My 2008 Savings Diary

jo_b_2

jessicamb wrote: »

well done Jo - only problem with matched betting is your spreadsheet keeps telling you you are making money but you cant spend it as you need it for more offers :rotfl:

I've realised that now! We're on a time limit though so I'll just do what I can (time and money permitting) and then withdraw the money as my OH wants a new car by July and I'm trying to earn the extra by then.

He's threatening to take out a loan otherwise :eek: so I've managed to stave that off by saying I'll earn the money through matched betting and cashback sites! Shame the bingo bubble has burst though. :rolleyes:

jo_b_2

I've taken my record of savings throughout March from the 'Make £10 a day challenge' that I've been taking part in on the Debt-Free Wannabe board. (I'm not in debt but I want to stay that way - even whilst on unpaid maternity leave!)

March 2008 savings:

Quidco: £174.85
Bingo winnings: £131.68
Matched betting profits: £65.98
Topcashback: £31.62
Nectar points spent instead of cash: £5
GreenMetropolis profits: £1.80
Greasypalm: £25.95
Bonus Boots points earned: £19.80
Rpoints: £21.09
Ciao payment received: £11.54

Total so far: £489.31 :eek: and there's still several days left in March! :j

jo_b_2

Haven't updated my savings diary for such a long time now!

Not going to try and catch up now either - just popping a note to say that I've won £70 on the free bingo at Gala! :j :j (I'm so excited - I'm posting this everywhere!)

jessicamb

well done Jo!!

jamtart6

wahey well done! i fear i would get enticed into gambling if i started any of the matched betting!!

jo_b_2

jamtart6 wrote: »

wahey well done! i fear i would get enticed into gambling if i started any of the matched betting!!

I have to admit I'm much more prone to gambling and placing bets etc since I started the free bingo and then matched betting! Before that, I was so tight I wouldn't even buy a lottery ticket!

I can definitely understand how people get carried away and end up gambling money they can't afford to lose! :eek:

Mind you - I haven't done any matched betting recently. My husband bought the car that he's been hankering after so I had to withdraw my Betfair float to keep our current account in credit. This £70 can be the start of a new matched betting float!

jamtart6

i do see how it is great I just couldnt trust myself. If I get into something, I love it and thats it...like (a) this forum, its like an addiction (but a cheap one!) (b) house hunting, i love spending time on property websites (c) Lost, love searching out new spoilers etc. I just know I couldn't do little and often with it. So I don't mind the odd lottery ticket, and a bet on the national, and if I go the races (once every 2 years), I only bet the money I can afford to lose, I just know matched betting would take over me!!!! Good lcuk with it!

I do however forget to update my savings record, so I will mosey off and do that now

fenrow1

Shows I know very little as to what is going on could someone advise what
2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge: 100% neutral for is

what to set myself some sort of challenge moneywise other than the ones I already do below .

cheers Fen x

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35 Xmas presents needed - 12 bought
35 people to buy birthday presents for - 25 bought

have booked a cruise in 2009 planning to put £1 a day away to pay for excursions- March 08 to April 09 - on target!!

should be mortage/debt free march 09 - on target (assuming FTSE doesn't do another major nose dive again)

jo_b_2

fenrow1 wrote: »

Shows I know very little as to what is going on could someone advise what
2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge: 100% neutral for is

You'll find the 2008 Money Neutral Gift Challenge HERE on the Special Occasions board.

I signed up for this but have been very lax at updating my progress in that challenge so far! (Even though I have been doing quite well and have got lots of things like free greetings cards and gift vouchers etc which has offset the cost.)

mary43

Brilliant idea and I wish I'd thought of it ..........still I have made savings of a sort.
Bought al my christmas and birthday presents in January -everyone is having a 'recycled' gift hamper of stuff from charity shops. January is always a good time to get unwanted gifts, all still wrapped up.(Hamper idea from special occassions board) MIL had hers this week for her birthday and had not a clue they were all from the charity shop. I've kept a book with everything I've bought and the price so I can tot it up -haven't done that yet but I know it'll work out cheaper that other years.
I also make my own cards and use as much stuff around the house as I can instead of buying the 'crafty stuff'
Been saving small change in a whisky bottle but a 'needs must' situation arose and I've had to empty it..............£27 in there so not too bad.
I haven't done the lottery for about three years now and always vowed I'd put £1 in a pot every week instead (I never won anything) but I didn't do it and the £1 got spent on I don't know what so thats another thing I'll be doing.
We grow veg in pots, as much as we can so that's a bit of saving.
Car hasn''t been used much since the fuel prices went up except for trip to MIL for her birthday. I don't drive and have a bus pass and use that where I can but OH does drive and is reluctant to give up the car.

So, I'm trying, a bit at a time and at the minute our finances are severely stretched so I'll have to try harder methinks.