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I'm saving up for a brand new car. So I am on a VERY tight budget.

2007-11-27 09:21:06 · 53 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture Etiquette

WELL I DONT HAVE A CAR, AND I AM IN DESPERATE NEED OF ONE!!!

2007-11-27 09:43:21 · update #1

53 answers

send them a christmas card with a picture of you giving them the middle finger.

or better yet, photoshop it and make it look like you are taking a massive dump on all their heads so they totally get the picture you are a selfish self centered person...maybe even edit it so you are pooing on jesus too, that would be fun

2007-11-27 09:25:12 · answer #1 · answered by toasterdevil jr. 2 · 5 1

Send, phone, or email each of them whom you have in the past spent a lot, and in a few words, say that you won't be giving gifts this year. You don't have to go into detail, unless you want to. You can say that you have a big expenditure coming up and need to save for it, or you can sound less selfish (as others see it) by saying that your budget this year will not cover buying gifts.
Or, you can start a new thing with everyone by seeing who wants to exchange names. Maybe others are also feeling the pinch of less money, and are afraid to appear selfish. You could be doing everyone a favor by stepping up and speaking up.
Or you could also get some inexpensive thing, no big item, to let them know you are thinking of them, but don't overspend. With family, you can be more upfront. With friends, a small gift while things are on sale, is fine. Today I purchased a $40 sweater for $7.00 with all of the %'s marked off.

But, if you want to stop the spending and later do less, I'd have family draw names, and friends set a limit on what is spent. Happy holidays.

2007-11-27 09:27:56 · answer #2 · answered by dutchlady 5 · 0 0

Forget your Tight-Budget enough to get like a box of lower-priced Chocolates for each family, as a whole. Walgreens usually runs them on sale, cheap, too. The others may have some pretty tight financial obligations, also, so would you want all of them to disclude you; this is the Season for giving & remembering, so give a little cheer. It doesn't have to be much. Anyway, never buy BIG, unless you want to have to do it every year. I'd rather get a small box of choc's, than to not be remembered at all; it's the thought that counts.

2007-11-27 09:29:21 · answer #3 · answered by srbyn1 5 · 1 0

Simply tell them, now.

You could say "I'd like to not excahnge gifts this year, money being tight as it is. Why don't we get together and share a meal and have a nice night playing games and watching old movies (or whatever) instead?"

But do it now, before they buy you something which means you will need to reciprocate!

It's always best to decide the 'no gifts' option early in the year, because a lot of people buy through the year and take extra trouble to make thoughtful gifts.

Alternatively, you could say "Let's set a limit of $10 (or whatever) on gifts this year" or "Let's do a 'nothing bought in a shop' gift giving this year" and force everyone to be creative!

Cheers :-)

2007-11-27 09:40:22 · answer #4 · answered by thing55000 6 · 1 0

You could suggest 'Secret Santa'- where you put your of your family members' names on pieces of paper in a hat / bag and let them each draw one name out at random, the name you draw is the only name you buy a present for- and it's common to put an upper limit on how much to spend on the present- you could suggest £10.00. That way everyone gets a present and nobody pays more than £10.00. You will need to get your family all together to do this. This would not stop other family members buying more for other family members.

Regarding your friends, this group is slightly different -engage them individually and explain your reason- it sounds reasonable. They will understand this too.

2007-11-27 09:41:56 · answer #5 · answered by mark 2 · 0 0

A brand new car!!! well thats worth it then Im sure everyone will understand. Im sure you can skimp on your savings a little this month for your own family. you dont have to buy presents for everyone you know but maybe just the immediate family. i found really cute small gifts for 5-10 at target...thats all you need just something to show you care....You should tell ur family that since you dont wanna give presents then they dont have to get you anything.....that would be fair im sure they would understand..

2007-11-27 09:37:35 · answer #6 · answered by nikkylyn 5 · 0 0

You should go to like the flee market or some place that is very cheap and just buy them like a little two dollar thing just to show them that you care about them..... If you have a VERY tight budget that you cant spend a few dollars on them then you should maybe look for things around the house to re-gift for them or just tell them "hey im really tight on money this year and im sorry but i cant afford to get anyone anything this year" hope it goes well

2007-11-27 09:27:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4 0

Why on earth would you announce that something else in your life is more important to you than them? Why would you assume your family and friends take you so for granted that a gift is expected?
Gift-giving is optional at all times and should never be expected. Still, tell that to a five year old on Christmas. There is no need to announce, however a token, such as a card, should be given. If anyone is rude enough to ask why then you may say "I'm so sorry, but I am at a difficult period financially, I'm sure you understand." It should make them sufficiently embarassed.

2007-11-27 09:38:43 · answer #8 · answered by SnakEve 4 · 0 1

go to the $2 and get scented candles for the ladies...ask for a discount when u buy in bulk. for the kids u can get empty bottles at the $2 store and dump in a couple of cheap colourful jelly beans. for the men.. i dont know.. i suck at preset ideas for guys.. but i'm sure u'll come up with something. maybe chocolates for them as well. it's not wat the present is, it's how u decorate it. $2 shops also sell fancy wrapping paper.. decorate your presents and make them pretty, and when everyone's in the lets-open-presents-mood.. make an announcement that u were EXTREMELY tight on money and u're sorry for the dodgy presents but that u put in a lot of effort to decorate it and that u'll get nicer presents for all of them next year.

if u're still thinking of passing on the presents this year, i suggest u let them know now that u arents getting them anything. so that they dont spend too much money on presents for u.. in return for nothing.. try getting at least chocolates... they'll all be giving u gifts rite? its only nice that u return gifts.. merry christmas!

2007-11-27 09:35:03 · answer #9 · answered by Booboo 2 · 0 0

You dont need to spend money to give gifts. Last year, my wife and I had no money and we made pounds of stain glass candy. It cost a total of about $8 for karo and flavoring. People loved it.
Im not saying you need to make stain glass candy, but you could think of something special. Maybe cookies or something.
It doesnt have to cost any money if its special and from the heart.

To not give any gifts because you want to buy yourself a new car is just selfish and thoughless. You may find yourself visited by the ghosts of christmas past, present and future ....Scrooge....

get it?

2007-11-27 09:29:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

I would tell everyone that your budget is tight this year and that you aren't going to be purchasing presents this year and ask that they don't give you a present in return. You may want to do a little something for the "kids" in the family as Christmas is really for them.

2007-11-27 09:25:59 · answer #11 · answered by smartasterisks 2 · 2 1

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