The 2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge

Sallys_Savings

ehallett wrote: »

Well I am starting work on my fiance's valentines pressie. He was really impressed with the hamper that I made his parents for Christmas (only cost me £20 and it was packed full of lovely stuff from Tesco - I already had the hamper though) so I am going to make him one of these.

I have advertised on Freecycle to see if anyone has one to give away as this will save me a lot of money. If not then I have got a basket that I could use but would prefer a hamper.

I got a £28 cheque through yesterday which I was going to spend on some smelly sets but I think I will use this for stuff to go in the hamper.

I'm going to fill it with some cakes or mini donuts (home made), some sweets that he likes, some smellies (will get these cheap in Boots), a couple of bottles of red square (little ones), some valentines socks and maybe a voucher of some sort if I can get one from a survey site before then. Only want to spend around £14 if I can and then I can use the rest of that £28 for a mother's day hamper .

Emily x

Dont forget to put some "personal" vouchers in too ..... i.e. massage, candlelight dinner for two or maybe something a little more

Luna69

I only managed to list a few items on Saturday, but sold one I had as a BIN so pleased with that and I managed to sell one of my cards day after boxing day, which surprised me so that was good.
Not done many surveys lately, been too busy, but plan on getting back into those for my vouchers., gained a little on quidco, but not that much.
I got some of my daughters birhtday presents in amazon sale, still got more bits to get, but she wont' get htat much since she's just had christmas and not playing with much of that yet.

Found a few things I can try to make for gifts, but still looking for more ideas. may even drag my redundant sewing machine out again! Anyone any ideas there? Do we have a thread for hand making items?

After my DD's birthday (end of Jan) and another couple of small pressies to get for birthdays this month, next thing is valentines although we don't buy much for that to be honest.
Plus the way things have gone since last night, he'll be lucky if I'm still around for valentines day, let alone get anything for it!

jamtart6

gingababe wrote: »

Ok well I have started my 2008 challenge, I listed on the 10p listing day & I have just sold two at buy it now prices yipppeeee .
Just a small question to jamtart shall I clear out my christmass challenge spreadsheet & use that ??? or is there a new one???

Many thanks for everyones help & Happy new year to all money savers.

I don't have a new one for this challenge as such really as so many people are doing so many different things with regards to saving diff vouchers etc.

Angelraesunshine

just spent £13.68 in sainsburys, don't normally shop in there but had to go in to collect prescription and saw so much for 50% and 75% off came out with 2 bag full mainly presents ready for birthday parties x4 and my sons party is in 3 weeks so have now all the little presents and party bags fillers for that.

jamtart6

Angelraesunshine wrote: »

just spent £13.68 in sainsburys, don't normally shop in there but had to go in to collect prescription and saw so much for 50% and 75% off came out with 2 bag full mainly presents ready for birthday parties x4 and my sons party is in 3 weeks so have now all the little presents and party bad fillers for that.

Are Party Bads for the naughty kids?? :D:D

Only kidding!!

Well done that is great!!

I have just sorted out sale purchases, recycled stuff and my current spend is £4.00 I have lots to buy and lots of special birthdays still to come which I'll have to ask what they want, but I'm pretty pleased up to now

SugarSpun

The Hawkin's Bazaar online sale has started, and I've done a bunch of shopping there and at Marks and Spencers. I've done very little in the way of using vouchers, but I now have only 5 presents left to buy for the whole year and have spent £57 in total. I am very pleased with myself.

wornoutmumoftwo

That's amazing Sugarspun, I'm just on my first (Ebay, 7 minutes to go so keeping my fingers crossed).

SugarSpun

The remaining presents are the big ones, unfortunately!

My grandmother's birthday and Christmas I'll save till nearer the time to get an idea of what she wants. My partner's Christmas gift is another last-minute addition, my dad's present is always fairly difficult, and I have to plan my brother's gift carefully as he's only 18 and will likely change his mind.

I have created a new page in my spreadsheet keeping track of the free stuff I'm applying for and whether it's arrived so I can give all of that away to pad out the Christmas giving morning extravaganza.

brownjasperdog

So far I've bought 30 presents in the sales. I've spent the day ruthlessly sorting out books and toys in my kids rooms and I've listed a ton of books on Amazon and Green Metropolis. I find Green Metropolis a lot simpler! I'm still not sure what fees Amazon will charge if something actually sells! I have lots of pages of spreadsheets to keep track of it all. Just call me the Excel Queen! :rotfl:

I need to start Ebaying again but I think I might store the toys in the loft until November/December time. I will have a go at listing clothes first. What is everybody else finding is selling well on Ebay at the moment?

I am doing quite well with Quidco as I have finally managed to train my husband to consult me before he even dreams of approaching an internet checkout page!!

wornoutmumoftwo

I've spent about £6 so far on Xmas 08, have just got contents and buildings insurance with cashback so that's an extra £110 towards the neutral challange (£70 on Greasypalm and £60 on quidco).