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Housekeeping

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Frugaility changed your life?

126 replies

Buddy80 · 31/07/2009 08:39

Dramatic title, but love to hear from all of us who are frugal. I adopted being frugal about 5-years ago, firstly just for fun and then when I saw how much I was saving, it just took off from there. Started as a set budget for housekeeping, baking own bread, thinking of a re-use for most things, looking at cheap or free days out. From there, it's really kind of expanded and the savings have been massive. I've kinda got lazy over the last few months, but still trying!

It is funny that your lifestyle does improve and you find yourself taking better care of yourself. As you have leftover cash, you are less likely to spend, as it's your savings! Also having more cash, you are in a position to pay for things up front, like car tax ? saving 10 odd quid a year. Another thing I noticed, which was shocking, is that I have been really careful with the electric usage (heat is by gas). I started turning things off at the plug socket when not in use, etc. As you may know, some appliances use a lot even when switched off. Anyway, I got my electric bill the other day and we had saved £150.00 last winter.

But, it's not all about buying the cheapest. As a rule of thumb, I tend to buy cheaper where it is a disposable item, like value shaving foam, but will spend more on better quality meat.

Any others?

OP posts:
blowbroth · 31/07/2009 08:49

I always take a tap water bottle for dd where ever we go. I refuse to pay for hugely inflated fruit/chemical stuff. Rather than frugal ,I think of myself as tight

sarah293 · 31/07/2009 08:52

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expatinscotland · 31/07/2009 08:56

For fun? No, we adopted it out of no other choice so I can't say I find it 'fun' and don't think my lifestyle is better because of it.

I think it sucks, tbh.

Overmydeadbody · 31/07/2009 08:57

Yes it's great fun being frugal all the time, especially when you have no choice.

Oh the joy.

Actually, I have to admit, being frugal got me out of my overdraft and for three years now I haven't had an overdraft and it is very liberating.

Overmydeadbody · 31/07/2009 08:57

I echo expat.

Year in year out, all the friggin time, it sucks.

expatinscotland · 31/07/2009 08:58

Oh, yes, OMDB, it's 'the simple life' just like the one us peons have to live out of necessity.

sarah293 · 31/07/2009 08:58

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yama · 31/07/2009 08:58

I take bottled water and make own sandwiches. Mind you - I do it more because my sandwiches are much better and far far healthier.

I walk everywhere when on my own. With dd (3.9) I make her walk journeys of about 45 minutes (at her speed) and less. Again, this started out as a health issue.

We visit our families often and look upon the trip as a weekend away.

Overmydeadbody · 31/07/2009 08:59

I cannot afford to buy meat, let alone good quality meat. We eat sprats instead

Overmydeadbody · 31/07/2009 09:01

Riven it isn't, not when you can go to Tesco at 4pm and get loaves of bread reduced to 40p or even 20p and bung them in your freezer to use.

I never buy bread/rolls/crousants etc at full price any more, far more fun getting it reduced at the end of the day.

expatinscotland · 31/07/2009 09:16

Why are there two threads on this?

Buddy80 · 31/07/2009 09:18

I was not sure which board to post on. Be gentle, I am fairly new on MN

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 31/07/2009 09:19

As a general rule of thumb, you stick to one board or another.

Malkuth · 31/07/2009 09:20

Reads like a journo to me! Like the others say being frugal is the only option when you are on the breadline and actually I found the op condescending to put it mildly. Glad you can afford to have fun by being frugal. Most of us have no choice.

Malkuth · 31/07/2009 09:22

And if I am being snappy and judgmental I apologise. PMT and fed up of constantly having to juggle finances and overdrafts to stay afloat.

expatinscotland · 31/07/2009 09:24

I dunno, it sort of puts me off because I once knew someone who was into 'voluntary frguality' and 'the simple life' and she was the most tight-fisted person I've ever met.

She was always trying to scam something for free despite having a HUGE savings which she often boasted about.

Most of us who are 'frugal' have no opportunity to save anything at all.

Well, at any rate, this gal went and claimed tax credits when she, in teh UK as the dependent of a student, had no recourse to public funds at all.

So I grassed her and they got deported.

Buddy80 · 31/07/2009 09:26

Oh no! I don't mean to come accross as condescending. There are a lot of us that are into frugaility in different ways, thats all. Just wanted to see who is out there, thats all.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 31/07/2009 09:29

Most of us are 'into' frugality out of poverty, Buddy.

Buddy80 · 31/07/2009 09:32

Well, may be your cicumstances. I posted this thread not to sound smug or anything like that, but to see if there is anyone else being frugal and whether we could share tips, that's all. Not to get people upset. This post was not about 'why do you have to be frugal?". Just merely, information sharing.

OP posts:
sarah293 · 31/07/2009 13:20

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raggitty555 · 31/07/2009 13:21

Hi Buddy- i know what you mean - i have got a book called something like the art of frugal living --it did appear to be written by someone wealthy - however- that to me was not the point -whilst i do acknowledge its a pain having to be frugal - i dont think you were talking about that - more like the liberation of not buying into going to shops ,simple pleasures like walking ,beating the system a little by stepping outside it a bit..? is that what you meant and if so im with you ..!! we have huge mortage which is crippling us at mo so its not like ive got cash to spare folks!! .It just feels peaceful not to want stuff( until i see boden catologue ha ha!!! )When i focussed on being frugal i really enjoyed it felt empowered - it was a better way for me personally than focussing on what i didint have... I dont see that you were being condescending.

Mumsnut · 31/07/2009 13:32

I read Nella Last's War recently and was so humbled by her ingenuity in making things stretch, and using up every last scrap of food (eg, snipping the fat from around a kidney to make suet for a pudding). It made me aware how incredibly wasteful modern society is, so i do see where the OP is coming from. It's not just about piling up the savings, but establishing a better connection to things like food and re-balancing the things we value. But I do take the point that many people have no room for manouvre at all.

Mumsnut · 31/07/2009 13:32

manoeuvre, doh!

MollieO · 31/07/2009 13:33

I think the thread title would have been better if it was something like 'What have you done to reduce your carbon footprint?'

I don't know anyone that is frugal through choice .

Mousey84 · 31/07/2009 17:31

Buddy Im frugal to an extent, maybe more that Im trying to be a savvy shopper/saver and while some of it is because I hate wasting money, it stems from the fact that I have a low income and am raising a child on my own. A lot is about perspective though. Im thrilled if I save £1 on something

Im currently doing a course with you OU about personal finances and hope that it will teach me something new that I can use to put me in a better position, maybe even to volunteer to help others who want advice.

You may wish to check out the Old Style Boards on MoneySavingExpert.com to find other likeminded people - some by choice, others to get out, or stay out, of debt.

My main things to save money are

  1. Spending diary - can be v tedious but worth it.

  2. Meal plan

  3. Switch off everything as soon as Im finished using it to save electric.

  4. When I really need something I find out if anyone has one they dont need and if not, how cheap I can get it.If online, can I get cashback through quidco or other cashback site, and are there any discount vouchers about?

  5. Loyalty cards - tescos is good. Today I got dd 7 outfits and 4 pairs of pjs in the sale. Pre-sale the items would have cost me £70.20 (not that I would have paid that much) but with sale discounts and doubling up clubcard vouchers I got the lot for 20p plus points. Just before I read this thread I had ordered £80 worth (£20 face value) of days out and restaurant vouchers.

  6. Keep an eye on the best buy tables for financial products. Halifax Reward account offers £5 per month if you deposit £1000 per month. You can have three accounts and bounced the £1k about, earning £15pm(and before I get verbally assaulted, Im aware not everyone has £1k income per month, but its just an example)

  7. Look at your utility supplier, mobile provider etc and make sure you are getting the best deal possible. If at the end of your contract, most will offer discounts if you are thinking of switching to someone else.

  8. Look after what you have and it should last longer. Washing machines are a great example, if you believe the calgon adverts...

Recently re-assessed priorities and cancelled my sky subscription (which I may regret, but hey ho) but its saving me a fair bit, and Ill be forced to do other, more productive things.