Getting to know you........

Nicky2905

Hello folks
I'm Nicky, I'm 31 and married with 2 kids (aged 6 and 2) until recently I was working 40 hours a week - 3 evenings, one overnight, one office day and work from home - as well as being on call occasionally. However, in July I had an operation to remove a large area of skin (I have a rare skin disease) and had to go on 8 weeks sick leave. Then I got the news (whilst off sick) that my hours were being reduced (they weren't contracted so I didn't have a leg to stand on)

As you can imagine, with already being on ssp and so losing money hand over fist anyway, this news came at the worst possible time. But, being pro active I took it as a reason to make a big change. Within 24hrs of being told about the reduction in hours I interviewed for and got a job elsewhere (thus I handed in my resignation alongside my sick note!) so when my leave ends I will now only be working 2 nights a week (total of 24 hrs) giving me oodles more time with my family.

So, things have to change. I've got rid of the cleaner, halved my food budget and am baking and cooking from scratch (things I never had time for before) The next couple of months are going to be tough as ssp ends on the 14th sept, and I'm unlikely to get a paypacket until nov, so money saving is the name of the game!!!

Now that I have the time I'm hoping to go Old Style and improve my life and my purse!! Loving this site - only joined a few days ago and I've already saved sooo much money xxxx

sparklysaver

I'm doing things a wee bit back to front here..... have been posting for a few weeks and only just spotted this thread. Am not famous for my observation skills!

Anyway, I'm 36, live with one cat and no humans, currently not working. I gave up my job recently (for what seemed like very good reasons at the time ) and am currently living off not enormous savings and the ridiculous stockpile of food in my house whilst I look for a new one. My mum's a truly shocking cook and my dad barely knew one end of a frying pan from the other so I taught myself to cook very young through sheer necessity. I love cooking and baking, and have always enjoyed the challenge of making the most of any ingredients I've bought. I did spend silly amounts of money on extravagant "extras" though, which somewhat defeated the purpose, but since I don't have silly amounts of money any more that's all got to stop. Joining the September grocery challenge has made me realise just how ridiculous my food stockpiling habit has got, so I'm merrily ploughing my way through it.

I've got a veg patch which has been a bit less than stellar this year (I think my onions have drowned) but the crops I've grown in tubs have been fine and I'm currently enjoying 101 winning ways with lettuce. I love charity shops, am a keen freecycler/freegler and like to handmake gifts (although that generally means food, because I'm a terrible if enthusiastic crafter), so have really enjoyed browsing through this forum and hope to enjoy taking part.

So, hello! :wave:

meanmarie

Welcome Newbies....you all sound as if you will be right at home here, so don't be shy!

Marie

FoxFace

Hi, I just thought I'd pop my head in and post

I signed up a while back, have been getting ideas from MSE for quite a bit longer and have decided I want to contribute from now on

I am a 30yr old married mother of two, who has been through some tough times these past couple of years. We were forced to sell our house, then made homeless from private landlords (due to house sale, no fault of our own ) two years on the run, eventually ending up in our lovely little council flat where we currently reside Just as we got settled in, my employer started handing out redundancies... long story short the payoff cleared our debts, and we have been back at square one since February.

I was drawn to old style moneysaving, because that's pretty much how we have had to live for the past two/three years... It's like coming home

We are very used to living on a budget, but therein lay the rub. Our luck has started to change, my husband has been promoted and I just landed a full time job... I am hoping spending more time on MSE will help me to "keep it real" and not blow all the extra money we will be bringing in I admit I am better with money the less I have, however we would love to buy a home in future and that will take a level of saving commitment I'm not sure I've ever had before.

Anyway, I look forward to spending more time with everyone...

FairyPrincessk

Hi! I've been lurking for awhile and then decided to post today. Now, I've decided I might introduce myself...all in good time;)

I'm 28 and very newly (last weekend) married. Both OH and I are PhD students with temporary teaching contracts each term. I'm from the states and have been in various places in the UK for about 5 years now. I love to cook, sometimes like to sew and really enjoy a lot of "nesting" hobbies. I've got tons of student debt (did my undergrad in the US and paid international fees for post-grad work) so as soon as I actually start making a proper income I'll need to keep up my habits to pay that off. OS is really fairly second nature to me, I grew up with a mother who cooked ahead, stocked up and a father who repaired and diy-ed. OH grew up that way, but I think he was oblivious!:)

frugalfrancesca

Hi im new on here Im a 20 year old mum to a lovely little boy age 2, with a fantastic husband that works full time varied shifts as a health carer in a nursing home for people with dementia (mostly elderly), he loves his job but should be paid far far more! I work on a mon and tue in a card and gift shop. I love thrift, crafts and cooking, and being a mum :)x

Rowan9

:hello: Hi folks! How lovely to read your stories and introductions. This is such a warm little community here so you'll soon feel like you've been part of it for A G E S! Keep posting and sharing with us all .
w

Lionbar1990

Hi Guys, New to all this, just looking for advice and to save money (like everyone else) I work full time and am getting married in October, we have a little boy (6mths old) called Alfie :-)

We currently live with my fiancees mum and dad but are looking for our own place, just times are hard! She's going to back to work in November and she'll only be earning a £1 day (Nursery Nurse 25yrs old) as she has to stay there in order to complete her course, which means childcare cost and petrol take her wage right down!

I love football, shopping(:0) and being a dad! And treating the wife to be

Look forward to getting to know you all x

Rowan9

Hi Lionbar - lovely to *meet* you. You've come to the right place to pick up tips on thrifty living and also it's a lovely community here to share what's happening with your family and your plans for a new home - and also your wedding of course! Your DH is doing well going back to finish her course and it will be good for her to keep the end result in mind rather than feel down about her wage meantime.
Good luck with following your Old Style plans and keep posting!
w

cleggie

Hi All

i am a newbie (reasonably) to the OS board.
I am a 31 year old (ouch!!) mature student, just about to enter my final year of a psychology degree.
I am also a single mum with 2 children who are 11 and 7.

I LOVE cooking, but i have been known to spend about £480 a month on food shopping (again, OUCH!!!), but recently got this down to £250 just by being a bit more sensible.

Nice to 'meet' you all!