The Thrifty Gifty Girls 'n' Guys 2009 (Organised & Money Neutral for All Occasions)

nickynoo08

Hiya everyone, i recieved my seasonal organiser from lakeland yesterday, had some spends left over from xmas so thought i'd treat myself, plus i got a few things in there sale too (for xmas for course;)).
I've just finished writting my birthday pressie list and so far i've already all my female friends and family gifts put away in my wardrobe (except my mum), there was nothing worth buying in the sales for the boys.
I've decided to do my younger bros a boys night in hamper for there birthday in march - i'm budgeting £15 each on these - any ideas welcome - they'll be 12.
I've decided to take my OH to Alton towers for his 30th so i'll be saving my shop and scan vouchers for that.
My little un will be 3 this year so wont need to buy him much, got a few jigsaws in the sale £1 each, tbh he'll be happy as larry with crayons and paper.
Cant wait to get started on my xmas list:D

mum2one

pinkladymel wrote: »

mum2one Your idea is so sweet I absolutely love it. You are such a wonderful mommy, you are always saying things that just make me aspire to be like you for my own children. Do you collect it all in a GIANT pot or just cash it in every time it gets full.

Thank you, your so nice, 9 times out of 10, i'm sure i'm useless. What we do with dd money, she has 2 tins, then I bank them every month, (they hate me in the bank - 4 accounts, pocket money me, money from mum, change account and 50p account). some months we might only bank £2.00 from 50p, other months (if we have been away), can be £10 or £15 quid.
As its never the ful bag, I just bag each seperately

Phunkles I know what you mean about those CoinStar Machines. I didn't know where to get money bags from this year so what I did was empty all of the pounds and silvers from the tin and then used the CoinStar for the pennys. Ohhh I'm naughty.

if u go into post office or any bank they will give you the bags, I know the halifax is maximum of 5 bags, the Abbey National (Shrewsbury), depends who serves u, somedont like change, but as its a childs account they have to accept the money eve if its odd amounts. xx

snickers0607

Thanks Jamtart - my lovely friend - who knows me soooo well - bought me my new book for all my lists - it has built in dividers and everything.

The birthday list for cards and presents has been done and I have started to purchase the items I need.

I have started the xmas 2009 list and have a list of all the things I want to make so far for presents.

I also have a smaller book for my handbag with my weekly reminders in !!! oh I love this time of the year when I get all organised!!!

furrypig

Jamtart thanks for starting us off with the notebook idea. I actually started this when it was mentioned just before Christmas and wrote all the names in it but have to go through all the pile of things I have accumulated and see if I can allocate some!! That's what's stopped me sale shopping as I want to see what I have before I start again!!:rolleyes:

Jamtart I have to say I haven't received my Thorntons choccies are they lost in the post!!!;)

Will start soon but want to put all the Christmas stuff away first :rotfl:

she_grinch

1. Find a notebook


I have a notebook and I also have a wallet type folder with 12 pouches , they are labeled Jan to Dec. As I make each birthday and christmas card through the year I place them addressed and stamped in the folder, I simply post all that months birthday cards on the 1st of the month so I do not forget. I know the difference between birthday and xmas cards by placing a xmas or balloon sticker on the back of the relevant card.
I also keep a list of possible gift ideas in my diary in my handbag so through the year I can cross off any I buy in the sales.

Hope this is helpful to someone

lellyo

Hi all
havn't posted on here before but would really like to join in. I am not very creative so would love any ideas that you all wouldn't mind sharing. I already have my note book and put everyones name in it,i have a couple of bits left over from christmas that i can use this year,eek i'm starting to feel excited already!!

jamtart6

she_grinch wrote: »

1. Find a notebook


I have a notebook and I also have a wallet type folder with 12 pouches , they are labeled Jan to Dec. As I make each birthday and christmas card through the year I place them addressed and stamped in the folder, I simply post all that months birthday cards on the 1st of the month so I do not forget. I know the difference between birthday and xmas cards by placing a xmas or balloon sticker on the back of the relevant card.
I also keep a list of possible gift ideas in my diary in my handbag so through the year I can cross off any I buy in the sales.

Hope this is helpful to someone

Super idea ! This is tip of the week I will add it to my post to highlight its greatness :T

paddingtondoo

she_grinch wrote: »

1. Find a notebook


I have a notebook and I also have a wallet type folder with 12 pouches , they are labeled Jan to Dec. As I make each birthday and christmas card through the year I place them addressed and stamped in the folder, I simply post all that months birthday cards on the 1st of the month so I do not forget. I know the difference between birthday and xmas cards by placing a xmas or balloon sticker on the back of the relevant card.
I also keep a list of possible gift ideas in my diary in my handbag so through the year I can cross off any I buy in the sales.

Hope this is helpful to someone

What a fantastic idea - I'm always sitting up making cards at stupid o'clock the day before people's birthdays and then moaning about 1st class post not delivering in time .

I might even be able to send a few 2nd class this year and save few pence :rotfl:

sylphraven

oo, tq she grinch thats a great idea, I shall be adding 12 more plastic sleeves to slip in my "occasions" folder to slip cards in, I;m always frantically looking/making one at the last minute so hopefully this will solve it

Ok Jamtart shall fill this into my notebook, already been looking at pressies I got this year that I wont use, bargains in sales I've got & mentally allocated so now its time to put pen to paper.

Mel, I totally second mum2one, just walk into a bank & ask for some.
If we are seperated at birth, I think I must have been the evil twin, I would NEVER go looking for a princess tin:eek: lol, well, maybe if I had a little girl, but even then I dont think so unless she asked. If you cant find one why dont you use your fab talents to decorate one, then when you've opened it, as long as its a fairly clean cut put ribbon/tape around the top to make it finger safe & use as a pen holder (or something, lol).

kizzyw

Im really looking forward to trying to be money neutral this year:T Missed out on the sales as yet as had hubs in hospital but ive got my notebook ready to fill in later
Already made a start,forgot about a birthday which is tomorrow but managed to do a bit of rummaging/recycling of stuff in the end got a lovely gift and only spent about £4 to add to what i already had which is great as i'd normally have spent a lot more.So got to recover £4 to be money neutral :j Is it ok to get this back from collecting my loose change?
Also Hubs birthday Wed but using money made from selling a few nappy cakes last year so 100% neutral on that one:T