Am i the youngest O/S money saver here?

Sweet_Pea_2

I think its great that there are young old stylers, I wish I had this site available to me when I was first married at 23. Im 38 now, and Id have done things very differently if I went back in time!
Luckily OH and I have never been in debt, although things have been incredibly tight at times, but if Id Old Styled right from the beginning we'd be rich by now!

Both OH and I were bought up in a very old style way by our parents and some of this has rubbed off quite naturally anyway. His parents are the most O/S I know! I am trying to teach my DD's to be O/S too, DD1 is 12 and won a certificate at school for being the best in Year 7 at cookery - (OK then, food technology!) and Im encouraging her as much as I can. I have always enjoyed balancing the family budget, sewing, knitting and cooking, and for the last few years growing veg and flowers.

Maybe DD's are more O/S than I thought, DD2 has a friend for tea tomorrow and they have requested "your homemade pizzas" DD1 had a group of friends round not long ago and spent ages making cakes and cookies for them, (not a crumb was left over)

I think to be taught frugality is a gift - if your children end up well off and dont need to practise it then fine, but when times are hard they have skills there to be used!

junior_j

Ok so i am only 16 but i do save money in the oddest little way!

I love free cycle and our family have got TONS from there , including the very comfortable bed i sleep in ! With a near new matress and great storage!

I save any form or jars and use them for Receipts , change , numbers , pins , ect.

I use the libary

I buy a film and if i dont particulary like it i take it to a store that buys use games/films of you and get half the money back use that to buy a new wanted film!

I use value and own brands often if i like that product
I use recycled bottles for water and juice and take it every where for me , this saves me spending a pound or more on a drink while i am out!

I always buy clothes from sales , even if it means waiting a couple of weeks!
I bulk out meals when i cook for my family (im 16) with vegatibles and mushrooms , and tomatoes and half the time they do not notice!

If i want to use the gym but dont want to spend money i use my weights of free cycle and take the dog for a walk !

I drink a pint of water before meals then have a smaller portion because i feel more full , making food last longer and spread further.

I make banana bread and cakes out of bananas if no one is eating them and they are going to waste.

I dry clothes on the airer or my curtain poll , i avoid using the ironing by hanging my clothes out in a certain way.
I let dishes soak in cold left over water before i wash them up in fresh water there easy to clean and u dont stand there scrubbing for ages..

I encourage my mum to buy our colgate toothbrushes in multipacks when on offer saves upto 1.50 each time , thats over 6 pound saving a year!

Ahh i love sharing these things lol!
Jess x

pigpen

yeah.. good on you.. these are all vital life skills and should be taught to all young people.. obviously you have a good head on those shoulders of your.. now.. my son is 17 next month.. do you want to come and show him the sensible ways you know?

junior_j

Hehe , i have already started saving a tin u cant open without a tin opener once i saw this site lol
Jess x

taplady

pigpen wrote: »

yeah.. good on you.. these are all vital life skills and should be taught to all young people.. obviously you have a good head on those shoulders of your.. now.. my son is 17 next month.. do you want to come and show him the sensible ways you know?

and my 2 boys too! you are doing a great job Junior:T well done! I hope your family appreciate you!:A

lauren_1

I just wanted to say, bravo for you on being so grown up about money (99.9% of teenagers i know think it just arrives out of the cashpoint and it needs to be spent) BUT don't skip or cut down on food just because you feel you need to, the savings are minimal or is it a weight issue? it could become a rather nasty and progresive habbit without realising.

I used to do this and truely thought that the least i ate the better i could provide for my kids by giving them more etc etc (until i hit 6.1stone at 5.6ft tall)

By all means get addicted to saving money though (its healthier)!

cookiedough38

How old are you!? I hope my daughter is like you when she reaches 16!

junior_j

yes indeed i am 16 years old , and the food thing , is just that i prefer cheaper food , im odd like that
I realized i did not want to become in debt , when i saw my friend family always struggling with money and things , i already have 120 in savings , and i have a further 8 pounds in my room
I am babysitting this weekend so should get between 10-25 pounds depending on length , ten pound will go to be to spend while the rest will go into the bank , i always make sure i spend some on myself and others , because whats the point lol , My aim is to save for my first place ,i want to privatly rent if possible , i do not want to move out until 18 years old , giving me at least 2 years to save , get a decent job and really look at my outgoings and ingoings , also my mum has paid for my contract mobile for the last 3 years , i would love to pay it myself.
Jess x

foreversomeday

Hi Jess,

I am 20 and I've always been quite good with money too! I am just not very good with housework and cooking and things... but everyone on here is lovely and they don't mind when I ask stupid questions so that makes me feel better I think I have a good attitude towards money because my mum never had much money when we were growing up and encouraged me to save up for things I wanted etc rather than just getting what I wanted all the time.

My OH is terrible though and he wasn't exactly spoilt but his parents split up when he was young and I think his mum didn't want him to feel like he went without and he does seem to think money is there to be spent sometimes, so it is good at least one of us is moneysaving or the bills would not get paid!

janeym8

well done you.wish my kids were more like you they are all hopeless with money but are just entering out into the big bad world themselves (17 nearly 18 year old twin girls) so will have to learn.one of them works in asda in chilled food dept so brings home the bargains at the end of the night ,so i suppose she is beginning to think about money.

keep up the good work

janey xxx