Do you miss anything from your "old life?"

spugzbunny

Haircuts! - I do a much better job!

Caterina

Expensive face creams - I used to be a total addict to high-end cosmetic creams but since I stopped using them I have to say I haven't noticed a great difference.

I am now trying to wean myself off expensive shampoo.

The problem for me is that I do not like to use any products that contain suspect chemicals (parabens, SLS etc) but this means that the majority of these baddies-free products on the market are organic products, which make them quite expensive.

Otherwise I have given up coffee and booze quite easily and so many years ago that I no longer miss either of them.

Edited to say: oppppps how could I forget? I haven't had a car for the last 9 years, and not missing it at all!

marmiterulesok

Booze and fags.Saving money wasn't what motivated me to stop,but it's a nice bonus.

Crisps.

Magazines and newspapers.

Any form of ready-meal.

Having lunch at the work canteen.

Window shopping along with going into town with the express intention of spending money.Stopping off in town to have a coffee and a snack.I take something with me now,or wait til I get home.

Using store cards.

Tish_P

Rebekah, it's not my business really I suppose...
...but please tell me that giving up both "eating during the day" and "breakfast" doesn't mean you only eat once a day? That's not healthy, and sacrificing your health really isn't MoneySaving in the long run!

[Deleted User]

Uneccessary shopping, in that I only go to the shops to buy what I have run out of, and use far more of the stuff that I have in store now.Last week I went for seven days only buying essential stuff and it came to £5.70.This week soo far I haven't been near a shop since Saturday.I will have to go to get a few bits probably tomorrow or Thursday but they will only be the bare minimum.I started this month with £120.00 in my food purse and have well over £108 pounds still in there. I am trying to eat my way down through my freezer so I can defrost it before Christmas.Great way to save a bit of cash as well as the stuff is just sitting there in my stores and it was bought to be eaten

Tish_P

I would have said TV, but I never really had one and don't like them so that doesn't count as giving up.

Magazines, though. I used to love Cosmo and the like, but once I stopped I got a double saving: I wasn't buying the magazines, and also wasn't buying any of the stuff I might have bought because it was advertised or promoted in the magazines.

Penelope_Penguin

I've pretty much given up using my car and miss it not at all I cycle to work, have my groceries delivered. Mainly use it to taxi the teens :rotfl:

I'll add this to the exisitng thread of what people do or don;t miss to give you more ideas.

Gefjun

rosieben wrote: »

I dont miss anything from my pre-OS days. Especially I don't miss the 599 different sorts of chemicals in my kitchen cupboard - microwave cleaner anyone? , I don't miss sleepless nights when a big bill drops through the letterbox unexpectedly, I don't miss juggling my last few ££ as I limp to the end of the month.

I love OS! :j

I second this!

I don't miss sinking into the red 3 days after payday, or cigarettes, or wading through loads of 'stuff' in the larder to find something to make a dinner out of.

I don't miss buying lunch at work (it's a bit hit and miss in our canteen anyway), however, sometimes lack of planning lets me down.

I do miss booze, but that's not because I'm OS, it's because I'm pregnant!:rotfl:

pink_numbers

I've given up:

my car
pubs & clubs
chemical cleaning products (bicarb & vinegar)
shop bought washing powder (home made)
fabric conditioner (vinegar)
toiletry products (shampoo, conditioner, shower gels, moisturers, etc. - we use home made soaps)
tissues (fabric tissues)
kitchen towels (old rags)
TV & Sky
ready made meals
take aways
brand new fashion items (charities are much better deal!)
buying books (the library is my new friend)
nail products
smoking (never drank)
shopping for the sake of shopping
going for expensive coffees
buying drinks while out and about
buying presents (make them)
shop bought jam & marmalade
shop bought bread
going to the supermarket every week
magazines
buying craft things for the sake of buying them
visits to the hair dressers
throwing chicken/lamb/pork bones away without making stock from them first!
hoards of make up
grabbing something to eat while out

katholicos

I gave up smoking 10 years ago (gave it up when became ill with long term lung issues.
I don't drink alcohol (take too much medication anyway).
I don't buy soft drinks (use dilute squash or drink water).
I don't use fabric softner (use vinegar).
I don't go to the hairdressers (I cut my own hair).
I don't drink coffee (gave it up for Lent about 4 years ago and then had a really bad lung infection and never again acquired a taste for coffee).
I don't buy take-away food.
I don't pay to eat in restaurants.
I don't buy magazines (the Daily-hate-Mail is just as trashy and gossipy and it's free to read online).
I don't buy newspapers ( i read online news).
I don't pay for weekends away or holidays (parents have a static caravan and we can use it when we want - though they may have to sell it nex year as Dad's health is so bad and he is on oxygen now)
I spend the minimal amount on food by purchasing 80% of our groceries at online food clearance websites.
I don't purchase ready made cleaning products full of chemicals, opting instead to use vinegar, wash up liquuid and water primarily.
I tend not to socialise in the evenings so find it rather easy to live a life free of make up and beauty products.
I rarely purchase clothes and try to buy clothes from charity shops when i do.
I rarely pay for books although i have rather a lot of them, i occasionally do online surveys and store up points or whatever and then place book orders using voucher codes.
I try to make presents and cards rather than purchasing them...though if i do pay for presents I make sure they are heavily disounted.
I don't buy ready meals but cook from scratch
I rarely buy meat as my DD is a vegetarian and i was one for 13 years so can live without meat no probs, though eat it when i am invited out for meals with family and friends.
I need a car to get about (lung problems) but the car can sit for 3 or 4 days on the drive without use and i use it sparingly for necessary journeys only.
I rarely go to the cinema but if i do then it is on the Orange Buy one ticket get one free Orange Wednesday offer.
I grow veg/salad/some soft fruits..all organic. I would not be financially able to purchase organic veg on my limited budget.
I cut my yorkshire terriers hair and never pay for her to be cut at pooch parlour.
And...guys look away now if you are reading this.....i use washable sanitary protection! Sorry if that is TMI.


Edited to add: I don't miss any of these things at all now...but they are things i have given up over the years that i may have had some withdrawal symptoms from initially :-)