What changes have you made to become OS?

salski

I used to
Spend lliterally all our wages on a huge shop, clothes, pet food etc in the 1st week after being paid and then have to use credit cards to pay bills

I now
Budget and take money out for spends, shopping etc and write down what bills are due and when and ensure there is always money in our account to pay them!

This has only been happenening for a few months and I feel so much happier about it ;~)

missexcel

This is a really great thread!!
Not only is it instresting to see what people used to do but also to see what they do now!!
I'm new to most of this and in the last 2-3 months I have changed quite a few things:

Used to - do a weekly online shop for food and spend £60+ and have loads of odd bits left which got binned
NOW - I do a fortnightly food shop and batch cook meals to freeze! Convenient and used up everything

Used to - Go out every fortnight and spend £40+ just on drinks.
NOW - Use Sky+ to record movies throughout the week. Make a curry and have a night in with OH! AND no hangovers!!!:j

Used to - 'pop' to a shop at lunchtime/afterwork for one thing and end up with a basket full for no real reason.
NOW - If I NEED something I go to the shop, directly to that item and straight to the checkout. I do not even look at anything else in the store.

These are new changes and the massive difference just but taking on some hints and tips from the forums is fantastic!!:D

salski

missexcel wrote: »

This is a really great thread!!
Not only is it instresting to see what people used to do but also to see what they do now!!

These are new changes and the massive difference just but taking on some hints and tips from the forums is fantastic!!:D

I agree! I love the whole site for hints and tips - the old style money saving is my usual haunt as I love the old style ways - better for environment too - not bought washing powder since joining! Haha

pixie1

I used to buy 3-4 glossy mags per week, now i read them on line.

I used to buy expensive clothes that i didnt need, now i only buy something if i really need it and have searched my wardrobe to ensure i havent got anything appropriate already.

I used to buy 3 - 4 take aways per week or eat out - this im working on as i have slipped back into bad habbits over christmas, but im back to batch cooking and menu planning.

I used to always buy pre-made sandwiches for lunch, now i take a salad box with me.

I used to buy vending machine drinks, now i buy a multi pack from the super market and take that to work instead.

Im loving this thread!!

Pix

kitschkitty

I used to buy clothes that I liked without thinking if I actually had anything in my wardrobe they went with.

I used to enjoy shopping to buy lots of "collectibles" as I enjoyed collecting them, but now I enjoy actually buying less items, but choosing them because they are more interesting, individual things that aren't just part of another collection. I actually now enjoy collecting less material possessions.

JulieGeorgiana

For those who 'used to' spend money on takeaways... I have a tip!

I bought a big NONO Deep Fat Fryer when is was offer at Argos.

Now when we just can't be bothered to cook... when we used to just nip to the chippy for some chips now we make them ourselves!

We don't go overboard, and we don't have them more then we used to... it saves us a fortune, they cook faster then waiting in line... AND they are always crispy and Yummy!

Ps. Lets me honest, oven chips just don't cut it!

Oh and one more note... Making food from the 'takeaway secret' and freezing them... is another fast way of having a 'takeaway' as you just have to reheat!!!

JulieGeorgiana

I used to...

Have a £50 a week Grocery Budget, and spend £55 - £65 a week, EVERY WEEK!

now I...

Have a £50 a week Grocery Budget, but due to bulk buying, and even better menu planning, stretching meals further I have managed (in the last 2 weeks) to underspend by £30 (£10 on last weeks shop and £20 on the 8 weekly meat shop), which will get spent later when I need to bulk buy more items.

Thank you MSE!

freyasmum

I used to buy 3 magazines a month.

NOW I... still do :cool: I don't have any other vices - not clothes or make-up and I can't be bothered with alcohol to be perfectly honest. They're my 'me time' and that's well worth £2.40 a week, IMO :A


I also buy books when I want them (last one was McGee on Food & Cooking - it's utter genius :T). I may look like a tramp, but at least I'm well read :rotfl:

startingtosave

I used to never look at my bank statements
Now I log on to my internet banking every day and have kept a budget spreadsheet for more than a year

I used to worry about my credit card debt.
Now I put all my extra money into a savings account and am addicted to watching it grow little by little

I used to have a secure job.
Now I'm not sure what's going to happen in 2011

At least I'm in a better position to deal with things should the worst happen - it's all thanks to MSE and all your advice. I love this thread, well done everyone!!

fizzypops

hello

I used to buy newspapers nearly everyday now i read online

i used to have a takeaway 3-4 times a week :eek: now i have none (las one was prob oct/nov)

i used to go to the shop for 1 item and come back with 20 now i just buy what i went for :j

i used to spend about £60 a week on food now i spend under £40 and cook from scratch alot more

i used to buy my boys far too many clothes now i just buy essentials