OS Daily Tuesday 14th April

clutterydrawer

I think you can still get the quality via OS methods, its just often more time consuming.

Maybe the things you rally can't achieve frugally, you should treat yourself to occasionally - I know it's a cliche but I find i appreciate things like that much more if i only get them once in a while. Your family probably don't even notice how nice their washing smells any more.

taplady

Sunnygirl - (((hugs))) I hope everything goes ok for your Dad tomorrow and that he can soon come home x

I'm another fan of Susan Boyle and Stavros Flatley:T:T

blueberrypie

Was the washing cleaner in the end? Could you perhaps use a drop or two of essential oils on yours to get a scent that appeals?

Yummy bread - make your own? Hit the supermarket at price-reduction time and grab what they've got and freeze it? (Reheat it in foil in the oven and it will taste just like fresh.)

Butter - I must admit I buy butter, not spreads. It tastes better, and health advice goes back and forth.

Sheets - I do think this is one place where buying good quality is worth it - both because they do feel more comfortable, but also because they wash better and last longer. I suspect that in the end, cheaper sheets are often a false economy. Having said that, all of mine were bought at a discount.

Cosmetics and toiletries - making your own can be frugal and luxurious! Or maybe you could think about the bits that really make a difference - a really scrummy face-cream or hand-cream will probably make you feel better than a very expensive mascara. And a good cream doesn't have to cost a fortune anyway - I love the Nivea Visage Aqua Sensation cream (comes in a luxurious-feeling tub too).

It sounds like you really feel the need for a bit of pampering. Can you gather a few really nice things to spoil yourself for a couple of hours? - something relaxing for the bath, a few candles, some favourite music, good book and a glass of wine, the fluffiest towel you own for afterwards, etc? And give yourself that treat when you feel like it? Or maybe something else would do it for you - a couple of hours to walk on a beach, or a Saturday afternoon with nothing to do but sit in the sun (or by the fire) with some great reading material? A massage, if you've got someone who'll do it for free or trade with you?

nic1lou2

Thanks for that Sunnyday :T. Will def give it a go tomorrow/thursday! They had loads in Morries today so if I do like it will def get more (only £1.49). Which garden centre did you go to (I see you are in Yorkshire!)?

choille

About once a fortnight I buy really lovely bread & I also buy good butter - coz I like it.

I have really good sheets that I bought job lot at an auction very cheap & they are really good cotton.
You do sometimes see them in charity shops & not used - some folks just want poly-cotton.

I do buy really nice liquid hand soap wash out of International for £1 Blackpepper & something scented & use that in the loo. And it lasts for ages, but I usually buy cheapy bars of soap out of tescoor LIDLs, but I know what you mean - the hankering. I've not been to a hairdresser for years & it shows, so may just splash out soon.

fletch3163

I too fully understand you feelings. Don't feel bad.

Out of all the things you enjoyed whilst you were away, what was the most enjoyable? The sheets? The bread and butter (my choice)? Whatever it was, have it! Find a way to afford it and have it.

I personally would cut my hand off before I bought kitchen roll, BUT loo roll on the other hand I won't scrimp on. I'll put my heating down but it's butter all the way. I'll sew my tights but I won't buy basics meat. It's all relative.

Don't, whatever you do, feel bad about your efforts. I love, love, love the idea that the pennies stayed in my pocket instead of Asda's

Princess_Jane

Sounds like my SIL!

My brother has a good job and gets paid a small fortune.

So she has the best of the best of everything.

Last time I was round she showed me her 'bargains' from Laura Ashley - a blanket to drape over my nephew's toybox reduced to £50!!

The irony is the one thing she wants she hasn't got.

She is desperate to work and have a career but my brother isn't having it. Says he earns more than enough and all she needs to do is bring up his son and look after the house.

Gets me down when she is spending £50K on a new kitchen and our own house/DIY project is coming along at a snail's crawl due to lack of cash but at least I am self-sufficient.

Buddingblonde

You have all given me a lot of food for thought - and I am going to have to spend a little time working out what exactly it was. My head at the moment is saying it was everything, from the moment I woke up in a luxiously comfy bed, to a wonderful shower with beautiful smellies and lovely soft towels. Breakfast was delish, cosmetics and creams were sensational and that was all before 10am.
Re: the washing - her clothes and things did look cleaner and certainly ironed better than my 30 min loads. I have noticed that a lot of my clothes are becomin very bobbled and I have been wondering if the cheap washing is part of it - they are not cheap clothes btw.
I think that a little luxury is certainly needed in the house and that I have possibly taken that for granted when cutting down the household budget. I think a wee rethink might well be in order to get me back on track and feeling a little less cheated. I think that £ is no longer doing it for me at the moment -if I was saving enough of it to make a difference then possibly that would help too. I have very little debt (thankfully) and the money I have extra is just getting put aside for the life things (insurance, repairs, running costs etc). Last week some sod ran into my car in a car park and did loads of damage to 2 doors. No one saw anything and so that is where this months extra is going!

maryb

I like to feel that it's a bit French and stylish to be frugal but insist on good value. I really like some of the things I get at Lidl like their butter (pale and soft and just like Lurpak) or the olive oil but you have to pick and choose.

If I buy fabric conditioner I buy expensive stuff, but I hardly ever use it except when washing woolens (it actually stops the towels being absorbent) so it doesn't make a big difference in the overall scheme of things and it's not worth buying cheap stuff.

Feeling that you can bring judgement and discernment to your shopping choices rather than always going for the cheapest option is what buoys me up. I always felt depressed after reading Amy Dacycysyn's Tightwad Gazette - it made me feel that being frugal meant never having exactly what you wanted, when you wanted it (unless it was lentils). I also hate the way some manufacturers seem to punish you for buying cheap products (especially textiles) by making them nasty with lumpy seams.
So I won't compromise on quality but I find it makes you feel really good when you develop a knack for finding quality at a good price

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

Hi buddingblonde, I read your post and had to reply before I go to bed. I understand what you mean as I had a SIL like that and she used to make me feel like a cheapskate but now she's lost her job and kicked her hubby out and facing a huge mortgage after years of blowing it all away...makes you think.

My thoughts are as follows...

- its all relative, I have just watched a compelling second world war film called 'the pianist' and feel quite wasteful living a 21st century lifestyle even though I am a frugalista.

- find a 'treat' that makes you feel as if you are having something luxurious, it doesn't have to cost much and enjoy.

- your outlook on life can make or break you, I always try and find the funny side if I can. having a laff about stuff can change the whole perspective on things.

- don't beat yourself up about it, you must have a reason for being a MSE so be proud!

Cheerio!