SOA - Can I do better?

Ali-OK

gingin wrote:

Hi Ali-Ok

My son is 6 and we have a present box, I try and keep presents to under £3 and pick up pressies in sales when I see them, I bought a load of Hotwheels car sets and "My little ponies" a couple of weeks ago in the supermarket for £1.99, when I see a bargain like that I tend to stock up so we are well covered. I also make him make his own cards. That seems the norm for my little boy's school.

We have a freeview box and so although we don't get all of the channels they get cbeebies, Cbbc and Nick Jnr in the morning, I think CITV has just started a channel too. The box is a one off payment (£30 ish) and then free from then on so I would definitely get rid of Sky.

I would probably keep the Life insurance too.

Good Luck!

Hi Gingin

Great idea for the pressies - I've got a rare 'son free' weekend coming up where I can bargain hunt at leisure. My Mum always had a present box (an old ottoman) - it's often the short notice of these parties that's I find a problem -I can't get to shop during the week due to work and a tired son that I collect about 5.45! More planning from me needed on this one.

Thanks,
Alison

serena

Hi Ali,

the presents.... aargh! I know just what you mean!

For family and close friends, I think it is fine to spend less, and choose really carefully, thinking about the person's likes/hobbies/interests. One very skint year (husband made redundant, DS1 18months old, 5 months pregnant with DD so unable to go back to work...) I made up a gardening box for my dad with gloves, labels, string, seeds which were very cheap to buy, and for my mother I made a kit for making a doll (her hobby), with a pattern I found in a magazine, material, embroidery threads, small pieces of material etc. Very much appreciated.

For children, I keep an eye out for bargains, and also check out the discount sports shops. Footballs are often quite cheap, and were very popular with my sons' friends. Likewise, DD's friends loved jewellery and makeup, so careful shopping in Boots and the discount Claire's Accessories was a great help.

You can also buy vouchers on ebay cheaper than their value, and use them to buy presents.

Ali-OK

Hi Serena

Some more great ideas - thank you. I've just thought of when I used to work in a fruit & veg shop as a Saturday girl (goodness..over 25 years ago lol) and we used to make fruit boxes up. Crepe paper around a tomato or satsuma box, stuff newspaper in, cover with crepe or the purple wrappers you used to get in with apples (don't see those at all nowadays!) and then arrange fruit on it.

You know what, my Dad would love something like that - he's a fruitaholic! (Diabetic, non-drinker, non-smoker, non-gardener too lol)

Ali

Ali-OK

I thought I'd do a quick update as a 'thank you' to everyone who posted suggestions in bettering the savings I'd made when I posted my SOA.

This is round 2:

Sky- £21 p/m - CANCELLED
Mobile - £25 p/m CANCELLED, now on PAYG - probably spend > £10 p/m
Life term assurance - £18.90 p/m - CANCELLED
Income protection ins - £45.61 p/m - CANCELLED
Car insurance - was £35.11 p/m - got a better deal at £23.99 p/m
Gas/elec checked - am on the best deal
Current account - £10 p/m - have applied for A&L (whilst its still £50 cashback!)

That's a further saving of £1,459.56 per year or £121.63 p/m! :T

To say I'm chuffed is an understatement :j

Oh and I'm in preparation for stopping smoking on Saturday (reading book, getting some patches) - up to £100 a month saving on that alone :eek:

Thank you, thank you - this wouldn't have happened without this site and all the lovely people here. :T

Watch out for Round 3

sanfrancisco

brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. I LOVE IT when people cancel Sky. You are on a roll.

Annie_Fanny

Ali-OK that is so cool! Well done - just goes to show how much you can save loadsamoney from cutting out the cr*p!

Just want to check that you are getting the patches from the nhs? Your GP may have be able to offer you 'free' help?

After you have opened your A&L account don't forget to ditch it and then apply for the £50 free from First Direct - I did!

Annie
Xx

Ali-OK

Sanfransisco - yes, I do feel like I'm on a mission :rotfl: I'm spending all my spare time at the mo going through everything time and time again!

Annie Franny - I haven't got the patches yet - GP has refused to give them to me on prescription before now, but I'll try again (was going to buy them). Thanks for reminding me!

Ooh, I forgot to add son wants to go to packed lunches at school after Easter..so another saving of £7.50 a week on school dinners (or £300 a school year!)

Have started on house insurance, but can't find cheaper, though I think I read I should get rid of accidental damage for contents and since littlen is very good (hopes I don't speak too soon!) that should bring the cost down.

It's also payday today..and though some of the changes won't really take affect until next month (when the DDs would have been due)...I've got £70 in my current account from last monthl, so I'm throwing that at a cc today!

I'll keep you posted!