More people are OS than you think!

nattyt

I have been reading a few threads recently about being OS and feeling lonely, people thinking you're weird, stingy etc etc.Now I would not class myself as 100% OS (sorry!). For example I cannot knit, crochet etc. However I do grow my own, always cook from scratch (with occasionally cheeky take-away!) and try to re-use/recycle etc.

Anyway to my point that I am making! I have some friends who when i first met them knew they were what I was aiming for OS wise. They have money so it is definitely a lifestyle choice. (and probably why they have money!) Then got talking to a mum at playgroup who is in my situation (single mum) and she was saying about all the furniture she's revamped (i love this).I also met a man (yes a man!!;)) in a decorating shop who is into all the furniture painting, revamping etc. Another friend who I have known (or maybe thought I knew!) for years makes so many things herself eg quilts, scarves etc. I never knew until a chance conversation came up.Seems she was a little embarrassed as she didn't want people to think she was 'odd'!! The more I talk to people about these things be it revamping, recycling or re-using the more I realise that I am so not alone. I also realise that people want to live more like this. Enjoy what they have rather than want want want.

After my separation I have realised that I was a marketing man's dream carried a long by my ex's extravagance. Strangely enough now it is me that has more money than him despite having an income of half (and 3 kids), a better happier life etc.

When you get to chatting to people you see that they are either OS or actually really want to be OS. Maybe not 100% (like myself) but still want to adopt some of these principles to their life.

By the way I am 32.........brought up quite OS.....then started to earn good money and went MAD....settled down....met ex.........went a bit mad again......now have found who I truly am!

Hope this all makes sense. xxx:rotfl::rotfl:

guineapig

How fortunate you are to have people around you who "get it"! I have been frugal all my life and people think I am a bit mad, but you have to lead by example and not by preaching, eventually some people catch on, others never will.

I would feel very blessed to have people around me who were of a similar mind set.

nattyt

I know what you mean about 'preaching'! I wouldn't do it as would hate it done to me but today a friend and were talking about dressers...she desperately wants one and was saying 'oh but they are £500 plus. So I said have you tried ebay? She looked at me like i was mental! So i dragged her home, went on local bargain finder and voila she is now the proud owner of a dresser that needs a bit of work but cost her........£32!! Now she 'gets it!!' xx

Hermia

nattyt wrote: »

The more I talk to people about these things be it revamping, recycling or re-using the more I realise that I am so not alone.

I totally agree. There are a lot of us out there! I have been in the odd situation of people telling me I don't look OS! And I have heard OS friends slagging off someone who they perceive to be a spendthrift simply because they don't fit the picture of an OS person they have in their head. So, maybe we do assume people don't see things our way when maybe they do.

viv0147

nattyt wrote: »

I have been reading a few threads recently about being OS and feeling lonely, people thinking you're weird, stingy etc etc.Now I would not class myself as 100% OS (sorry!). For example I cannot knit, crochet etc. However I do grow my own, always cook from scratch (with occasionally cheeky take-away!) and try to re-use/recycle etc.

Anyway to my point that I am making! I have some friends who when i first met them knew they were what I was aiming for OS wise. They have money so it is definitely a lifestyle choice. (and probably why they have money!) Then got talking to a mum at playgroup who is in my situation (single mum) and she was saying about all the furniture she's revamped (i love this).I also met a man (yes a man!!;)) in a decorating shop who is into all the furniture painting, revamping etc. Another friend who I have known (or maybe thought I knew!) for years makes so many things herself eg quilts, scarves etc. I never knew until a chance conversation came up.Seems she was a little embarrassed as she didn't want people to think she was 'odd'!! The more I talk to people about these things be it revamping, recycling or re-using the more I realise that I am so not alone. I also realise that people want to live more like this. Enjoy what they have rather than want want want.

After my separation I have realised that I was a marketing man's dream carried a long by my ex's extravagance. Strangely enough now it is me that has more money than him despite having an income of half (and 3 kids), a better happier life etc.

When you get to chatting to people you see that they are either OS or actually really want to be OS. Maybe not 100% (like myself) but still want to adopt some of these principles to their life.

By the way I am 32.........brought up quite OS.....then started to earn good money and went MAD....settled down....met ex.........went a bit mad again......now have found who I truly am!

Hope this all makes sense. xxx:rotfl::rotfl:

What does OS mean ?

MrsRogers

viv0147 wrote: »

What does OS mean ?

Old Style


I totally agree with the OP... I am totally turning into OS although not 100%.. its mainly that DH and I needed to tighten our belts a little many months ago for a short time and now its kind of snowballed from there.. I'm addicted.

We too have more money to spend on the things we want as apposed to being 'brainwashed' into by marketing or other influences.
Ill give you an example I have just purchased a pair of Uggs.. Expensive yes... previously I would have just bought them the minute I wanted them and purchased them from the first place I found them... instead.... I have waited a month to make sure I REALLY wanted them. I researched on here and other sites for the best deals of 'Genuine' ones and managed to get them £80 cheaper delivered .:T:T

I use to be bored with no real interests... now I have a sowing machine, breadmaker, (all 2nd hand in case it doesn't work out), I grow my own veg and love my garden.. Im having craft stuff for Xmas and now even having 'Craft Days' with friends I never even knew where into this stuff !! (we all coming out of the closet ) Other friends are so fascinated they are asking how we make this or do that ....

My mum in reveling in it all as she has always been OS a call her a mix of Delia and Kirstie Allsopp!!:rotfl:

:TOS ROCKS :T

nimbo

viv0147 wrote: »

What does OS mean ?

OS = Old Style...

making things the way our mother's or fathers used to.....

in theory a money saving device, and good for the planet too...

janb5

MrsRogers wrote: »

Old Style


I totally agree with the OP... I am totally turning into OS although not 100%.. its mainly that DH and I needed to tighten our belts a little many months ago for a short time and now its kind of snowballed from there.. I'm addicted.

We too have more money to spend on the things we want as apposed to being 'brainwashed' into by marketing or other influences.
Ill give you an example I have just purchased a pair of Uggs.. Expensive yes... previously I would have just bought them the minute I wanted them and purchased them from the first place I found them... instead.... I have waited a month to make sure I REALLY wanted them. I researched on here and other sites for the best deals of 'Genuine' ones and managed to get them £80 cheaper delivered .:T:T

I use to be bored with no real interests... now I have a sowing machine, breadmaker, (all 2nd hand in case it doesn't work out), I grow my own veg and love my garden.. Im having craft stuff for Xmas and now even having 'Craft Days' with friends I never even knew where into this stuff !! (we all coming out of the closet ) Other friends are so fascinated they are asking how we make this or do that ....

My mum in reveling in it all as she has always been OS a call her a mix of Delia and Kirstie Allsopp!!:rotfl:

:TOS ROCKS :T

Guess you meant a sewing machine but a sowing machinr would be useful!

rachbc

I agree - I went out for a very non OS night of cocktails last night and 3 of my friends are getting sewing machines for christmas.

I actually think its a very small no of people who live the takeaway and ping dinners lifestyle that the 'non OSers' are accused of

Loanranger

OS has been lurking around for as long as I can remember but I think what's changed is that the recession, the anti globalisation movement and environmental issues have together brought being thrifty into sharper focus.

I was brought up in a very frugal household by my grandmother who was born when Queen Vic was on the throne. I rebelled against this way of living big style when I got my own home, naturally, as the younger generation always knows better.

In my grandmother's house the loo paper was squares of newspaper stuck on a nail. We thought we we'd gone to heaven when she upscaled to Izal Medicated Strong Toilet Paper. If you have not encountered Izal, it's akin to sandpaper.

When I was 18, she chastised me for washing my hair twice a week, once too often in her view as once a week was quite sufficient thank you. She only had a fridge when I insisted and bought her one and never had a washing machine nor spin dryer. She used a mangle and I 'helped' aged four.

Gotta say that much has changed for the better in my lifetime but I do try to adhere to some OS principles but I won't compromise on loo paper!

MrsRogers

janb5 wrote: »

Guess you meant a sewing machine but a sowing machinr would be useful!

lol :rotfl: Guess I got over excited when I was typing.