2011 Make or break time

the_harrys

I have a bit of an issue with OH at the mo....his birthday is coming up and he wants a £500 present (sports related)- I think I will have to get it as (as he keeps reminding me) he does earn a lot more than me, but I can't help slightly resenting the fact that I am trying my very best to save every penny and he thinks nothing of blowing £500. Ah well, it could be worse I suppose.

millionaire_in_training

Grrr Men lol.

the_harrys

After all the publicity around the Tesco price check fiasco, I belatedly thought I'd put in my last couple of receipts to see if I would qualify for a double the difference voucher (also due to slight desperation at the end of the month)- I got the e-mails back from Tesco and both shops were apparently £4+ cheaper than Asda.

On the one hand I'm actually quite pleased as my nearest Asda is 20 miles away and I always thought I was paying more down the road at Tesco, on the other hand I could have done with a free voucher.

I've really been trying to bargain spot though, what I don't understand is why Tesco "hide" some really good prices and don't mark them as reductions/ bright labels etc etc- my recent ones are:
Tesco tinned raspberries 49p (vs. same size John West £1.78)
Homepride flour 1.5kg 50p (vs over £1.48 for Homepride 1kg in tub)
Tesco Seedless raspberry jam 45% fruit 50p (vs over £1 for other 45% fruit jams)
Yet none of these were marked as special offers.

Mind you, I would still rather avoid Tesco if I had the option- a family member was closely involved with the big supermarkets as a major supplier and said that in her opinion the supermarkets who were most decent to their suppliers were Morrisons (best), Waitrose, Sainsburys then Asda with Tesco in last place a long way behind the rest!!

the_harrys

It's gorgeously sunny here at the moment, and only 3 days to pay day. We had a lovely day by the sea yesterday- £15 in total for chips, ice cream and parking so not too expensive. I must try not to obsess though, as I still feel slightly guilty spending even this much at the moment. As it is 3 years until DFD I must chill a bit.

My latest e-bay stuff made £60 (after fees taken off) so a bit more for the holiday fund.

millionaire_in_training

:jfor e-bay and :jfor nice cheap day by the sea. I love days like that. The kids love nothing better than a walk down by the water and then a cheapo ice cream.

I dont have a Tesco near me but I do love Morrisons. Their fresh food is far superior to ASDA. I never buy deli or meat in ASDA as I think it is absolutely awful. I also rarely buy fruit as it goes off in a day or two so is a false economy. I would buy fruit and meat in Morrisons as it is always great quality and there is no quibble if you take it back. I am lucky enough to have ASDA and Morrison nearby and ALDI and LIDL near my work so I can shop about. I love ALDI for fruit . I actually used Iceland for the first time in years at the weekend and must admit to so me good prices in there too. I bought frozen chicken breasts and cooked them yesterday and they were delicious. Clear plates all round.

millionaire_in_training

and 3 days until payday for me too

the_harrys

Life has been very hectic so I've not posted for a while- family stuff, work stuff etc.- but I have been plugging away, and been as strict as I possible can despite multiple birthdays, the MOT/ service for my car and the odd day out for the Easter hols with the children etc.
I've updated my signature and am now a lot nearer £30000 owing than the £40000 I started with so it feels like I'm beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel! I'm hoping to get into the "20s" (i.e. <29,999) in August. We're going to have a foreign student to stay for a month (will pay £600 towards the fund) and I'm trying to come up with some other ideas as e-bay has slowed to a dribble now as I've nothing left to sell!
I'm on annual leave today and the sunshine is glorious - even better it's free

millionaire_in_training

hi there. I've been lax in posting as well recently but am going to get into it again. You are doing amazingly well. That's nearly £10k you have paid off :eek:. Go you !