The 2008 Xmas Savings Thread

MrsTinks

Figured we'd need a thread for the upcoming christmas - and yeah yeah yeah I know it's 11 months away but start NOW and it will seem so much easier!
Those who joined us last year know how much easier on the purse it's been so why not come join us!

Happy saving and shopping everyone!

Tine & Savvy

(your friendly neighbourhood BGs :rotfl:)

Di-Dough

I try and save £50 a month for birthdays and Christmas - I also tend to buy things through the year rather than waiting till nearer Christmas

she_grinch

I have already started making cards for all occasions and all members of the family. wrapping paper, crackers,candles all in the loft - bought in the sales

debtfreeoneday

already saving £90 a month for all birthdays and christmas - worked really well last year - we had about £100 left over at the end!

LJM

will be making my own cards again this year and hopefully gift bags too if i can master it.already started my savings stamps for food shop and change pot is filling up nicely ready to put in savings xmas account and i already have couple xmas pressies put away.doesnt hurt to start early

earthmother

I have made a good start in the sales - we buy for 14 children (including our own three), and I have almost all their birthdays already done, and about a third of christmas, for, on average, a quarter of rrp. Also have all the non-perishable adult christmas pressies (everyone getting the same, so nice and easy, lol) at less than half price. Don't do adult birthdays unless it's a landmark year, so only have two to do this year, and they're both well in hand.

We make our own cards and tags, and will be covering shoe boxes papier mache style for gift boxes. To that end, I've saved all this years cards and wrap. With that, and the bits I have left over from this year, I should only need to buy one roll of paper (santa always uses new paper) - all other wrapping etc is covered.


For the rest of the spending, I'm getting High Street Vouchers through Park (yes, I know it's not the most efficient way, but tried the bank account option last year and it didn't work for us). My order costs me about £5 a week, and I've already made 6 weeks worth of payments, so a good start there.

Also saving loyalty points and commission where possible, using Pigsback and Quidco, and am signed up to pretty much every survey site there is (never seem to get many surveys these days though - not even from my old faithful Brainjuicer).


Can't decide whether to save supermarket stamps or not - I tend to pick up a little from here, a little from there etc, so not so sure if this would be worthwhile or not. Might see nearer the time and buy just before their cut off date to get the extra stamps they all throw in.

Pisces

I've already started:

Saving: £50 per month
Boots advantage card: £27.50
Pigsback: £11.00 ish

I'm aiming for a spend free Christmas this year!

buxtonrabbitgreen

I am not saving money as I haven't got any. The OH has been out of work since the middle of December. But I am saving my nectar points fro christmas food this year. I also have one piggy Boots voucher on the way. Ans will use the profits from surveys and factfinders scanning for presents again this year. I have already bought 8 presents for birthdays, xmas in the sales. So going quite well. It will need to if the OH doesn't get to work soon.

mummytummy

Already started saving supermarket stamps from Tesco and Sainsburys, getting High Street vouchers through Park (done it for past 10yrs), trying not to touch family allowance at moment - but who knows what might crop up, and spare change goes into a pot that i empty at end of month and put into savings account. Don't think I'm doing too badly at the moment, want to have a card free christmas this year:rudolf:

*Louise*

I'm all for starting early! :T


I save the family allowance (£170) every 4 weeks into a seperate savings account which covers all the Christmas stuff. (Had to use this month's unfortunately for decorating, but plenty time left)

Have just started with Tesco stamps as well, and have £14 in clubcard vouchers

snowdrip

Has anyone seen details of the new Post Office Christmas Savings Card scheme yet? Can't seem to find anything on their web site. I think it should be available sometime this month.