Fire Fox's Debt-Free in 2009 Diary

Fire_Fox

Just calculated that my GlobalTestMarket points balance of 380 is current worth $19 or almost £12!! :T Unbelievable since I have only ever qualified for about three surveys.

Nipped out in the afternoon to attempt to buy some clothes for an impending visit to the 'in-laws'. Failed miserably, but came back with a nice little black camisole with cups and padding for £2 in the Primark sale, and spied some jewel-coloured microfibre vests for £3 each which I need to try on before buying.

Dinner was the last of the iffy chicken legs wrapped in bacon with new potatoes and mange tout. Last night we had salmon which I put in the oven and promptly forgot about for FORTY minutes! :rolleyes: Both meals just edible but not enjoyable.

Fire_Fox

Shopping with mum again yesterday - bought a white frilled shirt from Matalan for £16 and a pack of two t-shirt bras from M&S for £9.50. Wore my new white shirt, new crepe trousers and some very expensive (and very old) brown heels to a meeting this morning.

Desperately need a smart ladies briefcase/ laptop bag - silly thing is I still haven't had a birthday or Christmas gift from Mr. Fire Fox so this is the obvious solution. I also need some smoothing underwear, a sleeveless top for under my suit jacket and a brown cardigan for less formal occasions.

We are getting very low on meat in the freezer - one whole chicken, a pack of pork mince, the last of the leg of lamb and a few prawns is all that remains! So the weekend supermarket run won't be cheap: intending to get a whole salmon to split with my parents. Will head to Asda this time as I have £7 of Tesco/ Morrisons vouchers for week beginning 22 June.

MinkyBoo

Hi Fire Fox, I thought I'd have a nosey at your diary you seem to be doing really well.

I quite enjoy the global test market surveys they're not normally too long and monotonus and I'm not sure if this is still the case but if you start a survey and do not qualify you get 5 points anyway. I've had a few £20+ cheques from them. I've never had a single survey from yougov though I'm wondering if I ever signed up properly. Is it worth signing up again?

Love the idea of chicken legs wrapped in bacon I might add that to my meal plan, although not the iffy kind of course.;)

Fire_Fox

YouGov are a waste of time: I have done about forty surveys over five months to get to £7.25! Most are prize draw entries which you have to log on to find. If I got lucky and won something I would cancel my account: at the rate I am going I won't hit the magic £50 for several years. :mad: I think I am finally starting to get the hang of GTM surveys as I have increased my balance by £3 in just four days, and am now halfway to the magic 1000 points. :T

claire0788

Hey

Im impressed you know so much detail about your finances, I thought I was good =P

Im going to register with Valued Opinions, is there any point in one of you guys "invite a friend" for me, ie do you guys get any extra points/vouchers for it ? If so ill hold off, just send me a wee message.

Claire

Fire_Fox

Just received the online Asda shop, total cost £71 including £7 of fresh fish for my parents and using a free delivery code. :money:
Expensive items were
Whole salmon £14
Two packs of lean steak mince £5 (offer)
Two packs of turkey thigh £4.80
Two packs of spicy breaded chicken £2
Two tubs of buttery spread £2 (offer)
Four x two pints of local milk £3
Six bottles of orange squash £6
Two boxes of breakfast cereal £2.50
Six packets of Jaffa Cakes £2 (offer)
Two tubs of ice cream £2 (offer)
Ready-to-eat nectarines £3 (offer)

And ... that is all! :cool: We have loads of eggs and cheese left from the last shop, and are away next weekend so didn't get all the usual junk food. Asda are also very good value with the online shop, as they will refund any overcharges and let you keep the item.

Last night for dinner we had curry leftover from a wedding at Mr. Fire Fox's workplace (free food!); tonight is roast chicken and salad.

Fire_Fox

Just done a Valued Opinions survey on food that did not seem to register my participation at the end. On the brighter side I have jumped from 560 to 1010 points on IPSOS so one or two more surveys to reach £10. Yesterday I did a telephone survey from one of my banks, and at the end they asked if I'd be willing to be contacted again for incentives ... so fingers crossed I get selected!

Fire_Fox

Yesterday my mum returned a sweater and the Stellar utensils I bought last week; today I have been into Leeds to return a pair of trousers and a bra. Have felt unwell all day so didn't buy anything smart for my weekend away. :mad:

Bought a pair of Bridget Jones pants from Debenhams for £14.40 (20% off), two Mitchum deodorants from Superdrug, £1.25 instead of £2.75 each! Also three American fitness magazines for £12 :eek: I should be getting these on subscription but Mr. Fire Fox's credit card got stolen right after I'd posted the order forms ... :rolleyes:

Also did a GTM survey before I went out, was given two free samples of sweet chilli sauce at the station, and mucked up an IPSOS survey on my return by clicking male instead of female!

Fire_Fox

Just joined the Clubcard wine club, healthy living club and food club. Sure I joined at least one of these before ... Also been thrown out of a £2.50 Valued Opinions survey.

Fire_Fox

Back home from a very pleasant weekend with Mr. Fire Fox's family, my only spend was £15 on petrol and £2 on a can of fizzy drink for the driver!

Also logged into Nectar as I saw the TV advert saying I could get points for shopping on Amazon and found Lakeland too, neither of which offer cashback elsewhere AFAIK. I already have 846 points, not sure if that is good or poor!! Rang Clubcard as £3 of points have not been put back onto my account.