should i get into debt for this?

Question

im on a tight budget and my son has only asked for a x box 360 for xmas

my kids dont get treated to much throughout the year but birthdays and xmas i try my best to get them what they want


this year things are very hard and the only way i can get this for him is to buy from a catalouge

i dont want to get into debt but i cant see any other way to do it

my kids are not spoilt and accept they get what i can afford

but i feel that as i cant do it throught the year i should make xmas as special as i can


what do you think i should do ?

Answer 1

If you think you can get out of the debt as soon as you can, they do it. Just make sure you don't go down the same path again until you're out of debt. If you have a credit card that charges 0% for however many months, use that one and then do whatever you can to pay that debt of ASAP. It's great that you want to give your kids something really specially once in a while, but i'm sure they'll understand if you get them something less expensive.

Answer 2

My son would love nothing better that playstation 3 with halo 3 and blu ray and goodness only know what other gadgets.

Fact is though he won't be getting one and I told him as much, because I can't afford one. Even if I could afford one he has enough computer stuff to be getting on with already which eats into his free time more than I would like. I'm hoping I can buy him a guitar instead.

It is exceptionally hard, and I know how you feel..guilty and like you just want them to have what all other kids seem to have some of the time

I have never been able to afford to buy my children expensive gifts either. Most of the more costly things they get come from grandad. When it comes down to it- it never really spoils Christmas. They enjoy the surprises and general festivity. I worry about it year after year but whatever they get, they always have a nice time anyway and I realise the only thing that potentially spoils Christmas is me worrying and stressing about it.

So don't put yourself in debt dear. Budget out what you have spare and buy them a few surprises. By the time you have paid for this years present it's likely it will be obsolete if you go the catalogue route. Not to mention that the games are another money sink that you will end up pouring your cash into long after Christmas is done and dusted.

If you absolutely MUST get one try and save a little bit of cash and...and get a second hand model. You will get a better deal that way and more games with the machine. I have never got my kids a console new, I picked up a game cube with 10 games a couple of years ago from santa for £80 and they love that console and are still playing on it quite happily. It is possible plenty of people will be selling up their 360's so they can run out and buy a Wii or a PS3 so keep your eyes open for a bargain.

Answer 3

I agree with the ebay thoughts, I have bought loads on there and saved loads of money... what about the old xbox? Is that an option? The reason I ask is that a) cheaper b) more games, cheaper games c) can pretty much do the same stuff, and what it can't do he won't be able to do anyway as it all costs - you know?

If you invest in an xbox 360, it will not end there.

A normal xbox? You can get for about £50 including games these days. It has a HD, where you can download games from internet and transfer to xbox if you learn how (my other half does it - bought a 250gb hd to go in it), Then, your games are free, you have unlimited selection and everyone's happy?

Just remember, the only reason he wants the xbox is to keep up with his friends. Only you know as the adult exactly how much he will get out of it, by knowing how much you can afford to buy/rent the limited selection of games for the years to come.

Good luck, remember ebay and remember the original xbox and other consoles that may just be more fun!

Answer 4

not me, I start saving a few months in advance, like september. I also make a list of all the gifts I will be buying for friends and family and I shop around until I find the best price. I budget myself out and I shop ahead of time when I have extra money. Right now I am almost done with my shopping and I still have alot of money left over to put towards next year or to maybe buy some extra gifts. I dont think ones loved ones or friends would want you to go into debt over them. Never spend more than you have, it is not worth it.

Answer 5

I know you want to give your kids what they want.... but here's some food for thought. The X BOX 360s are getting terrible reviews after they're used for a few months becuase many of them are burning out, overheating, breaking, malfunctioning, etc. For all that money, I would hope they don't break like that! Also, video game systems come and go and are always updated, and are not a good investment. Once he gets bored with the 360, he'll want the next best thing. Video games are the worst thing to come around for kids, because kids rarely play sports or get into activities anymore, they just sit at home and get sucked into these fantasy games. Of course, it's always fun to get your kids something they really want... but just think about the long-term I guess.

Answer 6

Its your choice you can get into more debt and your kids will have a good present OR you can buy something cheaper and get out of debt quicker!! I am in the same situation as this will be my first christmas as a single mum. I started christmas shopping in september. I have already brought a bike for my 2.5, barbie stereo for my 4yr, skateboard for my 5 yr, and various smellies for the other members of the family. As the closer to christmas you get the more expensive things will become. I have not finished yet but this way i spread the cost in 3 months and not just making do. Next year i am going to start in aug. Xboxes are not all what they are cracked up to be, good luck.

Answer 7

If you can check out local pawn shops and cash converters etc to see if you could get one 2nd hand. It is amazing how quickly these things end up in there! My brother is a pawn broker and it never fails to amaze me what turns up at reasonable prices too!

Don't go to a catalogue. You will be paying 50p a week for the next 34 years!

Is his birthday near Xmas? Could you combine it as a joint present? Any grandparents that could help out?

I would try all other options available to you before getting credit to buy it.

You sound like a great mum!

Answer 8

second hand is the way to go, these x box things aren't all that popular so places like cash converters and the like will probably have plenty of them, but the earlier the better because as you lnow, christmas is coming and there'll be plenty of other people looking for similar items.

if your budget is really tight i will always reccommend freecycle.com , join a local group, and put up a request, you never know your luck, we had a red leather chesterfield for free about six months ago, some people can be amazingly generous. and if someone has last years gathering dust in a cupboard they'll probably be only to happy to think it isn't being wasted.

Answer 9

I don't think you should go into debt. They need you not games. If you have debt you will worry and have to get more work hours to repay debt. Christmas is about God's gift to us of his son Jesus, born to save us from sin/death (spiritual). It is about relationships, not just things.

Some of my favorite websites are about frugality and how to make your money go farther. Try some of these sites, they may show you ways to plug any leaks in your finances. This will help you save money and maybe find a way to bless your kids. The kids won't be damaged by not having an x-box. They really need you.

www.dollarstretcher.com ; www.simplesavings.net ; about.com topic of frugality

These sites are wonderful and practical. You can also google the word frugality, cheapskate, thrifty

I hope you find as much help with these sites as I have. They have saved me hundreds of dollars, maybe even thousands.

All the best!!! :)

Answer 10

I know it's hard, I've been there myself... but don't do it. Your kids know you love them, you don't have to prove it. If you get into debt, the kids will suffer in the long run. Why not talk to your son and explain, offer to put what you can afford into a bank account for him, he can add any other money he might get at christmas, you can give him money for his birthday etc until he has enough.

Hope you get it sorted, Happy Christmas to you all x