The 2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge

jamtart6

scattymam1 wrote: »

Just realised after I did it? Am going to re-register with hubbies e-mail(which is the family e-mail ) and go through quidco.

That will cut cost of mug right down!

if you order multiple items (ie. 3 mugs with same picture) you should get an automatic discount of 25% from snapfish too!

mum2one

Survived the day in Glasgow, even did some xmas shopping, got dad a bottle of Malt (got £10 off).
Had Marks and Spencers xmas leaflet through, have to say am very impressed with 90% of their prices, and 3 4 2.
Gone throu xmas list and just have rest of dd to do, worked out that Im 100% money neutral on everyone elses xmas bday. Get dd sorted just need a couple of main prezzies, then a few odds and sods from Boots and M+S then I'll be done!!

Ballet - now have £60 in tin - pays Jan - Apr ballet (have to pay that dec)
Swimming - £40 - (from One Poll), that be Jan - Apr paid for - (pay Dec)
x

jamtart6

well done mum2one! - where was your Malt on offer??

anyone seen a DS lite for less than £85?? It is my current best price (and a favour off a friend who gets staff discount!) - not buying it yet though as I am hoping the prices may come down in the shops (wishful thinking!)

Didn't list my stuff on eBay again this weekend *TUT TUT* very very bad of me!

Counted my "spare change" tin and had around £300 in it ! :eek: This isn't counting towards my money neutral challenge but is pretty good So I usually bank this, but decided as it was over double what I thought, I decided to have a little shopping splurge, so have invested in a black dress which is basically a timeless classic (very wise) , and a pair of pink shoes which have absolutely no use nor reason but are very beautiful! I very rarely buy things like this spontaneously so decided that a minor spend of less than £60 for the two items was in fact a bargain !! :rotfl:


Still haven't decided what to do re: calender for my friend. But if I go to town this week, I might see what the "make your own" ones are like and that might help me decide (I have 150 free prints from snapfish - so making my own would be more cost effective!!)

Still struggling for Grandad and OH! But just found that for my 'slim' calender that I am making, it costs £9.99 on Pixum, but there is £6 cashback for new users through quidco! happy days!

3plus1

jamtart6 wrote: »

if anyone sees any vouchers for books anywhere can they give me a shout please! i am looking for a book for xmas which is a tenner, but hope to get it at a reduced cost with a voucher between now and xmas! thanks girlies! many sets of eyes is better than just mine.

Not sure what book you're looking for, but WH Smiths are giving away 20% discount cards valid from Sat 25 Oct to Sun 2 Nov - you can pick one up instore. Alternatively, the online code to use is 20PRIV. Hope that helps..!

jamtart6

Thanks 3plus1 that will save me £2 and 64p cashback making it less than £7.50!! Thanks for the code much appreciated

Skint_Lynne

Hi Jamtart,

I have come from the 'live on 4k challenge thread'. Sophiesmum has just posted a rather impressive picture of all the presents she has gathered without parting with any money.

I'll have some of that!!! I'll read some of the posts and get some tips from you so that I can join in next year.

Look forward to getting to know you all.

SL x

jamtart6

hello Skint Lynne, this time next year you will be Rich Lynne!

Its quite sad but its really fun trying to get top presents for hardly any 'real' money! I haven't spent a real penny on presents this year which includes

• half a nintendo wii
• interflora flowers
• malt whisky
• no.7 gifts from Boots
• National geographic subscription
• Armani perfume
• ted baker gift sets

so we are not talking rubbish or cheap gifts!! I have done it all by vouchers, cashback money, discount codes, surveys etc.

All my birthday gifts this year should have cost £685 (original cost, I'd NEVER have spent that on them), and have in fact 'cost' me £366, so to start with a saving of £319. Then the £366 has been covered by vouchers, cashback money, eBay etc. :T

Interested to see how Xmas goes as I haven't got myself on eBay yet :eek:


Anyway, you are welcome to chat with us until the 2009 challenge starts!

Going for a nosey at Sophiesmums haul now

SugarSpun

I'm updating.

I've not been on for ages because of upheavals of various sorts.

Technically I'm still money neutral, but I now have a new boyfriend (the old one is now my Best Friend), and so he still gets all of his gifts but I have to think of something new for the new one.

jamtart6

Thats a fair upheaval sugarspun, we shall forgive you! What does new boyf like in the way of gifts???

scattymam1

my bargain of the week was a £12.54 bottle of smirnoff vodka for £8 in Tesco. Bargain, and it matches the other gift I have that person which was a £6 shot game I got at a car boot sale for 50p. I have added some home bargains vodka shots chocolates for 49p and there you have a pretty impressive pressie I think (my friends partner).Less than a tenner but looks like I've spent double that. (unless they seen the tesco offer!!!)