***New*** Thrifty Gifty Money Making for Christmas and all occasions 2011***

elysia2003

Morning Ladies and Flycatchers.

Nicky sorry to hear about OH's sis, I'd do what Rufus suggested, if only not to rock the boat. I've had a similar problem with my own sis - nothing violent or anything thank god. I've decided to buy her new OH a present (£2 in BHS jan sale LOL).

Savvy - isn't it always the way. You have money, or someone wants to buy you a pressie and there's nothing you like! Well done on getting OH's main pressie sorted. It's the difficult bit of wrapping now.

Rufus - I had a look through your shop yesterday - you've got some wonderful things. You're off to ED's party tonight aren't you? Have a fabulous time.

I was dreaming last night that I'd be inundated with pm's from mobile phone call centre workers, but not one. It's a shame that, £40 would have been a nice little earner just before Christmas. I've been asked to do an online focus group on Monday for an hour and that's £60, I've had a few high earners recently, It makes a change from the likes of T who only pay pennies.

I didn't manage to get on Viva last night, so first stop on the survey hunt is there. Have a good day everyone, and don't forget Quidco Xmas comp today, and ebay free listing.

rufusdog52

Morning all

My firefox has been playing up last few days since it updated. Its going so slow and is eating up the memory on the laptop so I have been unable to do any surveys through it. I put Chrome on last night for a bit and did some Viva ones on there, managed three of them so that was a nice bonus.

I was up at 6 this morning cutting out cushion covers for the sofa. I will be shattered by tonight lol, and yes Elysia we are going out tonight, its not a party though just out for a meal. Dont know what time as the arrangements are all up in the air. The original restaurant she wanted couldnt seat us all so she rang the local chinese one and they wanted £18 a head including the kids so she told them where to go. So we supposed to be going to another one thats a bit further out, only trouble is getting there as OH is working tonight so me and YD either have to get a lift off someone or walk there. I cant afford taxis as I only have enough money for the meals and drinks.

elysia2003

Oh dear Rufus - I hope you get a lift sorted. It's not so bad walking there, it's the walking back on on your own. Well done on the viva surveys, I still haven't got there yet. Hopefully some will be left for me.

I'm 25p off on OP. Grrr. It's taken me a fortnight to earn 75p. I'm sure they are doing it on purpose. Also Young P0ll, DD2 is 50p off redeem on there and suddenly we can't log in. We've requested her password sent to us, but we're not receiving anything. I've emailed them directly three times now, and still no reply. There's something fishy going on.

Also remember I redeemed on McCains for a £20 Am voucher, using mainly points that were added by mistake? It's been 10 weeks on Tuesday, and the site said it would take 3 - 4 days. I emailed them yesterday and said I would write a review on them on DooU and Chow (I wouldn't really but they weren't to know that :A) - within the hour I had £25 am in my inbox.

rufusdog52

Nice one Elysia xx. Pays to threaten a review now and then doesnt it. ED rang, said they might be changing the restaurant again, I give up! They are going to one even further away now so walking is out of the question. It my ExH and ExMil changing their minds and dictating where to go. I said to ED its up to her, its her birthday, if they dont want to go as well then tough.

elysia2003

Oh dear - the things you do to keep the peace. When it was my 30th I wanted all of us to go to the local Italian, always wanted to go but never had. Stepdad said no - so we ended up at a Harvester. Not quite the same is it? I hope it gets sorted. It's cutting it a bit fine now. Eek.

Just popped on to post for those of you with little boys. If you buy the daily express today for 80p you get a free megablok Thomas the Tank engine toy worth £5.99 from Toys R Us. Nice cheap stocking filler. Details are here. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3607089

xmum2threex

I woke up to a piney sitting waiting for me :j nothing else around just yet but its only early.

elysia2003- Glad you got your vouchers shame you had to threaten to review the site for them to sort it. Hope they get back to you about YP seems very fishy.

I recieved my body shop order today we do not usually buy adults in the family gifts just the children but my sister in law is coming to stay with us at christmas as she has no partner or children and usually spends it alone so hubby has decided it will be nice to get her a small pile of presents to cheer her up a little so thanks very much for posting got some brill bits for her.

NickyBo Id probally be the same as everyone else something small and inexpensive just so you dont rock the boat. It will be hard as you do not like him but not getting a present might cause more problems.

elysia2003

Hello mum3three - I thought it was just me and Rufus here It's been quiet this morning. Well done on the Piney and the BS order. I only shop there when they have the offers on, and then stock up. It's brilliant stuff.

I got £2 off viva, so fingers and toes crossed, I'll be able to redeem next week. I'm having lots of redeems this month, just like I did August - It'll be hard starting all over again though.

NickyBo_2

Good afternoon everyone

Thanks for the comments regarding our dilemma. I actually already have a present for him, just a cheap toiletries set I picked up in the sale ages ago, before all the issues started. The main problem is that by giving him a present it looks like we are fine with his violent behaviour and that feels so hypocritical. I know we don't know the whole story, but we do know that DH's sister has ended up with a broken arm and leg and that initially she said he had done it when he was drunk. I can't see why she would lie and say it was him if it wasn't. She now completely refuses to talk about it and is refusing any offer of help. DH is really worried about her and feels so powerless to help. She seems to want to forget it all ever happened, which I can understand, but if we act like everything is fine it makes it look like we don't think it's any big deal what he did. To be honest, we are worried it's just the start and that he's going to do it again.
I think I've answered my own question by writing it down here now. DH needs to have a proper talk with his sister even if she gets angry. I'm sure it will be a horrible conversation to have but it's better than standing back doing nothing waiting for the day he does it again, or does it to one of the kids.

Anyway, back to the money making. I'm pleased there's a free listing weekend on Ebay as I've been sorting lots of things out that I can put on. I think my nesting phase has started as I've been dragging out boxes from under the bed and sorting through them all. I can't believe how much sellable stuff I've found that I'd forgotten we even had (as well as plenty of dust!). My Paypal account is a little low as I've been buying lots of presents recently so it will be nice to boost it again.

I think I might make some Christmas chutney today too. I've just checked the recipe and I think I have everything I need already in so that will be nice and cheap I made some for my Dad last year and he loved it, so he's getting some more this year!

boat_girl

Nicky, liking the sound of the chutney. Where did you get the recipe from? Am quite keen on making a few bits like that this year. After having spent the last few years in a very stressful job, I am going to make the most of my freedom this Christmas, enjoy the time with the new baby and create a few nice traditions. I started making Tabi a Christmas stocking during maternity leave which i need to finish.

Thanks for reminding me about ebay, have listed 5 dvds, a small start for de cluttering up the place and have wanted to get my head around ebay for a while. Have bought loads off ebay over the years but am new to selling, was very easy so hopefully a few pennies will find there way into Paypal.

NickyBo_2

boat_girl wrote: »

Nicky, liking the sound of the chutney. Where did you get the recipe from?

This is the recipe - http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1158/mary-berrys-christmas-chutney

It's really easy, it was my first ever try at making chutney and it worked fine. I did need to simmer it for quite a bit longer than the recipe stated but all the comments at the bottom of the page said the same thing so I was expecting that.

These are the recipes for some other chutneys I've tried and all have worked fine:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2643/spicy-blackberry-chutney
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/6342/spiced-courgette-chutney
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4634/apricot-and-ginger-chutney
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2645/pear-and-dried-apricot-chutney

If you've only got time to make one then definitely go with the Christmas chutney as it's SO tasty!