What did you used to waste money on??

[FusionChefGeoff]

Due to energy crisis, I've only just started turning upstairs radiators off in the mornings and on in the evenings - only heating rooms I'm in.

This embarrassing waste of money has made me think what else (not just energy costs) am I unthinkingly wasting money on.

Generally speaking, we take coffee / tea / water and don't buy it out and shop at Aldi. Both WFH most of the time and don't buy lunches.

Is there anything you've changed and suddenly thought why didn't I do this sooner!?

I used to drink around 3-4 bottles of wine per week and used to smoke 20 a day. It’s been 19yrs since I stopped smoking and 11 since I quit drinking. I’d imagine in that time I’ve saved a lot. I try and save money where I can but being warm is where I draw the line. That said keeping the house at an even temp seems to be costing less as my fuel bill has halved in the last year, ready to rise soon

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers

Hybrid electric car. In 9 months I've only spent £42 in petrol. That's one tank which has lasted the whole time. I have solar panels on my roof and religiously plug it in every time I park at home. Previously I'd spend £42 per month.

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers be careful leaving a tank of fuel for that long. Unleaded petrol has a use by of around 6 months, diesel up to 12 months. After that it thickens and can go sticky and cause all sorts of issues.

I would agree with a lot of this - especially the mobile, have had my current one for around 3 years, when I realised I could just hang onto it and get a Sim (Smarty) for £6 a month instead of paying maybe £60-80 for the latest on a Vodafone upgrade was life changing. The other massively life changing thing for me though has been YNAB!! I have the annual subscription as it is cheaper. Only been doing it since October but it has paid for itself a million times over. I honestly don't think any of the other free budgeting apps come close. You have to follow the system properly but for the first time in my life I have total control of my money. Makes me sick to think how much I wasted before though!!

Does anyone know about radiators with a Combi boiler? Is it cheaper to turn some off?

The fewer rooms you heat, the less energy you use, and the colder your house will be, and the lower your bills.

Too many clothes. It became a bit of a hobby.
Now I am very strict and only buy to replace garments that have gone tatty. For special occasions I usually buy from ebay or chazza shops.
I don't buy work clothes anymore as I'm already part time and retiring soon.

Another vote for Magazines. I feel bad about the death of print journalism, but I had to cancel all my subsctiptions. I kept a couple of digital-only ones, but I likely won't renew them either :(

@allfurcoatnoknickers

Another vote for Magazines. I feel bad about the death of print journalism, but I had to cancel all my subsctiptions. I kept a couple of digital-only ones, but I likely won't renew them either :(

I could never really get on with digital magazine subscriptions. I love e-books but there’s something about a crisp fresh magazine, best enjoyed on a weekend morning with a coffee and croissant, or late at night with a mug of tea and a bag of crisps.

Cigarettes
Too many clothes
Magazines
Eating out

I haven't smoked in years and spend much more cautiously now. I still enjoy a good magazine every once in a while.