Since being away from home on this cruise it’s given me time to have a break from comping, and because I’m not entering any I can’t wait to start again! And I always find September a bit of a fresh start for me and competitions. The kids are back to school, the long summer break is all but forgotten and I’m back into my routine!

 

Now is about the time I start thinking about preparing what I call my Christmas box (oh shush!! I didn’t really say that word did I?); where comp wins make up a box of presents for friends and family. So I’m always on the look-out for competitions where the prizes are things like toys and electrical items. And being organised means that when it comes to you know, the ‘C’ word, I usually have a little stash of goodies ready to wrap!

 

Also as we head further into the autumn months you’ll find the comps really step up a ramp and often there are some fantastic prizes available in the lead up to December. So now is the time to really start organising your comping so you are ready for the onset. Here are my top tips for being an organised comper.

 

• Ensure you keep on top of your emails daily (I tend to try and go through mine a few times a day either on my phone or iPad so that when I’m ready to sit down in the evening and comp I can concentrate just on entering competitions).
• Try and structure your comping routine so that you can stay a good few days ahead of closing dates – this should ensure you don’t miss any good ones.
• If you like to dabble in creative ones set aside some separate time to do this; when you can concentrate properly. Prize draws are very quick and easy to enter and they really don’t require much thought whereas the creative ones usually require a bit more ‘brain’ time.
• Make time for your hobby – I always comp in the evenings as daytimes are pretty busy what with work, kids and a home to run so once the kids are settled and we’ve had our dinner I comp whilst the hubby watches trashy TV!
• Keep a spreadsheet or a notebook of your wins; that way it’s easy to chase up any late ones.

 

And my top tip for comping is, above all, enjoy it! It is after all only a hobby and one that can give us fantastic rewards and not one that we should feel bogged down by. It’s good to sometimes have a break which is why September always leaves me with a fresh and renewed energy for this great past time!

 

Happy comping all!

 

Sammy x