Welcome to my world....

[Deleted User]

<< My guilty secret, though, is that every couple of years we have "once in a lifetime" type holidays. Our last 2 years ago was to California and the Grand Canyon and the next one, next year is to New York and the East Coast.>>

Nothing wrong with that I use my 'saved' money that I didn't throw away on unnecesary things, on going away with my oldest friend June in the spring for a week, and a fortnight in the summertime with my DD and tribe
Four years ago June and I did a 'Thelma and Louise' for three weeks touring by car around north-east USA and had a fantastic holiday which was unforgettable and worth every penny.I don't think the Americans could understand why two little old English ladies didn't want to go to Florida but wanted to see the 'real USA'.We were greeted with great hospitality and hopefully we may do it again one day

monnagran

I'm with you all. Those of us brought up during and just after the war have thrift as part of our psyche. I could no more throw something out because it was 'old, out of fashion, slightly damaged or I just fancied a new one', than fly. There is no feeling to beat the satisfaction you get from rescuing something destined for the bin, and turning it back into something useful.
I'd like to go on but I'm supposed to be doing housework now, not playing on here, but I'll be back!

lilac_lady

I've had my share of seeing the world with the OS money that I didn't spend but had to wait till my late 40s before I could start travelling as money was tight despite my OS ways.

I think that using money saved for treats and holidays is a good thing as I'm sure they're more enjoyable knowing that they've been saved for instead of becoming plastic debt.

crumblepie

As I've got older I've got[STRIKE] meaner[/STRIKE] thriftier. I think having the internet and this site has helped over the past few years. I am OS because I don't see the point in paying my hard earned money to companies who are trying to sell me something I don't need. But I firmly believe in value and quality which doesn't always mean cheap. Someone said it earlier in the thread about spend money on shoes on they'll last longer if it's good quality. This morning I spent a small fortune on a pair of boots that will still be going in five years time. Cheaper shoes have been known to only last me six months so a false economy.

Living a simpler life has made me spend less and save more. The savings then are used for rainy days / repairs / treats which I'm happy to spend money on as it's not getting me into debt. I use my tesco credit card though to get the points!

Lizzieanne

:T:T:T

What fabulous posts! I couldn't agree with you all more.
BTW, we call second hand items 'previously enjoyed'.
Even our cat was 'previously enjoyed' by two other owners before he finally settled with us.
He was snoring next to me the other night as I made a hot water bottle cover out of an old, 'previously enjoyed' jumper.

oldtractor

(((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) Hawthorn I most definitely can empathise with you. I was in an abusive relationship and ,like you,it involved withdrawal of necessary money for food etc and foul and abusive behavior. After 16 years I got out . like you I splurged a bit but now know the value of shopping around and buying second hand . Its a whole different world choosing to do it rather than having to do it,especially when the abuser bought a new car and other things during my time with them. [it wasnt my husband BTW,it was my MIL who owned the property we lived in,and had my DH [her son] working for her at her farm for £40 a week [circa 1990's]. Me and DH managed to escape when I received an inheritance and we used that to fund a house deposit and live on whilst he retrained for another job. Hes a lorry driver now. Life is SO MUCH BETTER.

Sunnyday

Katieowl, what a fantastic post!

It fair brought a tear to my eye reading it. I have to agree with everything that you and others have said.

If everyone appreciated what they have and where it came from the world would be a much better place.

I`m another with a spendthrift materialistic family who see me as the odd one out. DH laughs at me but is so amazed at what we have achieved he is now totally on board. We never buy anything without it being a bargain and always ask ourselves if we need it first or if it will save us money. We have quite a lot of preloved things in our house and all of our animals had previous owners too.

I love the make do and mend way of doing things and although i`m not very good at the mending part i do have a go and i`m getting much better, TBH i don`t much care for people who look down on others for being thrifty, recycling etc they are the people that i can do without in my life.

I`m off to read the first post again as it was so lovely.

SD

decogecko

Katieowl - thank you for the thread! It's nice and reassuring for me to see that it's not just me that feels this way.

My OH passed away in March 2010, six months before he passed I had bad depression, both things made me take stock of my life. The most profound things that hit me was 'you can't take it with you' and 'things' don't matter really.

I think long and hard about whether to buy something. I'm learning to be patient and save for things that I want. Before I would have just brought something and either added to my (now cleared) overdraft or put it on my credit card (now has 0 balance).

My dad laughs at frugalness, but as I say to him - it's just me now and I have to make the pennies stretch so I don't end up back in my overdraft.

As for nature, I appreciate the beauty and the gentle way it goes about it's business. It makes me feel renewed.

Glad to know it's not just me that feels this way x

lessonlearned

What a lovely post Katieowl. Thank you.

I've always been fairly canny with money and not particularly materialistic although I do like "nice" things and I do like to "live well".

My OH and I have always bought quality items and have never squandered or frittered money on rubbish.

OH became ill in 2006 and is now seriously disabled and will shortly have to go into permanent residential care.

As part of my coping strategy for dealing with his illness and the grief and stress that this brings I too have learned to appreciate the small quiet things in life - the beauty of nature, my garden, my hobbies and crafts.

As long as I can pay my bills I am happy to life a very simple life.

I cook, sew, refashion clothing, refurbish furniture, make jewellery, make my own beauty products etc and I love it all.

I hate waste. Modern lifestyles which are built on rampant consumerism, instant gratification, and a throw-away couldn't care less mentality sicken me. Plundering scarce resources that can never be replaced is unbelieveably stupid and short-sighted, whilst exploiting workers to keep prices low and boost profits is downright immoral.

Yes I like to treat myself now and then to a few luxuries with the money I save. I enjoy nice holidays, good food, nice clothes and a comfortable home. I just budget carefully and live frugally to do it.

I have friends who think I'm an old hippy, slightly odd and eccentric - who cares - I'm happy and far less stressed than they are. I do notice though that many of those who have been seriously big spenders in the past are gradually starting to change their thinking though.

Maybe some good will come out of these troubled times - maybe people will learn to live a bit more frugally and learn to cherish our world a bit more.

bluebag

lilac_lady wrote: »

I've had my share of seeing the world with the OS money that I didn't spend but had to wait till my late 40s before I could start travelling as money was tight despite my OS ways.

I think that using money saved for treats and holidays is a good thing as I'm sure they're more enjoyable knowing that they've been saved for instead of becoming plastic debt.

I once heard it described as investing in memories.