~*~ Thrifty Gifty Moneysaving Thread for Christmas and all Occasions 2012 ~*~

hollythecat

Hi, I'd like to join in please. I found this thread about this time last year and it really inspired me to step things up on the surveys sites I was already signed up with but I wanted to see if I could stick with it for a year before I posted.
I was pretty good at keeping track of my earnings until about September but I'd got to around £650 by then, I will try to find some time this week to sort out the rest of the year and get my proper total.
I am so impressed with what you all manage earn and I'm determined to make more in 2012! I don't think I was quite money neutral this year but it made a huge difference to my stress levels about birthdays and Christmas.
I've just redeemed on S&S so that's a great head start for the year!

elysia2003

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome everyone.

Purple Orchid - thanks for the survey site ideas. The sites on the first page are just a few to get you going - when we are all up and running, and everyone knows what they are doing, I've got a big list of thirty or so sites for everyone to join. I didn't want to put everyone off when they are new to it all. It's great that you're already joined up to some, you've got a great headstart.

Good Morning Wit40 and Yukkibear. You are most welcome. Take your time to read through the first posts, and join some of the sites. Could I ask you to ask someone on here for them to refer you please? It might only be worth 20p, but it all mounts up, and when new people join you'll get your turn to refer people too.

Claireylulu - You've hard a tough year this year. Let's hope the next one is better for you. Let the money making commence.

Everyone who has asked for spreadsheets - I'm going to send them now. :j

bunbun2

thanks for the new thread elysia:A

I did OK last year but am determined to be more motivated and do better this year.

my main problem this year is that I kept forgetting to write things down so I don't really know how much I earnt. I am pleased though

elysia2003

Hi Holly - fab totals hun. £650 would definitely reduce some of the financial stress. Well done. I can send you the spreadsheet, so you can keep a proper track for next year, if you'd like. You need to pm me your email addy if you would like it. Like I said before, once everyone settles down a bit, I can post a list of the survey sites I'm on, there may be a few that you haven't joined yet.

Hiya Bunbun - Have you got the spreadsheet yet? It's easy to fill in, it's just a case of remembering to do it. Once you get into the hang of doing it regularly, it'll become second nature.

boat_girl

Hi everyone, hope you all had lovely Christmas. I will be joining in again this year. Although I only took part for the last few months of 2011 it really helped me put some extra money aside and have already got a boost for 2012. I was able to redeem £30 in tesco vouchers from VO and am due £40 for OP to drop into my paypal account anytime soon.

Thanks for all the encouragement over the last few months, Christmas has been lovely but hard work with a 7 week old, think she found all the chaos, visitors, presents everywhere very disrupting and we had one all mighty tantrum last night, nothng could calm her down until she projectiled her last bottle across the room. We think she was just over tired with all the excitement, we are going to keep the next few days quiet again and try and get her back into the routine.

Aims for 2012 are to be money neutral for Birthdays and Christmas. To ebay lots of the junk in the loft to make more space and to save money by doing more batch cooking.

Good Luck to all in 2012 x

elysia2003

It's amazing how that even so young, they still find Christmas overwhelming isn't it? My DD1 was 8 months old when it was her first one - she cried for the whole christmas. Like you say, her routine was in a muddle, and it made her upset all the while. Poor thing didn't know what was going on.

Well done on your redeems. You've done fabulously considering you only joined us less than 8 weeks ago. We look forward to having you here working towards next Christmas too.

I wander how Nicky is! It's due day today, isn't it?

Legendmum

Oh dear Lord how am I ever going to cope with all these new people! Jeepers I think I may have to keep a diary of who's who! lol

Welcome all!

Elysia can you send me the new spreadsheet? Will keep this years saved to compare to next year! Like a little competition with myself! Although I dont think I can better it as I was money neutral for all occasions last year BUT would like to do some bits to the house and a new sofa so if I can add them to the list to save for would be great!

Hardly bought anything in the sales so far which is shocking! Just back from Wilkos and only noguht gift tags!!!! Also got wrapping paper from Card Factory!

hollythecat

Thanks for the welcome and the spreadsheet Elysia!

Just had an amazon voucher added on toluna (only ordered 30/11) as well as a load of points. Surprised they seem to be working today!

Savvybunny2009

Morning everyone, had a lovely lay in to get over the Christmas stress. Need to find receipts for a few items today, dd's disey pj's weren't stiched properly and has a big hole all the way down the sleeve but didn't realise as it was folded up and ribbon round it when we bought it and her and baby annabell doesn't work properly so will try to exchange those.

I have written on the spreadsheet who we are buying for and the budget set for them for 2012 for Christmas and birthdays (handy to have it all in one place) and ideas o what we want to buy for them. It is an expected £1000 for our budget next year. This will be reduced by buying what we can during sales, I expect to pay around 50% or less so will need to make around £500. We have lots of vouchers laying around so I need to take stock of what we have and see what we need. Any extra will pay for our holiday next year and car repairs/items that need replacing.

Looking forward to getting back into the money making routine. I really let things slip during December but seeing how achievable my target is I'm raring to go. Will see which items will be regifted and which items we already have bought that can be given as presents too.

Welcome to everyone joining us this year, I can barely keep up with the posts!

lindsaygalaxy

I have my spreadsheet set up (thank you elysia2003) and i'm ready to start!