What cut backs have you made recently?
Discussion
I'm struggling because I've always been quite tight frugal, so I don't get to make all the savings that everyone else can. I've never been happy at buying a coffee for three or four quid when I can just have one when I get home, and I've had a strong sense of buyers remorse on pretty much everything I've bought for decades.
I have started cycling sometimes instead of using the car - when I go to my shed in the afternoon, if it's nice weather I'll alternate, use the car one day and cycle the next. I don't like leaving the car too many days without running it, and there's often something to take or bring back, otherwise I'd cycle a bit more often. And it's as much to do with getting exercise as I'd started doing this before the recent big fuel price increases.
I have started cycling sometimes instead of using the car - when I go to my shed in the afternoon, if it's nice weather I'll alternate, use the car one day and cycle the next. I don't like leaving the car too many days without running it, and there's often something to take or bring back, otherwise I'd cycle a bit more often. And it's as much to do with getting exercise as I'd started doing this before the recent big fuel price increases.
Good thread idea IH
Like droopsnoot we are also a frugal family. I was looking at my budgeting sheet the other week for savings opportunities and i didnt see much. Most are necessities or 'treats' we have already deferred so will spend on this year. We are fortunately not on the bread line but have always been careful when needs be.
Probably the main thing i would have done this year under different economic circumstances is change one of our cars for a 2nd hand electric(bev). A frivolous purchase for 5000 miles a year. Certainly kicked into touch for at least 12mths.
Like droopsnoot we are also a frugal family. I was looking at my budgeting sheet the other week for savings opportunities and i didnt see much. Most are necessities or 'treats' we have already deferred so will spend on this year. We are fortunately not on the bread line but have always been careful when needs be.
Probably the main thing i would have done this year under different economic circumstances is change one of our cars for a 2nd hand electric(bev). A frivolous purchase for 5000 miles a year. Certainly kicked into touch for at least 12mths.
I've turned the swimming pool temperature down a couple of degrees and switch to tesco value peacock food, they're not as keen on it but savings must be found!
but seriously i've always been a tight git so such savings are hard to come by but have been able to get the missus to stop using the tumble drier for everything and to put the dishwasher on when its full
but seriously i've always been a tight git so such savings are hard to come by but have been able to get the missus to stop using the tumble drier for everything and to put the dishwasher on when its full
Glad to hear there are other skinflints out there. When you are brought up that every penny is a prisoner it's just a way of life. Chances are most brought up that way will not be crapping themselves as much as the ones that wage is spent before it arrives. Feel for pensioners etc that are on the breadline!
I turned the heating off in March. We're also trying more Asda own-brand stuff rather than branded.
I have to say it's all been a bit weird. Although fuel has gone up massively I'm WFH 9 days out of 10 so its not been a big impact. My wife has also got a new job which meant a big pay rise, the mortgage is paid off and the kids are all grown up and paying for themselves (mostly) so our costs have gone down massively. Maybe we're at the sweet spot in life where most of your costs have gone down and your income is at it's pre-retirement peak.
I have to say it's all been a bit weird. Although fuel has gone up massively I'm WFH 9 days out of 10 so its not been a big impact. My wife has also got a new job which meant a big pay rise, the mortgage is paid off and the kids are all grown up and paying for themselves (mostly) so our costs have gone down massively. Maybe we're at the sweet spot in life where most of your costs have gone down and your income is at it's pre-retirement peak.
For about 6 months now we have been utilising 1 car. Mrs BB's lease was up and our of warranty and with no decent deals around we decided to send it back to see how we get on.
In all fairness it's been fine. Occasionally I've had to get a taxi somewhere but £10 is better than £2/3/400 a month on a car.
Apart from that, heating is off from when the clocks change anyway. Boiler is on for hot water an hr in the morn and hr at night. Like you, I use the gym showers after a work out but that's because I don't like sitting my car sweaty.
Nothings really changed, we don't buy chocolate/sweets and stuff like that. Still go to pubs/have meals out when we want
In all fairness it's been fine. Occasionally I've had to get a taxi somewhere but £10 is better than £2/3/400 a month on a car.
Apart from that, heating is off from when the clocks change anyway. Boiler is on for hot water an hr in the morn and hr at night. Like you, I use the gym showers after a work out but that's because I don't like sitting my car sweaty.
Nothings really changed, we don't buy chocolate/sweets and stuff like that. Still go to pubs/have meals out when we want
stichill99 said:
Glad to hear there are other skinflints out there. When you are brought up that every penny is a prisoner it's just a way of life. Chances are most brought up that way will not be crapping themselves as much as the ones that wage is spent before it arrives. Feel for pensioners etc that are on the breadline!
I can honestly say that whilst i'm aware that a lot of costs are going up, i'm not really feeling the pinch just yet.The council tax rebate and the energy rebate will come in handy but i'm on a fixed tariff until late next year so bills havent changed yet.
One thing i have noticed is that whereas in the last two years many places have struggled to keep up with demand for 'sex pond' hot tubs now the likes of facebook marketplace and local selling sites seem flooded with people selling them due to the big cost in heating them.
Car has been unreliable for the last year since I put E10 in it once so I've been on motorbike every since. Easily does double the MPG and while it's a faff getting dressed for it, the time you save not in traffic more than makes up for it.
For shopping it's all local and I walk every time. Not only is the exercise good, you are limited by how much you can carry so you spend less. But the more you carry also helps with fitness too. Also to try and lose weight at the same time I've been having smaller portions, make food go further. No takeaways. Last one a few months ago was a disappointment and I felt the regret for days after, same for canteen food in work. I don't buy half as much as I used to online as AMZ make it far too easy. I save things for later, track prices and buy if I really need it at it's cheapest.
Was planning to do more things to the house like new windows, doors external and internal and carpets but with it all going up I'll wait it out as don't "need" it right now. I did spend a bit on a new road bike but my man maths justification was I'd get fitter and is an investment into my health and wellbeing. Having time to is the hard part.
For shopping it's all local and I walk every time. Not only is the exercise good, you are limited by how much you can carry so you spend less. But the more you carry also helps with fitness too. Also to try and lose weight at the same time I've been having smaller portions, make food go further. No takeaways. Last one a few months ago was a disappointment and I felt the regret for days after, same for canteen food in work. I don't buy half as much as I used to online as AMZ make it far too easy. I save things for later, track prices and buy if I really need it at it's cheapest.
Was planning to do more things to the house like new windows, doors external and internal and carpets but with it all going up I'll wait it out as don't "need" it right now. I did spend a bit on a new road bike but my man maths justification was I'd get fitter and is an investment into my health and wellbeing. Having time to is the hard part.
I have cancelled stupid subscription services. £6.50 a month for minecraft which the kids barely use now, Playstation plus going too. Wine delivery subscriptions every quarter gone, just buy cheaper plonk at Aldi if needed. The Homebrew kit has got a new lease of life. Wash my own cars rather than at valets at the supermarket. Also back in March planted a few potatoes/Carrots/Tomatoes/Lettuce - living the good life!
It all adds up.
It all adds up.
blue_haddock said:
I've turned the swimming pool temperature down a couple of degrees and switch to tesco value peacock food, they're not as keen on it but savings must be found!
but seriously i've always been a tight git so such savings are hard to come by but have been able to get the missus to stop using the tumble drier for everything and to put the dishwasher on when its full
You can't be that tight if you have a tumble dryer. I've never had one.but seriously i've always been a tight git so such savings are hard to come by but have been able to get the missus to stop using the tumble drier for everything and to put the dishwasher on when its full
droopsnoot said:
I'm struggling because I've always been quite tight frugal, so I don't get to make all the savings that everyone else can.
Same here, I honestly could not think of anything else I could do to save money that I am not doing already. Infact, after 20 years of driving sheds I have actually ordered a brand new car to replace it because I was not prepared to pay the crazy second hand prices. However, being tight it is a Dacia Sandero and man maths means after putting down the £5K I was going to spend on a car anyway, it is £72 a month.I recently started buying the Tesco 55p a box tea, primarily because I can't really tell any difference between it and the Yorkshire tea I used to buy.
If anything I have started going out a bit more than before, purely as at 48 I have started to realise that life is too short.
Im actually taking a shopping list, I used to spend £50 a week just on me and then not be able to make proper meals, now planning and taking a list im spending less and having proper meals, with less junk food (nuggets and chips before, now its chicken rice and veg),
So far im 6 weeks in, even with the supermarket price increases im saving £10 a week, and losing a kg a week without trying,
So far im 6 weeks in, even with the supermarket price increases im saving £10 a week, and losing a kg a week without trying,
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