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Cost of living

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What have you given up or changed?

62 replies

Pollydollydoodle · 02/05/2023 22:45

DH and I earn decent money but I still think we are feeling the pinch. 3 teenagers at home, cost of sending to uni on the horizon, just thinking of ways to reign things in a bit.
Just interested in what you've all done to tighten your belts other than the usual (cheaper food brands, less treats, cut back on takeaway, reduced the sky package etc). Px

OP posts:
JustAnotherUsey · 23/06/2023 06:45

Went down to one car
Got rid of tv licence as don't watch live tv
Cancelled Amazon prime
Reduced broadband to basic package. No tv package etc
Mostly only shopping in Aldi
Less takeaways/eating out
Cut my own hair
Cut my husband and kids hair

EsmeShelby · 23/06/2023 07:11

Stopped magazine subscription and gym. Less cinema.

Tida · 30/06/2023 05:47

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Zippedydoo123 · 02/07/2023 07:01

I sold my car as no longer needed. I have stopped buying clothes as have so many already. I have changed to Nive a face cleansers instead of Elemis plus their Nivea 60 plus moisturiser day cream a nd night cream again instead of Elemis. Just as good and I am fussy!

vixencomet · 02/07/2023 07:17

Cancelled Disney+

buying own brand products

swapped liquid hand soap to soap bar

asking friends for their kids' outgrown school jumpers instead of buying new

buying clothes from vinted

using up what we already have instead of buying what we feel like having

not topping up things that run out during the week and just make do/go without

not going to markets, less take away, less socialising, less alcohol

probably won't be celebrating my bday this month

Just feels a bit sad but needs must and all that.

Eileen101 · 02/07/2023 07:35

Changed broadband supplier to halve the price.
No meals out or takeaways.
No new clothes, unless from vinted.
Token gifts for kids for birthdays and same for this Christmas probably.
School uniform for eldest from the swap scheme.

user1497207191 · 02/07/2023 08:00

We went through our bank statements and highlighted all the smaller, monthly, subscription stuff, and were shocked at how much all the smaller items add up to, so we've stopped most of them.

We keep tabs on phone, Sky, broadband contracts anyway, and have diary notes when the contract expires, so already change/downgrade or whatever immediately the contract ends, so we don't end up paying more than we need.

Having said that, even on Sim only contracts for the mobiles, I did a bit of shopping around and have changed providers to now pay half of what we were paying, now all 3 contracts are under a tenner a month, one is only £6 per month, so that's been good.

We don't do "top up" shops or end up paying over the odds from convenience stores for things we run out of. We already do a "carousel" of going to different supermarkets so we buy at whichever shop has the offers on that week, never pay "full price" for things like Heinz, Kelloggs, Loo Rolls, Washing powder, crisps, etc., as they're always on offer at one of the supermarkets in rotation. Online shopping apps tell me which supermarket has the deals on that week, so that dictates which shop I go to that week. I stock up when things are on offer, so I am a bit of a hoarder, but it saves a massive amount of money.

Meal planning is also a big money saver as there's virtually no waste from buying too much of something or ending up throwing away things that have gone out of date.

Likewise spent quite a bit of time shopping around for car and house insurance - the savings can be quite enormous so well worth the time.

Sprogonthetyne · 02/07/2023 08:07

I've been far more organised about planning outings, and buying cost effective passes in advance, so this summer we have lots scheduled in that will just cost a picnic and petrol.

I've also been more active on the local pass it on page, I've had a clear out and also been able to kit my DD out in the next size up for free.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 02/07/2023 16:42

Cancelled Amazon prime and Spotify.
No more magazine subscriptions
Don't buy lunch at work very often any more.
Eat out less
Buy fewer clothes.

I mostly just think a lot more about what I spend and do I really need it.

Zippedydoo123 · 15/07/2023 08:28

Going to no longer pay for the beautician. Need regular sports physio about my back so money needed elsewhere.

If Sky cancellation fee not too high (contract ends Dec 24) may cancel Sky altogether in December.

Mintearo7 · 18/07/2023 15:46

No pedicures (the first summer in years)
Wet cut instead of blow dry
Changed phone contract to £6/month one
Using Olio app to get free food and things for the kids
Sold a few clothes on Vinted

Findyourneutralspace · 18/07/2023 15:50

When my car deal was coming to an end I chose to refinance it rather that replace with a newer model. They don’t shout about it but it reduced my monthly payment from £150 to £70.

No more acrylic nails. Home hair colour. Shop at Lidl. Pub trips limited to one a month. No alcohol at home. Clothes from Vinted. Sell unworn clothes on Vinted to buy new (to me ) ones. Keep an eye on energy costs and adjust accordingly/take out huge credit that had built up.

The list goes on and I’m still scraping by…

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