Cutting back on the spending spree

Lise Hutcheon. Photo / Doug Sherring

Lise Hutcheon, a Wellington manager, will be cutting back on her spending this Christmas.

"This year I'll be paying cash as much as I can. Previously I would have put my shopping on the credit card and paid it off straight away," she said.

She usually spent about $300 each on her son, 20, and daughter, 16.

"I warned them this year not to expect too much. Mind you they have no idea what they want. You can't get much for less than $50 that doesn't fall apart."

She had decided to cut back on her Christmas shopping having found herself a victim of the recession.

"I was contracting since 2004 but because of the economy I couldn't get work and was unemployed for nine months last year. I had to cut back on Christmas," she said.

She spent more money on groceries than presents.