I am an absolute lover of Groupon. I think the idea behind it is fantastic, and I love having the opportunity to treat myself to things I really ordinarily wouldn’t justify in my budget. There’s always someone in the family that needs new shoes before I can have a massage. There’s always something that takes priority over something I might like to treat myself on. But with Groupon, there’s actually the option of doing something nice for myself or for people I care about from time to time.

Recently I was given a £100 Groupon voucher to spend on whatever.I.want.  You have no idea how rare that is. Even though I do work and do earn an income, it really isn’t money that goes in my pocket.  I’m sure at least one or two you of you know what that’s like? And the upside is that Groupon doesn’t sell baby stuff, or pay bills, or do grocery shops… so you have no choice but to spend it on something nice.

So what did I do with my £100? I bought dinner for myself and my husband – we’ve not been out to dinner in over a year – and I’ll give him the voucher for that on Valentines day, so we can go two weeks later when my sister is visiting and can look after Ameli for us.  I bought a one-hour massage and facial for two for myself and my sister for after I’ve had Squidgy – nothing like throwing Daddy in the deep end for an hour or two! And I still have £40 left! I’m being very selective about what I’m going to do with that. Buy myself another massage for later in the year? Spoil a friend in need with something?

A few months ago, I even bought a £140 photo shoot for just £29 and it expires when Squidgy will be about two months old, so we have time to have a professional family photoshoot with our new born!

Perhaps a family day out? Or a wine tasting party at home for myself and six friends – maybe for my birthday?  I could even get my living room repainted, although not for £40.

My plan for next Christmas is to put a few treats from Groupon into our Advent activity calendar, so while some days we’ll stay home and bake a cake, other days we might have a family adventure golf day. Some days we might go to the park, other days we might go to a theme park or local attraction, all at massively reduced prices, and because I’m buying packages throughout the year – it won’t all cost at once (although there are date restrictions, so do keep those in mind!)

I’ll let you know how our Groupon days we’ve already bought go in February… I can’t wait for a bit of ‘special’ time.

 

*Update 1/02/12: Regular readers will know I’m a huge fan of Green People, and today Groupon have a FANTASTIC offer of 60% off Green People products. £12 for £30 of Green People products.

Competition

Groupon have kindly offered readers two chances to win a £50 voucher.  Head on over to Groupon now and see what the offers in your area are today, then come back here and let me know which you would spend the £50 on if you won. (Remember Groupon offers are only available for purchase for one day, so you won’t actually get that offer, but if you win, you’ll get a £50 to spend on any upcoming offers you choose!)

You can also follow Groupon UK on Facebook.

For an additional entry, sign up to receive our Competitions Only RSS feed or the standard RSS  and leave a second comment below to say which one you’ve signed up for.

This competition ends at 23:59 on 13 February 2012 and the winner will be randomly drawn using Random.org

WINNERS:

Please read the competition rules.

You do not have to tweet or share this competition to enter, but doing so helps ensure that I can keep bringing you competitions! You can subscribe to Diary of a First Child by RSS or email. You can also follow us on Facebook or on Twitter. We hope to see you back again soon!

133 Comments

Groupon – Win Two £50 Vouchers (UK Only)

  1. I would spend it on the photoshoot and canvas print as the last time we had a family portrait done was around 20 years ago!

  2. Fully Installed Loft Insulation for £29 with Loft Space Insulation (Cardiff).

    That would be the sensible option, then hopefully a massage with the change.

  3. I would love to win the One Night Stay For Two With Breakfast at Great Trethew Manor as restaurant serves wild meats including bison and zebra, which is something I’ve never tried before.

  4. This is the current deal in my area;
    300 Sq. Ft of Carpet Cleaning for £29 from Supreme Carpet Cleaners (Up to 72% Off)

    If I won the voucher I would put it towards a spa day 🙂

  5. I’d get a Two Hour Domestic Deep Clean for only £19, and I’d use the rest to treat myself to a cut and blow dry. What a treat!

  6. I’d go for the Two Night Stay For Two at the Legacy Preston International Hotel, it looks like a real treat. I’ve used Groupon before, they’re such great value!

  7. Our 20th wedding anniversary is in August so I’d put it towards one of the hotel weekend deals. If hubby behaves I might bring him too.

  8. I would spend it on the Choice of Two Treatments including Massage and Manicure Plus Welcome Refreshments for £22 at SpaBliss in Newcastle, I would buy 2 of these so that I could treat my daughter at the same time.

  9. Well, I’d spend it on ‘Overnight Stay For Two With Cocktails, Dinner and Breakfast for £65 at the Dog and Partridge Country Inn’ because as you quite rightly put it, with Groupon you have no choice really but to treat yourself! I picked this particular deal as me and DH were due to head out this weekend for a ‘pre valentines, valentines meal’ but – as ever when you have children – illness of the little people meant we had to cancel. I love my kids but I was a little disappointed as we rarely get the chance to shirk responsibility for an evening and pretend we are 21 again. These things happen though, and I am learning that with children plans are often abandoned! Thanks for the grea competition and for the interesting blog – will be following this from now on 🙂

  10. I’d use it for the Full Head Highlights Plus Cut and Conditioning Treatment for £22 at Salon Hair & Beauty (Up to 79% Off)in birmingham

  11. I would spend it on the driving lessons for my daughter – then she would not treat my like her taxi service – even though she is 24!!!!

  12. I’m from Wolverhampton so would get all of this:-

    A tarot reading (£12), if it didnt predict any accidents I’d go on for an adventure climbing experince (£9), and then refuel lost energy by eating tapas (£16).

    After all of this I’d have plenty of change so I’d also get a teeth whitening kit (£19) and pay the extra £6.

    Thanks for the competition, I am following on twitter/like on facebook. Rebecca x

  13. Three Course À La Carte Lunch For Two at Les Trois Garçons it might just encourage my hubby to take me to see a london show like he promised!

  14. I’m signed up to Groupon in various areas so get tempting offers every day! Out of todays selection I’d probably choose the overnight stay for 2 with dinner, cocktails and breakfast at the Dog and Partridge Country Inn. It just seems like a lovely luxury treat. But they always have great deals on Spa’s, haircuts, hotels…it would be easy to spend the vouchers!!! Thanks for the competition.

  15. Yesterday I was very tempted to buy Life Balance and Financial Freedom Course for £29 with Creative Life Solutions (Surrey) but again I though, I have other things to spend money on… And you’re right, even though sites like groupon offer treats for low prices, but you still do need money to buy it, so always hesitate to do it if it is spending money just for my pleasure. Unless I have a won a voucher, then I could get spoiled.

  16. Child (£9) or Adult (£14) Adventure Climbing Experience at The Adventure Ropes Course (Up to 63% Off) (Birmingham)

    sign up to receive your Competitions RSS feed on Google+ and liked on facebook, tweeted (@debsjeav)

  17. I’d get some bargainous fairy lights for the garden and perhaps a little more sensible considering the season – a double electric blanket!

  18. Four Hours of Beginners’ Driving Tuition (Nottingham).

    If I won the vouchers I’d buy the driving lessons for my sister :o)

  19. DNA Food Intolerance and Allergy Test (£69). This Is something I’ve always fancied doing. I’m curious to find out what exactly bloats me out, gives me upset tummy etc.

  20. I would use it on one of the getaways as we have recenty had a baby and it would be nice to get away for a little break. Thanks 🙂

  21. I would have a romantic break with my beau at Gomersal Park Hotel in Manchester which would also handily place me close to lots of lovely shops – bonus!

  22. The gliding session looks great on today’s Groupon deal, I would love to go with my boyfriend and surprise him (lets hope he likes gliders!!)

  23. Very tempting offer today in Bradford: Spa Day Plus Choice of Treatment For One (£39) or Two (£69) at Waterfall Spa (Up to 74% Off). Sounds fab!

    Thank you for a lovely competition.

  24. I would love todays York Groupon – Two Courses of Gastro Pub Fare For Two (£16) or Four (£30) at Judson’s Wine Bar & Dining (Up to 64% Off)

  25. Overnight Country Break For Two With Bubbly and Breakfast On Choice of Days for £35 at The Royal Arms -that’s up to 69% off!
    What a treat. It’s great to explore and a bargain break is lovely to share.

    Following on Twitter @pjo77

  26. My friend gave me a Groupon for a 3 hour beauty salon massage/facial/manicure experience, it was lovely and I would definitely do something similar!

  27. I would use it towards a spa day for me and my hubby for valentines day 😀
    have liked on fb and recieve your competition feeds 😀

  28. Oooo, how could I resist – like you luxuries for me are on the back burner. You have some lovely treats lined up – good for you!
    I’ve just been having a nose and I’d be tempted by the Tui Na massage – I’ve seen those advertised before and they sound awesome. My husband once tried to learn to do it for me, but ya know, bless him – it wasn’t really that good LOL!
    There are some amazing spa experiences too. Hmmmm, so much choice – thanks for running the competition, I know they take time and energy to organise so I appreciate it

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