Over the years many, including my husband have thought that I am totally nuts but with finances tight and family only ever-expanding, paying full price is not really an option for us and after totting up on the big present wrapping day of all those muchly appreciated half price bargains most years we average a saving of over £200! … Which is certainly not to be sniffed at!
I start my christmas in earnest on Boxing day and hit the online sales for my general gifts, smelly packs and gift packs make up the base of all the present we give to family and then through the year as one family member mentions something they my like in passing we tend to research to get a great deal and buy it when it comes up …
For Joshua I tend to buy the basics for him in the sales, such as games and toys that are classic and that don’t date, then add in some bubble bath type sets and then the icing on the cake is I collect my Tesco Clubcard vouchers throughout the year and then double them up towards the end of the year when you get twice as much for your voucher value on clothing, toys and games and I tend to be able to pick up his ‘most wanted’ item/s for half the cost! – Although these are the only bits of Christmas shopping I have left to do after September as he won’t know till nearer the time what he wants, however if I can still bag a half cost bargain by using vouchers I am in!
All my wrapping paper, decorations and card are all bought in the sales and saved in the loft for the next year and although my husband thinks I am nuts … till I tot up what I have saved … It has kind of become a habit over the last 12 years and without a doubt it is the thrill of the sale! … the key to making sure you save money not waste it is knowing who you are buying for and what item will go to who … it’s no good buying tons of sale items because they are cheap but come the following Christmas the half price bargains are not going to fit anyone you buy for!
For me not only does it save a small fortune but it also massively saves my sanity, I hate shopping and more to the point I hate shopping in December, the pushing and shoving and the stress of it all really does make me feel ill so now I sit online for the most part and buy it in the sales! … I read an article recently that made me feel a little less odd at my sale shopping ways as the article in the Mirror confirms I am not alone and many people now shop this way *phew*
I know this might to some sound like a really mad thing to do, and don’t get me wrong it does take some practice to ensure your buying the right things for your recipients (never buy chocolates, or food related items the use by dates tend to be short) but it’s worked well for us over the 14 years so here’s to lots more money-saving in the years to come!