What changes have you made to become OS?

overdrawn

i'd like to know that too!!!!!!!

FunkyFairy

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=153707

This link will help you both to answer the question about microfibre clothes

pickle

lipidicman wrote:

You have saved me the need to post. I am exactly the same. I dont think I could change now even earning a good amount. Good reminder to try the charity shops more often. I have a 70's trackie top bought for £3 as a student which still looks like the day it was made. I practically live in it.

I do use a credit card though - spending on a 0% saves you money (got my interest this month!) IF YOU HAVE THE DISCIPLINE

The other thing you have to watch out for if you have a credit card and you are as tight as myself is that you must warn your credit card company in advance if you are going to spend money. I went on a holiday once and spent a whole £500 and when I got back there was an urgent letter asking about the suspicious activity on my card!! I promised that next time I would be sure to let them know in advance if I was going to be recklessly spending (apart from my usual £17 internet charge). I guess it's good that they're so alert! :rotfl:

ASG_2

I think I was born OS, but lost the plot as my salary increased. Lightbulb moment November 2005 when I swapped jobs [more money AND less stress] and needed to become an FSA "Approved Person". Found MSE and haven't looked back since. I now menu plan which means that I spend 50% less on groceries than I was doing last year, we eat much, much better. I can't remember the last time I bought a loaf of bread. I've grown veg for years, but have actually planned it this year instead of planting unusual stuff that catches my eye. I'm so much more aware of what I'm spending, and far more thoughtful about what I buy [which isn't much these days as I've learn't that there are more ways to get things than pay full retail price] I am, however going to pay full price for some microfibre cloths this week.
Challenge for the future - cut down/out my weekly trip to the supermarket.

Mia's_Mum

Hi there. I am new to MSE and OS. Please could someone tell me about the washing crystals and soda for the washing machine. I desparately need to reduce my costs. I have brought out the slow cooker from its resting place, finally bought a Panasonic bread machine - I've been wanting one for two years! - which has been fab...

I would also like to know about home made yoghurt, and my little ones love it, and every time I go to the supermarket to get some more, I end up spending £50+. Not good.

Linda32

lottiegirl wrote:

2 questions does anybody know where to buy a small container for vegetable peelings to take to the compost heap?

We use the smallest size swing bin from Wilkinsons, about £1.99 and put a carrier bag in it. It sits in the kitchen next to the waste bin. No it dosn't smell if thats a worry.

Once its full we take it down the lottie.

mummysaver

Mia's_Mum wrote:

Hi there. I am new to MSE and OS. Please could someone tell me about the washing crystals and soda for the washing machine. I desparately need to reduce my costs. I have brought out the slow cooker from its resting place, finally bought a Panasonic bread machine - I've been wanting one for two years! - which has been fab...

I would also like to know about home made yoghurt, and my little ones love it, and every time I go to the supermarket to get some more, I end up spending £50+. Not good.

Hi there, have a look at the thread I started about washine machines on the OS board, I asked the same questions!

mummysaver

ASG wrote:

I think I was born OS, but lost the plot as my salary increased. Lightbulb moment November 2005 when I swapped jobs [more money AND less stress] and needed to become an FSA "Approved Person". Found MSE and haven't looked back since. I now menu plan which means that I spend 50% less on groceries than I was doing last year, we eat much, much better. I can't remember the last time I bought a loaf of bread. I've grown veg for years, but have actually planned it this year instead of planting unusual stuff that catches my eye. I'm so much more aware of what I'm spending, and far more thoughtful about what I buy [which isn't much these days as I've learn't that there are more ways to get things than pay full retail price] I am, however going to pay full price for some microfibre cloths this week.
Challenge for the future - cut down/out my weekly trip to the supermarket.

Seen on another thread that Tesco have their microfibre cloths half price at the mo, apparently they are clearing out some of the cleaning stuff!

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

Upto 18months ago, OH & I had a good income of 55k a year:eek: We worked hard and played hard IYKWIM....LOL. Had no savings and spent all the money we had coming in, but we enjoyed it etc. After me becoming disabled and OH is my FT carer, our income is now about 8k a year (live on benefits) so have had to cut back drastically.

The main changes we've made are:

Not shopping at M&S weekly (exclusive snob before)
Meal planning
Not eating out
Buying stuff we need and not want
Using vouchers when we can
No food being thrown in the bin-made into a quiche if any left for another meal or lunches
Cancelling phone contracts and going PAYG

Tons more....LOL. Im amazed that thanks to this website I have money left at the end of the month and paying chunks of my CC of each month. Probably better off now than when we earnt better money. Its still a struggle but think we manage quite well. If when Im better we go back to work and have the same income as before we would have a huge amounts in savings, but I would still be very very careful.

PP
xx

lipidicman

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

If when Im better we go back to work and have the same income as before we would have a huge amounts in savings, but I would still be very very careful.

Exactly. OH and I got this way due to being students (one's who mostly avoided debt). Once you know how to budget (and still enjoy the best ie not takeaways, but HC food that tastes better) no increase in earnings would make you decide that you can afford to 'waste' your money, would it? Lack of time might but then I wouldn't want a job that demanded so much time that I couldn't take the time to make myself a meal.

BTW, good luck with getting back to work one day.