What won't you compromise on in your bid to become debtfree?

Nutty_Netty

I find the the best way to save on shopping is to set a limit and TAKE A CALCULATOR then add it up as you are putting it in the trolley. It really focuses the mind - Its amazing how unsnobbish about you become when you limit is in sight and you still have several things to buy. The only thing i don't compromise on is Branston pickle i've tried the others and don't like the flavour - everything else is close enough to be acceptable - my budget is between £80 - £100 PER MONTH for two!!!!!!Being on benefits I have no choice -it really makes you cut things down to basics and check your cupboards before you go - a lot of shopping is duplicates of what you still have left. I bake a lot and grow my own veg when possible as a necessity.

Paul_VW

Milk From Milkman - its a discrace that supermarkets pay farmers so little
Organic Baked Beans - they only cost a little more, and they are really yummy!
Cereal - the own brand stuff is not the same!
Wine - dont drink much (maybe 1 bottle a month) but its worth spending £4+ for a bottle

SammyD_2

I wont compromise on nice hot showers every day, Twinings English breakfast tea bags, free range eggs, and Pampers nappies. Sorry, but I have tried other brands including Lidl and Tesco and they are not as "dry" as Pampers. And no, I will not swap to reuseables - I work a 50 hour week at least and have two small children and a husband who works a 24/7 shift pattern. Oh and calls back home at least once a week, but always using a 1p a minute rate of course.

Everything else is a compromise...

marsha8

I won't compromise on my lovely Farmbox which I have delivered fortnightly & is full of organic veg.I celebrate each weekend by opening a bottle of Cava(Spain's answer to Champagne).I will always buy free range eggs,free range chicken(because I have read Felicity Lawrence's book),butcher's sausages & bacon.I love my bargains but these have to stay!

loopyloulou_3

i wont eat meat! ive been a veggie for 13 years, and although it would be cheaper and easier for me to eat meat (as OH is a meat eater) i am not going there!!

other than that i will sacrfice most things to be debt free!

bj-sailaway

tesuhoha wrote:

I notice that quite a few of you give to charity. This is one thing i will not compromise on. I dont give any money because I dont feel at all happy that my hard earned money is going to reach the people that really need it. However, I never ever sell old clothes, every single thing goes in the charity bag or recycling. I have given away some beautiful clothes due to son growing, or daughter being fashion conscious. At least this way I feel that someone will get some use out of them. Also if I read something sad in the local paper then I have been known to make a direct donation to the person involved ie funds for cancer patients, road accident victims etc. I also sold a full set of encyclopaedia britannica for £25 to a family that wanted it so i only feel slightly guilty about not giving on a regular basis.

So, you do give to charity, in a way that takes more effort, and tries to be with the most effect. Just as valid as regular direct debit givers.

123xyz

I notice lots of people won't compromise on free range eggs.

These are actually cheaper from the lady up the road (80p per half dozen) than they are in Tescos (85p) and Sainsburys (89p).

Her chickens really are free range, not the supermarket's idea of free range based on advertising guidelines most of us would NOT consider to be free range.

youngandreckless

Slightly controversial I'm sure but I won't compromise on...

Charity - £5 a month to Diabetes UK. V important to me.
My v expensive cleanser - It costs £42 a tub BUT my current tub has lasted 7 mths so far and still has a quater in it. It is v concentrated and makes my skin healthy and spot free.
My highlights - I get them for a bargainous £25 every 6/8 wks v cheap as it is.
Quality shampoo and conditioner - I'm not talking the £16 I used to spend (on each) but it still costs at least £9.
I buy cheap clothes and have given up lot. I wear my hair and skin every day and I believe they should be well looked after.
Cat food. Got a fancy breed that has to have a certain type. Tried cheap and couldn't cope with the results
Other than that I scrimp on everything....

rjrog77

Dove soap (my eczema seems to react to most other kinds)
Polytar shampoo (for the same reason as the Dove soap)

Supporting my rugby team (especially since they are now in the European Cup Final)

Pretty much everything else is dispensable.

fizzel81

umm strawberrys cannot get enough of them at the moment
baby wipes (tried using flannels as suggested on os but just yuck i couldnt do it)
magazines i tend to buy a few a week
everything else can come and go