The 2008 Olympic Challenge thread

Gemmzie

Afternoon guys and girls, it's that time for the 2008 Olympic challenge :j

Since we have the real Olympics this year we decided that their start point would be our end, plus that gives all of you who were really close those extra few weeks to hit your targets.

We'll be kicking off on the 8th January and we'll run to the 8th August.

This years has a slight twist, a buddy system. Further details to follow...

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The Levels are....
Bronze - £1008
Silver - £2008
Gold - £3008
Platinum - £4008
(notice the theme...:cool::rolleyes:)

You can start at any level and if you want to upgrade/downgrade at any time - just drop me a PM and I'll change your challenge level.

I'll be updating the totals monthly on the 8th too so more time to get the funds in and cleared. So first PM will be around the 8th February for January's totals.

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The Rules.....
Money must come from anything extra to your normal income and must be obtained lawfully!!

But how do I make more money?
Try the second post for some tips/tricks and FAQs

The third post will be the list of challengers and how everyone's doing


Usually ramblings to follow in the next two posts so please wait until I've posted them to rush and sign up!

Gemmzie

Tips/tricks of trade

Sell!

Amazon
Amazon 'Sell Your Stuff'
You can sell books, CD's, DVD's, and more on Amazon. It is very easy to list them and, unlike ebay, there are no fees until you make a sale. Read more at The Amazon Thread
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Ebay
Learn how to sell
You can sell anything on Ebay (well almost!). Listing can be quite time consuming and it costs to list items even if they don't sell. Ebay can be fun and quite addictive! Read more at The Ebay Thread
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Cashback sites
Quidco - Read more on this MSE thread
RPoints
Pigsback
Greasypalm
Mutualpoints

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Mystery shopping
Become a Mystery shopper or if you already are one join another and use the extra funds towards your total.
http://www.indiefield.co.uk/
Grassroots
Retaileyes
Gapbuster
http://mshopper.5.forumer.com/
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Survey sites
ciao
valuedopinions
yougov.co.uk

This is a good focus group website:
http://www.focus4people.com/index.asp
Mostly in london, but if you are close enough to go there then you could earn some serious money. I have only matched their requirements once and wasn't accepted so I don't know yet if the focus groups are any good but it was recommended to me by someone who has done one and said it was very good and good money.
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ODDS

Another tip is to join swapit shop and collect free points, then get vouchers or goods for these free points then sell them on ebay. You can get the points from this thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...ghlight=swapit

http://www.aqa.issuebits.com/vacancies.htm
It's a completely flexible, do as much or as little as you want, part-time work from home job, all the details in the link. It's a text messaging service and you will be hired as a researcher to answer the questions people send in and you get paid 30p per text, you do it through a pc not your mobile phone. You need a degree though and the test to pass is not easy. If they are not hiring right now, check everyday because it seems to change daily.

http://www.slicethepie.com
A new website, earn money from rating music! Read the Slice the Pie thread here... http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=592654
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Matched betting
Try here for help
Newcomer's Guide to Matched Betting

Thread for Questions about Matched Betting (no need to read the entire thread before posting your question)
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[FONT=&quot]General FAQs[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]

Can bank charges claimed back be included?
As before, no.
From annie:

We have decided that bank charges refunds should not be included in total as it doesn't represent making huge effort to make extra money (luckily for those who have or are in the process of being refunded it simply takes (in most cases) a few letters) We are happy for you if you get them refunded but it doesn't seem fair for everyone. Please tell us if you have been successful as it is great and you should be congratulated. Maybe add it in brackets after your total.

Can I join after the 8th January?
Definitely! Just PM me if you want to join later with your challenge amount

[/FONT]

Gemmzie

4. Spendaholic Chick
5. doodle do
9. Jenna
10. Karmacat
11. wilkster5
12. Glitterycloud
13. racer256
16. ehallett
20. Hallam_Macca
21. Move To Portugal
26. mcjordi
27. nevadagirl
28. angelflower
29. rachyp
30. gillypen
31. playa
33. pania
35. lunar
36. Beckyneedstosavecash
37. Carmencita
39. Candy0107
41. PrincessPeach
42. debtfreebride
43. tigtag02
45. Christmasshopper
47. hayley11
50. whitetigeress333
51. findingmyownway
52. jjef
54. Tracy173
55. NEgirl
56. jacquij123
58. cilla18
59. LoadedIWish
61. Squirrel29
64. spud30
66. Natlou
67. stephi103
69. HoplessCase
70. andan
74. ihatedebt
75. chimp choker
76. bonsibabe
77. CHEAP AS CHIPS
78. Snow White
79. NatashaP
80. adecor
81. lysasparkles
82. spethmeister
83. Mrs_Monkey_Boy
86. Shined!!!2
87. wendy30
92. thevinternet

Bronze -
2) oops a daisy - £722.53
6) finallydebtfree - £294.18
8) postingalwaysposting - £400.17
14) novagirl - £802.51
15) VickyA - £177.78
18) Mrs Hicks - £610.20
19) Hope78 - £1,225.17
22) kacie - £60.15
24) poppycracker - £258.51
40) Boomdocker - £905.58
49) skint_spice - £756.24
53) linniestrom - £1,114.88
65) miss saver - £268.64
84) anneneal1 - £261.48
88. Queen.Bess - £1,760
89) noggin - £304.00
93) Guesty6 - £324.03
94) ram_murdoch - £380.78

Silver -
1) Gemmzie - £780.77
3) ruthie jane - £443.60
23) SarahNeedle1872 - £1,629.14
32) jet77 - £819.15
34) bellsbells - £1,371.50
38) candyblue - £1,074.56
44) saveaholic68 - £1,029
46) mickey mouse - £1,247.30
48) Punkygoth - £814.30
57) gems2381 - £1,007.28
63) babs - £1,100.11
68) Yorkielass - £182.57
85) Amatheya81 - £138.49
90) mouche - £334.21

Gold -
7) welshgirl78 - £918.01
91) Lorne - £3,461.84

Platinum -
17) Floxxie - £2,448
25) bonar - £263.57
60) pandapaws - £2,542.08
62) sweepster - £140
71) Casperthefriendlyghost - £4,222.64
72) wilf55 - £814.97
73) Avogirly - £478.21

oops_a_daisy

ooooooo me me me me me please I am definately up for this challenge and will go for bronze but hopefully upgrade.

Thanks Gemmzie

ruthiejane

I'm in! I'll go for silver but as getting married in June might get a bit distracted!! Anything I can do let me know.

I'm already buddy with spendaholic chick:hello: who is going to be helping me out with mystery shopping while I help her out with matched betting.

doodledo_2

I would definately like to join in please and will aim for Gold

Gemmzie

Three in and a buddy pairing already

finallydebtfree!!

Hiya Gemmzie! Hiya guys :hello:

count me in, Im having withdrawl symptoms already! :rotfl: Ill am for bronze again

welshgirl78

Gold please - runs away to put money making hat on!

postingalwaysposting

gem i am up for my first one and i will go for bronze

Jenna

Hey Gem,

I'd also like to sign up! Never done one of these before so think I'll just go for bronze ... !

I'd really like to do matched betting, I've been looking into it the past few weeks but could use a helping hand if anyone feels like buddying up? Pretty pls?! lol

Does overtime at work count by the way? Hmm ... think I need some more ideas ... *goes off to put on thinking cap*

Good luck all xx