I'm done.......I normally do this every year however with all your ideas I have made my spreadsheet a lot more detailed......I use to put the people that I'm buying for and my list of people that I'm going to give cards and list my estimated budget for each person and my cards. This year I've added my baked goods that I give to my aunts and uncles and friends and all the costs that entails and my gas to go shopping. I love it I feel extremely organized and I'm ready to go shopping ........... Black friday here I come.

Yay!

Now that we all have our budgets in place, let's try to SLASH them big time... without compromising quality.

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I am already Over Budget this year. The PS3 for DH was the big budget breaker and For little miss Bethy. We got her main gift (a doll house) for free but man is it expensive to buy. So the goal is to come in under for everyone else. We are making gifts for some I am at about 40% done with my shopping.

I still need to get holiday cards. I am knitting like the wind as I am making my DDs holiday outfit. I need to get it done ASAP for photos.
A few of my gifts are hand knit so I am writing up the patterns I am designing as I make the gift. Sell the pattern just 2-3 times and it covers the cost of making them.

I don't have baking and food in my budget. That one is tough but I will be doing a few cookie exchanges. Better to just buy the ingredients for one cookie and then trade with everyone else for a variety.

I am toying with the idea of buying a mini bunt cake pan so I can give mini cream sherry cakes instead of making whole ones for everyone. They would be something nice to give out.

I am not buying wrapping this year we should have enough left over. With a few gifts I will have them come wrapped.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006 &

Organizer of the Coupon Clippers of Tacoma

I haven't been following the steps for ftj but have been reading them. So I'm in on this one, got it done yesterday.

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SMILE

I'm 75% finished! Ironically, I had started working on a spreadsheet for this today, before I read the postings.
The reminders to add in postage, baking supplies, etc. are great--sometimes it seems that those are the things that add up!

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Heather

Wow is all I have to say to my budget and we are spending less this year than last.

Don't forget to add into your budget the day after stuff you are going to buy.

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A Family of 5's quest to forget the Joneses.

Check, check and double-checked.

Great add-on ideas about stamps, gas, baked goods, etc.

Marlene

Who has at least one gift purchased for out-of-towners that need to be mailed? I'm still looking for a gift for my Grandmother, but it's my goal to get that in the next couple of days.

Does everyone have a plan for their holidays cards?

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Do not have my 1 out of town gift done yet, but will within the next couple of days.

My holiday cards are all planned out, picture has been taken. Just need to finish making my cards and upload the pictures to Wal-Mart to get printed.

Got it done! Because we buy on sale throughout the year and we make many of our gifts, I have had this list done for a while and have checked things off as I have gone along. 1. It saves me money 2. It keeps me organized 3. It spreads the expenses out over the year. Good luck! After this year is complete, delete out the items (or make a separate column so you don't repeat) post your list on the back of a cabinet door or a closet door where you can "stockpile" your gifts for next year. As you find items for those on your list, just check them off and you done before the holiday rush and high prices hit!