Super Scrimpers

GreyQueen

Softstuff wrote: »

I think a lot of it is about people thinking they "deserve it" or to paraphrase the advert they think they're "worth it". People have a list of things they think they need, I've found it surprising to remove quite a few of those things over the past few years and discover what is actually a need. The only thing I removed from our lives, noticed lacking and reinstated was toilet paper. Wine was never on the list to remove incidentally .

But then again I think I'll always be thrifty regardless. I find a bit unpleasant to be otherwise, too wasteful.

I wouldn't want be without the t.p either and I do like to odd glass of wine, too. I worked out a lot of years ago that most of my favourite pastimes require minimal expenditure eg lying on the sofa (cast off from a friend), drinking tea and reading (library) books. Obviously, this requires that there is a room, a sofa, tea, and some energy to boil the kettle. Milk I can take or leave, tea is non-negotitiable....

That advertising slogan "because you're worth it" is recognised as a stroke of genius in the industry. Who wants to say to themselves that they're not worth Brand X and are only worth El Cheapo, even if the contents are essentially the same? It appeals to our vanity.

FatVonD

GreyQueen wrote: »

I worked out a lot of years ago that most of my favourite pastimes require minimal expenditure eg lying on the sofa (cast off from a friend), drinking tea and reading (library) books. Obviously, this requires that there is a room, a sofa, tea, and some energy to boil the kettle. Milk I can take or leave, tea is non-negotitiable...

Me too, I consider myself lucky I'm so easily pleased

lostinrates

GreyQueen wrote: »

That advertising slogan "because you're worth it" is recognised as a stroke of genius in the industry. Who wants to say to themselves that they're not worth Brand X and are only worth El Cheapo, even if the contents are essentially the same? It appeals to our vanity.

I think a better way to think about it, because most people are ''worth it'' would be ''because I've earned it''. I don't mind a nice glass of wine and a book on the sofa myself....but it feels so much better after a day of either achieving...housework, garden any work I have and dh working than it would if I thought we couldn't afford it.

Robson65

Hello all,

There is a programme on Channel 4 that started today that you might all be interested in.

Its called Make do and Mend

Here is the blurb for todays programme from the Radio Times

"New series. Weekday series in which Jo Behari, Simon Wright and Lucia Kempsey offer money-saving solutions and advice to members of the public. In the first episode, the team heads to Barry Island on the South Wales coast to assist a women's rugby team."

Its on at midday every day this week

Robson

vasseur

Robson65 wrote: »

Hello all,

There is a programme on Channel 4 that started today that you might all be interested in.

Its called Make do and Mend

Here is the blurb for todays programme from the Radio Times

"New series. Weekday series in which Jo Behari, Simon Wright and Lucia Kempsey offer money-saving solutions and advice to members of the public. In the first episode, the team heads to Barry Island on the South Wales coast to assist a women's rugby team."

Its on at midday every day this week

Robson

I love these kind of programmes but i often feel that for MSErs it's a case of trying to sell coal to Newcastle....:)

bexster1975

Hello all

Grey Queen, you could have been writing about my home!!

Apart from the fact I work full time, I also furnish my home with ebay/car boot stuff. Equally I don't care what people think this says about my social status etc. The people I spend time with are not interested in that sort of thing, and I would rather be friends with people like that.

I have emailed Channel 4 re: Super Scrimpers. I really do think they have missed a trick here. I appreciate that people on Old Style etc probably won't learn a great deal from a show like this, but if the series could pass on one tenth of the wisdom on these forums, it would be a huge benefit to millions (million?!) of people. As it is, I think it is easy to see why some people may find the series patronising and generally offensive if they are struggling to make ends meet and families on six figure salaries are not smart enough to realise that take away meals 4 nights a week might be contributing to their over spending! Im really not sure how stupid Channel 4 think their viewers are.

I suggested to them that this website might help them with their "tips" rather than the woman who made nettle pasta that neither of them ate:rotfl:

bexster

Ida_Notion

I thought Super Scrimpers was a lot better this week - maybe I'm in some weird kind of mellow mood, but although it didn't offer much new for those for whom thrift has been a reasonably long-held habit, it did seem to me to be much more practical than it has been so far. I don't think it would have made too bad an introduction to thrift and OS for those new to the idea.

I loved the way the little kid leapt up from the sofa to comply immediately when told that lights would need to be turned off in future. I don't think he'd have minded the idea of the whole family sitting in the dark at all

In contrast, I was a bit mystified to see one of the thrifties enthusing about how much money she'd saved by descaling her kettle with lemons - while a wall light and a table lamp blazed merrily away in the daylight that streamed through the window behind her

SunshineBear

No mention of income so maybe they learned something.

Halving the clothing budget was generous I think, selling the clothes and spending half on any new stuff would be better.

One of the old ladies had a fridge as full as my mums, she could keep the whole town in food for a week. I don't really understand having THAT much food in the freezer.

As for the chicken lasting for 2 or 3 meals for a couple, well thats not even trying. Who would have thought about making chicken stock. Revolutionary!!!

The silver wants selling not cleaning with banana.

Apart from that not as bad, but not really instructive.

Ida_Notion

SunshineBear wrote: »

The silver wants selling not cleaning with banana.

Maybe it would fetch a better price after a banana buffing

GroinSexyPavement

I thought it was better this week too.

*runs off to put tights in freezer*