The 2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge

mum2one

jamtart6 wrote: »

Ooh thats a tall order sophiesmum - not sure you'll manage £13


I'm going to write a list here of what I still need to do and get and cross it off as I go so I feel like I'm making progress if anyone else wants to join me feel free!!

1. DS Lite (bought in Argos on a special deal, got £10 voucher and £5 off with Nectar points)
2. Card Reader for DS Lite - will order with £10 Amazon voucher
3. Games for DS Lite
4. Sort Next vouchers - have these already through bonus scheme in work cost me £0
5. Wii Accessory (cheapest price £7.99)
6. Buy Concert Tickets
7. Sort photos for calendar 1
8. Make calender 1
9. Order prints for calender 2
10. Make calender 2 (already bought in poundland )
11. Order DVD boxset (cheapest price £17.99 up to now)
12. Order Wine (have Tesco vouchers for £50 from my points so free )
13.Order Foot Spa (cheapest currently £24.99)
14. Order Book (have a 20% off voucher so should cost £8)
15. Find a gift for Grandad
16. Find a gift for OH

I'll keep adding and crossing things as I go on!

The Footspa in woolworths catalogue £13, if you go through quidco 8% cashback.

Good idea with the list xx

shelovestobuystuff

Has anyone else been contacted by journalists re their posts on MSE.I have had quite a few contact me about my cost neutral wedding posts but have not responded to them yet and I have had a call from a lady who offered to pay me for my cost neutral christmas story.Anyone else being inundated with requests to sell their story?I just wondered if it perhaps a regular event for MSErs.

jamtart6

Ooh no I haven't and you know what I don't think I'd like it either! It would put me off posting if I thought it would end up in the national news! Hmm... Are you going to do it shelovestobuystuff ?

shelovestobuystuff

For £250 I seriously thought about it,I mean that would almost totally pay for a ps3 for christmas,but they wanted to take a snap of the whole family and hubby2b and DS who is 17 said absolutely not,not for all the money in the world would they ever appear in a cheap weekly sensationalist mag.Snobs!Looks like I will just have to get busy on ebay to finish paying for christmas this year.
It has opened my eyes though to how magazines get their stories and I do think I will contact a wedding mag and see if they are interested in my wedding story.

jamtart6

Wow thats loads of money! I've often wondered how they got all their stories too!

shelovestobuystuff

Well I called the journalist back to let her know it was definately a no and she said the mag really wanted my story and were willing to increase the payment to £400!!!
I called hubby2b back and he was almost swayed by the offer.How much would it take I wonder before pride and self respect went out of the window and we gave in for the cash.
I dont think I would like to be recognised in the street when I am out shopping with DD,all be it by a few people for a short period, so I have said no to £400.Am I mad?

jamtart6

Erm in one sense YES but in the other just think how people who aren't MSErs would feel if they thought you'd spent nothing on their Xmas presents!! Not everyone has the MSE mindset (I on the other hand would be thrilled to know you hadn't killed yourself moneywise for my xmas present!!)

bravobeastie

However it may also help other people who are struggling financially

jamtart6

True but they could do an article without including things from the forums and this tip was included in Martins weekly e-mail so lots of people get it anyway

Anyway, back to being on topic - going to take my pics for stuff to go on eBay this weekend and hopefully list a bit on Sunday!

jamtart6

Taken my pics and done my descriptions but never got round to listing - but at least i've done the hard bit!! good weekend all?