At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to have a mostly free Christmas this year. I have used Swagbucks, MyPoints, Cashcrate & InboxDollars, survey sites, and a few credit card rewards to meet this goal.
I cashflowed approx $66 as I found things I liked for future gifts.
I earned $147.07 in Amazon Gift cards (plus $79.99 that I used for a reel lawn mower).
I earned $437.67 in cash - through rewards, gift cards, ect that I turned into cash.
This totals $651.13.
My goal is 760.38 which includes budget for:
-gifts for family/friends
-my boyfriends end of November bday
-my 2 nephew's bdays (in December)
-my neices bday in the fall
-fudge for coworkers/neighbors
-homemade coasters
-mom's bday in Late october
-Christmas cards
-Uncles card/postage to england
-small decor additions
-work friends Happy HOur
-big New Year's Eve outting - funds for weekend
Once I reach the goal (and I will based on Mypoints cards about ready to cash in) - I will work to build a gift budget for the rest of birthdays in the year and eventually 2013's budget. My swagbucks earnings have taken a bit of a dive lately, so I will have to work to maintain this level. I find this fun
Soooo close to meeting my Mostly Free Christmas 2012 Goal!
June 23rd, 2012 at 08:28 pm
June 23rd, 2012 at 08:54 pm 1340481268
It takes a lot of willpower from Thanksgiving to New Years to stick with decisions made in January. I'm sure you're not going to be shoved into overspending by those clever marketing mavens who bombard us with their buy, buy, buy message.
June 23rd, 2012 at 09:07 pm 1340482071
June 23rd, 2012 at 10:09 pm 1340485795
June 24th, 2012 at 01:41 am 1340498477
June 24th, 2012 at 02:27 am 1340501259
August 27th, 2012 at 07:00 pm 1346090434
I noticed that you are a member of mypoints. I’m a member of mypoints too. I usually order the walgreens gift cards with the points that I earn.
Have you tried swagbucks? You can earn digital dollars and redeem them to purchase any of several gift cards, and/or products. I earn most of my swagbucks by searching the web and watching videos on SBTV (swag bucks tv), but there are several ways to earn those digital dollars. You can be my referral if you want. Here is the referral link: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/kaay81