Going Out

dancingfairy

I am so fed up that we can't afford to go out and do nice things - we try and do free/cheap things - but even that costs money with trains/buses etc. I know it's only temporary until we can earn more money but it's soooo annoying when you open the paper up and see the local hotspots buzzing with people having a good night out. Sigh. I know we're doing the right thing not getting in to debt for it but it's not much fun. :(
df

JA1000

Nothing to stop you going out, everything to stop you spending when you are out.

bank_of_slate

Have you joined Seefilmfirst for free cinema tickets?

On a nice day take a picnic to the park?

Can you cook yourselves a special meal, most supermarkets do these 'dine in for £5 or £10 now and enjoy a favourite dvd

Don't read the stories about the hotspots because it'll only make you feel worse.
...Linda xx

barbiedoll

I know how that feels, even if I could afford to go out, I don't have anything nice to wear!

If you get hold of any free cinema tickets, go to the pound shop and stock up on sweets etc, rather than pay for the overpriced rubbish in the cinema. (Just take a big handbag, they never have the nerve to search it!)

Get together with friends and play "Come dine with me". Meet up at yours or their place and make everyone provide a dish, you can have hours of fun slagging off each others cooking in the nicest possible way. Loser has to wash up!

If you do get a chance to save up a few quid, put on your glad rags, have a good drink indoors first and go out very late, just for one or two drinks. Make sure you run home past the takeaway though

WelshWoofer

I know how you feel....
We've taken advantage of the restaurant discount vouchers on here and had dinner out occasionally for at least half price (the La Tasca one is usually knocking around and is good value) and maybe combine this with a cinema visit (using 2 for 1 or Orange Weds or going early, usually a bit cheaper).

Not much fun pinching the pennies though is it?
We try to make a night of it once a month and use it as our "date" even though we're married to try to make sure we spend some quality time together out of the house.

Tixy

Hi df
Its crappy when it just gets you down sometimes. No matter how much you know what you are doing is best for repaying your debts, sometimes it just gets on top of you and you want to be able to do what others can.

Can you try to budget in something fun to do over then next month or so? Perhaps at Easter? so you have something (cheap) to look forward to?

Besides I don't know if its just me but I always find more fun free stuff to do in spring/summer so hopefully the warmer weather will come soon.

JA1000

I totally agree. We all know that this winter has been the coldest for 30 years but is it just me or has it dragged on. I think we have now had minus temperatures every week since mid December and it's still going on. However, it was sunny last weekend (depends where you are) and looks good this weekend. Walking and cycling doesn't cost anything and it's better than sitting in a pub. Although it's nice to have a drink at the end of hte walk / cycle!!!

misty_blue_2

dancingfairy wrote: »

I am so fed up that we can't afford to go out and do nice things - we try and do free/cheap things - but even that costs money with trains/buses etc. I know it's only temporary until we can earn more money but it's soooo annoying when you open the paper up and see the local hotspots buzzing with people having a good night out. Sigh. I know we're doing the right thing not getting in to debt for it but it's not much fun. :(
df

going out doesnt have to mean spending money, believe me the best things in life are free.
going for a walk, listening to birds singing, looking at buds on trees and enjoying the fresh air are a luxury some people take for granted .
These things are just as enjoyable and romantic, and make life enjoyable and worth living
i am bedridden for a lot of the time and would love to be able to do all these free things, all you have to do is realise life is wonderful without having to spend money, if you are willing to just enjoy what you have money or not
goodness hope that makes sense

determined_new_ms

Totally agree with all the sentiments posted, but also sometimes I really just want to go out get drunk (sorry I said it ) go see a band, laugh with mates, stay out real late and not think about whether I can afford it!

JA1000

Being a DWF can be dull especially if you think about the good times not worring except it was the good times which caused the problems. Get back on track and then get a better balance.

niccatw

determined_new_ms wrote: »

Totally agree with all the sentiments posted, but also sometimes I really just want to go out get drunk (sorry I said it ) go see a band, laugh with mates, stay out real late and not think about whether I can afford it!

I second that emotion! Though my friends are now very good and realise I'm not refusing nights out for the good of my health (though, it has been good for my health!) but for my own greater good . So they do sometimes remember to take me under their wing for the night...

I can't wait for the night I can say the drinks are on me and return some of the goodwill I've received. At the moment though, I head to the pub, take the car and stick to water. I don't find it too bad... though have become much more bossy in determining the choice of pub!

Did you get you £1 cinema tickets from Martin's email DF? I'm going to take my own popcorn !

It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation a wee bit eally, isn't it. I get fedup of saying no to things whenever I'm asked. I get upset if I don't get asked because folk know what my answer will be. I get frustrated listening to other folk's shenanigans. :wall:

But I'm working hard to change my focus. I find myself spending much more time with my friend's and their kids having tea and home-made cake... jumping on trampolines or heading to the park to play tig, building snowmen... trying to remember to enjoy being a big kid and loving the things you used to do (like twirling around on the spot until you felt sick, or seeing if you can still do a cartwheel - I can't, or eating your favourite childhood meal). I've had great fun recently just scanning old photos into the computer! You want to have seen my parent's choice in wallpaper :eek::rotfl:! Now I'm not as fussed for going out - and when I do, it's a proper treat and I love the whole getting ready build-up part as much as the going out part! And it costs less anyway 'cos I'm now a total lightweight :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:.

Mist blue, you are so right in what you say. We do take so much for granted. But if we learn to love the little things, it's so much easier to get through the day and be thankful for what we do have.

Crikey, I seem to have come over all philosophical... it's maybe sleepy-time!

Here's to a more positive day todat DF. xx