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 have to do this to get my dual EU passport. I am not a natural, or wasn't, when younger at languages, and it's not one I studied at school, but actually I have found that looking at it now and it seems much more possible and enjoyable.

Ditto instrument.

It's just another idea in case anyone would find this interesting. I guess

I dont know anyone who has tried either to have thougt the time wasted. Building up cultural capital is always beneficial. This does not suit everyone but thrn neither does trying a sport.

I was made to learn 2 instruments as a child in order to have something extra to write on university applications.

Complete waste of time as I ended up going through clearing to get a place.

Hours and hours of time wasted plus thousands of pounds.

IN - grow your own vegetables if you have room. Even a few tomatoes in a grow bag. Herbs on windows sills.
IN - donate and purchase from school uniform shop. They’re usually brilliant quality.

IN - make use of ISA tax free allowance

OUT - expensive cleaning products. I find Fairy liquid works on floors and surfaces as good as any specialist cleaner
OUT - sale shopping. If you’re anything like me you’ll buy stuff in a sale because it’s cheap then never wear it.

Brilliant thread OP. Both DH and I retired 3 years ago on what I thought was a healthy pot of current account and savings (I don’t get my state pension for another 4 years). That has horrifyingly dwindled dramatically and we’ve drawn down a sum from DH’s pension. We’ve enjoyed ourselves no end, but now is the time to reign in a bit so we can have a healthy balanced retirement. This thread has really made me think about what alterations we can make to enable this to happen.

You do know that this isn’t all about you and that not every idea will suit everyone?

OP loves her holidays abroad - that’s something I hardly do - we can and did exchange thoughts on that without negativity.

Wow. A bit of an overreaction there, especially as I was actually pointing out that same point to you, that not everyone finds the same things rewarding.

I've obviously touched a nerve with you, which wasn't my intention.

Thanks, I've used your link.

Great thanks. I don't buy anything now, either online or in real life, without checking if I can get a gift card. Was kicking myself when I found out Jam Doughnut do Uber as well (I use Uber a lot and could have cried at all the cash back I could have made!).

Ooh another one for you all...
I've just had my phone repaired, which cost £55. It's a 2 year old samsung but wasn't charging, DH said "just get a new phone", but the charging port has been replaced and it's now good as new. I also bought a new case and screen protector and it literally feels like a new phone!

Find out when there is a job fair in your area as they give away pens ,keyrings and sweets ,sometimes notebooks. I had to attend any local ones last year due to being a job seeker and I now have enough pens and keyrings to keep me going. Sadly nowhere wanted a 65 year old, no not even the army who mentioned they needed a lot of new recruits. The sweets were mainly tubs of roses or quality street. A friend of mine only goes when she needs pens.

I’ve been reading the book listed above, it’s free on prime and I wouldn’t pay any more for it. But it’s thought provoking thinking about what luxury and living well looks like.

one of the things was about how you spend time, I definitely need to be more considerate about spending time well, so thinking about going to a Pilates class instead of doing it half heartedly at home to enjoy the experience and company is potentially a good use of money and time.

Nah this is a wind up!

Oh! I didn't know you could replace a charging port! Did you take it to a little phone repair shop or what?

My addition may be contentious, but its one I have truthfully added.

OUT: expensive dinner parties and gatherings for friends and family

IN Picnics. Drinks and crisps evenings only. Walks. Soup in the winter. Salads in the summer only at most.

I realised people love the company not the lavish recipes and fine wine.

I like this! I don't drink, and this is the perfect way to host without the expectation of booze.

Thank you. I am having a huge life reset - and this thread is so helpful!

Thank you! Yes if you have over £2k going in each month then it doesn't cost you the £11.50 it would have.

I already pay for the AA separately but by doing this I can get it for free (and some other perks)

I am a big fan of buying decent clothes and shoes, and then minding them. So cleaning them properly, hanging them well to keep their shape while drying (under the armpits for tops generally, not by the hems, but fully flat for wool jumpers etc), using proper hangers, getting heels and soles repaired before replacing etc.

I’m also a fan of using up as much as possible rather than throwing things out. Making use of leftovers for other meals, composting peels and coffee grounds to use in the garden next year, making stock with odds and ends…

Will have a think for more. Love books, and the library is still great to use for that!

Buying decent clothes/shoes and wearing a lot often works out much cheaper per wear than fast fashion which is not made for much re-wearing.

Don't know if this fits your FIRE criteria but live near a beach. Currently the summer holidays for my child and our local beach is a luxury free activity (in my book anyway.)

Due to an impending bill, I don't have much spare money for a holiday or treats this year so I'm having to think creatively. I'm doing a car boot sale these next few weekends to raise money. I want to take my kids away for a cheap break before school reopens without putting it on the credit card.

Run your car until it breaks. Mine is 13 years old and costs me far less to repair and maintain currently than buying a new one. It is a Toyota and so far has never left me stranded - even once when I accidentally ran the battery flat! Left it for 20 mins and managed to get it started again!

When it starts to either cost more than a new car per year to repair or spends more time in the garage than with me then I will replace it.

Cancel Amazon Prime - less temptation to convenience shop (avoid Amazon all together if possible, although I am failing at this due to having a Kindle)

Delete your shopping apps and close your shopping accounts - less temptation to shop.

Allocate savings on payday.

Cancelling Amazon Prime is a big one for me. Prime is a marketing trick that works a charm on me - it’s amazing the ‘stuff’ I’ll order when I know I’ll get it same/next day but I can somehow do without completely when I haven’t got Prime. It’s really ‘dangerous’ for me.

I’m another who is intending to run my car until it starts costing me too much/becomes unreliable. I drive so much less now, and am paralysed by indecision anyway on electric/hybrid/petrol choices - so the most economic and environmentally-friendly choice seems to be to stick with the current one.

Need to work on reducing shopping bill …

Same here. Im at a stage of life where I don't want everything to be about 'things' and am keen to live a more simple life.