quiz: Give like santa or spend like scrooge ?

[ebpda9]

take the quiz here (http://www.bankrate.com/elink/news/advice/20011112a.asp)

post your results. i'm still taking the test

[ebpda9]

If you answered mostly A's: You are the Sultan of Spend.

When it comes spending holiday bucks, your philosophy is ''the more the merrier,'' 'Tain't necessarily so. In fact, we're betting post-season bills keep you feeling far from merry for the rest of each indebted year.

Not only can giving in to the urge to splurge be hurtful to you, it's doubtful your generous outpourings always have the positive effect you may hope for. For some recipients, getting very extravagant or expensive gifts -- or those packaged to suggest they are -- is not only not impressive, it may be downright disturbing. Bosses may see them as a bribe; not-so-significant others may see them as a declaration that you really, really like them -- on a much deeper level than you really, really do.

If you fear that giving more modest gifts may disappoint some, consider: What kind of relationship is sustained by maintaining a lofty level of gift-giving? Surely none that you really want. In fact, downscaling a bit can pay off in very valuable dividends, as you learn to discriminate between those who seem to like you largely for your largesse from those who are truly true to you.

[94_AcCoRd_EX]

If you answered mostly d's: You are Sensibly Spirited
The spirit has moved you! You're filled with festive good cheer and the deep desire to extend it to others. Yet, sensibly, you don't allow yourself to get swept up in the tidal wave of consumer frenzy. You smartly make a list, but have the flexibility to use it as a guide -- something you feel free to amend when serendipity and other circumstance send you in unexpected directions.

Unlike some others, you do not use gifts to dazzle or deceive. You're finely focused on your giftees' tastes and preferences, even when they may be at odds with your own, and tailor your selections accordingly -- again unlike other shoppers, who tend to think their standards are one-size-fits-all.

Because you give from the heart, you remain reasonably free of the resentments (and debts) that plague others at this time of year. May your kind multiply -- and put us on their gift list.

[DsBlu01CivEX]

If you answered mostly c's: You are Cleverly Crafty
When it comes to giving gifts, you are truly gifted. You have the special ability to craft the perfect item for everyone on your list -- without spending bundles of bucks. Even when not totally crafted by your own gifted hands, the presents you present tend to be one of a kind treasures, since you have the cleverness and creativity to improve on commercially made items. Unlike those less talented, you have the option of using your wits more than your wallet.

Not only are you fortunate, so are those lucky enough to be on your list. The most appreciated gifts are those that are hand-made or personalized, and that's where you shine. We're betting that yours are among those gifts that are not turned over by recipients hoping for unremoved price tags or telltale markings -- not just because your offerings are less likely to have them, but because their true value is so apparent and honest.

[juvenile]

I'm both C's and D's (4 of each)
and got 2A's! :paranoid:

[mt.biker]

I'm all over the place with a bunch of ds, some cs and more A's then c's and dont forget a b.

I'm not sure what this quiz is trying to tell me...

[Kyle]

If you answered mostly B's: You are Ebenezer-Empathizer
Your holiday philosophy in two words: Bah, humbug. You resent the crass commercialization of the holidays and the near-unrelenting pressure to spend, spend, spend -- on loved ones as well as loathed ones (should they be the boss, surly service workers waiting for The Annual Greasing of the Palm, and so forth). Guess what? We sympathize, and even empathize, with you to a certain degree: Undeniably, there is a pressure to purchase at this time of year than can be off-putting in the extreme.

It might be a good idea to consider if some of those you most resent giving to can indeed be cut from your list -- without dire consequences; i.e., being the only one to snub your superior in, say, a small office in which holiday gift-giving is a well-established ritual you've long participated in may simply be foolhardy: Yes, being an adult is full of compromises -- were it not so. But for false friends and other ''dead wood'' on your list -- you may wish to consider the ax.

As for those you truly do wish to give a token of your affections or good wishes, realizing that there is no ''standard' of spending you must live up to will help free you of any resentments on that front: You don't have to knock yourself out getting everything on sale, to look like you're spending ''required'' amounts. Simply appreciating you do have some latitude in how much and to what depth you wish to dive into the ''purchasing pool'' should help buoy you.


I'm not really against the whole christmas thing...
but it's supposedly the birth of christ or whatever...and i don't beleive in god...
kinda contradicts my beliefs...
I guess i just go along with it because of tradition...

[firstgeardude]

If you answered mostly A's: You are the Sultan of Spend.

When it comes spending holiday bucks, your philosophy is ''the more the merrier,'' 'Tain't necessarily so. In fact, we're betting post-season bills keep you feeling far from merry for the rest of each indebted year.

Not only can giving in to the urge to splurge be hurtful to you, it's doubtful your generous outpourings always have the positive effect you may hope for. For some recipients, getting very extravagant or expensive gifts -- or those packaged to suggest they are -- is not only not impressive, it may be downright disturbing. Bosses may see them as a bribe; not-so-significant others may see them as a declaration that you really, really like them -- on a much deeper level than you really, really do.

If you fear that giving more modest gifts may disappoint some, consider: What kind of relationship is sustained by maintaining a lofty level of gift-giving? Surely none that you really want. In fact, downscaling a bit can pay off in very valuable dividends, as you learn to discriminate between those who seem to like you largely for your largesse from those who are truly true to you.

[mylittlecivic]

I am cleverly crafty:eek: ;)

[ShEaNy]

If you answered mostly d's: You are Sensibly Spirited
The spirit has moved you! You're filled with festive good cheer and the deep desire to extend it to others. Yet, sensibly, you don't allow yourself to get swept up in the tidal wave of consumer frenzy. You smartly make a list, but have the flexibility to use it as a guide -- something you feel free to amend when serendipity and other circumstance send you in unexpected directions.

Unlike some others, you do not use gifts to dazzle or deceive. You're finely focused on your giftees' tastes and preferences, even when they may be at odds with your own, and tailor your selections accordingly -- again unlike other shoppers, who tend to think their standards are one-size-fits-all.

Because you give from the heart, you remain reasonably free of the resentments (and debts) that plague others at this time of year. May your kind multiply -- and put us on their gift list.


;) ;) ;) ;)