Tips and Quick Questions on “How To Start Being Old Style”

PipneyJane

budget_babe wrote: »

Well, I have popped my head in the fly lady thread, they seem a nice bunch.

I am joining in from Monday but until then I am cleaning/clearing, Mr Budgie is doing outside related tasks, eg staining, power washing and hedge/bush cutting etc.

Its nice to have sometime to get on top of some jobs that are long overdue.

Dad has been to the hospital today and has another all day session of chemotherapy tomorrow.

This is the first time, I have felt glad that I don't have to go back to my job, I realise now just how much it sapped my energy as well as having a detriemental effect on my health and wellbeing.

My friend had to ring me twice yesterday as she was stuck and no-one wanted to help. She had rang me the day before too, just listening to how stressed she was brought it all home to me. Of course I have told he to call me because I will help if I can, we are good friends outside of work, but the jobs become a much younger persons game.

The relief of no targets, no compromising what values I have etc etc.

Its worth having less money, I don't care how hard I have to work to be more oldstyle, I never want to go back to that environment.

Though I do intend to get another job when Dad is through his treatment, (hopefully all will be ok)? Touch wood. I am re-doing my cv in readiness as you never know when you will see something that could be suitable.

But targets, never again.

Hope everyone is ok?

Budgie xxx

Just wanted to wish your dad well with the chemo, Budgie.

Oh, and I completely understand how you feel about your old office. After I left one employer - where everything was timesheet costed down to the second - I kept looking over my shoulder for a few months wondering when someone was going to pop up behind me and yell at me for not meeting targets.

budget_babe

PipneyJane wrote: »

Just wanted to wish your dad well with the chemo, Budgie.

Oh, and I completely understand how you feel about your old office. After I left one employer - where everything was timesheet costed down to the second - I kept looking over my shoulder for a few months wondering when someone was going to pop up behind me and yell at me for not meeting targets.

Thankyou PipenyJane :A

Yes it is odd not to be under the stop clock, Dad is still at the hospital, just hope he is ok after this session as he is 77 on Tuesday and my Ds and his only grandchild is coming home as a birthday suprise. (He lives 200 miles away.)

So I am praying that he is well enough to enjoy his birthday? (Touch wood).

Looking forward to seeing my much loved and so missed darling son.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.
Budgie xxx

Chickenopolis

Hello Budgie !

I wondered where you had been "moved to" just spent the last 1/2 hour looking

It's nice to hear that you are relaxing in your self now that you have stepped off of the hamster wheel , so to speak. You might realise just how long you had been clenching your teeth for subconsciously .

I wish your Dad well x he must be very tired after his treatment , I am sure that he would be pleased to know that you are feeling less stressed though ?

I was very ill some years back when I was in my twenties ( not showing my age at all then) I had major neurosurgery and had 8 months off off work but I knew that I would savour every second as I was allowing myself to slowly recover and that I would not get this time again. Sounds as if you are having a similar journey , for different reasons budgie.

I hope that your Dad has a lovely birthday next week.

Have a great weekend x

budget_babe

Chickenopolis wrote: »

Hello Budgie !

I wondered where you had been "moved to" just spent the last 1/2 hour looking

It's nice to hear that you are relaxing in your self now that you have stepped off of the hamster wheel , so to speak. You might realise just how long you had been clenching your teeth for subconsciously .

I wish your Dad well x he must be very tired after his treatment , I am sure that he would be pleased to know that you are feeling less stressed though ?

I was very ill some years back when I was in my twenties ( not showing my age at all then) I had major neurosurgery and had 8 months off off work but I knew that I would savour every second as I was allowing myself to slowly recover and that I would not get this time again. Sounds as if you are having a similar journey , for different reasons budgie.

I hope that your Dad has a lovely birthday next week.

Have a great weekend x

Hi Cp and hope you are ok, yes I have suffered a merger and never knew about it.

Thank you for your kind words and yes I am on a journey hopefully I will disover my inner me?

But its nice to be off that hamster wheel if only for a short time, big hugs and take care, have a fabby weekend.

Budgie xxxxxx

budget_babe

Just updated on the Grocery Challenge thread and am looking forward to fly lady which starts on Monday.

Hope everyone is ok?

Mr Budgie is at work today but off tomorrow so need to go and get Dads birthday pressie etc.

Also my cutlery this week has started to break, they aren't very old either and should be dishwasher safe? So I am making a list of things I need.

Good news is with the pond uv, the pond shop has exchanged it for a new one as it was electrically dead, wish I had found that out before spending nearly £60 on new bulbs/sleeve. But I am not moaning as I have a completely new uv.

I do hope the water starts to clear now.

So not alot else happening in the Budgie world.

Have a fabby weekend.
Budgie xxx

scampitandnemo

HI there,

I'm new here and after tons of tips!

I'm being made redundant in january so after living a life of buying whatever, we are now having to seriously cut back, save money etc. We are lucky enough to have no debt but if we carry on at the rate we are we would be in no time!!

I have 2 children - aged 18 months and 5, and me and my husband.

want to start getting really thrifty with everything but honestly don't know where to start!

Help!!

blossomhill_2

Hi there
Welcome and good luck
I'd start with the household budget planner to get a good true idea of your situation - that should throw up some areas that have to change drastically
Then you can follow some of the key threads to help with things such as budgetting for meals

hilstep2000

Hi ther, welcome to the OS board!
Have a search about, and ask if you need help!

PlutoinCapricorn

Hello, there are large numbers of people here who are/have become very thrifty, either by choice, for ethical reasons and/or because of a low income. You could spend many days if not weeks reading through their posts - MSE is very addictive.

One thing I am very evangelical about is that there is no need to buy most of the cleaning products that are available, especially the heavy duty ones - provided that nothing is covered in grease/filth etc. I am a white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda user, which together with the magic product STARDROPS meet most of my cleaning needs. Washing soda is good too. Are you anywhere near a Home Bargains store?

I am very anti "chemical overkill". I am a member of the "don't buy fabric softeners" party. I feel really ill when I go into a supermarket and walk down the cleaning products aisles, so I have really benefitted from using only safe, gentle products. I must have saved a fortune over the years by not buying window cleaners, bathroom cleaners etc. You really don't need all that stuff.

Thrift is partly a matter of getting into good habits: eat what you have to hand and don't waste food. Cut down on snackety packety crunchy munchy junk food!

I get a lot of my shopping from street markets, indoor markets, farmers' markets and charity shops. Do you know about cashback websites?

A lot depends on how much scope you have to cut back: very high overheads such as rent, mortgage, council tax etc. can leave you with little room to manoeuvre - which is all the more reason to be careful with what money is left!

camNolliesMUMMY

I'm sure things will work out fine, and welcome to the o/s board

I'm a stay at home mum of 2 boys age 5 and 7 months, dh works full time and we are currently saving for a deposit to buy a house.

My tips are.....

Bulk food out
Meal plan
Only shop for what's needed
Alter your heating via thermostat by bring it down 1c if possible if your comfortable with the setting then leave it.
hot water have on a timer.
Washing machine, use less powder and condirioner that's recommended it's a con for you to buy more. Put on time saver mode so it's not on as long but still does the job.
Use half a dishwasher tab
Make your surface sprays....mine is a cap of antibacterial spray, star drops and water.
I've found sainsburys basic nappies are good I use them in the day time and a usual nappy for night time, this has cut down on my weekly shop saving me a fortune at £1.41 for 20 you can't go wrong? That's if your 18 month old is still in nappies of cause.
Hit b&m or hb for toiletries, even sauces etc first before the supermarket just Incase what you need is cheaper in there.
Farmfoods and Iceland can be good, farmfoods 2 bags of chicken breast at 1kg a bag is £8.

If I think of anymore il be back, but try reading through the thread....lots more sneaky ways to save the pennies thread.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2426287