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.

I don’t bother much with second hand clothes because I value my time for other things than shopping and being a tricky size / shape I can trawl every second hand store and come away empty handed. Since I wear clothes to destruction this doesn’t bother me

actually a whole one in one out , replace only when broken beyond repair works across everything

i don’t bother with skincare , or nails never mind Botox. or jewellery. Cut my own hair.

nice holidays needs unpicking - I rarely fly ( I may once in ten years ) , I can have a nice holiday exploring the local area, walking, digging into the history ( I may join a free dig when I have time ) and maybe even the odd local craft or cafe

also not on your list - anything you had to subscribe to like amazon prime or TV things

there are a lot of things - microwave, tumble dryer, dishwasher , air fryer … that I don’t have and doesn’t seem to cause me any problems ( although I did have a tumble drier when you have a child in reusable nappies ) . outside lights at Christmas

I do go gigs - but at the cheaper end- lots of absolutely great music for under £30 a go and quite a lot free round here

Nice thread, we have a similar philosophy OP. We're not wealthy, but we are comfortable enough, and live well by following the same sorts of ideas that you outline.

I don't do social media, I think this helps to stay sane and avoid comparison stealing your joy.

This is a bit hippyish, but I believe that connecting to nature is hugely beneficial to wellbeing and mental health, much more so than e.g. going for coffee, and it's mostly free.

I'm working on making my garden gorgeous, and full of scented plants, which brings me a lot of joy. I also try to grow cut flowers, because I love to bring nature indoors. Home-grown cut flowers, or gathered wildflowers, are much nicer than expensive bouquets anyway.

I have mixed success with house plants—some are like triffids, some die for no apparent reason (I'm evidently not a brilliant plantswoman, though I am good at landscaping and design).

Apart from baubles, tinsel and lights for the tree, all our Christmas decorations are greenery, and going for a walk to gather them is an enjoyable ritual. I do think connecting to old-fashioned rituals at Christmastime helps fend off the sickly feeling you get from the bonkers over-consumption and social media madness. We feast at Christmas, but only during the festival itself, not for the whole of December (I will just about allow the start of Christmas to be around the 20th, as a hippyish nod to Yule / Saturnalia / Solstice). I enjoy making the traditional foods from scratch in the run up, having everything in store ready, and delaying the gratification.

We DIY almost everything, and our furniture is mostly well-made vintage or antique from various decades. Having a beautiful, peaceful sanctuary of a home seems to nourish me more than holidays, so we tend to spend more on home improvements than travel, but I know for other people the opposite is true, so YMMV. We have a "proper" trip abroad maybe every two or three years, but we are lucky to live in a holiday destination, so don't feel the need to get away.

Just buy what you need not what you want! Simples.

No UPF.

Borrowbox (ebooks) from the library. Lots of good titles free to download.

I grow flowers (cheap bulbs and seeds) and bring them in at this time of year and they look pretty

I shop in lidl and try and plan around the offers xxl deals where I can

Prosecco instead of champagne.

@Rewis eeew! (personal taste!) but i'll take a cremant or a cava. Champagne nice too but honestly prefer a really good glass of wine really.

@TheLeadbetterLife what a lovely post, going to take some ideas from it. Agree re nature. Cargo bike goes off road after school!

Going vegetarian (years ago) has saved me a small fortune.

Agree about checking better value phone deals.

And I just got my 9 year old car serviced today, I’m planning on having it for another 9 at least!

I'm going to take some ideas from yours and other pp too, great thread!

I like going out with friends but the price and quality of the food makes it not very good value these days.
With the exception of a good curry.
In two groups of friends we now take it in turns to host (very casual book club). We split the cost of a takeaway, take our own wine and everyone brings a pudding or some fruit.
We all enjoy it more than going to a restaurant

@childofthe607080s "nice holidays needs unpicking" - my non negotiable once a year or every few is some proper sunshine and it's still very hit and miss in the UK. It's pretty gloomy and chilly here today, even though there are some patches of blue sky. So sunshine and a sea that is a colour more blue/green than brown are for me worth travelling for! If/when I can detach myself from work over the UK summer I would be less focused on it, as then you can just take advantage of what good days you get, not hope for the best for the days you booked off!

I'd add to the IN list:
Sports with a bonding effect/community ethos that make you feel good (football, running club etc)
Plants and a nice garden - even if growing from seed or half price at B&Q, have something more than flat grass, hide the fence and make it a beautiful space.

OUT:
Mumsnet for wasting my time 😅
Aimless shopping. I always bring a list and try to be in and out asap. I shop alone so no one distracts me.

@Tutorpuzzle despite my user name I'd happily go meat free for the vast majority. Meat is another husband one, so I eat it when he cooks for me. I do think when you host it's nice to have a focus to the meal. But yeah, not fussed really. I like the health and money savings of mostly avoiding it.

It was a bit tongue in cheek 😃
I'm a cocktail girly. A genuine one is just drinking one overpriced cocktail that I want rather than 2 glasses of mediocre, something else.

When at home, drinking sparkling water with a lemon/lime wedge from a wine glass. Surprisingly, I satisfy my need for a fancy drink after work on a Friday night.

@Agapornis oh god why does no one on MN complain more about the time sucking effect of MN!

Completely agree with you on sports, kids are still young but I'm starting to get them involved in some things and then hope to also rekindle for myself.

I also have a real yen for studio ceramics, which as well as being beautiful and tactile, are a relatively inexpensive way to fill your house with original art (compared with e.g. paintings).

I'm spiritually of the Arts & Crafts movement I suppose, in that I follow the William Morris edict of everything needing to be useful or beautiful (ideally both).

Most of my studio pottery is practical, either as part of a dinner service, or vases and flowerpots. The few purely ornamental pieces I do have are all tactile, and I love to touch or hold them.

To add to my list upthread,

I grow herbs and leafy veg, plus a few others like pumpkins, peas, tomatoes etc. I never buy fresh herbs anymore and no longer need to buy lettuce, rocket or spinach between spring and autumn.

I agree with a PP about home improvements - only when necessary. I don't need to redecorate just to be up to date with fashions.

A lot of our furniture, kitchenware etc was inherited!

I ask for nice toiletries for birthday and Christmas. My family know that I really appreciate stuff from L'Occitane and Neal's Yard but I'm also happy with Boots, Nivea, Dove, etc.

I know what you mean @meatbawls ,(and I hadn’t clocked your name 🤣)if someone is cooking for you…

I keep saying I’m going to go vegan (the price of butter haunts my dreams) but that is a hell of a commitment. But this thread is making me think seriously about it..maybe I’ll try a few days a week.

Yes to fizzy water! This is actually one of my real extravagances (but still pretty inexpensive). We buy a particular brand of natural fizzy water, in proper glass bottles, by the crate from the cash and carry. Similar to Pellegrino, but not that. It's so delicious and mineral-y. We're not big on wine, so at the weekend we have a cocktail (my husband is an excellent mixologist), a nice cold beer, and fancy fizzy water. In lovely glasses, which are kept in our Mad Men-style MCM sideboard.

I switched gel manicure to wraps. Personal fav is lily and fox as they are cheap as chips, you have to order from Australia so take time to arrive but such a saving

Brought ipl light thingy for body hair. Havnt had to wax, buy razors since initial first couple of months (inc facial hair)

Sodastream for fizzy water, might not be cost saving bit saves on plastic.

Grown my hair and learned to braid so looks stylish. And home dye now.

@Tutorpuzzle decent butter should have been on my IN list! One of the joys of my life.

@northernballer can you share which one that is thank you

they can but take zero responsibility for damaging or breaking the frames during the process. I need new lenses every two years so I just choose cheap frames. Getting the prescription from the optician and then looking at online opticians can also save money.

Many of your out list I'd find not impossible but a less colourful life and they add to the gaiety of life, and several of your in list I'd never even consider, like botox, and I'm 49. I'd rather spend money on good gym gear, though good gym gear to me is Decathlon not Sweaty Betty. I'll never have a pedicure while I can reach my own feet, but having my fingernails done regularly brings me joy as I used to bite them for so many years, and it's the only way they will look decent.

Of course this is all subjective and any lists are entirely personal.