The 2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge

mum2one

SugarSpun wrote: »

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.

Ur have to excuse the brain, doesnt always function 1st time, guess sorry bout old boyfriend, but ifs he now best friend he must be one hell of a guy, and new bf, congratulations, but you have got to add him to the xmas list!!

XX

mum2one

scattymam1 wrote: »

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!!!)

I love Home Bargains, like going into Santas grotto, you never know what ur going to get. xx

jamtart6

brill bargain scatty mam!! I like home and bargain too - and poundland is a winner Got 3 of the St Tropez sets that Boots were doing, worked out at £15 each instead of £45 each and one of the items inside is worth £17 alone - and got £13 back in points on the whole order, so I was VERY happy - especially as other people are paying me back for the others (Literally spent £15 cash and £13 back in points, can not complain!!)

struggling majorly for grandad, have no inspiration except a whole suite of photo gifts! (I'm doing a calender already). *sigh*

sophiesmum_2

Hi jamtart:D

have been plodding on with the challenge since the beginning and have managed to be 100% money neutral with all my mothers day/fathers day/easter and birthday gifts over the year. Also have xmas almost sorted at no cost:j including food shopping;)

I have done this using, topcashback, quidco, pigsback for vouchers, boots points, recycling a few phones with envirophone,nectar points, tesco clubcard points, and amazon sales.
I haven't paid full price for any of my gifts so more value for my free money/vouchers. Bought stuff in after xmas sales, boots sales, bargains through the year and made the most of cashback discounts etc. OH is having a new i pod nano which has been bought with argos vouchers from envirophone, lots of boots gift sets bought in 75% sale,other boots stuff bought with pigsback vouchers,pizza hut vouchers for my brother for family niight out gift - also pigsback, hampers for nieces which will be made up from stuff bought in sales using quidco money, magazine subscription using clubcard points, even going to get xmas food and kids chocs from asda using asda savings card. I have filled it over the year by using money off vouchers and then putting the money saved onto the card:j Got £144 on it and soon asda will make it £150.
So glad you started this challenge last year as now xmas is almost here and it hasn't cost me a penny yet:beer: :beer: Once I get stuff sorted I may post some pics of my goodies to inspire people for next year.

Thnks again jamtart:T :T

mum2one

sophiesmum wrote: »

Hi jamtart:D

have been plodding on with the challenge since the beginning and have managed to be 100% money neutral with all my mothers day/fathers day/easter and birthday gifts over the year. Also have xmas almost sorted at no cost:j including food shopping;)

I have done this using, topcashback, quidco, pigsback for vouchers, boots points, recycling a few phones with envirophone, tesco clubcard points, and amazon sales.
I haven't paid full price for any of my gifts so more value for my free money/vouchers. Bought stuff in after xmas sales, boots sales, bargains through the year and made the most of cashback discounts etc. OH is having a new i pod nano which has been bought with argos vouchers from envirophone, lots of boots gift sets bought in 75% sale,other boots stuff bought with pigsback vouchers,pizza hut vouchers for my brother for family niight out gift - also pigsback, hampers for nieces which will be made up from stuff bought in sales using quidco money, magazine subscription using clubcard points, even going to get xmas food and kids chocs from asda using asda savings card. I have filled it over the year by using money off vouchers and then putting the money saved onto the card:j Got £144 on it and soon asda will make it £150.
So glad you started this challenge last year as now xmas is almost here and it hasn't cost me a penny yet:beer: :beer: Once I get stuff sorted I may post some pics of my goodies to inspire people for next year.

Thnks again jamtart:T :T

You have done amazingly, not often Im speechless... yes plz ur have to put some photos on.
xx

scattymam1

that's great sophies mum. I agree it's hats off to jamtart for starting us on this challenge. She's saved me a fortune.

jamtart6

That is brilliant!!! Well done !!!! The pics are ace!!

mum2one

Sophiesmum - there absolutely brilliant, you have got some major bargains there, I try for sales and pick up throughout the year.

Dont know if you have come across this site,
www.halfcost.co.uk
(I recommend it to everyone I speak to - totally addicted to it. x)

Skint_Lynne

I am well impressed with your gifts sophiesmum and jamtart. Hopefully I will have a similar display of gifts this time next year.

Going to bed,

Nite all. xx

jamtart6

Its brilliant isn't it - really good presents for diddly squat with a bit of effort and fun!! I've loved it!!


Ah thats right I had £19 in envirophone argos vouchers too my tesco points will be spent on wine for xmas! Think I have done well with my cashback money as I'm not a home owner (so can't do insurance, food shoppping etc.) ....obviously means I'm spending money on other stuff though oops! (i did have a computer for £800 so a fair amount of cashback from that )