up. For a couple decades now, the big Christmas gifts are charitable donations in the giftees’ names. Heifer Project is always fun and appropriate for Christmas. Bonus: no gift-wrapping, fighting crowds, or postage.
Yep... just made an settlement offer on a private student loan the other day... hope they accept. The goal is to have settled all my private loans by the end of this year. Two are settled, have two more to go. Praying God help me achieve this goal. 🙏🏽
I’ve saved all my money by just not celebrating it...........🤪..........in all honesty you find out who truly values you by how they treat you by not giving them anything
Even having to provide a reason or an excuse is unnecessary to anyone outside of your immediate circle. I have stopped buying gifts for the workplace for no personal reasons other than financial. It has been the most liberating thing, ever.
Girl, tell the co-workers you can't afford to particpate this year. I bet most of those co-workers are waiting for someone to speak up... so they don't have to do it anymore. I have a huge family and every year we draw names, or we do the "pass the gift" game.
I told people this year I had a small budget for gifts. I am buying my daughter some gifts that are creative and educational. Then others will get small homemade gifts. I made several batches of homemade soaps and canned hams. I gave my barber a tip and some canned jams and he said it was better than buying something. Don't feel bad for not buying.
Christmas is when I go crazy. Just want my kids to have a good Christmas. I know that can happen w/o presents but it's just something I find hard to do. But I only buy for the kids, absolutely no adults.
I did that years ago , my sister-in law asked me what we wanted for christmas , and I gentle just told her that we could'nt afford to exchange . and she fully was ok with that !
Nicely said! When I was younger, I remember I used to do the whole co-worker gifts & now I dont even talk to them🤷🏻♀️ That taught me a lesson! So now I always suggest potlucks & nothing else
I was the “black sheep” in my family about 4 years ago (via my wife) to stop this madness!!! I have a large family and it was RIDICULOUS to spend all that time, energy, and money on gifts. Now we draw names and set a cap on it and the purpose of the gift must be to bring the family together.
Pay for Christmas? So ironic... seeing that Christmas is supposed to point to Christ and ultimately the price he PAID already for us on the cross... simple answer: Jesus PAID IT ALL, so we don’t have to... 😜so no gifts this year or ever... or until you get out of debt 💸
When my boyfriend had a job change and he took a paycut. For Christmas, he baked cookies for everybody. $1 tin at the Dollar Store and a Cookie Recipe online to make 100 cookies.
At a job I had, everyone drew a name from a bowl, and that was the person you a gift for. And the gift could not be more than $25. What everyone did was post on a sheet of paper suggestions for their secret Santa. So whatever you might like as a get (under $25), you could put that suggestion on the list next to your name. Worked out quite well. Most everyone got something they wanted, but there were some nice surprises. People got creative and really thought about the person they were gifting something to. The gifts seemed more special. Do this, or just make a very rich, very fattening dessert and take that to work for everyone to share.
@@SEATown420 $20 per pay is $1040 a year, paid weekly. Put that into your debt, and spend time with people instead of buying junk they're going to throw away one day. Then, when you're out of debt, you can buy a many gifts as you want for the people who stuck by you while you were paying off your debt. That's how you afford Christmas gifts. You give what you can afford, if all you can afford is time and conversation, maybe a helping hand, then that's all you give. Christmas doesn't come with a minimum spend attached to it.
Dollar Store Gifts will do! When I was 10, I got everyone in my family xmas gifts from the dollar store, like mugs, cards, ornaments, etc... Good News is that the dollar store didn’t have inflation even 30 years later! So good luck!
Years ago my parents said this about all my dad's family. 10 siblings and spouses, 9 cousins, it was too much. Then my sister started the "pick a name" thing, and we all did the Secret Santa thing for a few years. Then some of us got married, had kids, and the family got bigger. It just kinda slowed down and stopped. Now we're not buying stuff for all the extended family. I'm down from 15-20 people, to my parents, my sister, my son and my nephew.
It’s called a sinking fund for Christmas. Set money aside each month, starting with the day after Christmas. And when late November rolls around, what you’ve accrued is what you have to spend. No more, no less. Your choice of who you want to spend it on.
@@ajh.4131 this method wasn't mentioned because it's a foolish way of thinking you have more money than you really do. Hypothetically, you have 10,000 debt. You pay 1,000 off, and hide 100. You have 9,000 debt, and spend the 100. OR You pay 1,000 off the debt, plus the 100 you stashed away. Now you have 8,900 debt. No money spent on trash people don't need. THEN You go and spend 100 on the trash. You end the year with 9,000 debt. Hiding money away is stealing money from yourself to make yourself feel richer... It's false economy.
There is only 6 adults and 2 kids in our group. We do 2 small “Santa” bag gifts per adult. Doesn’t have to be expensive. Dollar tree works great. Plus the kids each have a “Santa” bag. Each adult/couple buys for both kids (normally about $25). Adults draw names with a $50 limit. A few us of pitch in and do a seran ball and we do a Christmas story with a prize at the end. So I come out spending less than $150 and at my house, my kid gets a Christmas Eve box that I spend no more than $30 on and then she gets about 5-7 gifts (generally costing less than $25/each-sometimes cheaper than $10). I don’t go over $200-$250. They can either accept it or don’t get anything. 🤷🏼♀️
no need to go into debt in and around Christmas. if you don't have much or anything to give, a Christmas card is enough to let people know you care and acknowledge them. When I was on hard times, hang out with those around you around the holidays. Showing face is the best present you can give someone.
There are many ways to do this. Drawing names is only one. As soon as there were 2 kids in my generation, we decided that we'd only do gifts for the kids. That made it a lot easier for everyone, and resulted in a lot fewer of those gifts that never get used or end up getting recycled. I then canceled gifts altogether when I heard my mother tell my daughter that if she didn't do what grandma wanted, they wouldn't send her a Christmas gift. Office gifts--no way. Draw boundaries. Co-workers are neither close friends or family in most cases.
I haven't purchased a single Christmas gift in over 20 years, and I make it known that I don't want to receive any. All of my family relationships and friendships managed to survive and thrive.
3 years ago my whole family - extended and all, agreed to just do secret santa with all of us so we just had to get 1 gift and receive 1 gift and put a $50 limit. The only exception has been my little brother who was 7 at the time and he still received gifts from everyone. Adults dont need gifts. The gift is not having to spend money. This year I got a call from my mom letting me know that everyone is ok with just skipping the adult gifts and just getting the 1 gift for my brother. We have all saved THOUSANDS and have no stress. We just enjoy echothers company instead of spending money on things the other person will never use. Now I am trying to get my fiances family on board to at leats do secret santa only but so far no luck. Mentioned that that we have been doing secret santa and in laws said that sounds so awesome and then proceeded to ask what all I want for Christmas lol
I don't partake in any traditions or holidays. No birthdays, no mothers day, no easter, no christmas. Nothing. It's just a bunch of social pressure and expectations that I don't want in my life. Friends and family try to shame me for not following their traditions, but I don't care because I've never felt more free. I haven't worried about gifts for years and it's amazing.
Photobooks are also a nice gift. for the older generation and if someone has time and design talent. or to burn a CD with a music collection. For people that have time, money and access to old photos - making them digital to store them. A family tree - but that takes a lot of time.
I need advice please.... I live in Semi truck, no home, no kids, no debt, nothing. It’s just me traveling the 48 states keeping America going. I have 2 bills. Cell 100.00 and a storage unit of 150.00 a month. I can reduce the storage unit to 50.00 a month. How? I have a mint condition 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4/4 not registered or insured. I only go to the storage unit to start it once every 2 months. It also has 19,100 miles on it. Should I sell it and downsize the storage unit? I want to stay on the road traveling. Why? Because I can save 63,000.00 a year. Or 1225.00 every week. I luv the Toyota but having it sit doesn’t make sense. The book on it is 8K. I received an offer of 19.5K. I will not get 19.5 in 3/5 or 7 years. It would also free my time so I can take days off on the beach without a care in the world. Sadly, it’s only me. The girlfriend didn’t see the big picture and cheated. It will always be only me because no wants to date a trucker who has goals but is gone. Need some real smart people to figure this out. Please chime in and let me know what I should do. Kinda scared selling my Toyota. It’s like a security blanket. I also would luv to do 10 more years out here. A true millionaire in 10 years with compounded interest. It’s not easy tho. The isolation can destroy me. But I know it’s the right thing to do.
If I couldn't get from underneath these social obligations, I'd go the self-made route, probably. Baking a cake, or making a collage of meaningful photos, or a keychain with some scraps you have if you have the machinery to work it... And yes, drawing numbers to reduce the amount of gifts you need is another big tip.
99% of Christmas gifts end up as stupid clutter in the house anyway.
I cringe at the thought of anyone going into debt to buy me something I may not even like.
@@DBest-pk2tr I agree
It adds anxiety and can solidify some people really don't know or care what you want
I'd rather play cards or something than open gifts
I agree, that’s why I like to get people candles and soap and gift cards (if they like those things) because they can actually use them and they don’t add to the clutter.
@@juliep1122 universally useful gifts are a good choice
You just made me chuckle though because I make my own soap and candles
A few people have
for some reason
gave me soap and candles as a gift 🤦♀️
I usually only buy disposable gifts. People don't need or want clutter.
My old workplace used to do a cookie gift exchange. Everyone would bake enough goods for the people involved and on the day of the exchange, you get one of each of the items made by the other people. It was so much fun and so meaningful. We worked in a very diverse place, so people had different recipes from around the world. I highly recommend it!
Great idea.
But is it a necessity to celebrate something that isn’t true (Christmas)???
What an excellent idea!
And it costs less than $15...great choice!
@@abdulaliakbar1175 if you do not believe, then don't celebrate. Your choice. I have Muslim friends who do not partake in "celebrating" and as a Christian, I would never force that on them.
This is one of the reasons why I dislike Christmas. Some People feel entitled to a gift. the feeling of being obligated to buy it is bull.
No problem with me.
I just say no and all done.
Try Hanukkah instead. Eight nights of family, food, and no presents expected.
It has been quite a blessing.
Agreed! We really toned back this year and did secret Santas with our family. It's almost funner because you can go a little overboard and still spend less that of you got something for everyone.
And that is exactly why I am not buying gifts this year.
I love Christmas it’s the best time to spend time with my family . The gifts are just a cherry on top it’s fun sure but the time we spend together it’s better than any gift .
Buying gifts for everyone in a big family is CRAZY!!!!
Yeah , just do secret Santa
Yeah, I do my family, parents and then it's secret Santa for extended family, in-laws and sister in laws, cousins... buying for 30 people would be insane.
Started tracking my net worth December 2 2019. 1 year anniversary and it has increased by $92,165.63.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Nice 👍🏻
you know... they say what gets tracked gets improved... i did the same thing a little over 2 years ago... cleaned up 50k in debt and increased net worth almost the same... when you track it, you can look back and see results and see the projected future.... makes a lot of sense, im surprised this is not part of the baby steps ... even writing it down on a piece of paper and trending it.. watching the debt go down and net worth go up... no longer is your chequing account a payment away from bouncing or hitting overdraft.... room to breathe... you'll never miss getting or giving gifts or going out to eat...
Insane progress. Nice
In one year?!?! Dude. Lucky you. Takes me 3 years to earn that much...before bills etc. I still save maybe 10k a year but 92k?! That will take me aWHile. 😳
@@christiantuininga7298 he didn't say he earned it... Crazy thing about investments and real estate is they go up on their own... I suspect this is why Dave doesn't discourage buying a house with borrowed money and gets you investing
I wish my parents hadn't always gone so crazy at Christmas. They could be in substantially better financial shape today.
Me too.
About 15 years ago my doctor husband & I had a rough year financially as we had several kids in college & my husband was changing jobs. All 7 of our kids got $10 in gifts, that year, for Christmas as that was all we could without going into credit card debt. They all survived & remember it as a fun Christmas.
That’s amazing god bless
Thank you for your kind words. God has been the glue in our marriage.🙏👍🏼 and...we laugh a lot. 😁
That's a great story. Thank you for sharing.
It takes critical thinking to not follow the herds.
Well said
And most importantly, discipline.
@@Estrogen_intolerant True. The pandemic has given us a perfect excuse to reset many expectations that are just detrimental to our values and goals.
Except when you don't follow the herd simply to be different you usually get eaten... there's lots of really stupid "non-conformists" our there....
@@Chris-es3wf Absolutely, hence the critical thinking. At the end, we can't blame others for being followers (Christmas shopping) or for our poorly thought decisions (becoming an outcast at work for not participating).
My siblings and I have an agreement - Nobody buys anybody anything. No hurt feelings, no bad presents, nothing, just enjoy each other's company.
Suggest to coworkers that you each throw in $20 and give $200 to a charity. You all spend less , feel good, and do something important for those who are struggling this year.
Love that idea!
I love this idea, thank you
Great idea
Excellent idea.
I don't like this idea--I'll donate the $20 myself and take the tax deduction (yes, I itemize). If I toss it in the pool at work, either one person somewhat dishonestly takes the deduction or no one does. I even saw this game in a Sunday School class--for years, the class treasurer would remove all the cash and write a personal check to the church for that amount. And of course. his check was a deduction.
I can't afford Christmas this year I bought 10,000 rolls of toilet paper
There's your Christina's gifts
The gift that keeps on giving
Lol you made my day
That's actually a pretty useful Christmas gift ☺️
😂
It goes in the same place as unwanted gifts
After this year who cares about gifts?I’m just happy to be alive and well because a lot of people didn’t make it that’s a big gift.
Absolutely!!!!!❤️
Could not be better said! I am thankful for my job, my family, my friends, my health and just want to hold everyone close dear to me.
Kristal, I love your comment. You really are a Queen!
We've always drawn names (18 cousins), however this year we agreed all adults were out and kids only with like a $20 cap. So far everyone is happy with that.
except the kids
"Honey, I'm not debatin'... I'm statin' "
I love it!
These 2 have the best chemistry together!
I never have a problem getting gifts for all my coworkers...at the dollar store.
I refuse to buy things just artificially prop consumer economy and fill a landfill
Yep that's the best way to do it. Most co-workers aren't worth more than a dollar anyway. LOL
We draw names on Thanksgiving after we eat.!
only the kids and grand kids names r in the hat.
works great, even set a spending limit.!!
we did this too for years!
This man Chris hogan nailed it !!!! Dave, this man needs a raise! 😊💯
Your family and friends should understand your financial situations. Obligations can cripple you financially.
MY FAMILY DONT UNDERSTAND. THEY EXPECTING GIFTS.
@@miasministry07 they can expect them, that's fine! You are responsible for your financial situation. Do what you can, that's all you can do. 👍🏻
@@DrJaredNelson FACTZ. I GOT XMAS CARDS
@@miasministry07 good idea!
@@miasministry07 thats too bad for them. Cant buy stuff with money you dont have. And if the bank says you can its a trap
Lol y’all know she ain’t doin this
She really might. Listening to these guys gave me a sense of relief myself
Stop 😂😂😂 she might. I have hope that she will
She swiping that card right now . And turning that card and filling in her credit card information on amazon.
Who buys gifts for all their co-workers?
I don’t !! You crazy !!
How expensive is that !!
I’m not going into debt for gifts 🎁!!
A broke person...
A sucker
@@k-mart7475 thats what i was thinking. Unless you make bank buying gifts for all coworkers is insane. Most jobs I've had barely paid enough to survive and just having 1 secret santa at work was stressful. I cant imagine buying gifts for everyone!
Lots of women do, same with “having to go to happy hour” “having to go to a co-workers birthday” “having to......” people live to work, not work to live.
this is why working at home is amazing.. I don't have co-workers anymore..unless you count my cat and dog and their gifts are already bought, with cash.
@Johnny Five RIGHT!!!!!!!
Thanks for this advice. I need this too. It’s so annoying when people say it’s a tradition at work to buy gifts.
This is great practical down to earth advice! When you’re after my husband got out of service and we had very little money as he was starting a new job, and we had three children and I think one on the way, my husband spent time after work in a friends garage building a little wooden barn with a roof that lift it up and I bought a plastic bag of little farm animals and farm machinery, And for my daughters he built a little wooden cradle and I made a mattress to fit it and doll clothes for an old doll that I washed its face and a little blanket and pillow; I bought some yellow terry cloth that was on sale and made us all bathrobes. Cards for the family.
In college, I didn't have a lot of money to buy everyone gifts. I would make salsa and other homemade gifts for everyone. No one ever said that they didn't like the gift. They knew that I was giving everything I had to give at that moment.
Same! I bought yarn at the thrift store...taught myself to crochet...and made everyone I knew a scarf. 🤷🏼♀️
I used to hate Christmas because I was always SO stressed during this time of year. Then years ago I told my family that I wasn't going to give Christmas gifts anymore. I literally felt the weight lift off my shoulders & was able to like Christmas again. I told them I would continue to purchase gifts throughout the year when I saw something they might like. They seem to like the surprise gifts more. I still give the grandkids birthday gifts. But they've learned that I believe that Christmas is WAY too over commercialized and should be about family getting together, sharing laughs & presence not presents.
When I was 8 or 9 years old my grandmother was short of funds and I was given a stupid Christmas present that I hated and that money was wasted. I WISH she had taught me how to crochet. She was an expert at crochet.
“I’m not debating, I’m stating.” I love it! 💕
The best news headline I could watch around the holidays would be "retail spending is down". Christmas in the US isn't about family or anything other than consumerism and spending. I hate it.
FACTZ
I learned that watching Charlie Brown Christmas as a child..
So why don't you help change it?
10 co-workers? Uhh no. They can keep their tradition and not get me anything. I am fine with that. I have a big family too however I only give gifts to my adult children pretty much and one for a gift exchange at my brother's house. I don't expect any gifts myself.
Secret Santa; 1 gift under $20
I think that legally, the fact that she is feeling obligated is wrong. There are some HR rules around employees in these situations.
What are Adult children?
My Christmas is paying off debt this year . I’m an adult , I can skip Christmas one time . Live like no one else so later I can live and give like no one else.
Home-baked goods wrapped nicely make a great gift!
Exactly!! I keep trying to tell people
I remember my mom stating she was going to do Christmas gifts this way (drawing names). Most of the family agreed. I was appalled. My mom was ruining Christmas! Now as an adult I totally get it and unfortunately rarely have the money to buy much in the way of gifts.
The best Christmas Party at work was the year with a ‚Secret Santa’ , when nobody was allowed to spend money on the gift or the wrapping! Everyone brought a thing that was found in the house, the basement, the garage, the garden shed, or wherever. That night I learned that someones trash is another persons treasure! 😃 Not to mention the big fun!
We've each bought one gift for one family member for years and it makes Christmas such a joy!
About 12 years ago my extended family started ditching the gifts and doing what we call "events" together.
One family does a musical concert, one does a bonfire & storytelling ... I put together a family-trivia gameshow night once.
Every single member of the family is relieved and enthusiastic about the change.
Two years ago I told all my friends and family that we wouldn’t be buying for anyone other than our kids and some took it a little harder than others but two years later everyone just knows that we don’t buy for anyone else and no one expects it. We halved our Christmas budget by doing this and now we don’t need to worry about what to buy different people and just need to think about our kids.
Honestly, if somebody were to gift me my favorite candy, I’ll be extremely happy. The gift doesn’t have to be extravagant.
What’s your fav candy?
Ferrero Rocher or Sour Patch Kids. 😬
@@TheEliie08 oooo those are good! Good choice in candy
Yo te regalo una pupusa 🫓
So true👍🏿
This man deserves more views!
“Speak the unspoken,” well said, Delony! Also, this is what’s called having a supportive family. If you share your financial goals, they should stand behind you when you curtail your gift spending.
Bake for them! That’s what I do. Everyone that knows me, would kill for one of my cheesecakes 🤣
Heck yeah! Good cheesecakes are expensive to buy! 😳 I'd love a cheesecake as a gift!
@@nikkisigmon8090 Right? Even I would take one! Lol
you just found a new fried! :)
@@jamesrichey2434 hahaha
That’s a great gift!
Give meaningful gifts. Cards with a thoughtful message. Bake something. Make something.
Who else can listen to Chris talk all day.
My wife and I have saved a ton of money once we had kids by not buy each other gifts. The kids still get some but it was just a waste of money buying each other something we didn’t really want/like.
Good thinking
"Bless your heart" is southern for "you poor idiot" XD
🤣 so true
Always asked what that meant Thanks a mil
Take care of your responsibilities before they become overwhelming.
You can make something, regift etc just get creative 😤😤
Amanda go to the dollar store and go mad
Dollar tree lol
Yes, but then she just comes across as being tight...It’s better to say that you can’t afford it.
5 and under...another great store...
@@kenaddoh4693 who cares...it’s the thought that counts
My wife and I are going to be able to finish paying off our debt this month. We made the decision to skip the presents this month and give gifts in January.
Sorry fam, I'm having a quarantine Christmas!
Jesus did NOT come to earth for us to go into debt celebrating His birthday. Retailers have turned a sacred holiday into a spending frenzy. Thanks for the wonderful advice gentlemen.
Great advice...I think it’s important to tell everyone your gift budget ahead of time...I also tell my friends and family that they don’t need to by me a gift.
2020 can still be saved. Use this time to get away from holiday drama and stop bad traditions. In the long run you will look back on this year as the best year of your life.
When my family was hurting when I was young my mom made homemade Xmas gifts. When my grandpa passed I got the two homemade decorative pillows that my mom had given 35 years earlier! She also painted paintings for family members and I have a few of those. My mom has passed so they mean more now.
I almost like Chris Hogan better than Dave Ramsey
How could you? 😆
@@WannaBeHocker Ramsay is more ignorance and arrogance.
Dave Ramsey can come off REALLY harsh in my opinion . Hogan has a very a "cool uncle" vibe compared to Daves "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed" vibe.
@@bleepbloop6303 i prefer someone hella mad than disappointed by me
Almost~ so you like them the same amount? 😉🙃
I'm so glad that there are no obligations to buying stuff for my co workers. We don't even exchange gifts or anything during the holidays. We wish each other a Merry Christmas and that's it.
The ability to hold my head up, look someone in the eye, & say without a drop of shame or self-consciousness, “I can’t afford it” is possibly the greatest gift my parents gave me growing up. For a couple decades now, the big Christmas gifts are charitable donations in the giftees’ names. Heifer Project is always fun and appropriate for Christmas. Bonus: no gift-wrapping, fighting crowds, or postage.
👉Make yourself a gift by paying off a chunk of your debt👈
Yesss 👍
Yep... just made an settlement offer on a private student loan the other day... hope they accept. The goal is to have settled all my private loans by the end of this year. Two are settled, have two more to go. Praying God help me achieve this goal. 🙏🏽
Yep. Just paid off one federal student loan 3 days ago. It felt fantastic!
@@adfmo2195 Good for you!
@@kimberlyturner820 Good for you!
I’ve saved all my money by just not celebrating it...........🤪..........in all honesty you find out who truly values you by how they treat you by not giving them anything
I've saved a lot of money by removing most family from my life.
lol
💯🥳
🤣🤣🤣🤣
God Job. They are usless.
Now thats a GREAT IDEA.
Even having to provide a reason or an excuse is unnecessary to anyone outside of your immediate circle. I have stopped buying gifts for the workplace for no personal reasons other than financial. It has been the most liberating thing, ever.
Just tell the family: “NO! Not this year, we’re broke and we can’t afford it.” Problem solved.
Make something! When I was broke in college I painted canvases for all of my family and friends. Cheap and meaningful.
Great! Any friends left? Lol.
Many only do kids🕊
Girl, tell the co-workers you can't afford to particpate this year. I bet most of those co-workers are waiting for someone to speak up... so they don't have to do it anymore. I have a huge family and every year we draw names, or we do the "pass the gift" game.
Yep, her co-workers have other obligations too! They’ll be relieved 😅
I told people this year I had a small budget for gifts. I am buying my daughter some gifts that are creative and educational. Then others will get small homemade gifts. I made several batches of homemade soaps and canned hams. I gave my barber a tip and some canned jams and he said it was better than buying something. Don't feel bad for not buying.
Christmas is when I go crazy. Just want my kids to have a good Christmas. I know that can happen w/o presents but it's just something I find hard to do. But I only buy for the kids, absolutely no adults.
I did that years ago , my sister-in law asked me what we wanted for christmas , and I gentle just told her that we could'nt afford to exchange . and she fully was ok with that !
When I was broke I just sent people a little Xmas card and said I made a donation in their name to the Human Fund.
This is great. I’m assuming you were the “Human Fun”? 😂💪🏻👍🏻
Is your name George?
Castanza
@@goalie2998 lol. Exactly. True friends offered entertained understanding.
@@herbiehusker1889 I wish. My parents failed me. 😒
Make everyone homemade cards. 🤷🏼♂️ Truly, when everyone be grown, it really is the thought that counts.
The things with cards are the family dont see the love in the card.
i just tell everyone I'm broke, don't expect much.
@@big4g63t FACTZ
I know you
@@williamdavis9630 I've seen you around these parts before. lol!
Nicely said! When I was younger, I remember I used to do the whole co-worker gifts & now I dont even talk to them🤷🏻♀️ That taught me a lesson! So now I always suggest potlucks & nothing else
Just enjoy a good time with your family and a nice meal, no need gifts just because the society do it.
I was the “black sheep” in my family about 4 years ago (via my wife) to stop this madness!!! I have a large family and it was RIDICULOUS to spend all that time, energy, and money on gifts. Now we draw names and set a cap on it and the purpose of the gift must be to bring the family together.
@Johnny Five Then you should probably have a coupon Christmas. My parents went bankrupt as a result of financing Christmas!
I told my family that my budget for Christmas is $5 and everyone was happy to go along with it.
Pay for Christmas? So ironic... seeing that Christmas is supposed to point to Christ and ultimately the price he PAID already for us on the cross... simple answer: Jesus PAID IT ALL, so we don’t have to... 😜so no gifts this year or ever... or until you get out of debt 💸
I love Jesus!
Amen!
When my boyfriend had a job change and he took a paycut. For Christmas, he baked cookies for everybody. $1 tin at the Dollar Store and a Cookie Recipe online to make 100 cookies.
At a job I had, everyone drew a name from a bowl, and that was the person you a gift for. And the gift could not be more than $25. What everyone did was post on a sheet of paper suggestions for their secret Santa. So whatever you might like as a get (under $25), you could put that suggestion on the list next to your name. Worked out quite well.
Most everyone got something they wanted, but there were some nice surprises. People got creative and really thought about the person they were gifting something to. The gifts seemed more special. Do this, or just make a very rich, very fattening dessert and take that to work for everyone to share.
By saving one year ago. That is how to buy Christmas gifts while in debt. $10-$20 every payday until Christmas arrives.
Why wouldn't you put that money into your debt instead?
@@rustymozzy dog. Its an answer to the video's title.
@@SEATown420 $20 per pay is $1040 a year, paid weekly. Put that into your debt, and spend time with people instead of buying junk they're going to throw away one day.
Then, when you're out of debt, you can buy a many gifts as you want for the people who stuck by you while you were paying off your debt. That's how you afford Christmas gifts. You give what you can afford, if all you can afford is time and conversation, maybe a helping hand, then that's all you give.
Christmas doesn't come with a minimum spend attached to it.
Miss Chris Hogan, definitely one of the best Ramsey personalities so far
Same! I don’t really watch anymore since he’s gone 😢
Keep gifts you don’t want from the prior year and give it as your gift to a coworker
With big family, we found out that "white elephant" works great. The Only gifts we buy is for our kids.
White elephant gifts can be so much fun!
Dollar Store Gifts will do! When I was 10, I got everyone in my family xmas gifts from the dollar store, like mugs, cards, ornaments, etc... Good News is that the dollar store didn’t have inflation even 30 years later! So good luck!
This guys voice can move mountains 🤣
"I'm not debating, I'm stating." Love it!
Years ago my parents said this about all my dad's family. 10 siblings and spouses, 9 cousins, it was too much. Then my sister started the "pick a name" thing, and we all did the Secret Santa thing for a few years. Then some of us got married, had kids, and the family got bigger. It just kinda slowed down and stopped. Now we're not buying stuff for all the extended family. I'm down from 15-20 people, to my parents, my sister, my son and my nephew.
It’s called a sinking fund for Christmas. Set money aside each month, starting with the day after Christmas. And when late November rolls around, what you’ve accrued is what you have to spend. No more, no less. Your choice of who you want to spend it on.
I was thinking the same thing. I’m surprised this method wasn’t mentioned.
@@ajh.4131 this method wasn't mentioned because it's a foolish way of thinking you have more money than you really do.
Hypothetically, you have 10,000 debt.
You pay 1,000 off, and hide 100.
You have 9,000 debt, and spend the 100.
OR
You pay 1,000 off the debt, plus the 100 you stashed away.
Now you have 8,900 debt.
No money spent on trash people don't need.
THEN
You go and spend 100 on the trash.
You end the year with 9,000 debt.
Hiding money away is stealing money from yourself to make yourself feel richer...
It's false economy.
@@ajh.4131 You don't start a sinking fund in early December for Christmas.
There is only 6 adults and 2 kids in our group. We do 2 small “Santa” bag gifts per adult. Doesn’t have to be expensive. Dollar tree works great. Plus the kids each have a “Santa” bag. Each adult/couple buys for both kids (normally about $25). Adults draw names with a $50 limit. A few us of pitch in and do a seran ball and we do a Christmas story with a prize at the end. So I come out spending less than $150 and at my house, my kid gets a Christmas Eve box that I spend no more than $30 on and then she gets about 5-7 gifts (generally costing less than $25/each-sometimes cheaper than $10). I don’t go over $200-$250. They can either accept it or don’t get anything. 🤷🏼♀️
no need to go into debt in and around Christmas. if you don't have much or anything to give, a Christmas card is enough to let people know you care and acknowledge them. When I was on hard times, hang out with those around you around the holidays. Showing face is the best present you can give someone.
There are many ways to do this. Drawing names is only one. As soon as there were 2 kids in my generation, we decided that we'd only do gifts for the kids. That made it a lot easier for everyone, and resulted in a lot fewer of those gifts that never get used or end up getting recycled. I then canceled gifts altogether when I heard my mother tell my daughter that if she didn't do what grandma wanted, they wouldn't send her a Christmas gift. Office gifts--no way. Draw boundaries. Co-workers are neither close friends or family in most cases.
PREACH MAMA HOGAN 👏👏👏
“I’m not debating, I’m stating”
I haven't purchased a single Christmas gift in over 20 years, and I make it known that I don't want to receive any. All of my family relationships and friendships managed to survive and thrive.
3 years ago my whole family - extended and all, agreed to just do secret santa with all of us so we just had to get 1 gift and receive 1 gift and put a $50 limit. The only exception has been my little brother who was 7 at the time and he still received gifts from everyone. Adults dont need gifts. The gift is not having to spend money. This year I got a call from my mom letting me know that everyone is ok with just skipping the adult gifts and just getting the 1 gift for my brother. We have all saved THOUSANDS and have no stress. We just enjoy echothers company instead of spending money on things the other person will never use. Now I am trying to get my fiances family on board to at leats do secret santa only but so far no luck. Mentioned that that we have been doing secret santa and in laws said that sounds so awesome and then proceeded to ask what all I want for Christmas lol
I don't partake in any traditions or holidays. No birthdays, no mothers day, no easter, no christmas. Nothing. It's just a bunch of social pressure and expectations that I don't want in my life. Friends and family try to shame me for not following their traditions, but I don't care because I've never felt more free. I haven't worried about gifts for years and it's amazing.
We drew names at Thanksgiving for Christmas. Worked out great!
Photobooks are also a nice gift. for the older generation and if someone has time and design talent. or to burn a CD with a music collection. For people that have time, money and access to old photos - making them digital to store them.
A family tree - but that takes a lot of time.
White Elephant gift system for Co-workers.
NO gifts for my co-workers. They're NOT friends, they're co-workers; people I do not socialize with outside of work. No big deal.
Co-workers are at the VERY bottom of the totem pole!
I need advice please....
I live in Semi truck, no home, no kids, no debt, nothing. It’s just me traveling the 48 states keeping America going.
I have 2 bills. Cell 100.00 and a storage unit of 150.00 a month. I can reduce the storage unit to 50.00 a month. How? I have a mint condition 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4/4 not registered or insured. I only go to the storage unit to start it once every 2 months. It also has 19,100 miles on it.
Should I sell it and downsize the storage unit? I want to stay on the road traveling. Why? Because I can save 63,000.00 a year. Or 1225.00 every week. I luv the Toyota but having it sit doesn’t make sense. The book on it is 8K. I received an offer of 19.5K. I will not get 19.5 in 3/5 or 7 years.
It would also free my time so I can take days off on the beach without a care in the world. Sadly, it’s only me. The girlfriend didn’t see the big picture and cheated. It will always be only me because no wants to date a trucker who has goals but is gone.
Need some real smart people to figure this out. Please chime in and let me know what I should do. Kinda scared selling my Toyota. It’s like a security blanket. I also would luv to do 10 more years out here. A true millionaire in 10 years with compounded interest. It’s not easy tho. The isolation can destroy me. But I know it’s the right thing to do.
Sell it. When you need a car, you will have the money to buy one.
If I couldn't get from underneath these social obligations, I'd go the self-made route, probably. Baking a cake, or making a collage of meaningful photos, or a keychain with some scraps you have if you have the machinery to work it...
And yes, drawing numbers to reduce the amount of gifts you need is another big tip.
They can draw names at work too and put a dollar limit. Gifts for 10 coworkers is ridiculous.
In our office, we did a white elephant with a theme of your favorite book. New, used, didn't matter. And it was so great.
“Outlaws” you said it right Mr. Hogan!! 🤣🤣🤣