I have learnt to live without.......

apple_mint

Ooohhh what an interesting thread!

Haven't used fabric conditioner for over 2 years .. now use good old brown vinegar (buy it in gallon containers from Costco for £1.50)

Washing powder .. well I've done the HM version .. done the adding washing soda .. at the moment using Costco's own (Kirkland) version (a huge tub for about £9 using only a 1/4 of a scoup at a time) .. will last me a year at this rate.

Tumble dryer .. now replaced by a pulley system ceiling airer above the stove in the kitchen (will keep the TD for emergencies).

Having read this thread I'm going to refill the liquid soap with bubble bath.

Don't use any air fresheners etc .. the chemicals set my asthma off (besides they smell dreadful .. just open the window)

Don't have a dish washer .. OH does this We do make sure we have enough to justify a bowl of hot water though.

Haven't bought a ready meal in over 18 months. We just cook from scratch ... it is so much better. Our doctor cannot believe how much weight we have lost as a result.

Haven't bought a bottle of wine in 10 months. We are self suffient in HM wine at around 20-30p a bottle.

We make around 2 - 3 litres of HM yoghurt a week ... we use this in lots of ways. Only buy a new starter yoghurt about every three months.

Butter .. will never have margarine again. We make butter from double cream. Not cheaper though. Fantastic taste.

What we cannot do without .. the internet connection! (how would we learn to do all this!), my second hand kenwoood chef, gooood quality dark chocolate (we limit ourself but still have this), our online DVD account (we pick and choose what we want to watch), the freezer (actually want we another one)

grannybroon

For some reason posted twice - apologies.
GB

grannybroon

Still use the fabric conditioner except for microfibe stuff. Always get the anti allergic stuff because DGSs here often plus use non bio powder.

GB

Mrs_A.

ok
so for i have only given up one car and i have stopped using the tumble drier this year....
next year though the year of big changes in our house we will be giving up
pre packed fruit and veg
using carrier bags
unnecessary driving trips
fabric softener
dish washing tablets (will convert to granulated again after having been told to use tablets by the tv adverts)
branded soap powders
use star drops more
to decorate my house less (im always decorating something).
to menu plan
to cut back on the take aways
to go back to hand rolling ciggies
to do more cleaning
to become more organised
to become a more frugal shopper
to attempt to grow more veggies
to refill liquid soaps with bubble bath
and probably a lot more when i read everyone elses great ideas
regards
mrs a

nicola1982_2

Desire I guess. I no longer envy the champaigne socialites who shop from dusk till dawn. I have no desire to eat out at the weekend, nor drink in bars and clubs. I'm happy making my own entertainment - I certainly don't need to buy it elsewhere!

mossstar

TV!! whoo-hoo! we've just passed the 1.5 year mark with no tv :beer:

We DO watch dvds (we use an online postal service too) occasionally - so much nicer and more of a treat.

This year: I'd like to stop buying alcohol (make all our own) and salads (hope to grow our own).

Good luck everyone!

steph

p.s. just to join in - i never use fab conditioner either! and i just use our budget washing powder in the dishwasher too.

lil_me

My no longer need/use list

tumble dryer (only used when son was ill, might sell it)
ironing water
in fact ironing a lot of the time, suprising what doesn't need it
air freshners (combat the smelly thing not the smell)
hair conditioner (bought it when the nits were about but that's all)
make up (in fact threw some out as went ewwwy)
dishwasher (admittedly sometimes would love one again)
shop carrier bags
prepared vegetables (unless they are on offer very cheap)
rubbish bags (put it straight in the bin)
loads of the cleaning chemicals I used to use
fabric conditioner (trying the balls this week)
CREDIT CARDS AND CATALOGUES !!
alcohol (been over a year now)
nights out, been out once this year with DP saving on babysitter
ready meals (at last!)
buying magazines (but do read the ones in GP surgery etc)
buying new books (so many in the charity shop)
hair colouring (cut every few months but thats all)
going shopping (so much easier online and cheaper than the petrol)
At least half of the washing powder I used to use (use half or less now)

magnolia65

I gave up using carrier bags for shopping a few months ago although I do need some as I have 2 dogs and we use them for doodie bags so I pop into the local Coop and they have biodegradeable bags that break down in 18 months (never use them by mistake to store anything like I did...nearly lost a xmas mug when it fell apart a year later getting it out the loft ) and they always let me have a bundle every couple of months. I have stopped buying sandwich bags and now take a clump of bags from the fruit and veg in Tesco. I have never used fabric conditioner for donkeys years now as I have always found it a waste of time, but you can use a little as hair conditioner if you want and it's a cheap method. We have now got rid of Sky TV...a scourge on the braincells.

For the year ahead...getting back to basics on as much as I can and also looking and getting into the homebrew and wine making.

taplady

I'm finding this a very interesting thread I must say! It seems that there's lots more things I could give up and wouldn't miss! so thanks for all the ideas:T

I currently dont miss
fabric softener
ironing water
any cleaner other than stardrops
air freshner (use a scented candle occasionally)
credit cards:j
catalogues:j

tumble dryer only used if theres a huge backlog!
carrier bags - use bags for life or material ones.
ready meals
takeaways
alcohol

I'm sure theres more but cant think just now!

FZwanab

I don't use shower gel anymore, I buy "pure" soap in Tesco and it works a treat, I do have oily skin though so perhaps not so good if you have dry skin. I don't use Shaving foam any more - I use cheap conditioner and it works!. I wash my hair every second day now instead of every day, so use less shampoo and it is supposed to be better for my hair. I use roll on deodorant instead of spray and it lasts much longer, although it takes a bit longer to dry. If I think of any more later I will post.