On Sunday night, I was on the phone with my mother-in-law who told me, with no sugar coating, that my method of spending money was anti-American. I contended that my motto this holiday shopping season would be: one gift for one person. That means that if I decide to buy my father a DVD, it means I buy him one DVD and not five just because I don't think that I spent enough money.
Look, I think that many residents, myself included, can't afford to be a spendthrift this year. My mother-in-law contends that Christmas is special time of year and that the giving of many gifts is important. She believes that a tree with a mass of gifts huddled around its base is an integral part of the holiday season. I contend that you don't need to max out your credit card to have a memorable Christmas. Remember folks, no government agency is going to give you a bailout. What do you think? Are you going to spend as much as you want this year or are you looking to try to save this year?
I don't think it's a bad idea. I know we set limits on what we are going to spend for the holidays.
Sean, you might be in trouble with the "one gift for one person" rule. What if that one gift is $500?
If you are one of the five people in the country who can spend $500 on a single gift this holiday season, go for it.
My rule of thumb is no more than $20 per gift, unless it's your significant other. In that case, you may spend significantly more.
Your thinking is NOT flawed. Set limits on spending. If this means one gift or more than one who cares. It's your money, your budget so stick with it. As corny as it may seem to some people these days, it really is the thought that counts.