pammyj74's MFW diary (or possible wishful thinking!!)

pigtails_21

I'd say I spend 1.5 - 2 hours at night doing comps - after DD is in bed and we've had dinner. I'm lucky that OH is happy to do dishes etc and as sad as it sounds, we spend most nights in front of the TV. I figured I might as well comp at the same time. Being an accountant, I keep a spreadsheet with my wins in, and have the following values, starting from June 2008:

2008 total - £3,035
2009 total - £6,824
2010 total - £1,730

In 2008, I was really lucky to win a £1,000 cash prize and a £1,500 prize. The 1k went straight to our savings less a bit for cheap Ikea furniture for the spare room. The 1.5k was friviously spent on a much needed family holiday (I got the letter the day before Christmas Eve).

Last years best wins, included a 5* trip to Rome, at a hotel Posh Spice and many other celebs have stayed at. It truly was fabulous, and included dinner on one night. I could happily marry that chef - the meal was incredible. I also won a £1,000 voucher to spend at Reiss including a personal styling session.

Unfortunately I realise how lucky I am to have had those 4 wins, and the rest are more modest. I may never win anything so fabulous again. Other great wins though have included a mobile phone I sold for £140, coffee machines and a Nintendo wii. Last year we did Christmas pretty much on comping wins. Both sets of parents got a coffee machine, my brother a custom made golf club, and my mum and SIL beauty hampers made up of creams worth a fair bit. We also won quite a few little things for DD. This year is a bit quieter, but we've now crossed off both parents, and OH's brothers (who will be 10 and 8) both have a Star Wars lego set each. I also won a 1kg gold lindt bunny, which was a Fathers day pressie. My favourite personal win is tickets to the Strictly Come Dancing tour next January.

Sorry for rambling - it is a good hobby, but it can be demotivating when you go ages without a win. That's why I'm trying to increase my surveys as well, just for the variety. I'm hoping to see you posting on the I won I won thread soon

gerbiljo

Hey pammy!

I like guinea pigs they are by far imo the best kids pets. Hamsters are too bitey. People charge a fortune for them nowadays. Personally I think its ok to buy from a home because sometimes if there are children they might of been handled etc alot as opposed to just being in a cage left in a petshop (depending on the shop), you just have to watch as alot of babies come about from someone getting a brother and sister and of course this isnt really ideal. I will get my daughter a guinea pig (or two haha) when shes older if she wants one, i like the noises, they're pretty healthy too and don't need injections etc.

Some big pet shop chains do the adoption centres when u can pick up adult ones for a donation, maybe worth a try if theres one near you. I like the cages I've never seen them before.

Pigtails where do you do all the competitions?

pammyj74

Cage bits came today so I have been struggling with the correx to make the base!! Kids are really pleased with it and I just need to get hay and we are all systems go.

Obviously this is just the basics at the moment, it will all change when we play it by ear lol

forgot to say, notice the numbers on the old signs I was given for free :rotfl:

pammyj74

Here are the culprits that have had my mind elsewhere the last few days. We have had them since Wednesday and already they have made us laugh and smile so much. Pets definitely enrich your life and the kids (esp DD) think they are brilliant and I am now the best mummy in the world Above is also the cage in action and now not tidy for very long!

So far I have spent about £80 on them and the bits and still need to buy an indoor and outdoor enclosure.

Its like a minefield at the moment to find out what fruit and veg they can and cant eat and what has enough vitamin C for them etc. but we will soon get there.
This means I am buying more fresh stuff than I did before and some of the veg we dont eat so there may be some waste as you need to give them a varied diet :rolleyes:

Roxy is the naughty but brave and adventurous one, the first one out when we have food and the one that squeaks at us every time we walk by in the hope we might come back with food!
Rosie is shy and calm and will only come out if its safe and she can see that Roxy has checked!

pammyj74

I should also note the very little things that I have still been trying to do and lacking in other depts. I did enter a few comps but nowhere near as many as I want to. with the kids off school they are going to bed later than usual.
I have tried to do some surveys but only got through a couple. Need one big one on LS to get my next £10

Have added my car signs back on ebay after a couple of years break from doing them. Added them yesterday and today and already sold 2. I only make about £1.50 on each one but it all mounts up. I am at £12 clear profit this week already.

DD got stung by a wasp today, not a very happy girly. She leant back on her chair where it was and it pierced her back. She screamed like mad and I had to calm her down, After an hour and trying to take her mind off it with the piggies she seemed ok but it doesnt stop her still playing on it for the rest of the day. She was bad about wasps before now she will be worse.

pammyj74

pammyj74 wrote: »

Have added my car signs back on ebay after a couple of years break from doing them. Added them yesterday and today and already sold 2. I only make about £1.50 on each one but it all mounts up. I am at £12 clear profit this week already.

Have sold 6 of the signs already so was a good decision to put them on again :j

I have been elsewhere rather than money saving mortgage freeing with the guinea pigs and getting them settled in and with the kids off school I havent really had much time to post on here etc. so sorry I havent popped in to your threads

mummyofonechild

Aww they are gorgeous xx

greent

Rosie and Roxy (nearly typed Ronnie and Roxie - DD is a massive eastenders fan!!) are so sweet!!

Baby_steps_2

Aw Pammy, they are so cute, you gave into DD in the end then!!:rotfl::rotfl:

Hope your doing well, sounds like your signs are doing well. You really do put me to shame on the MSE things!!

pammyj74

Thanks guys, they are such funny little creatures.

Managed to redeem a £10 argos voucher on ipsos today, must have had old survey pts added as last time I looked it was only over 1000 and today was 1410 :j
Apart from tryng to do surveys occasionally and doing ebay I havent done much else.
Dooyoo has took a back burner as very time consuming but I need to do that last push to get my cheque