Are you spending more, less or the same amount on Christmas this year?
That's the question The Record asked Uptown New West shoppers on a recent weekday morning.
Renice Edmison, a New Westminster mother of three, said she was going to spend about the same as the previous year. Kathy Roening, a Port Coquitlam resident, who was on her way to the Save-On-Foods at Westminster Centre where her son works, also said she planned to stay at about the same amount, though she noted that the sluggish economy has impacted her spending overall.
The mother of two said her family has pulled back on how much they go out to eat.
She also has another trick for avoiding overspending during the holidays - she shops all year round. That way she can take advantage of sales throughout the year.
"I'm certainly not going to pay top dollar for something that will go on sale," Roening said.
Another trick, Roening sets out a budget of what she will spend per child.
"It's easy to get caught up in Christmas spending," she said.
Having a set amount means holding firm to that figure and determining what one can buy within that amount.
But two other shoppers - who did not want to give their names - were candid about the challenge of budgeting for, and even affording, the holidays.
"I'm poor," one of the women said, laughing.
But then she became serious and said, "It's tough for me; my daughter is seven, and she's got a huge list."
She noted the rising cost of food, and the cost of her daughter's many lessons and activities.
"It's really expensive," she said. "Everything is going up. . I work every-day, and I don't make it."
Her friend agreed but said her way around spending top dollar is to go south to shop in the U.S. where many items cost less.
"I buy everything in the States," the woman said.
To avoid loading up on debt this season, Julie Jaggernath, with the New Westminster-based Credit Counselling Society, suggests starting with a spending plan.
"If you are going to use credit, pick one credit card, and pick one that has a low interest on the balance owing and check your list before you go. Do you really need to buy for everybody?" she said. "There's lots of time to do some comparison shopping."
Though the shopping days, and, at this point, hours, are slipping away on this year, anyway.
