Do you miss anything from your "old life?"

GetRealBabe

Hi

Weaning myself off paper towels-use old t-shirts instead
Baths-shower now
Vegetarian ready meals-now cooking from scratch

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

I gave up my car too and reckon over the two years I've not had it it has paid for me to have my bathroom done aldo I lost 2 stones in weight so another good one all round!

I gave up newspapers ages ago, well done witchypoopiggy on giving up smoking! I bet you saved a fortune on that one, did you put the money saved in a jar?

Primrose

I'm trying to reduce my toast for breakfast (to cut down on butter use) and eat more porridge but even when I add frozen soft fruit to make it less dull, I find I'm now using sugar instead of butter.
I would greatly miss a glass of wine with my meals.
I would desperately miss my morning newspaper over a leisurely breakfast.
I could give up the occasional cappucino when out & about.
I would miss my visits to charity shops because I have had so many bargains from them.
My library visits are free but I would desperately miss it if closed down.
Have given up my gym membership to save money and confess I don't miss the exercise machines at all, but do miss the swimming pool there.
Generally live quite frugally, so don't have many extravagances to give up.

aless02

Siren1 wrote: »

Sorry for the questions but I'm new to cooking and baking, and I'm delighted to have discovered this forum, loads of helpful advice!
I have made apple crumble and also shortbread today, both recipes used a lot of butter, would you have made these using oil? If so, what type of oil? Thanks.

It may not work as well in something like shortbread, which demands butter not only for fats content but for the actual flavour. However, oil (just your basic run-of-the-mill vegetable oil) does work as a sub in pastry, sauces, and other bits. Another really cheap fat is lard - works fab in scones and such.

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

just thought of aanother one, booze! I used to drink loads of wine and stopped, I used to have it delivered in bulk so I can really see the saving ( and on my liver, but people think you are weird if you don't drink so I keep quiet about it)

alec_eiffel

I'm not tee total but I don't drink very much and don't miss it as much as I thought I might. The biggest negative is a fleeting one in that people think it's weird the first time I'm with them and don't drink when I would have done before. But pretty much like anything, once people know I don't expect them to not drink just because I'm not and that we'll still have fun then it's not an issue.

And the sleep, I love the good quality sleep that comes from not drinking!

I didn't mind when we gave up our car for 6 months, but DH hated it.

Rebekah24

Wine
Going out in the evenings (out with friends - pub situations)
Eating during the day at work (tea, squash etc now)
Brekfast
High end make up

... all those were pretty easy ( wont be getting me to give up my tele mind LOL

valk_scot

Siren1 wrote: »

Sorry for the questions but I'm new to cooking and baking, and I'm delighted to have discovered this forum, loads of helpful advice!
I have made apple crumble and also shortbread today, both recipes used a lot of butter, would you have made these using oil? If so, what type of oil? Thanks.

I use block marg for these, preferably Stork. It's about 1/3rd the price of branded butter or 1/2 the price of supermarket butter. I don't think using a decent quality oil (I use sunflower seed oil for other baking, not generic vegetable oil) would be any cheaper than using Stork tbh.

Oh, and what do I save money on?

Alcohol. I was almost teetotal anyway before I started on the current regime of painkillers, now I am totally. Booze is pricy. I don't drink coke or other fizzy drinks either, or coffee, or fruit juice. I drink ordinary t-bag tea, water or milk. Saves me a fortune on all the rest. The kids? They get the odd bottle of sugar free squash instead of the tea.

Fabric softener. I live in a soft water area so it's pointless anyway.

Magazines. We use our Tesco points for one magazine sub each per year (err, two for me, come to think of it) and it saves us a huge amount. Plus the kids don't nag me for comics any more.

Newspapers. We read the news online.

Hairdresser. I cut the kids' hair, have a set of clippers for my OH and cut my own fringe. My sister gives the back a trim now and again.

7roland8

Newspapers

Toiletries - just buy Tesco Value bubble bath, toothpaste and Shampoo

Face Cream - buy either Aqueous Cream or a huge pop from Avon when on offer for under £3 and it lasts for months - can also double as hand cream

Fabric softener - never use

Washing Powder - cut right down and use a wash ball in as well

mrs_motivated

I dont miss;

baths (shower instead)
crisps (ok I miss them occassionally, but not often)
trying to keep up 'with the Joneses'
shop bought eggs (my girls lay much nicer ones)