To ask you for your 'living well for less' tips

[meatbawls]

Maybe this philosophy has a name that I don't know, but I've been doing some thinking recently about how not to fall for all the tricks of the modern world and how to live a good, even luxury, even slightly flash(!) in certain ways life. I wfh in a good job, we have plenty of money so it's not about that, we have kids. It's not about austerity measures (not a boast, just clarifying so you don't ask to see my outgoings and help me budget).

What I'm trying to achieve is I guess a watered down version of FIRE (financial independence retire early) except I don't mind working for now, I just want to actually have something to show for it at the end and not just a load of crap I bought or conveniences I paid for.

My personal list is as follows, i'm interested to know what other people's look like! I am not looking for judgement particulary on the below, these are the things that for me represent value for money, or don't and any money that would have been spent on it should be put directly into savings instead.

IN:

healthy cheap food, lentils, beans, etc to promote health and long life
home workouts, mix of free and streamed
biking / cargo bike commute to school
second hand toys and clothes for all
antique jewellery which might hold value not decrease the minute I buy it.
proper coffee but not takeaway and no pods
very occasional facial for a treat.
highlights and haircuts, but only 2 times a year.
botox, because it actually works
effective cheap skin products (for me tret, sunscreen, moisturiser and not much else)
occasional file and polish pedicures
nice holidays
nice meals out on occasion
good wine, delicious cocktails!

OUT:

takeway coffee/lunch
pretty much any beauty products that are not listed above
eyebrow threading - they always take too much and I've bought a magnifying mirror for fraction of cost.
gel manicures/pedicures that require upkeep
pretty much any salon treatment that can't be seen on my face
clothes in general. certainly new clothes not on sale - i've been shopping my wardrobe and the rest on vinted
new furniture, as above
meat when eating alone
taxis unless strictly necessary
new phone or any other tech upgrade until current one is either broken or stolen
new glasses until frames actually break (I only use them for work and don't see people in person often)
new gym wear - see above re exercise mostly at home.

My OUT list feels too short. What can you add that are just a con of the modern world and don't need to be purchased either because they are completely unnecessary or because you can easily DIY it.

Adding to the IN list. Books! Second hand but also new.

Also following FIRE too! I'm very focused on pension and savings now. I think personal care is important but like you I'm happy to take a more DIY approach so no treatments, hair dying in salons, waxing etc for me either.

No takeaways, much prefer to cook.

I think glasses should be replaced when broken or you get a new prescription!

If your prescription changes, they can reuse your current frames for the new lens

I love your list! Found some new ideas from it I want to try. For me, out is expensive skincare - you can get good quality retinol, serums, moisturizers etc. for very little these days so o refuse to spend on the name or marketing for skincare. Another for me is never shopping with the kids - too easy to add unnecessary treats and toys into the trolley just to keep the peace. I’ve also started bulk buying cleaning and home stuff from wholesalers which has dramatically cut down my shopping bill.

Can you cut back on random TV subscriptions? Expensive phone contracts - simple Giffgaff or Tesco at £7 a month. Older cars bought outright in reliable brands e.g. Toyota. Mix of UK and overseas holidays. Treat yourself to experiences - shows/activities -things you will remember. Make time for friends and loved ones.

I know you've said this is your personal list, but a lot of money waste is on household stuff and kids. Don't know whether you do spend on these sort of things, but I would put on an OUT list:

• New seasonal decorations
• New general household appliances/stuff/furniture
• New toys other than birthdays /Christmas

IN I would put plants (but with only a small annual budget)

@Ukholidaysaregreat yes I can re streaming and cars, but these are the two things my husband refuses to compromise on!!! So in practice, no I can't. He's very frugal in general so fair enough.

We have already gone sim only, good one!

ETA sorry we are already with you on cars, second hand and outright, but he wants to replace e.g. a 6 year old car, I'd take it to 15 if it were still working well.

OUT: new car just for the sake of it

IN: 10 year old car which runs perfectly fine.

re monthly subscriptions, I only ever have 1 at a time. So I’ll have Netflix for couple of months, watch what I want then cancel it and swap to Disney to catch some series on there. And then swap to Apple. And repeat.

@ZippyPeer I agree completely with your list. Toys are vinted and have to have some vague educational element, also are concentrated around birthdays. Anything that is ultimately tat is out, this is also an environmental thing. But I'll add another christmas decoration per year if I think it'll last the distance. My recent red block printed tablecloth gave me much joy and can be used at other times of year!

Library for the majority of books, including audiobooks.
Only 1 streaming service at a time, preferably with a discount - I currently have Disney+ for £1.99 a month for 3 months.
Walk everywhere, or if too far, bus or train. I got rid of my car a couple of years ago and don't miss it.
Eat good food at home, cook from scratch. Take drinks and snacks with me when I go out.
Always try on clothes before buying and be brutally honest with myself - does it really suit me? Is it comfortable? Can I wash it at home? Does it fit with my actual lifestyle? Will I really wear it a lot?

I'm sure there are more!

@QuantumLevelActions thank you! sounds like you are making sure you put thought in not just act on impulse, this is what I need to improve on.

The kids are the problem on the streaming. I'd ditch netflix myself and just go disney and amazon which is incl in Prime (?)

Should really ditch Prime though, clearly!

I am, yes. It takes effort and willpower though, and I have to remind myself of the rules, especially when clothes shopping!

Moon cup and period pants IN and disposable sanitary products OUT.

Yes to some home improvements such as insulation, solar panels( we are abroad, so don’t know about the UK) and things that make the house structurally sound.

No to redoing or changing stuff in the house just for the sake of it. No need to redo kitchens bedrooms, bathrooms or replace things unless broken.

No meals out unless it’s using Groupon or another offer

Electric car bought outright and will use for years - saving so much vs petrol

Experiences rather than stuff for bday/Christmas - theatre tickets, gigs, spa days

Really searching for bargain holidays. Using loyalty points for airlines and hotels

This type of stuff is my family’s default behaviour.
I find it almost impossible to spend any money at all.
If you were to judge our appearances and house by Uk standards you might think we didn’t have the funds , but it’s just that we don’t care in the slightest and we don’t tell anyone about our finances because I find that people don’t respond well to savers rather than spenders.

@Jessica167353 I agree! But I had to get a coil so that's even less admin (now)

@jackstini - agree re airmiles, booking early too.

Join a library.

I'm getting some great ideas from here, thank you!

@saphiregemstone I think it's admirable. I don't care what people think about me either, but I do like 'nice' things (incl a designer label at times) and do like e.g. a beautiful house in a beautiful area, incl with a stylish bathroom/kitchen etc that I chose for myself rather than just defaulting to previous owner.

I guess my thing is trying to avoid spending money on the things I DON'T actually value when it comes down to it, or just are not good value.

Also check out your phone contract, I've moved my entire family ro a £1 a month SIM deal via MSE saved us nearly £80 per month for the same data and minutes!

Meal plan and go to the supermarket with a shopping list. Use leftovers. Freeze extras. Our food waste is practically zero.

I do most of this anyway. Surely it’s just that you decide what you want to spend your disposable income on and spend as little as possible on everything else?

My local council library has an ebook section i use regularly in between 2nd hand/charity shop finds.
I have stopped shopping on Amazon for all but a few small items that work out cheaper than the shops.
Agree with PP re clothes shopping. I would habitually replace jumpers and cardigans each winter when not really needed. Better quality and classic colours can be worn for years if looked after.

Interesting thread - I've been thinking about this since my credit card bill at the end of July!

Honestly, there wasn't much to show for the £900 total, which I always pay in full.

Too many top-up shops at M&S and Waitrose - where I buy fancy tasty stuff that I want to eat that day because they look nice and tempting. I'm all for having treats but these foods have a lot packaging and there is not actually that much to eat - thinking about the Deli items that look so attractive!

I'm endeavouring to have a low-spend August and not use the credit card - debit card only.

For the past five days I've been eating from the freezer and cupboard - finally opened that box of 'heritage grain' spelt and made Speltsotto!

Last week I finally got around to cancelling the landline on my Broadband and mobile package - landline not used for years. It was just one of those things that I intended to do but somehow never got round to it.

I'm using up all the toiletries I have before buying any more - you know the soaps and stuff that you get as gifts. I won't be buying showing gel for a while as have at least 6 bars of soap to get through!

Between 1-2pm today Octopus have free electricity, over and above what you would normally use at this time of day, so in that hour I will run a wash and do the ironing