I’ve really enjoyed your responses to my first “How I Plan To Spend Less Than $50 on Christmas This Year” post. (Whew—should’ve picked a shorter title. I might need a coffee break and I’m only getting started!)
It also helped me realize that I should clear a few things up:
1) I plan on spending no more than $50 after all of my other resources have been used up. (You will have to stick around for the next few weeks to find out what those resources are!) I do have many resources that will allow me to purchase much more than $50 worth of gifts. We simply won’t feel it in our budget.
So have no fear, Mom. You will still receive a lovely gift.
2) I. don’t. do. crafts.
It’s not that I don’t wish I was craftier. I see what my friend Beckie does with her hands on a daily basis and I sigh a little sigh of jealousy. It’s just not my thing.
So, part 2 of the plan is NOT that I will be knitting enough scarves and sweaters and socks to clothe all those on my Christmas list. Sorry if that’s a disappointment.
3) Much of my plan involves some long-term thinking. So, it will most likely not be feasible for you to implement it for this Christmas. But, I hope that I can encourage you to put my strategy into place now for next Christmas. I know you will be glad you did.
That being said, I will share one aspect of the plan that you can begin right now.
I spent a good chunk of time yesterday filling out my rebate information that has been piling up. I posted about these rebates here, here, here, and here. I think many people discount rebates as a ploy that companies use to get you to buy their product. However, when used properly, they are a great way to save money!
When all is said and done, I will have spent less than $10 out of pocket for the above rebates which are around $40-$50 in value. My plan is to put that money directly into my Christmas fund. (Or if it’s a product, I can use it as a gift!)
Do you want to get started on this idea? Here are some rebates that are currently available. (As well as some great ideas on how to use them!)
- SC Johnson $5 Rebate –Can be submitted 3 times! (Check out my deal idea here.)
- Kellogg’s Free DVD Rebate (Check out my deal idea here.)
- Kellogg’s $10 Toy Voucher Rebate (See previous deal idea.)
Did I miss any?
Looking forward to hearing even more on this topic!
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Looking forward to hearing even more on this topic!
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
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Do you have the Nabisco back to school coupon book + 2 rebates (one for first half one for second half)? They were available at grocery stores-got mine in early October…If you didn’t get one here is the link to request one from Nabisco:
http://www.nabiscoworld.com/back-to-school/
The rebates are good for $20, and the first one uses receipts from at least August (may even be July-can’t find mine right now
) thru December, the second one is for January-at least May.
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This is an awsome idea. Wish I had started sooner… Since I just started couponing I am putting together gift baskets for all the girls on my list. And after some of the sweet deals over the last month I am starting with Glade candles, Chapstick, hand Lotion and trident. Even some of my Walgreens filler items seem approiate with scented highlighters. Add in a couple of small personal trinkets that match each ones personality and I should be in good shape.
For one friend we decided to make him a chili basket. So far we have Free tabasco, free cans of Hunts tomato sauce, we are even adding Zantac and Beano freebies as a funny twist. I’m looking for a chili spice and noodle deal and I guess we will add a gift certificate for the beef.
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kaleyehret Reply:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:31 pm
LOVE your ideas, Paula!
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[...] (In case you are new around these parts, I am planning on spending no more than $50 on Christmas this year–without being a Scrooge or knitting a single thing. You can read parts 1 and 2 here and here.) [...]