Xmas and new year holidays

[Danielx64]

So this year, this is the first time I have taken time off from work for what I would consider forever. Yes, I have been off work during the year, but it not what I would call a holiday.

Now I am enjoying 3 weeks, doing what I want to do.

Who else is taking time off this time of the year?

PS, I didn't take a break this time last year, I worked during Xmas and new year.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

Damn, 3 weeks. Must be nice.

I managed to work in some PTO myself (though my manger wasn't happy, but never said I couldn't put some in ) so with my regular two days off, my pto day and Christmas, I have the whole week with 4 days off in a row, with three the next week for New Years. I hope to catch up on some things around here, like the arcade... then grind hard into Fire Emblem TH.

 

[cm2]

Just read from kotaku, KFC in Japan is apparently really famous for Christmas Dinner each year:

This Twitter user writes, “If we’re talking Japanese Christmas, it’s gotta be KFC!” Of course, not everyone eats KFC at Christmas in Japan (not everyone celebrates Christmas!), but the fast food chain has become inseparable from the day.

https://twitter.com/x/status/547696267925532674

Each year like this during Christmas:

https://twitter.com/x/status/812965062839136257

https://twitter.com/x/status/150516611068076032

https://twitter.com/x/status/812590298048016385

The official explanation from KFC is that a Christian kindergarten in Japan wanted to order KFC for its kiddy Christmas party. The school reportedly asked the KFC shop manager to dress up as Santa Claus for the party. He agreed, appearing at the party in full Santa gear, saying, “Merry Christmas,” to the children’s delight. According to KFC, gradually, more and more schools ordered KFC for their holiday parties, and in 1974, KFC held its first special Christmas meal campaign. Decades later, KFC’s Christmas has become an annual mainstay, with people growing up eating the fried chicken during the holidays and naturally associating it with Christmas.

 

[VirusZero]

I got 3 days off in a row this year for Christmas. Though I'll likely end up working New Years. I almost always do. But I'm fine with that. I'll take that sweet holiday pay. Trying to save up money for expensive things in 2020.

 

[KoolSoul]

same here, last year I used to work at a retail job, I had no breaks. this year, I'm taking 4 days off from work! really glad, i'm gonna use it to play games and spend time with my family of course. haha

 

[Demon_Skeith]

I got 3 days off in a row this year for Christmas. Though I'll likely end up working New Years. I almost always do. But I'm fine with that. I'll take that sweet holiday pay. Trying to save up money for expensive things in 2020.

anything special in 2020?

 

[VirusZero]

Yeah, probably the biggest thing anyone can buy... a house of their own. I've been scrimping and saving as much as I could for the last while. And I've got the start of a down payment. I'm not anywhere close to what I'd like to have. But if a good place becomes available I might go for it anyway. Even if I don't have a 20% down payment.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

Yeah, probably the biggest thing anyone can buy... a house of their own. I've been scrimping and saving as much as I could for the last while. And I've got the start of a down payment. I'm not anywhere close to what I'd like to have. But if a good place becomes available I might go for it anyway. Even if I don't have a 20% down payment.

Ahhh, yes I too am seeking that myself as I don't want to make the same mistake my parents did and be stuck in the renting system for my entire life. I can't make a good down payment either, so that does incur extra insurance payments and what not, but if you're like me and are a first time buyer there are kick backs you should be able to take advantage of.

 

[Danielx64]

Yeah, probably the biggest thing anyone can buy... a house of their own. I've been scrimping and saving as much as I could for the last while. And I've got the start of a down payment. I'm not anywhere close to what I'd like to have. But if a good place becomes available I might go for it anyway. Even if I don't have a 20% down payment.

Ahhh, yes I too am seeking that myself as I don't want to make the same mistake my parents did and be stuck in the renting system for my entire life. I can't make a good down payment either, so that does incur extra insurance payments and what not, but if you're like me and are a first time buyer there are kick backs you should be able to take advantage of.

Not sure what you guys have, but in Australia we have what we call a first home buyers grant.

 

[VirusZero]

We have some first time home buyers benefits here in Canada. But I looked into them a bit and some of them aren't that great. Like the ability to take up to 35k out of a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to help pay? Sounds good in theory... But you're screwing yourself over later because that's money for when you retire. And for those who don't have an RRSP it's pointless.
The 5k income tax reduction is nice. But that's realistically the only thing of benefit to me.

My plan, at present, is to get at least 10K sitting in an account. Then switch over to paying off my loans in a hurry. With any luck I hope to be rid of one in 2020. If I can do that then I can start throwing even more money aside into an account. Plus that'll give me more room for mortgage. Since right now the level of debt I have means they won't give me as much. Even despite the fact I have some assets worth decent money.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

We have some first time home buyers benefits here in Canada. But I looked into them a bit and some of them aren't that great. Like the ability to take up to 35k out of a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to help pay? Sounds good in theory... But you're screwing yourself over later because that's money for when you retire. And for those who don't have an RRSP it's pointless.
The 5k income tax reduction is nice. But that's realistically the only thing of benefit to me.

My plan, at present, is to get at least 10K sitting in an account. Then switch over to paying off my loans in a hurry. With any luck I hope to be rid of one in 2020. If I can do that then I can start throwing even more money aside into an account. Plus that'll give me more room for mortgage. Since right now the level of debt I have means they won't give me as much. Even despite the fact I have some assets worth decent money.

yep, my school loans are choking my endeavors as well, but I just need one decent job...

 

[WitchAssassin]

My job doesn't let you take off at Christmas because that time of year is too busy for people to be taking a vacation. I have been getting overtime every week since the week of Thanksgiving. Management wouldn't let me leave early at the end of the week so they can't complain about me getting overtime. I normally say something when I know I'm going to go over so they get a choice.

Anyway, the first full week in January, I'm taking off that week. It's my hubby's birthday, plus, I get to recoup from working all the extra hours at the holidays.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

My job doesn't let you take off at Christmas because that time of year is too busy for people to be taking a vacation. I have been getting overtime every week since the week of Thanksgiving. Management wouldn't let me leave early at the end of the week so they can't complain about me getting overtime. I normally say something when I know I'm going to go over so they get a choice.

Anyway, the first full week in January, I'm taking off that week. It's my hubby's birthday, plus, I get to recoup from working all the extra hours at the holidays.

thankfully my retail place gets a bit busy, but not all that busy.