So with 40 days left till christmas thought I had better get a start on shopping usually I am great and have everything done by aug except food of course...but not the last couple years.

I had decided that my daughter and I would go take 1 day beginning of dec and do all of our christmas shopping and get it over and done with...but I have been really unwell and not handling much at all so being out all day in busy shopping centre didnt appeal to me at all...so today I used my CC to buy stuff online...still have some stuff to get...and yes I know I shouldnt use the CC but will transfer all the money we spent back on the card on ...so no worries there...but my health is priority right now.

I do find it hard to get things for my family as they are all adults they buy what they want when they want...and also stocking stuffers dislike giving stuff I know they won't use as it is wasteful..so makes it difficult and I do give some cash but still like gifts under the tree...was so much easier when they were little...as for my mom I always give her a gift card that she can use to either buy groceries/clothes etc depending on where she wants to spend it...it is a useful gift and she likes that she can get "free" groceries...another words she isn't paying for them...she is 86 she really doesn't need "stuff" she has enough..so it works for her...we will have to go into store so we can get the "lucky dip" prizes...so much fun...I still call this a no credit christmas (like every other one) because the cash is there to use so we don't actually use cc's to buy things and never have...I know people who spend so much at christmas they are still paying it off all year and then finally get it paid off just to use it again....even when we get grandkids I will do the 5-6 month layaway they have here in store...that way you pay it off over months and they store it for you until a week before christmas!!

I usually buy gifts for a charity for foster children but will just send them money and they can add it to the pot to buy christmas gifts. will also donate money to a homeless shelter for their annual christmas lunch like we do all year.

so how is everyone else going with their christmas shopping/gift giving...can't believe how fast this year is going..47 days and it will be 2025😮

Have paid off another smaller debt paid off we are down to 2 CC which total around $7,500 so should be paid off by march next year could do it sooner but working on adding to my ice account as it was completely depleted from the move from hell and the week after....so will be debt free next year...we will close one and keep the other "just in case" until I get a substantial amount in our bank account!!

I am just wondering what people think will happen to the economy after the election? I don't want to talk about the election or results but I am guessing whoever gets in it will affect the economy in some way not just in the US but around the world so just wondering if people thing the economy will improve or not?? 

I know they are saying here in australia our inflation rate is the lowest it has been in 3.5 years so hoping it continues downwards as does interest rates but I know the election will affect our economy in some way...just don't know how much since we are close allies.