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

mary43

Maybe this new thread will help me be more organised for next year
Thought I'd done well this year..........well I have really............decided in January that everyone would have a 'recycled' christmas and raided the charity shops (we've got 4 god bless 'em) for the 'unwanted gifts'...got some real bargains -might have been cheaper at Poundland but thats 20 miles away from me.
Females have had baskets, males have had shoe boxes (got them free from local shoe shop) covered with wrapping paper or scrapbook paper that would do for birthdays or christmas.
Tried to budget around £10 per person but sadly went over that on some.........still, I went a bit below on others so it balanced out a bit.
Me and OH are going on holiday next year to Worthing to see my son so thats our christmas pressie to each other..........no point buying something for the sake of it.
As well as the 'recycled' bits for folk I've managed to concoct some reindeer heads and door hangers and one or two things 'in a jar' that cost next to nothing as well...................so all in all not bad I think.
Plan was to get it all done and wrapped by the end of August...........but then I started all these little 'creations' and kept finding more bits I could do for peanuts and its only now I've just about done !
My intention is to start doing stuff earlier next year so I do get done on target. But its been so much fun doing it all I can't guarantee it.
Other 'organised' bits and pieces...............well I've a list a mile long
Paint the stairs and landing
Finished doing back room where the boiler is
Paint kitchen cupboard (it's oh so boring !)
Put up kitchen curtains (after I've turned them up)

I could go on.........................and on and on...................:rotfl:

But think I've waffled enough for now:rotfl:

paddingtondoo

Ok am biting bullet with list for this week - will make it short to give me a chance .

Address xmas cards
Make remaining xmas cards (7) and engagement card for DstepD
Post all cards
Go to Boots to check out new offers
Write list of birthdays
Check stash and up date list
Not slip on ice again and make prize pillock of myself

Am going to get DstepD a voucher as an engagement pressie as it has to be posted to Scotland. Can anyone suggest best one for 19 year olds? I can't remember back that far :rotfl:

Inkedkitten

I have to admit it's been a Christmas lacking day in this house...but I did pass my driving test So at least now I won't have to get the bus to the shops

chocolate.orange_2

furrypig wrote: »

Hi again my Jammy friend

Is there an idiots guide to signing up for loyalty points, surveys etc etc???

I have done a couple of survey things in the past but none recently, I usewd quidco (as you know) and I have got a pigsback account with about £11 in it. How do you know what's best to do/use etc etc??

Thanks for your tips, 2009 neutrallity here I come!!

I think i need tips too..

I use Quidco even tho my Gizoo hasnt tracked yet
but my pigsback never ever seems to track anything

So tips appreciated here

The nearest i have got to neutral is bought last year put in a cupboard.. Forgot about .So cant remember how much it cost :rotfl: At least i have a start on next year

SugarSpun

Tomorrow:
Leave my beloved's place in good time
Send him off to the various legal offices
Go to my apartment and pick up recycling/bottles for return
Drop off recycling
Return bottles
Drop my key at the key cutting man
Shop for necessaries
Pick up my new keys
Go home and clean/put things away so it's clean for the maintenance men
Try to weigh the suitcase
Pack the other suitcase with as much stuff as I can put in there and not be over weight
Pack my carry-on bag
Throw some pairs of socks/underwear into my day bag
Put all 17 of the pre-Christmas envelopes together
Drop a spare key with my neighbour/Hausmeister
Mail them if there's time; bring them with me if there isn't
Head back over to my beloved's place for dinner

All of this on top of working from home. Eeeep.

chocolate.orange_2

Inkedkitten wrote: »

I have to admit it's been a Christmas lacking day in this house...but I did pass my driving test So at least now I won't have to get the bus to the shops

:beer: (none alcoholic)

Well Done Inkedkitten:T

sophiesmum_2

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

Hello everyone

Sophiesmum could you explaine to us how you did your savingstamps/coupons thing as i thought this was pure genius and thought others might find it useful.

Everyone will be getting a HM present/hamper from me next year done this to a small extent this year

Hopefully doing lots of preserves to sell too in the summer (to fund my own buying)


Shaz

Hi Shaz,
Basically I save all the coupons I see in leaflets/magazines/ or those that come with freebies/samples then when I go to asda I use as many of vouchers as they will allow -including some for items I actually buy - some cashiers will take more than others;)
Whatever money i save off the shop with the coupons I load onto one of the store xmas savings card, ainm for £144 before November and then asda give you some more free money by topping it up to £150:j
Voila £150 of free xmas shopping or gifts. Lots of coupons about and some like pampers are for a couple of pounds each. I filled one card and have about £30 already for next year.
Doing less shopping lately as have started stockpiling but still shop at lest once a week for work:D

sugaJen

Hi,
ooh a new thread :j I hope who ever was last out of OC turned off the lights

Not sure how money neutral Ill be for 2009, but I would certainly like to be organised for birthdays and other occasions :T

Havent done nothing christmassy again today, did get everything out to do abit of wrapping but didnt do any and went to friends for coffee instead then forgot about the mess i'd left everywhere and had 5 minutes to shift it all before I had to go pick the kids up :eek: (thankfully they havent asked whats in the bin liner thats been dumped in the corner of the lounge!!)

glitterycloud

I love the idea of this thread. I have joined Organized Christmas for the first time this year and the result::: I have 1 present left to get( all other presents were bought during the year), everything is wrapped and labelled ready to go, cards are sent, christmas dvd's bought, all thats left is to arrange a special Christmas Eve for me and dh.

Looking forward to starting for 2009.

LOUBOB

how exciting can I join in???? Is Quidco the place to be as I order through nectar but not sure which is the best....anyone done a comparsion?