OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2012

Welcome to Cents To Save! Follow along as we pay down our debt, become mortgage free, and enjoy life. You can read more about this site here and subscribe to get all the latest updates sent to you by email or RSS feed here. Thanks for visiting!

$500 Christmas Challenge Update


I tend to spend a lot of time at Target on my lunch hours... and I scour the Clearance shelves and racks looking for the best deals I can find.  This week, I found these boxes of Yankee Candle Votives.There are 18 per box, and there were marked down from $19.95 to $4.98.  I am going to use some of the for my personal use, but I was thinking I can add a couple of these in to Birthday gift bags.. ( the Vanilla Icing ones) and the Apple Berry Spice I can use around the Holidays for friends and family.   What do you think?


Here is my updated $500 Christmas Challenge Update Chart.  I have to say, by documenting what I am buying for Christmas I know exactly what I have on hand.  Before I would buy an item early on in the year and then completely forget about it and end up overspending (again) at Christmas.

My Biggest challenge is going to be shopping for my teen age grandsons. Seriously... I do not know what to get them. Any Suggestions?

My Amazon Gift Card total earned from Swag Bucks is 120.00.  That is pretty cool, and easy to earn.

Here is my chart....

 GIFT ITEM PURCHASED
RECIPIENT

SPENT
HOW I GOT IT FOR LESS THAN FULL PRICE




Knitted scarf

Granddaughter # 1
6.98
3.48
Marked down at Target 75%
Rimmel Lip Gloss
Granddaughter # 1
0.75
Marked down 75% at CVS
Rimmel Lip Gloss
Granddaughter # 2
0.75
Marked down 75% at CVS
Pair of Monkey of Socks
Granddaughter  # 2
1.75
Marked Down 75% at /Target
Two pairs of Paul Frank Monkey Socks
Granddaughter #3
6.00
Marked down at Target 45%
Rimmel Lip Gloss
Granddaughter # 3
0.75
Marked down 75% at CVS
Red Converse Sneakers
Grandson # 4
5.00
Marked down 75% at Target
Physicians Formula Eye Shadow Kit
Daughter
3.50
Marked Down 75% at CVS
Rimmel Lip Gloss
Daughter
0.75
Marked down 75% at CVS
Marilyn Monroe
Blanket
Daughter
23.00
Spencer’s
Full Price
Physicians Formula Eye Shadow Kit
Son’s Girlfriend
3.50
Marked Down 75% at CVS
 Rimmel Lip Gloss

Sons’ Girlfriend
0.75
Marked down 75% at CVS
Rimmel Lip Gloss
Daughter In Law
0.75
Marked down 75% at CVS
Blanket
Dad
5.00
Ross
Marked down 60%
Rimmel Lip Gloss
Friend’s Daughter
0.75
Marked Down 75% CVS
Knitted Scarf
Target
Friend’s Daughter
3.48
Marked down 75% t
Rimmel Lip Gloss
Friend
0.75
Marked Down 75% CVS
2 boxes of “Yankee Candle” Votive candles (18) per box
To use in gift bags for Birthdays and Christmas
4.98 each
10.00 total
Marked Down 75% Target

TOTAL SPENT SO FAR
71.00


120.00 in Amazon Gift Cards to spend 

Have you started shopping for Christmas yet?  I know, it April.... but if you start now you will not be so stressed doing last minute shopping that will cost you an arm and a leg!

If you have started, Share your great deal here!


Swag Bucks To Date: 2100
How I am using my Swag Bucks

8 comments:

Niki said...

Wowza $120, that is awesome.
I was feeling pretty good with $30.

You Christmas shopping is going really well. We have a goal of $1200, but I think we might lower it to $1000.

Lisa said...

I am oping to keep at close to 500.00... but my husband tends to want big "toys" for Christmas... and they usually come from Home Depot or Lowes....

The Swagbucks.. /Amazon gift cards.. they add up quick. Have you tried the Watch SBTV button...that helps boost up the total

Anonymous said...

Lisa, you're doing really well with your Christmas shopping. You're an inspiration!

Lisa said...

Thanks Jan! Last year I was not prepared at all for Christmas... it was EXPENSIVE!!

Louise said...

oh gosh you are so organised! thats a great idea.

I'm going to earn some itunes gift cards for my kids and keep them for Christmas. thats a much planning as I've done

Jane said...

I am saving $100/month towards Christmas this year - I've never done THAT before so I'm feeling pretty good about myself. But no shopping yet!

Jane said...

I am saving $100/month towards Christmas this year - I've never done THAT before so I'm feeling pretty good about myself. But no shopping yet!

Lisa @Cents To Save said...

Thanks Jan! Last year I was not prepared at all for Christmas... it was EXPENSIVE!!

ShareThis