As the recession bites, 0f all the things you've had to give up, what do you miss the most?

[nkf]

For me, it's nice perfume. I long for Jo Malone and Penhaligon.

What's yours?

All these things. Every one of them.

I miss socializing with friends.

We are actually a little better of than a few years ago (thank fuck) but still not got disposable cash really. Neither do friends, costs too much to drive and meet up regularly, go out and have drinks in the middle etc.

I see a few of you have mentioned really missing being able to buy perfume. There are some really good "freebie" sites where you can get free perfume samples and often the big department stores with posh perfume counters have them. House of Fraser near Fenchurch Street Station sometimes has huge bowls of perfume samples where you can help yourself. And if you have the balls, you can always ask at the counter if they have any samples. Large branches of M&S also sometimes have small free samples of perfume and cosmetics. I haven't bought any perfume for at least 5 years and just get by on these freebies. It's fine if you are not too fussy about a particular perfume and you can always give away any you're not keen on. Just an idea for you.

But, but, but... there's a flipside to this:

Result no. 1: I went to a party the other night and had to make do with wearing stuff I already owned . I just put it all together in a different way. God I was chuffed with myself! And not having new party gear didn't make me feel any less good about myself, either.

Result no. 2: I have down-branded from Olay to Aldi Q10 and find it is better for my skin, and I prefer the smell.

Result no. 3: Thinking about it, I buy a lot of stuff at Aldi, which the family now prefers to any other brand! (DDs particularly like the make-up.)

Result no. 4: I have bought loads of books from charity shops and car boots, and have found some great authors as a result (I don't want to pay £7.99 in case it's a dud, but I don't mind spending 50p). Never stops me going into Waterstones, and enjoying a browse but I just think "How much?!"

Result no. 5: I've lost weight because we don't have very many tempting treats in the cupboards or fridge. I have ingredients for meals, and I have cheapo biscuits for the DCs (I buy ones I don't like!).

Result no. 6: The joy of buying my summer "wardrobe" for £13 (a tee-shirt in Primark that I liked so much I bought it in three colours, and a pair of summery ballet pumps).

That said, I do miss:
Having my hair cut and coloured
Buying fresh flowers
Having perfume (first time in 25 years I haven't had at least one bottle on the go)

I've been with DP for 6 years and we have had one 4-day holiday in the UK in all that time. I felt a bit sad the other day when DS (4) was watching some holiday ad on the telly and said "I'd like to go on a holiday one day."

I miss just jumping in the car and "going for a drive", each journey is now thought out and planned and I combine outings wherever possible to cut down on fuel usage

Swimming, I will go back in the summer, but it's grim doing the shopping with wet hair in winter.

Can't justify the petrol just to swim.

Ought to walk or cycle because they are free, but love swimming.

But mostly I miss just feeling I don't need to think about money.

We're very lucky we're far from badly off, but petrol food and heating oil are very noticeable increases.

Lunch

Definitely having a professional cut and colour, but I mostly miss not feeling guilty every time I pay for something that isn't an 'essential'. On the rare occasion my husband and I do go out for dinner, I can't seem to relax and enjoy myself because I'm now so hung up about spending money. Went to a 40th not long ago and bought a vodka/lime and soda for £7.60, went on about it so much I literally cleared the room. I have become the most boring person in the world....with the worst hair...!

I miss my peace of mind the most - there is little comfort in sleep when you know you are waking up tomorrow to relive financial groundhog day all over again.

Magazines - I used to have a subscription for a couple but I had to stop these.

Nice shampoo/conditioner - used to treat myself to Aveda but I just cant justify the expense.

Our cleaner.
We both work f/t, house is grubby, weekends stressful as we attempt to clean or bicker about cleaning / lack of cleaning.

I agree with everyone who says they miss not having to think about petrol costs.
I miss not having to think about whether i can afford to put the heating on.

And also books, I miss buying loads of books. But to compensate, I have just sold a load of old textbooks from Uni (graduated last year), and will buy myself 1 book before using the rest to pay bills.

Most of all, i miss being able to sleep properly, without having to worry about how i am going to feed us, pay the bills, find a job and heat the house.