Are you ever embarassed by your money-saving ways?

p-pincher

im definately not embarassed now but i remember when i was a teenager being horribly embarassed by my mum shopping at aldi, we used to make her take different carrier bags. now i think there getting quite expensive so i think i've come along way.

i love getting bargains and saving money. but to be honest most people i know are not remotely interested in even trying to save money even they there always moaning that they're skint. my mum refuses to try and downgrade any of her shopping or to try to reduce her utility bills as she says she cant be bothered so i have no idea where i get my moneysaving ways from (well i do its from all the brilliants threads and tips on this forum and all the lovely people who take the time to post all of there hints and tips).

I think people at work think im a bit of a tightwad as every time were talking about shopping and they mention something they want i can always tell them where to get it cheaper, i even printed of a wh smith voucher for £5 off a £10 book for a colleague to get the guiness book of records for a fiver but she didnt use it as she was to embarassed.

mum26

My mum would rather spend twice the price on something like a dvd or video game than spend 30 seconds using a price comparison site! I'm sure she thinks i'm mad even bothering but my ds1 who is 8 thinks it is great as he got three games for the price of one with his birthday money after we spend a half hour cuddled up with the laptop having a browse round various sites. And the nightmare of going anywhere via public transport with her is so stressful i'm gritting my teeth thinking about it! ("why can't we go on that train, it's the fast one?" "Our tickets are not valid for that train it's a different company!" "well your dad always uses that one" "my dad can afford to, when I checked out prices those were £35 each, these were £14 and dd goes for £2" "well dad always just gets them out of the machine when we arrive" "yes I know first class - there isn't a first class carriage on this train today btw - too, but you muscled in on this trip, you can organise the trains yourself next time" "oh I won't be doing this again with you" and we hadn't even pulled out of the station!

She was quite impressed when I got her to meet me at Tesco really early for their 3 for 2 toy sale though and she got the kids some great lego.

But food reductions and no waste she is incredible on, she is an excellent cook and can make something out of anything, so I can always ring her and say "mum, what can I make with this, that and those left in my fridge"

My nan though is always very very impressed with my bargain hunting, she likes me to go and get the presents for her mostly and is currently thrilled to bits about my true blood book set from the book people, lol!

Kitchenbunny

I am never embarrassed by my money saving ways. In fact, I hope more that my ways rub off on people rather than their views rub off on me. I always feel a buzz when I find a bargain, and am generally happier with what I have rather than what I could have. I want to spend far less than I do, and would love to grow my own fruit and veg, but I'm useless with plants. It feels like everything is provided for you by supermarkets, but by doing it myself or making do, I'm doing things for myself.

If that makes sense

Kitchenbunny xx

gailey_2

Just wanted to day read all 1pages good post made me think of extra ways I can save money.
Hubby gets embarressed when I rummage round reduced sections however even hes see error of his ways last year.
I do have to drag him to carboot sales but he dident seem to complain when I got his cheap plants.

I feel bad I dident pick blackberries this year but did have 2nd baby in spetember. however i remember passing a large house with an apple tree and sign saying 50p take what u wnat off thsi table. but apples looked bit worse for wear but they probably could have made lots of pies.

Also lost my nectar car last few months and not replaced and forgotton boots card on numerous occasions.

Determined to be more frugal. its not about beig tight its allowing em to spend extra money elsewhere in m&s foodhall, farm shop ect.

I bulk cook and freeze, we dont eat as much meat, always but reductions, offers yet never buy a cheap bottle of wine as we big wine drinkers.

Anyone ever been tempted to add up their virtual savings?
as most recipts say money saved at bottom.

One idea freinds and family seem to like is my price per wear with clothes.
I look at price of item, think how much I would wear it use it approx to work out lowest possible price per wear and helps me think its good value for money or not.

Nottoobadyet

Im suprised people are still embarrassed by charity shops... I always get looks of envy when I tell people that my clothes are from Oxfam / Save the Children / Sue Rider! Most of my work clothes are from the Oxfam shop on Camden High Street, they always have some great stuff in.

laurel7172

I was in a cafe earlier today (not very MS, I know, but we were cold and tired and hours from home).

Having paid for our drinks, I discovered that the cafe's copy of the Telegraph still contained the voucher for the free Waitrose chocolates.

Yes, I do feel slightly embarrassed.

Flat_Eric

Ive had lots of positve comments for stuff Im wearing and looks of surprise when I say it came from a charity shop. My biggest bargain a m&s per una cardi :j:D:j ok cost me £6 odd but I would not have been able to afford the £40 price tag, had i bought it new.

Aril

No:D I looked around my home yesterday and commented to my DH that we're now reaching the point that probably more of our possessions are second hand than new these days:j:jWhat I'm most definitely not is mean nor do I expect others to pick up the tab for me. I make sure that all my little mad frugal ways then give us the cash to indulge ourselves with a real treat that all of us enjoy from time to time.
Aril

squelchy69

9 years ago I became a single parent of 2 sons. We had to downgrade our house and make savings every way we could - I still worked fulltime but having a mortgage meant there wasn't much left for luxuries. We had no choice but to be thrifty.

Since then I have a new partner (well, of 7 years) and another son. There still isn't much left at the end of the month so we tend to money save on some things in order to spend a bit on luxuries. For example, we buy from the basics range but can afford a take away once a week. (Of course any left overs are saved for the next day!)

After reading this thread I asked my 13 year old son if he ever felt embarrassed by my money saving ways. He said he wasn't. He likes named brands now and knows that as we can't afford them new, ebay, charity shops or car boots sales are a great way to get them. He even sells thinigs at boots sales when we go, to make a bit of pocket money to buy things for himself. I hope that I have raised him to see that there is nothing wrong with second hand or "cheap". He has a second hand PS3 and we buy games from ebay. Why buy one game new when you can by 3 or 4 on ebay for the same price? He would much rather that.

I am training my other sons to follow suit.........

Long Live Money Saving!

alessev1

Of course I am not embarassed.
I rather save the money for rainy day or for my children future.
I also teach them not to waste and to re-use.