The 2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge

mum2one

scattymam1 wrote: »

Hubby's also not impressed with my making fudge for people for christmas - I was brought up with the 'making things for people is more meaningful' attitude - he was not!!!

He almost tried to buy a t-shirt with my paypal money last night - I threw a paddy - does he not realise how many surveys I did to get that money so I could redeem them for christmas presents. I said at the end of the day I'm saving him money cos last christmas was so tight even though I had still bought a lot of bargains as we had no christmas savings and it really hit us until about easter.

I love him really:rotfl:

Dare I say think that applies to 99% of the male population, they think the presents buy themselves.
Bear in mind Im 37, and for the last 20 years have to buy a present for mum off dad so she has something to open!!
I agree with the making things, espically if you have a talent use it.

Like my Bview vouchers - considering he didnt want anything to do with them, helped spend the lot on tv and stand..........
Rant over..........

Got a m-shop tonight, get to have some posh icecream from a cinema, shame they dont chuck the film in as well xx

SugarSpun

Whoo Hoo!

It's not really gift related, but I thought I'd bump the thread back to the first page, and also gloat a bit.

I budgeted €120 for a pair of winter boots (gets very cold and very wet in Munich in winter). Someone posted on the Grabbit board about the Faith clearance, and I bought two pairs of boots and two pairs of socks for £18.80, which is about €80 under budget when delivery etc is factored in.

I'm so pleased!

scattymam1

mum2one wrote: »

Dare I say think that applies to 99% of the male population, they think the presents buy themselves.
Bear in mind Im 37, and for the last 20 years have to buy a present for mum off dad so she has something to open!!

LOL mum2one


Well done also SugarSpun that's a great deal.

jamtart6

well some good ideas for the mothers there, however cant book somewhere away as she is poorly, done a pamper hamper, she cant eat sweets/biscuits, done a gardening hamper, done a pamper day with a therapist to the house, and they asked for a george foreman for their anniversary (and i've bought her knickers for her bday before now too!!) *darn and blast*

One idea I have had is a wine hamper as she has suddenly fell in love with wine however, not really sure how im going to do this relatively cheaply. I would like to buy about 10 bottles of different wines, but dotn go the supermarket very often!! if anyone sees any offers when they are out and about could they give me a shout? i would be most grateful!!

Well happy 'cos wanted to buy a cd for her bday, and just won a £5 voucher from play.com for being a memeber of the MSE Quidclan on Quidco!! so instead of spending £9, I'll spend £4! really happy about that!!

I have started reviwing for the new company and their amazon vouchers - they will be majorly handy!!

jamtart6

105 shopping days for christmas and I am MAJORLY excited!!!!! :T:T:T:j:j:j:j Can we have our own organised christmas type thing on this thread?? I'm so proud of us all!!

IF THERE ARE ANY LURKERS - ITS NOT TOO LATE TO COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN! PLENTY OF IDEAS FOR HOW TO CUT THE COST OF XMAS, AND EARN MONEY AND VOUCHERS TO HELP WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!

COME AND SAY HELLO!! :T:T:T

SugarSpun

I don't know if this has expired or not:

Go to http://www.virginwines.com/amazon40 (or call 0870 444 5456)
Enter your the voucher code AMAZWB40 and password WINEBANK to save £40.

Otherwise, Tesco have 10 off 50 when you buy wine by the case at the moment, and you can buy mixed cases.

You can get cashback with Oddbins and Tesco on Quidco, too.

jamtart6

Thanks sugar! they are good offers and sure to help me

I am now only neutral until the end of September Luckily have no birthdays and no envisaged weddings etc until Xmas, but this means I have no money and few vouchers for Xmas. I have all my friends presents covered which is great, but my family presents totalled £500 last year, so could really do with at least SOMETHING towards it!

Anyone sold on ebay lately? I know lots of rules have changed and I'm just wondering if its worth selling or not for little de-cluttering sellers!

scattymam1

It's worth watching out for the half price listing days when they come up. There was a 5p listing day recently but I'm never organised enough to catch them. This would help as the amount you have to pay back does mount up but I think gallery photos are now free so that helps(don't quote me on that though).

I'm neutral so far for all birthdays and maybe about a third of christmas but I have a lot of things I need to start buying now so I'm gonna have to make it all back on ebay quick and start using some of my vouchers(I don't have a lot to be honest).

Money neutral 2009 - I will start earlier for christmas I think. HA HA.

mum2one

The gallery listing is still free, the only downside with 5p listing days is so many people list (they save up th stuff) and your competeing with 100 people, compared to a normal listing you might only be up against 10.
I avoid 5p listing days and for a week after, the theory I use is by the week the listed stuff from 5p days will of gone and you can get back to more realistic prices.

scattymam1

didn't think of that - that makes sense, you're probably right, thanks mum2one.