I stopped saving and I am spending again

beanrua

My philosophy is to live OS as much as possible so I can spend on the things I really want to - but I always look for a bargain! I live a thrifty life but I enjoy holidays abroad - out of season at reduced rates. I buy clothes from charity shops but I also buy something I really fancy at normal rates when I want to. I do love a bargain and for this I use Groupon in my area- if it is relevant. I live according to my means and I'm not afraid to spend when I want to - but I've been around long enough to know a bargain when I see one. I tend to think there is a happy balance that I can benefit from.

[Deleted User]

PV solar is a great idea. We have them and have a 2.4 kw array, you can easily get an array higher than that because new cells are more efficient. Payback time should be 12 years but the way energy is set to rise, it is likely to be less than that. We get about £1200 a year via the FIT payment, tax free and increasing with inflation. We are home all day and I use electricity wisely ie washing and baking on bright days. We have our main cooked meal at mid day and I use the dehydrator for allotment produce. Our electricity bill for a year is £320. I know I live in an eco house but I still need to use electricity and the ventilation system and inverter use fans. The rainwater harvesting uses a pump and so does the solar system for hot water. More modern systems have special pv provision for power use..

solar cells are to me, better. Our water is hot throughout much of the year and even now gets to 35. At the moment I am topping up with 45 minutes of immersion a day, when the sun doesn`t shine. Next year RHI will come in and we will also be paid for the heat generated by the solar panels. RHI is dependent on the property being insulated to a high standard so that would be very high on my list of spends if I needed it

I still live os by the way, it is ingrained and part of my nature but I am learning to `let go`

ps. we are enjoying the tv a lot. The best picture we have ever seen and it is smart with apps and so on. Sound with cds is unbelievable. I plugged in a hdd yesterday and it quietly recorded a film overnight

Donny gal, a friend of ours moved to be near her dd. They moved far away as that is where the job took them. We moved to be half way between our 2 and one moved, also due to work.

[Deleted User]

knitting is a good relaxing hobby but wool is expensive so maybe the following link will help you to save and spend at the same time. There are hundreds of gorgeous patterns on this site and all free. Real good designer stuff and the yarn is also the best and arrives quickly. They have uk translations

http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/kategori_oversikt.php

ampersand

I gladly endorse Groupon and thankyou kittie for the patterns linky:
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/kategori_oversikt.php

Good Thread.

metalmama1

(sorry to interrupt; what's os? is there a site definitions guide?)

ampersand

Old Style.

Oh dear - that wouldn't post because msg was shorter than 10 characters.

Not now:D