Anyone save to the extreme?

chopperharris

We are like the proverbial crabs rectum.But we still live quite well because of it.

I get the kids presents on sales for birthdays and xmas well in advance , actually buying through the year.Ie tesco and asda have cd , dvd , and game clearances for stupid money like a quid for console games for example.

Last year we managed three very long hols using cheap airlines and apartment rentals.Buying the flights on day of issue for the next season can see returns to spain etc for 60-70 quid a neck.Then you trawl apartment rental sites and look for cheap deals outwith the usual busy schedules , never pay the advertised price and email play them ... an empty makes no one happy.

I did the same with double glazing , played 5 companies off for like for like quotes and more than halved the original cheapest company's quote.

Bought a pre regged car for 40 percent off list , now trading it in for more than half of what i paid for it after doing 20k miles on another pre reg with 6k off preorder.

We only buy what we need , unless theres a stupid offer on like bogoff beating the supposed cooperative shopper places like costco.We go to two supermakets every week , some things are cheaper in one than in the other.

Cut 50 percent off my car , home and contents insurance by using direct line , contrary to popular belief the compare sites have never been cheaper than anything i can get by myself.

We eat out once a week and takeaway once.If your clever then you can get takeaway for cheaper than making the stuff at home...and less hassle.

Set up the heating system at the lowest level to stay on to keep house liveable but not hot..and without cardigans or pullies.

I buy my dog pet food in bulk , not from the branded companies but by burns homepathic online.A 45 quid bag lasts months which works out cheaper by half comapred to tinned meat supermarket brand.

I use an electric company for my gas , a gas company for my electric which as yet has not been beaten by compare sites.Double glazing being replaced has took a big chunk out of that too.

I fill the tank once a month with a tesco 5p off voucher , and of course the points add up.

Next thing is a diy kitchen , if you can do flat pack furniture yu can do flat pack kitchens easier than you would think.Use companies like howdens but get a corgi guy to do the pipes inc gas and electric hook ups.

Also adding downlights to the eaves , doing the majority of work myself apart from test and hook up to meter/breakers.Which would be one hour of professional spark rather than several.

I buy expensive brakes and tyres for my car , lasts many more times longer than budget stuff.

I never buy garuntees for electricals , or service agreements for gas boilers.False economy , never buy cheap brand electronics especially from tesco.

Last year as diesel prices went up i considered making my own , and its legal for 2700 litres before you need to declare it for tax.~Unfortunately current car wouldnt like it.Plenty of local takeways would have supplied far more than the 2700 litres so i would only have been paying for a all in one station and chemicals.

I buy a new pair of shoes every other year , same with decent trainers , shoes still look like new but trainers dont.Since ~I started buying real sports trainers , rather than fashion ones , they last about 2 years.

Biggest saving is i never use credit for anything , but years ago i did for emergencies..now theres enough savings i just use it for online purchases for the security and insurance.

BusPass_2

Chopper

I am in awe.

If ever Martin is unable to keep a telly engagement I am sure you could fill in!!

How does Mrs Chopper feel about it all?

chopperharris

BusPass wrote: »

Chopper

I am in awe.

If ever Martin is unable to keep a telly engagement I am sure you could fill in!!

How does Mrs Chopper feel about it all?

Her only complaint is that the villa in the sun just isnt happening fast enough

yung

Make sacrifices now then enjoys later, that has always been my motto. I started enjoying my life by taking early retirement at 52 five year ago. my investment pay al my bills and my modest pension pay for all my holidays and food.

rictus123

I have been the past few weeks and will be going all out for saving £2k for xmas.

Zebra

Jay83 wrote: »

I love the security that having that money in the bank brings but when you feel like you are living your life as a hermit is it all really worth it? :S

No. Security is great and very important. But it's equally important to enjoy your life, you never know what's round the corner. There's plenty of things you can do which don't cost a lot.

Life is for living - enjoy it while you can.

Busy_bee_3

I LOVE saving. its totally addictive. i dont feel like i miss out. i go out one or twice a month and have takeways from time to time. i also have a massive spend up about once a year. last year i bought a TV and before that i bought a games console. I do get days when i want to blow the lot on a new car or something but if i didnt have the money in the bank i wouldn't have been able to make an offer on a flat this week. It will be horrible seeing the money go when i eventually buy a place of my own but this is what i've been saving for.
its good to set small goals for yourself and reward yourself when you reach them. I feel like i enjoy myself more when i havent been out for a while. its more of an occasion than if you went to the pub every weekend. just out of interest, how much have you saved so far?

evenasus

I do love to save and I get a buzz each time I update Quicken and my savings Excel spread sheet.
I enjoy spending on my two sons and their families though.

Extravagant I suppose but we've spent £6K on two televisions in 18 months.
Bought the Philips Aurea when it first came out, then Philips brought out a newer Aurea model. :rolleyes: So gave the first one to one of my sons and bought the new one. His had gone on the blink - that was our excuse.

Biggest extravagance though - paying off sons mortgages. :eek:

Jay83

Busy_bee wrote: »

I LOVE saving. its totally addictive. i dont feel like i miss out. i go out one or twice a month and have takeways from time to time. i also have a massive spend up about once a year. last year i bought a TV and before that i bought a games console. I do get days when i want to blow the lot on a new car or something but if i didnt have the money in the bank i wouldn't have been able to make an offer on a flat this week. It will be horrible seeing the money go when i eventually buy a place of my own but this is what i've been saving for.
its good to set small goals for yourself and reward yourself when you reach them. I feel like i enjoy myself more when i havent been out for a while. its more of an occasion than if you went to the pub every weekend. just out of interest, how much have you saved so far?

This is something i sometimes think, when you have all that money backing you up it it makes you feel so much more safe and secure. But once you start from stratch again it will be such a horrible scary feeling but i know it will have to be done.

I think this has only been a problem for me because all the people i work with have such wild and wicked weekends going out doing stuff and i only get to do this like once in a while. Just feel like im older than i should be. I guess its all about priorities