To be somewhat enjoying 'the lean times'?

[SuckingDownDarjeeling]

Extremely lighthearted.

So while finances aren't currently great, I feel reassured that in the near future things will be better for the Darjeelings.

In the meantime, in order to make money stretch, I have been teaching myself to repair my own clothes and last year I taught myself to crochet. Very soon I plan to make winter clothes for DC and a fancy scarf for me. I like to cook from scratch and I've found it fun putting together pantry items (sometimes).--

Sitting down after DC go to sleep and patching up clothes, I've actually found it enjoyable! I'm also trying to lose weight in order to fit back into pre-DC clothes, so that should also be a nice addition back to my wardrobe.

I imagine when DC are older and they're banging on about needing £30 for something or other, I'll be preaching 'back when you were little 'uns I was stitching our clothes back together' (I imagine saying this in an old-timey cockney accent).

Yes there's all sorts I'd love to enjoy, sometimes things are worrisome, and I very much look forward to the day where things aren't as fraught financially, but I'm not focusing on that and I'm sure it will pass.

Has anybody else had a 'lean' period and has fond memories of it?

yes, we did something like this when the dc were young, some of our ideas we used the dc still use today in their own homes. we paid off the mortgage early as a result. but it was interesting and we still do stuff today, we reduce, reuse, recycle, repair and relove

So while finances aren't currently great, I feel reassured that in the near future things will be better for the Darjeelings

This is your key. How do you know things are going to get better?

Why, the lottery of course!

Nah, honestly, when DC are older I'll be going back to work. I have a skill so hopefully I can get a decent wage when I return. We also have other things in the pipeline which will hopefully come through sooner rather than later 🤞🏻

@romeolovedjulliet the reason I thought to create the thread was because I was thinking I'm not keen on the idea of going back to just buying new clothes when I do actually have the means. I'd honestly rather repair them, it's cathartic and makes me feel like I've achieved something

I’m with you I am amazed at how much money was “wasted” on little luxuries which weren’t needed. I’m a little proud of seeing how much we can scrape by on bought a sewing machine and while I’m far from good I’m liking to squeeze out as much use from things as I can.
That said we’ve had a two week holiday with some treats and now back to my frugal little ways while my OH is unlikely to earn.
Keeping positive is one of the nicer things in life

I see what you mean, but I don't think we're truly in lean times, compared to many people. I mend and cook from scratch too. I love craft, but crafting is often pricier than primark/supermarket/charity shop clothes.

If you were really struggling, you'd be relying on food banks, and skipping meals to feed the kids. It doesn't sound like you're there (yet) so you're still one of the lucky ones.

Frugal treats can still be lovely though.

I know what you mean op but in a different way. We are in our caravan and so very limited space, so we just wear the same clothes endlessly and eat very simple stuff. It is very liberating!

Without going in to too much detail (solely because it's embarrassing) we have had to rely on food banks only a couple of months ago. Recently we've been doing much better. And as I said I'm looking forward to even better times. I know as a country we're still rather fortunate though  and I'm normally the first to remind the grumblers of that IRL.

@RoseTintedAtuin FIL recently gifted me his old sewing machine! I still don't know exactly how to use it but I'm excited knowing that there's a lot of potential there!

I love making things, i taught myself to crochet a few years ago, and learnt a pattern that had bugged me for ages in lockdown, used up loads of wool, finished a pile of blankets I'd started that probably would never have gotten finished and made myself re-thread my sewing machine! Which I always used to get my mum to do 🙄. Re-organised and re-used lots of storage stuff in my house as well, including old bed into shelves.
So yes i get where you're coming from, its so nice to re-use, even tho my kids laugh at me when i say, reduce, re-use, recycle.

Honestly I'm so glad it's not just me! That's such a relief. I feel bad in a way because I was never very interested when DM tried to teach me to sew. She looks at my stitch work now with a kind of 'aw bless' look in her eyes 😂.

@Wellyouknowbest I'm jealous that you managed to finish more than one blanket let alone loads!! I finished DDs blanket over a month ago and DS is still waiting for his

I get you. I inherited a tumbledown cottage that has needed a huge amount of work to get even habitable - central heating , bathroom, kitchen etc and I had absolutely very little money left for blinds/curtains as it’s a non-standard house and everything would need to be made to measure. So, I bought a sewing machine, went on a blind and curtain making course for a day, bought a load of nice but not expensive fabric, and have kitted out every single window in the house (including the cost of the machine and course) for less than the quote I got for made to measure Roman blinds for the bay window. It makes me feel capable and I’ll never ever buy made to measure again.

Well done making most of it and enjoying.
YouTube is great for picking up skills too.
My son's had knees out in all trousers I decided to get patches - they were more expensive than new trousers. I now keep an old pair cut up to use as patches and shorts only from April - Sept

I mended my knickers today. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I did get satisfaction out of not buying new ones.

I now keep an old pair cut up to use as patches
That's a great idea! I must do that.

Love this thread OP.

Same here....we were facing bankruptcy only a couple of months ago as while we'd had 3 months of savings we both lost our jobs due to things out of our control and totally unrelated about a month before the pandemic kicked off (and then we were in sectors hit hard so no chance of getting them back).

However...I am like a cat that always lands on its feet...and thinking like that keeps me positive.

Staying positive instead of wallowing meant we started three new businesses during lockdown and, while times are still lean, we can see the green shoots of progress!

Great news @wheresmymojo! Good luck in your new ventures

Yes! I so get this. When we were first married with a newborn, I was so proud of being able to manage on so little - everything was an achievement, the little bit of veg I was able to grow, a charity shop bargain, saving pennies to present my husband with a nice bottle of beer for his birthday.
A favourite memory is making felt teddy bears to patch my toddler's overalls, he was adorable in them.
The other positive side is that now we are doing so much better (my grocery budget, for example, has doubled, and doubled again) I appreciate everything so much. I secretly hug myself over such joys as 3 ply toilet paper! Shampoo AND conditioner! Steak!

Well done OP, you have a wonderful attitude, and you're right, it won't be forever.

@853ax just yesterday I cut up a pair of old black leggings to patch up two other pairs of leggings! From now on I think I'll be hoarding old clothes, likely much to DH's chagrin 

@SweatyBetty20 my goodness that's brilliant! If I were in your shoes that cottage would feel 10x more the cost after something like that. Sometimes I think of it like the old wives tale of rubbing butter on a cats paws, when you work to make something your home it just means so much more to you.

@WitchenKitch I knew there were things that I couldn't think of when I started the thread! When I can buy fancy Andrex and Baylis and Harding hand soap I think I'll be pinching myself round the aisles 😂

Not sure if I've got this exactly right but I heard a rhyme years ago:

Use it up, wear it out
Make it do, or go without.

@AdaFromYorkshire

Not sure if I've got this exactly right but I heard a rhyme years ago:

Use it up, wear it out
Make it do, or go without.

i like that, it's so my family, and you can save a fortune as a result. we are looking to goon the market in jan and have had a couple of valuations, both estate agents advised us to 'lose' a certain colour paint work throught the house as although it was comestic it might be off putting to some buyers as it would need sanding, undercoating then painting which would be hard going. looking at it through a strangers eyes, they were right, £150 on paint and the house is looking so fresh, it's like living in a different house and looks so much better. still want tomove though -down sizing[ smile]