TMM... bad timing???

[highland3]

Is it just me... or is the few months leading up the Christmas a bad time to try and start your Total Money Makeover? I've been working hard on BS#1 and am nearly there, but DW (who hasn't read the book yet) has to keep reminding me that we do have to buy presents. Our DS and DD don't have any grandparents (all passed away in the past few years) so we try to make up for it a little.

 

[MickeyBabe]

It may be diffucult but you know, there is no time like the present.

Look at it this way, think of how much you might have gone overboard if you didn't begin TMM now.

Good Luck.

 

[MrsPete]

Is it just me... or is the few months leading up the Christmas a bad time to try and start your Total Money Makeover?

Well, if you feel "out of control" financially and feel that TMM is the right path for you, you really have two choices:

You can start now and be practical and frugal at Christmas. In January you will still have some Christmas bills to pay, but they won't be as high as they would've been without the progarm.

Or you can wait and dive into Christmas the American way: with plastic. In January you can start the TMM program owing EVEN MORE than you do now.

Seriously, if you think this program is for you, start now. Just be realistic about your choices. Decide ahead of time where you'll spend and where you'll splurge. Maybe you'll decide to get the kids X amount, but you and your spouse will get each other only one practical thing. Or maybe you'll decide to cut out the dinners out with friends. Or maybe you'll decide that your usual Christmas party (with free-flowing drinks) will be a small brunch instead. But have a plan in place. You can still spend on the things you enjoy most -- just don't think that you can spend on everything everywhere.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It's actually a great time.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to start the new year without being in debt due to Christmas?

 

[dvcgirl]

Is it just me... or is the few months leading up the Christmas a bad time to try and start your Total Money Makeover? I've been working hard on BS#1 and am nearly there, but DW (who hasn't read the book yet) has to keep reminding me that we do have to buy presents. Our DS and DD don't have any grandparents (all passed away in the past few years) so we try to make up for it a little.

Well, I would think exactly the opposite. It's the *perfect* time to get your finances in order. We're coming into the holiday season where so many senseless dollars are spent....what better time to be thinking about spending less than now? Soooo many people spend money that they don't have over the holidays only to think that they'll deal with the mess in January. That's a bad, bad plan and can get you into even deeper trouble. I'm not saying to skip presents for your kids....but to try and buy extra because your parents have passed would seem to be sending the wrong message. You can't replace your parents (their grandparents) by purchasing more toys.

 

[spyglass]

We are limiting our gifts this year to only $20.00 each for nieces and nephews and around $250.00 each for the kids. DH and I probably will buy each other something small, as we usually get what we want all year long. I have been buying gifts a few at a time and paying cash. We are doing the TMM and in my opinion this would be a great time for you to start.

 

[disneysteve]

is the few months leading up the Christmas a bad time to try and start your Total Money Makeover?

I have to agree with the others. I can't think of a better time to start then just before what is the most wasteful spending season of the year. Start getting a handle on things now so you don't spend yourself into debt buying things you don't need to be buying.

 

[stuckatwork]

We've decided this year that our parents, and our DD will get gifts this year. My wife has 9 nieces and nephews so they will get token gifts as they all have more than they need as it is. We're taking money we would have spent on each other and putting toward our car note. TMM is probably the greatest thing we as a family have ever subscribed too. Getting ready to pay last car note off and start on the mortgage. It will be great to have only one "payment" a month.

 

[ziggystardust]

I agree with it being the best time to start. I just started this month and I couldn't be more excited about it.

What you have to do is set up a budget. You have a little while before Xmas and if that means buying 1 present a week leading up to the holiday - do it!

Use your blow money towards this. Be on the look out for deals since you have so much time to shop. You can do it, and you will feel great watching your kids opening presents knowing that every one of them is already paid for.

 

[ElizaB39]

Don't wait!

We started TMM in September and in my budget I have $150 per month for gifts throughout the year; I guess this works like a Christmas Club account right? I have not gone over this amount in either Sep or October and have already bought for 12 people on my list (Kohl's had a great sale plus I had an extra 30% off of everything). For me, it is a personal mission to get everything for Christmas (and a few birthdays) for under $600 for ALL gifts ($150 per month times 4 months - sep - dec). I may not make it, but I will do my best and perhaps get some $$ out of other categories to make up for the shortfall (my blow money, DH's blow money, entertainment etc.).

Also, wouldn't it be great to "give" yourselves zero balance credit card statements for a Christmas gift? Just wrap up the statements with the zeroes on them and give them to each other!

Don't delay!