Tuesday 6 November 2012

Uk's Smartest Shopper

The Results


Well I didn't win. Sad face. 
However .......

  • I hadn't thought I was good enough to even enter!
  • I didn't expect to get to the final 10 out of 600 .
  • I learnt so much putting together the entry and learning about how to submit a You Tube video ( Steep Learning Curve!)
  • I got this far having only been writing for a short time and it has spurred me on to do more.
  • I realised this Thrifty lifestyle and Budgeting Nonsense is actually really important to me! Who'd have thought it?
  • I had a trip to London with no kids and my OH had to drive the kids to Cornwall without me - Oh yeah ( only a parent will understand my complete and utter joy at that.)
The interview was nerve wracking for me. I've been a Mum at home for the past 9 years. The closest I've got to an interview are the ones I go to at school to hear how my kids are behaving  doing. I did treat myself to a dress to wear, although it only cost me £20 from Dorothy Perkins and will do for Christmas too....see , thrifty through and through!!  I dressed it up with a smarter belt, dusted off my black blazer and court shoes of old and looked half way presentable. Although I must admit to changing into the shoes in the loos in Pret a Manger round the corner from the interview as I can't walk in them anymore, more of a stomp and a trip. I had what I call my London Underground Shoes on! Shhh don't tell. I'm a country girl at heart. I also got caught in a heavy rain shower and the Bakerloo Line was closed for the day so I had to do some last minute panicking re planning of my route.

Despite all these last minute glitches, the team at  Savoo were welcoming and professional as always once I arrived. A lot of time and effort had gone into this day and competition and you could see it meant as much to them as it did to each one of the finalists. It was great to meet some of the Savoo team again and to meet a couple of new faces on the interview panel. The panel consisted of a couple of fabulous bloggers .Check these ladies out if you haven't already, but beware you can easily lose a day or two in their blogs and not notice! Miss Thrifty and A Thrifty Mrs. The other two on the panel were Simon, the managing Director of Savoo who is fantastically encouraging and welcoming at all times and Mark Lockley from The Guardian. He has also written a book called How to Pay Less For More. Some fabulous hints and tips on a huge array of topics from him!




I don't know what they thought of me. I don't know how I came across. I hope I presented myself well. I know my mind goes blank at times and I kick myself afterwards, but you know for a mum of 3, emerging from a decade at home. I don't think I did too bad!



So , congratulations to the worthy winner ,Annie , You will have a great time working with Savoo. What  dealings I have had with them so far they have been nothing short of professional and extremely encouraging. I shall look forward to following your new blog and money saving ideas with avid enjoyment! 


26 comments:

  1. Congratulations - what an achievement and I don't just mean the child-free drive to Cornwall.

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    1. Thank you - and the drive was an achievement for my OH too! X

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  2. Well done Claire...I must check out the other blogs too:)
    ~Anne xx

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    1. Thank you Anne - do they make interesting reading! x

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  3. Well, I will have to check my notes, but IIRC we thought you were terrific! We loved your charity shop chutzpah, and also your natural poise - I would never have guessed that you changed in Pret & couldn't walk in your shoes. The final decision was so very tough; I think that just to get to the final 30, let alone the final 10, is quite some achievement.

    Miss T x

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    1. Why thank you Miss T! It was a great experience - you had a tough job , so well done! Xx

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  4. Well done you, that's a fabulous achievement and I hope you're really proud of yourself. And oh how I laughed at the OH taking the kids to Cornwall on his own :)

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    1. He did well in the end, but I had to laugh too!! X

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  5. Thats fabulous! I love Savoo, well done for getting so far and for being so brave. I would be so so nervous doing something like that and I have meet clients etc all the time. well done you! xx

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    1. Thank you - I was nervous. I didnt expect to get anywhere, but once I did I sort of had to go for it!! Savoo are great! X

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  6. Congrats, you did brilliantly. Doesn't matter that you didn't win, you took part and got a lot out of it!! Well done x

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  7. I think it's fabulous that you joined the competition. I just had to laugh at the comment that you nipped into the loo to change your shoes. I'm usually left in awe at the young girls who traipse up and down the stairs in the tube station in 5" heels. LOL! Your hubby is a brave man. I wouldn't try driving to Cornwall with 3 kids on my own. I couldn't stop chuckling at your caption on the family photos in the previous post. Too funny. That's right, mom's the real boss :P

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    1. Funny thing is I used to be able to walk in shoes like that - now it is wedges or boots for every day! I dont know how they manage in the Underground with heels - it is dangerous!!!!LOL X

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  8. Well done for getting so far in the competition. At least you had a lovely day to yourself xx

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  9. Top ten? That is quite an accomplishment! You must know how I smiled when reading that you changed your shoes on the way! I'm so glad you had a positive experience.

    The fact that you mentioned such nice things about the hosting company, the winner and the experience itself, all speak to how classy you are :)

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    1. It seems we have rather a lot in common!!! They have gone back in the wardrobe until the next important meeting! I can walk in wedges, but lady heels hurt after a while !! And thank you for the nice comment. The company are a lovely company so it is easy to be gracious , even though it would have been lovely to win!! X

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  10. Well done for getting so far and how nice that you had a good day out without children :0) xx

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  11. Well done Claire you should be very proud - top 10 from 600 is absolutely fantastic! I could never attempt anything like this - I really admire you! ( + I so cannot walk far in heels anymore only perhaps when I've had a few!)

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    1. Thanks Jenny! A good experience. I need to practice in the shoes. Wedges and chunky heels are fine, but ladylike shoes and being a mum dont mix so Ive got out of the habit!! Lol XX

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  12. Fabulous for getting so far - you did great in my eyes. I've come across A Thrifty Mrs before and enjoy her reviews - I liked her fringe trimming post - essential for someone like me with hair permanently in their eyes - honestly you'd think I was a teenager! I hear you about the shoes - no one needs to know you changed in Pret and I don't blame you either. I believe in comfort before beauty.

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    1. Thank you Sue - you are lovely. I like A Thrifty Mrs too - very approachable and normal! Exactly re the shoes - maybe I should have gone in my wellies - it was raining after all! Xx

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