The 2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge

jamtart6

What a great day, found out OH has got £30 vouchers for Next as a gift from work, he doesn't bother with it in there. He owed me £30 for stuff i got for him in boots today (which i spent in points) so we are swapping and he's getting the stuff in exchange for the vouchers, so i've effectively converted my boots points to Next vouchers...which was what i was getting mum for mothers day...NEUTRAL!

JesaRose

I haven't posted since i joined the challenge I don't think but I also haven't bought any presents yet. Doing quite well on eBay, Play.com and clicks though (see my sig)

jamtart6

Hi Jesarose! well done and welcome! I don't post just when I'm buying gifts, but like to try and post when I've got vouchers/points etc. as it helps me see how well I'm doing

ems1812

I am new to all this but really need to make some money saving changes this year. Does anyone have a spreadsheet master that they would email me?

Thanks

jackomdj

Hello all,

I have not posted in a while.

I have spent quite a bit so far on Birthday & Xmas presents, but mostly in the Boots 75% off sale (I had 12 parcels delivered today & 3 yesterday). DD's birthday in Oct is done, best buy was ELC easel £12.50 sb £50! LO's 1st birthday is March & she is done too, best buy for her was a sit on train £16 (I think notebook is upstairs) originally over £100!!

I have not made loads yet, I have just over £30 on shop & scan and £40 due from quidco.

I did well in the next sale getting some clothes for me (so not in the challenge). I lost 5 1/2st 18 months ago & trained to be a Cambridge Diet counsellor. I put a few stone back on after DD & still have 3st (takes me 1 1/2 under what I got to before) to go before the end of April when I am off on a free holiday to Vietnam as one of my customers won the Cambridge diet slimmer of the year competition. There will be publicity photo's & video so I need some nice smaller clothes. I just got tops as the trousers will have to fit properly but I know I will be size 10 at the top by my holiday.

Enough waffle, hope you are all doing well.

Nicky

mum2one

ems1812 wrote: »

I am new to all this but really need to make some money saving changes this year. Does anyone have a spreadsheet master that they would email me?

Thanks

Hi,

Ive sent you a pm,
x

scattymam1

Have had 2 birthdays already in 2008, one we used an unwanted christmas gift and the other I bought off ebay (something that is normally £25.00 in the shops and I got it for £10.00). That will be covered as I am selling on ebay and my selling total is up to £8.50 already so that will cancel that out.
It's not like I'm having to give cheap crappy prersents either whilst doing the challenge, it's just about being a bit more savvy with money, vouchers, points and ebay. Constantly checking in my little notebook - it's driving my hubbie mad.
Birthday presents are seeming really easy to become neutral with but I need to start putting aside some points and vouchers now for christmas as well.

mum2one

scattymam1 wrote: »

Have had 2 birthdays already in 2008, one we used an unwanted christmas gift and the other I bought off ebay (something that is normally £25.00 in the shops and I got it for £10.00). That will be covered as I am selling on ebay and my selling total is up to £8.50 already so that will cancel that out.
It's not like I'm having to give cheap crappy prersents either whilst doing the challenge, it's just about being a bit more savvy with money, vouchers, points and ebay. Constantly checking in my little notebook - it's driving my hubbie mad.
Birthday presnts are seeming really easy to become neutral with but I need to start putting aside some points and vouchers now for christmas as well.

Totally agree, I love the sales in Argos, the best are mid Jan and mid July - when they change catalogues.
I get told wow, thats gorfgeous, youve spent to much on me........ little did they know a little bit of brain power, a bit of shoes leather and a lovely notebook, (my bible)

I saved £400.00 last xmas from the allocated spend to the actual spend (thats forpresents from parents, myself and daughter) so we did well. x

JesaRose

I've only made 46p on clicks today but my totals are mounting up nicely

jamtart6

well done!! I got enough for a 3rd £10 boots voucher on pigsback today (they have been out of stock and i have been saving them!!) soooooooo happy!!

Also now have £4.90 in onepoll, and only joined on sunday so happy about that...its hard cash i need to make a start on too...which means eBay....:) all presents and "wrap up" gifts are sorted now. the rest of the people I ask what they want, so that is most likely going to be cash spent... (or vouchers/points if poss)!