What's the essence of old style?

laloopi

Ches wrote: »

OS for me is unpicking the modern ways that have seeped into our lives by consumerism.

That's an excellent quote, which I agree with entirely! So I'll sometimes do things like mend socks even though I could buy some very cheaply - it's got a lot to do with saving money but it goes beyond that. Another example is that I'd like to make jam even though you can buy it dirt cheap at the supermarket just so I get the skills in case there's a time in the future (as I suspect there will be) when the reverse is the case, and it's more economical to make it yourself. I guess it's a combination of frugality and becoming more self-reliant that sums up OS for me.

Ches

Its also about actually enjoying learning the skills to be a good homemaker. After all anyone can order a take away or ping a meal.

optimistic-mummy

I'm wanting to start living as frugally and savvy as possible but I'm wondering on this part of the forum what would you class as old style I'm not sure if I have old style ways or not

Thank you

Lilyplonk

Think it means different things to different people, optimistic-mummy.

For me, it means:

• cooking from scratch as much as possible - baking/casseroles etc
• using 'old-style' skills whenever possible - knitting/sewing etc
• make do and mend - repairing whenever possible
• waste not, want not - re-using left-overs to make another meal
• trying to be as economical as possible with what few resources I've got - making my money go as far as possible
• being careful about gas/electricity/water use (I'm on a water meter)
• growing my own veg - once I get my garden sorted out
• buying fruit/veg/meat that's been grown/reared as locally as possible

• If I owned a car, I'd also be journey-planning as much as possible
• Walking/cycling instead of using a car/taxi/buses - only I now have a bus pass, so that one doesn't count for me .

Uniscots97

Lists. Lists for shopping and any other items you have to get so you make the most of the journeys you do make. Also for the things you want don't automatically buy them see if you can get them for free, i.e. Freecycle, freegle, gumtree or swap with a friend (a friend gave me some home made chutney in return for cuttings from the plants in my garden).

meritaten

to me 'oldstyle' is 'make do and mend' and 'cook from scratch' and 'recycle' if possible. but its not the end of the world to have some ready made things to hand. for emergencies.

Starrystarrynight

I've been recently drawn to old style as I'm disabled and need to reduce my hours at work. So, for me, it's about cooking from scratch as much as possible, when I used to rely on ready meals or buying things that just needed warming up. Plus, since finding out my hubby has diabetes, I've been shocked at just how much sugar is in most things, so cooking more means we have better control over his intake.

I also recently became aware that our local garden centre has a greengrocers, and just how much this can save, in terms of cash & less wastage.