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Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Spending less and living more...

52 replies

Tightjeans · 02/02/2015 16:18

That's it really! Dh and I need to save money and we want to start living more within our means and not spending money on crap!!
I am a huge M&S ready meal fan Blushbut I have started cooking again and have more than halved our food shop and we are obviously eating better now. I have so many clothes so I am going to really try not to buy anything I don't need this year and also try to have as many free days out as possible! So - if anyone wants to join me in a fun spending less but living more chat then please join!

OP posts:
chanie44 · 02/02/2015 18:17

I'm in.

Spend less, live more has been a bit of a mantra of mine for a while. I'll pop back later when I have a bit more time.

chanie44 · 02/02/2015 19:34

I have a cook book called 'the takeaway secret '. The author recreates takeaway food like McDonald's, kebabs and Chinese food. OH and I have enjoyed trying out the recipes.

Check your local authority website/local paper for days out. My children love windmills and we have found that we have one a couple of miles down the road, through reading the local newspaper.

Original poster
Tightjeans · 02/02/2015 20:02

I'll try to get a copy of the cook book - sounds good! Making a home made curry instead of a takeaway this weekend and I bet it will be nicer!!
I hadn't thought of the newspaper for days out so I'll pick one up and have a look! Blustery walks and picnics are a winner with my bunch and so much fun! It's amazing what you can find to do that doesn't cost much and is actually much more fun!!

OP posts:
FiftyShadesOfGreen4205 · 02/02/2015 20:03

I'm in! Just paid a £200 power bill!

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 02/02/2015 20:04

M&S is crap, it's basically posh ready meals. You need to menu plan, it will save you £££

sillymillyb · 02/02/2015 20:05

This was my New Years resolution! I am poor, but goddam it I'm determined to be happy and make do!

chanie44 · 02/02/2015 20:19

I've cut out a lot of the crisp spending (more through necessity than choice) and I feel so much better for it.

Gone are the magazines, car parking fees when I pop to town, supermarket treats, expensive work lunches.

The money I save goes towards family days out, an ice cream in the park, treats for me and OH.

When we do go out, we take a picnic. I try and make nice food, though. We may treat ourselves to an ice cream, but they money we save goes towards another day out, or we eat out another time.

chanie44 · 02/02/2015 20:22

Damn auto correct - I've cut out the crap not crisps I could never cut out crisps.

sillymillyb · 02/02/2015 20:45

I'd be rich if I cut out crisps Grin

Original poster
Tightjeans · 02/02/2015 23:22

You're so right! Meal planning is working so well for us and ds is enjoying cooking with me again! Finding we have more money for proper day out rather than spending too much on boring things like gossip mags etc. A day in a park with a picnic is so much fun - and I'm sure this way of living is better for our health!
What's everyone's view on a season ticket to a local attraction? I'm thinking if we buy it now then it's essentially free days out through the year? I'm also going out to buy a charity shop puzzle tomorrow so we have an indoor activity in this cold weather! Must be careful to only buy the puzzle though Hmm

OP posts:
chanie44 · 03/02/2015 06:33

I've considered season tickets to attractions, but I think we'd get bored of going to the same place.

In saying that, I get English heritage membership through work. I only used it twice last year, but thought it was really good value and plan to use it more this year.

Grumpyoldblonde · 03/02/2015 08:24

OP and others you might find the thread Champagne lifestyle brown ale budget on this board interesting. lots of tips on living well for less.

bootygirl · 03/02/2015 10:52

Op get a board game! Pack of cards as you can play over and over! I have rented my first ever audio book off library and DS & I are addicted to them when in car!
We got national trust membership last yr and did use it for days out. It's running out in April so hope to go to at least one or two more houses before then. it paid for itself already but do some research first. My DS told me all the houses are the same!

I ve promised myself no more buying books till I read all on kindle & get rest from library! Used tesco voucher for a magazine subscription. Also used them for meal out.

It's worth looking into social club at work ours is €1 per week! Often have really cheap events!

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 03/02/2015 13:21

Merlin passes are not a bad idea. There's a lot of places they can be used too.

I've cut down on take away coffee, and have a Waitrose points card which gives me one free cup a day so I use that (when I remember, it's in the city centre so is easy to get to) for free coffee!! I try to meal plan. I'll remember/write a list of what I already have in the fridge/cupboard, and will think of meals to use them rather than buying a load of new ingredients (so if there's cheese in the fridge and beans in the cupboard I'll just buy potatoes IYSWIM). I rarely buy magazines or newspapers. I'm trying to pay some bills off, then I need to replace my sofa so it all counts.

Original poster
Tightjeans · 03/02/2015 13:56

Bootygirl there are some good ideas there!! Social club sounds like a good idea! Was thinking about a national trust membership but I think we would only use them for the gardens etc and we have a lot of different woods near us we can go to for free and they have an ice creem van so it feels like we have had a treat. A board game is a good idea and I already get my free Waitrose coffee - again feels like a treat but free! I am loving meal planning and so is my family - they much prefer the home made food and can't believe it's cheaper! On the days I work I make something with the leftovers and leav the big cooking to my days at home - working well.
Do all only have water to drink at home? We have been doing that and It has really helped the food bull not buying juice but is that healthy?
I've set up a savings account so at the end of each month any lest overs get skimed off into there (well that's the plan!)

OP posts:
lilacclery · 03/02/2015 14:24

One thing that really helped with our grocery bill was getting a brita filter jug, we were spending €6 a week on water. I bought the jug for €15 including first cartridge then €42 for an annual pack but I bought this using some vouchers I'd earned from shop and scan so I've saved over €250 and we're actually enjoying the fresher taste off the water more too.

Clutterbugsmum · 03/02/2015 14:56

This website has days out some free, some that cost. Merlin passes are expensive was just looking for us and 2 adults and 3 children is £495 in their sale. So you would have to use a fair bit to make sure you get your money's worth.

Check on line as well for day's out offers.

moggiek · 03/02/2015 21:18

Definitely in! I need to stop spending on rubbish that I don't need!

Original poster
Tightjeans · 04/02/2015 07:27

Really would recommend setting up an easy savings account that you can put on your Internet banking. I only have £10 in mine at the moment but psychologically it's good, even with a small amount, seeing your finances go up rather than down!!
The plan is that I can use my savings for birthdays, christmas and anything else that usually gets us into trouble!

OP posts:
spababe · 04/02/2015 08:28

Season tickets for attractions can be good especially if they have different things on so it's not the same every time you go. We used to have one for a model railway/garden place that had a different entertainer (clown etc) every week through the Summer holidays. Also good if you can pop in for an hour or two after school with a group of mums.
Jigsaw puzzles can be loaned from some libraries - worth asking.
Treasure trails are great - can download after paying online. About £7 and involve a couple of hours walking around a local town or cycling and children who don't normally walk (!) are ususally forging ahead looking for the next clue. Good value for a family half day out with a picnic.

howtoapproachthis · 04/02/2015 08:34

ive realised my spending is getting a bit out of control lately. i used to be so good, now if i see something i put it on the back burner for a couple of months and then get it regardless. i need to just stop this and think long term what i want - i have more than enough for the short term! goals i have is to stop spending on clothes and toiletries/make up, and stuff for the house that i don't need. i have managed to stop eating out and drinking coffee out which im really proud of - well reduced it so that its just a nice treat not a regular occurance.

Buddy80 · 04/02/2015 10:54

When you next go to the supermarket/garden centre, have a look at the leaflets at the exit. Normally have attractions with vouchers inside.

Ask to be put on the mailing list for your local Childrens Centre. They often have very cheap/free days out, ie a trip to the seaside £5 per family (transport included).

Your local garden centre may run free activities for children.

Do have a look a clubs and societies. Our local canal society, would provide canal boat rides for families, for cheap.

QuiteQuietly · 04/02/2015 11:24

Don't buy audiobooks! You can rent them from the library, often free for children. Or even better, some libraries now subscribe to an e-audiobook system (like Bolinda or OverDrive) which let you download audiobooks for free (and they auto-return or you can renew them, so no late fines and bother of returning them).

Also, on libraries, many do free craft or similar activities for younger children in term time or for older ones in the holidays. Our local library now tickets the holiday events because they were so popular, so we just keep an eye out and put our names down asap. Free library rhymetime is a lot cheaper than baby music classes and they sing the same songs!

BBC things to do page often has some free or v cheap gems.

Original poster
Tightjeans · 05/02/2015 08:50

Doing my shopping on my Asda app then picking it up so I can see what I've ordered and don't impulse biy but don't pay delivery Smile I don't have an aldi or lidl near me so I would spend more in petrol getting there than the savings I would get... I go past Asda on the way to work! I have more than halved my monthly food bill doing this and meal planning!
Checked the bbc things to and found out how many swimming pools have free days! Good news for half term.

OP posts:
LL12 · 05/02/2015 11:53

spababe, just wondering what website you use for the Treasure Trails pls?

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