Santa's Challenge 2015

A question about : Santa's Challenge 2015

A big warm welcome to old friends and new and here's to an organised 2015, lots of bargains, plenty of chatter, good friends, and hopefully aiming for a money neutral 2015.

Including the famous miss Hoodies challenge, where Miss Hoodie finds those lovely jobs we all try to avoid.

Santas Challenge - That special day of the month, the 24th, where we have a challenge, I always say think of it as a pick and mix, if you fancy a task then great grab it, if you've already done it or haven't got it no problem pull up a cup of tea and chill and relax.

Whether its planning for Christmas, Birthdays, Mothers Day, Fathers Day or any celebration your among friends here, whether you want to moan about that special man, or your stuck on what to buy a family member, that man in your life, between us all, I'm sure we can help if you get stuck.

Thank you to everyone for making 2014 (and 2013) Santas Challenge so special and heres to 2015 version.

xx

Best answers:

• SOME GOOD STARTER POINTS.....
  1. Make a list of everyone you need presents for in a dedicated Gift Notebook which you carry around in case you spot any bargains when out, and set up a spreadsheet for Birthdays, Christmas and money earned, - I do have a basic spreadsheet, if anyone wants a copy please send me a private message with an email address and I can send it out to you. (Always delete once know you've got it safe and sound).
  2. Keep your eye out in the sales for anything that might suit that person for their birthday or Christmas - try and buy it with loyalty points/vouchers
  3. Make a note of how much you spend on Your spreadsheet, your soon find that your budget and what you spend - hopefully by the end of the year the spend will be a lot less.
  4. Try and earn the cash to cover your purchases see following post for a few thoughts
  5. Keep us posted on how you are doing with your bargains, earnings and how you are
  6. Subscribe to this thread - come back to us! Click Thread tools above and click ‘subscribe’ then you can get emails to your inbox whenever there is a new post!
  7. At Christmas have a notepad ready, not only handy if you have children and they need to write thank you letters, but also if you need to re-gift an item, then your not giving it to the same person.
  8. Christmas Cards - What we do is recycle the Christmas cards into gift tags for the following Christmas, you can pick up a pair of kids scissors that have the patterned edges, and these are available for under Ј1.00
  Birthday Tags - You can also do the same with birthday cards.
  Save using Expensive Tags - What I do is before I wrap the present I cut a small strip of the side,
  Rose, Flower, Teddy -patterned paper - I cut around a design and use this as a matching tag.
  Spotted or plain paper - Cut a strip and make it into a cloud shape
  We'd love you to join us – feel free to join in whenever you feel like it.
• SURVEY SITES
  Valued Opinions (– Payment in voucher or ecard– can redeem for Amazon instantly or collect HMV,Tesco, Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, Topman, Marriot Hotel/Spa vouchers,Argos, Boots or donate to a charity. Paper vouchers usually arrive in 4 weeks.Surveys vary in length and payment. You will always be informed how long it should take, and they are generally spot on. On occasions there are opportunities to join online forums where you earn extra cash, in addition to the surveys.
  (You get notified when there is a survey)
  Onepoll – Payment at Ј40 Paid by BACS,Paypal or cheque. The surveys are very quick, and there are many a day, you need to keep checking back. Ј2.50 credit when you join.
  (You need to check for surveys, but do check as some are money others are not, so worth looking at them)
  Toluna – Payment when you reach 80,000 points, whichis equivalent to Ј15. The payment is made by paper voucher, and you can choose where to spend it. There’s HMV, , Debenhams, CD WOW, Halfords and Amazon (EVoucher but not instantly). This is the bugbear with toluna, payment can take anything from 6 – 10 weeks, it’s a bit hit and miss.
  (You get notified when there is a bigger points survey, but when you click onto the toluna site under "surveys" then "polls" there are small little ones which are a quick turnaround of points and are 15 points plus, but they do add up over time)
  NewVistaLive – Payment is according to how long your survey lasts, anything from Ј1 upwards. Payment is at Ј50 by cheque
  There is a seperate suvey company attatched within NewVistaLive - Clint - they pay the same ratio as NVL).
  .
  globaltestmarket - This is an American site, the payout can be by cheque or paypal, the minimum payout is 1,000 points, depending on the exchange rate is around Ј30, they also offer paypal, at the moment the payment minimum after 1,000 points, its 1087 points, and this is Ј30. There are now a lot of options regarding payment.
  (They contact you regarding surveys, the surveys are paid in points, but do check as some are sweepstakes)
  Maximiles - You have to opt to do surveys on the tab to be sent surveys. You also get points for clicking through the emails they send you and you can also watch videos and rate for 5 points on each. It is also a cashback site. Surveys are a bit scarce but it’s worth joining. There is a link on the site for freepoints, which is worth looking at too.
  You can order vouchers or gifts - though getting anywhere can take a while.
  (It is a mix of contacting you and you logging in)
  Swagbucks - Although it is an American site, the UK user can earn rewards, and presently swagbucks does have a good following.
  The main way to earn money through this site is it has a searchbar youcan download onto your computer. Every day you use their tool bar to search instead of Google. Occasionally you will be rewarded with between 5 and 50swagbucks, up to 4 times per day. Sometimes the site will ask you to write in a code so it isn't an autobot earning the reward.
  Pinecone Research - This is quite a private site, (in a nice way), as membership seems to be limited, and they send you surveys, and sometimes you get product trials,
  (Ј3 per survey if completed - they notify you, seems to average 1 a month- paid by paypal)
  My Survey- There online surveys, some are points (get paid) others nonpayable, it does say whether you get paid. Points vary according to the length of the survey.
  You can cash out from as little as Ј3 into paypal or save for vouchers or larger paypal amounts.
  (They notify you, but you can also log on and see if there are any surveys in your account).
  YOUGOV -There are payable surveys as well as the non-payable which they call "oracle", these tend to have a stronger chance of finishing the survey, as they tend to be based on your profile.
  Payment is at Ј50.00 - by bacs (direct bank transfer), surveys from 25p to Ј1.50
  (They notify you when a survey is available).
  There are other survey sites out and about, the best source to search them out are though the up your income threads, as survey companies come and go, your find ones you like and ones you dont. Always worth looking at the income thread.
• CASHBACK SITES
  Topcashback- With this you can earn cash back though purchases, such as % back on your orders, as well as free rewards, such as a search for insurance or ordering a sim card. With this there are two levels of membership, basic or premium which gives you a higher cashback and or this Ј5 is taken yearly from your earning, - if you do not earn Ј5 you don't pay.
  Depending on the purchases, you can get paid direct into your bank account, order amazon vouchers, Love to shop vouchers (or card).
  Quidco - Again this is the same principal astopcashback a % or a set amount of money, with this you can earn through purchases, freebies (such as insurance search, free sim card). If you have a smart phone you can also set up the package where you can recieve discounts instore and offers.
  This is again a Ј5 taken from membership - as long as you earn Ј5 per year.
  With both sites it is worth checking before making an online purchase as the rates can vary between the two sites. The sites are not always the fastest of payments, some cashbacks can take upto 4 to 6 months, depending on the offer and the company, but you can log into your account and see what stage the cashback is.
  There are others such as Captain Cash back, Quanti, Ilovecashback etc(Google them, you’ll find loads) but these are the ones above have the best payment reputation, and can intervene when things don’t go to plan.
  BECAREFUL - FOR EXAMPLE IF YOUR LOOKING FOR CAR INSURANCE AND YOU DO A GENERAL SEARCH AND YOU LIKE THE PRICE OF ONE OF THE COMPANIES QUOTED, YOU THEN LOOK AND SEE THAT THE COMPANY HAS A CASHBACK DEAL - THE PROBLEM CAN BE - THAT AS YOU WENT THROUGH A PRICE COMPARISON THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A QUOTE CREATED A LOG OF YOUR DETAILS SO YOU MAY NOT GET CASHBACK.
  THE OTHER POINT TO REMEMBER IS THAT CASHBACK IS NOT GUARANTEED,
  EG - I FIND AN INSURANCE ITS Ј100 DEARER THANN MY RENEWAL QUOTE BUT WILL GIVE ME Ј110 CACHBACK - SO I TAKE THE INSURANCE - THEN THE CASHBACK DOES NOT GET PAID FOR WHATEVER REASON - SO I AM WAY OUT OF POCKET.
  Disclaimer - This is just some general information and my personal thoughts, there here to give you an idea of what may or may not be available, and some suggestions hopefully to help you save towards the Birthday and the Festive Season.
• My Quick Guide to selling on eBay.
  To sell on eBay you must first have registered, and you must also have a PayPal account and a landline.
  To sell you click 'Sell' at the top left hand corner. This is really quick as all the categories are chosen for you. You just have to choose which one is better suited to your product and highlight it. It's really simple and self explanatory.
  At this point, you can choose to pay an extra 6p to have you listing finish at a time which is convenient to you AND your potential customers are at home (potentially placing last minute bids). If you are listing your items during the daytime, this is most highly recommended as you will recoup much more than 6p if you item sells. The best time for listings to end is anywhere between 6.30 and 10pm. The last minute bids can really bump up the prices.
  You have the option on both versions, to place the item on 'buy it now' this means that a buyer can purchase (at your stated price) at any time they require, without having to wait for the listing to end.
  You need to have items weighed and get some idea of postal charges. I get my information from www.royalmail.co.uk.
  In the My EBay 'Selling' section of the site, this is where all your information is held. You may see how much you item are listed for in red, and when it turns green you have a bid. Next to each listing is a counter of how many people are watching the item (with a view to placing a last minute bid of either just comparing to see if they can get it cheaper).
  Once the listing has gone green, the item will sell, whether or not you get further bids is whether or not other people require that item and are willing to pay more.
  When the listing ends, in My EBay section you will now have the option to send the winning bidder an invoice. Sometimes people pay, via PayPal before you have even sent this. This is when you know your item will be going to a good home, because they are eager to pay! Once they have paid the Ј sign icon will turn blue.
  You are now able to parcel up your package and post it. I like to put a little note in there, thanking them for their purchase. At this point you may leave feedback for them and mark the item as dispatched.
  You have now, posted your parcels, and left feedback. You can now sit back and await the positive feedback.
  If an item does not sell, you are able to re-list again. Re-listing is much more straightforward than starting the whole process again. In My EBay, on the item that did not sell, you will find the tag - re-list this item, press that and the process starts again, as if by magic!
  [COLOR="rgb(46, 139, 87)"]
  (Little mum2one add on - again personal thoughts)[/COLOR]
  When listing decide whether you want to take advantage of 1 day, 3 day, 7 day or 10 day listing, personally it depends on the listing and the time of the year.
  I find that if I can end an item on a Saturday or Sunday evening, then you tend to get the people that are at home, and have a better chance of last minute biddings.
  7 day Listing - List on a Saturday or Sunday
  10 day listing. Wed to end the following Sat, and Thurs to end on the Sunday.
  ---
  [COLOR="rgb(46, 139, 87)"]Listing.[/COLOR]
  Try to include as much relevant information as you can,
  eg - Selling Clothes
  Measure all options as you can be sure someone will leave it to the last minute to send a question about measurements, I also put in the listing if it is dry clean only or machine wash.
  Arm length - under arm measurement
  Bust - width from front and double that
  Inside Leg
  Total Length
  Skirt or trouser - Is it fixed waist or elastic.
  ------
  Free Listing Days
  Ebay do regular free listing days on items of 99p or more, - these are good if you have a more expensive item to sell and is good for buyers as there is more choices available, so you may lower as there will be choice.
  -----
  [COLOR="rgb(65, 105, 225)"]Fees.[/COLOR]
  It is not just the cost of postage, but the ebay listing fees, ebay final selling fees, (the item and postage) plus paypal - On both sites there are links to find out how much you would be paying if the item sells.
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• ALTERNATIVE SELLING METHODS
  Facebook Sellers Groups
  There are many different facebook sellers groups, there is no fee for selling within these groups, so it may be worth looking at this, - take a photo list the details, and whether you will deliever or they need to collect.
  FREEGLE / FREECYCLE
  These are not only for I no longer need these items but also for items being offered, with these if you are interested in an item for offer, you email the person, generally if it is a popular item there may be a lot of people who want the item, if your successful you get notified and go from there.
  CAR BOOT SALES / TABLE TOP SALES
  Most are lovely early morning starts, if the advert says 8am start, most of the time these could be as early as 6am starts.... Some venues you need to pre-book with, espically if it is an indoor venue or others such as schools may be running a car boot alongside a summer fayre and will have limited spaces.
  Prices do vary - general your looking at Ј5 per car, but sometimes you can get tables up, so if you can get a friend to go with you and share the cost.
  I would take drinks, a snack with me, plenty of change, some people prefer to price mark items, others a free for all, I personally try to price, as that way the buyer will have an idea of the cost, but be prepared to barter (both as a seller and buyer). Check your notes to make sure there not fakes as this does happen
  A quick tip, (try it at home 1st), is on the front of the note - almost central, near the top of the note same for Ј5, Ј10, Ј20 notes) the wording BANK OF ENGLAND this is raised, just a little but when you run your fingers across the rest of the note you can feel this raised section.
  FREE ADDS - LOCAL PAPER
  Most areas have free weekly paper, with ours you can list items up to Ј200 for free, check when the cut off date is for adverts, great for bulkier items.
   
• LOYALTY POINTS
  Remember to always use your cards for EVERY shop. It’s free money (well not free exactly, but if you were shopping there anyway ).
  NECTAR - THROUGH SAINSBURYS
  If you go onto the Nectar site and download their search bar, you are able to earn extra nectar points just for searching.
  You can also get Nectar points through many retailers including British Gas, but they are all on the website.
  For spending you can spend at anytime - you can spend get items on the website, such as days out, breaks, discounts on events or spend them in the supermarket.
  (points are credited to the card and are available or spending anytime)
  BOOTS POINTS -If you go via the Boots website you can sign up to TREAT STREET and earn points from other retailers.
  A bonus service, you can sign up to the Boots app, and this will give you immediate offers based on your previous purchases and offers.
  You also get statements through the post with bonus offer points
  Spending you can spend these anytime in store, I like to save mine for the sales
  .
  (Generally 4 points to Ј1, (4p) look out for special offers, from parenting, spend Ј50 get Ј12 rewards)
  TESC0-
  Sure this feels like the original scheme, collect points instore, online, petrol plus other retailers, there is more information on the website.
  To redeem - vouchers are sent out 4 times a year, with this comes a rewards booklet, (or you can redeem online) - you can use instore, as certain times of the year, they offer a "double up" promotion so your voucher becomes twice the face value, every Ј5 now be Ј10.
  Redeeming for offers, cineworld, Notional Trust, etc your voucher can be worth upto 4 times its face value,
  (Instore 1 point per pound spend, can also get green points for recyling bags, and if there is recycling machine, (think 4 cans = 1p) petrol 1 point per Ј2 petrol, plus other retailers)
  From experience - I have used some vouchers off a holiday, price between me paying for the holiday as Tesco part payment v me paying the lot, there was a difference in price, my difference was Ј12 dearer, but with looking at another site I had Ј50 vouchers, tripled would be Ј150 - but when I enquired the difference between using the voucher and not using it was Ј400 on a weeks holiday... so the Ј150 I would have used, I would have to find an additional Ј250... so shop around.
  Morrisons -they have revamped their loyalty card and now take into account the price match promotion from Morrisons and more - def worth signing up to.
  [COLOR="rgb(46, 139, 87)"]In general most retailers offer a loyalty program whether that is a coffee chain where you buy 6 drinks and get a free one, to a % spend in points, it is always worth collecting a loyalty card, even if it takes 12 months to get a free coffee, it would have cost you nothing so it's a bonus.[/COLOR]
• Reserve ... recap challenges x
• Morning mum2one and all who join us soon.
  I'm in again this year thank you for the new thread.
  Got a few birthdays to start me off in January so need to get those cards sorted and also. DH birthday but I've already got his pressie and I know DD3 will do a cake.
  Happy new year to us all
• Hi all
  Mum2one, glad you enjoyed your New Year's break and there weren't any dramas - or at least it seems that way. Having two toilets in the caravan sounds good.
  Thanks for running the new thread once again and please thank Miss Hoodie too for the lovely challenges especially when we get 'this month we will be gentle' so I know it won't be anything horrrid lol
  MrsM - you reminded me with January birthdays so I may have to write a monthly to do list like I used to on here.
• January to do list
  ASAP email gas meter reading
  ? make Xmas decs organisers from box of fabric
  clothes for MIL
  Form fill in
  make 2 dentist appts
  update diaries, make special occasions, bills etc timeline and list
  Monday - doctor pm
  ? Article write
  DS1 birthday gift and card
  Birthday collage envelope
  I.F birthday card
  Anniv card for Feb
  put away clutter moved at Xmas
  filing - plus reorganise all folders
  find exH's birth certificate
• Hi everyone, how are you doing?
  I've made a bit of progress - so edited my list
  pay new gas bill ****
  Form fill in - need to call them as errors on form
  2015 birthday/Christmas list, timeline bills etc
  Monday - doctor pm, DS2 Thursday-Sunday, dentist Monday week
  Article write
  card for DS2 and wrap gift ****
  Birthday collage envelope
  I.F birthday card
  Anniv card for Feb
  put in loft Xmas decs
  declutter bedroom, clothes, surfaces
  filing - plus reorganise all folders, write finance to do list
  find exH's birth certificate
• Hope everyone ok, ur making a good dent in the list Angela, think I will join u with a man list.
  Barter and pay gas cover
  Pay elec bill
  Dentist - crown has been fixed again go back Feb and april for treatment
  Eye specialist - [COLOR="rgb(65, 105, 225)"]Diabetic screening done, looks ok -[/COLOR]
  2 x evenings at school events
  Tidy and degut miss hoodies bedroom
  Recycle Xmas cards into tags - [COLOR="rgb(65, 105, 225)"]done tags for us, going to do some spares[/COLOR]
  Sort out Xmas cards - need to buy
  Birthday cards for yr
  Check spreadsheets for bday and Xmas - updated
  Money plan in diary
  Budget all directions
  List 10 things on eBay / sellers site
  Knit jumper x 2 - kids Xmas presents - [COLOR="rgb(65, 105, 225)"]1 done, 2nd started[/COLOR]
  Finish dolphin latch hook kit
  Start on kitchen - wash all units, new paper in, gut what don't need
  My bedroom - feels like an eternity since last sorted it - looks like bomb hit it
  Hospital apps dad - chemo review, oncologist, scan, eye review
  Sort out open uni free courses
  Sort out freezer.
  Sort out my tablet
  Arrange for miss hoodies tablet to go back - brought it for Xmas doesn't work - [COLOR="rgb(65, 105, 225)"]company sent me prepaid label - need to sort[/COLOR]
  Find all those missing chargers
  Sort and chuck 3 I e cream containers of leads etc
  That should keep me out of trouble for a bit!
  We had a bit of a set back this week grandad hoodie got admitted into hospital suspected pneumonia which turned out to be a chest infection - spent 7 hrs bed blocking in a&e then moved - no beds - needed a side rm due to the chemo, so they sent him home, on daily reviews with the oncology team.
• I have now done spreadsheet for this yrs bday and Xmas
  Bday - 7 to buy - budget Ј125
  Xmas - 30 to buy - budget Ј295
  Mothers day (inc Miss Hoodie needs to buy) - Ј52 (4 sets presents)
  me - mum Ј15
  Miss Hoodie - Me Ј15, nanny Hoodie Ј10, nanny P Ј7
  Fathers Day - Ј35
  me - Dad Ј15
  Miss Hoodie - Dad Ј15, grandad G - Ј5
  Family BDays
  Mum (70) - Ј100 from me Ј30 from Miss Hoodie
  Dad - Ј50 me, Ј15 Miss Hoodie
  Miss Hoodie - Ј500 (between me and parents - hoping to a big dent in from amazon - Ј400 for Ipad)
  ---
  Don't know if it is any help, but it semms to be today (Wednesday 14th jan) the Boots 70% sale, I have a batch of vouchers, so hopefully can make a big dent in the list, and money neutral...
  So pleased I have finished knitting the 1st xmas jumper 3/4 way through the 2nd one, - will get a pic sorted, even thou i say so myself really pleased with them. xx
• Mum2one I have read this thread for years and never posted but it has given me so many good tips and advice for getting ready for Christmas, so thank you. I've just subscribed to the not buying it thread as I really need to be debt free asap. My one exception is (besides the usual bills) Christmas and birthday presents for everyone. I'm hoping to do this for as little as possible. I already have Ј21 of stamps and Ј19 of points for various shops. Hoping with these and picking up bargains during the years I can come in on my very small budget.
  Looking forward to properly joining in with the Santa's Challenges if you'll have me.
• A big hi Jellybean, hope your ok, drag a chair in, share the Xmas chocs and a glass of wine! Xx
  I have to say a very successful shop at boots, spent the vouchers raided all my points, quite funny as I was filling a bag then dumping it with grandad hoodie when I got another.
  My best bargain was the big soap and glory box, the one trip to the till the lady in front of me had brought it back and they were about to put it on the shelf, so I saved the cashiers legs and offered to buy it, at Ј16 it was a bargain.
  All listed, got to update spreadsheet but early indications are I should get at least 75% of my list filled.
  Xx
• Hi Jellybean welcome to the group
  Mum2one, how is Grandad Hoodie now? He's had a set back not long ago.,
  Well done on your budgeting and Boots bargains.
  My progress has been hampered by appointments and errand days and now my back has been playing up I've had to move the laptop from the computer room into the bedroom so I can stand up and use it - hence a clutter landslide
  Heaven knows when I'll get all this sorted and it's making me feel stressed.
  January to do list
  Thursday (tomorrow) DS2
  Sunday give his presents and bring MIL's clothes
  Form fill in - phone them first as dates inaccurate
  Monday - dentist
  ? Article write
  Birthday collage envelope for the visit afterwards
  I.F birthday card
  Anniv card for Feb
  write bill - events - timeline
  put away clutter moved at Xmas from understairs
  bedroom clutter - also moved to computer room
  filing - plus reorganise all folders
  find exH's birth certificate
• Hi Angela - grandad hoodie gave us a fright thought it was going to be long stay hospital, he's still got the end of the cough but he's 95% better than last week, sounds daft but the blood transfusion put colour back into his cheeks.
  Glad I'm not the only one who still has the Xmas stuff to move! Miss hoodie has started her bedroom as to when she finishes it is anyone's guess!!
  Cookery on Friday - shes doing a crumble not sure what fruit depends what I get from Mr t.
  Shouldn't laugh - but - took her to see the Steven hawking film the theory of life, (her choice of film) at the end she pipes up - oh he's not dead then.... Then on the credits says he turned down a knighthood so there's me as were leaving trying to explain that he is/was a socialist and explaining about that, this bloke behind me started laughing and said I did a good explanation. Me goes very red.....
  Plan at weekend to list 10 things between eBay and local fb sellers - miss hoodie going to town and swimming sat, there not meeting to dinertime as 10am is far to early.....
  Then Sunday - tissues to the ready our cinema has dolphin tale 2 on kids showing - can't wait... Xx
• Christmas 2014 is all packed up, but this thread was so useful to me last year, I'd definitely like to join in!
  I'm really hoping to be able to have a 'cash neutral' Christmas and birthday presents for this year, unfortunately there are lots of birthdays in January and February I need to pay for - I better get back to the survey sites
• Hi everyone,
  Feel as if I been absent forever.
  I'm not suppose to be here now, we were suppose to be on holiday but had to fly back two weeks early due to problems at home.
  It's great to see new faces and is old un's
  Sorry not been in touch M21 but my what a eventful december / jan we've had. How did your break go? And glad to see grandad hoodie getting better
  A big thank you for starting this thread, this is going to be the only one in doing this year.
  Well what else can I tell you, the sale of my house goes through today...I hope
  The house we moved into (smaller house) has got a ghost lol . It flushes toilet randomly. The electrics keep blowing up . Rewire needed. The roof leaking . The kitchen is being renewed. Should have been done while we're away but be back so it chaos. And the plumber here fitting out the bathroom. And a plumber here fitting boiler and radiator. ...
  And son decides he'll invite friends for weekend.
  Bear in mind as we wasn't suppose to be here it shouldn't have been chaos like this
  Anyhow stop the moaning it doesn't help. I'm off out today . Going to ikea and out for lunch. Not to buy but use the toilets and keep warm lol
  Angela - nice to see you back :-)
  Moneyenny -ditto
  Hi to jellybean and frugal flirter x