Paying for Christmas

Last year just before the Christmas season I decide I needed to come up with a plan to pay for Christmas this year. So I put an envelope (the kind you get from the bank) in my wallet. Every time I get a little extra money, such as from a rebate or online survey or whatever, it goes in that envelope. If I need to pay for some unexpected gift or I want to buy something extra for my son, it comes out of there. Whatever I have at Christmas time is for gifts. I also decided to find some ways to make a little extra money.

I use my Discover card for most purchases. It is essential that you pay it off every month or it is costing you extra instead of making you money. I now have about $80 in my cash back award. I can trade it in for $100 worth of gift cards. I will either give the gift cards or purchase a gift with them.

I also made some money online. Here is my blog with more information:
http://makemoney-kjsotr.blogspot.com/

I have earned a $50 gift certificate from My Points. My parents have each received gift cards from them, so I know they are legitimate. I also have received over $60 from Instant Profitz just doing totally free offers. If you do offers that require using your credit card or cell phone you can make hundreds of dollars. I also have received gift cards from Judy's Book. I have qualified to be a city editor so I should receive a $25 gift card every month.
http://www.judysbook.com/cities/evansville-in/

I have not cashed out at any of my online sites yet- I plan to save it for the beginning of shopping season.

I have also learned to knit this year. I am making dishcloths or washcloths for the "other" people on my list (coworkers, distant relatives, etc.) I found some soap and bath gel to give with them.

I also have looked for bargains throughout the year. I bought my son a Pooh bear from ToysRUs for $5. I have bought him books from Bookcloseouts.com and gave him some now and some for Christmas.

Hopefully, I won't need to spend too much extra on Christmas this year. I also hope this is helpful to you!

(Once I cash out from all my online groups I will post an update!)

Comments: 9

Crystal R. Aug 31, 2006, 6:08pm EDT

Great ideas!

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Mary G. Aug 31, 2006, 11:11pm EDT

Great ideas, I think I may start saving the GCs I get from programs.

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Sonia Marie Sep 1, 2006, 4:57am EDT

Cool, Kathy, thanks for the ideas. I too, have learned to knit dishcloths this past year. People love them for gifts thoughout the year. Don't forget to shop those trusty dollar stores. They have the darndest finds.

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Marilyn is looking for whatever there is. N. Sep 4, 2006, 12:24pm EDT

Great article! I knit as well, and also make lots of our gifts.. as I can make solid or liquid perfumes, after-shaves and soaps that people really like and getting them in a (dollar store,where else?) basket looks really nice too. I haven't done any of the surveys as I couldn't figure out which ones were good and which weren't - this helps out a lot. Thanks for that to all of you, cuz if you get $$ from online things or gift cards, you can just pretend it's not there and use it for Christmas, can you believe it's getting closer already??????? I know it's Labor Day but the time flys, I used to start in the summer, and had it all done before Thanksgiving but it doesn't look like it this year! Great ideas, will have to come back and get your update, Kathy, and Sonia, I love the Dollar stores too!!!!!! They do have the darndest things and you'd never expect to see some of the stuff that you'll find in there, one of my favorite stores!

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Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Sep 4, 2006, 10:58pm EDT

I do the same thing. Last year, we really shelled out a minimal amount for Christmas and we were able ot get nice presents. One thing I would caution, once you get the gift you're working for from a credit card, go ahead and request it. You know never when even great companies - like My Points - might fold. This way, you've gotten you rewards and they can't take them back. Homemade gifts are always great, especially if they can come from your children.

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Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 5, 2006, 3:59pm EDT

Sounds like a lot of us do the same thing. I just received a $50.00 GC from My Points also. I have been earning with them for years. I like the survey companies that pay through pay-pal, this way I don't touch it. Also some pay through Amazon.com.

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Sandra L. Sep 9, 2006, 10:55pm EDT

I want to do this but so far I haven't been able to actually save anything. I always end up spending it. I am going to try harder to put my earnings aside. I know Christmas is close and I won't be able to pay for everything, but it would be nice to not have to charge anything.

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Elaine A. Sep 12, 2006, 6:20pm EDT

Great ideas!!
I save all of my money from refunds, the amonut saved with coupons, my survey money, my reward sites gc. I use that as an emergency fund. If I need an unexpeced gift, or we have an unpeceted expense, or we just have to get away for a day or so, the money's there.

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j - Frugal Mom - r. Mar 1, 2008, 10:00pm EST

All of the Christmas presents and our Christmas tree was paid by my online earnings last year. My son just turned two today, and I got him some great presents, which I also paid with my online earnings. I am saving up all of my cash/checks and I will be opening a savings account this month.

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Paying for Christmas

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