Advice needed for new life

prettypaula

1 thing i would say, even if u watch iplayer u need a tv licence, and if u HAVE a tv, then they can still prosecute you even if u claim you dont watch it.

[Deleted User]

Do what is good for you many of us on here have different ways and means of getting by.Some have families and children others like myself live alone and can manage very well on suprisingly little. I set myself an amount per month (£100)in cash and that is for food alone ,not entertainment or bills but just food .I keep it in a seperate purse and when its empty then that's it until the next month .
So far its never been empty and nothing motivates you more than to see hard cash going out of your purse.If you use a credit/debit card it doesn't seem so painful somehow and your tempted to spend more
I was brought up with rationing and the austerity of the post war era when very few people had cash to splash anyway.I do allow myself a treat now and again from my purse if there is a bit of spare cash but usually I save it toward my following years holidays whats left over.

I enjoy making my money streetch and making the food I have into something different if I can.When you think that there are a great many folk in this world who have to exist on less than a dollar a day we can really cut back on quite a lot of unnecessary stuff without feeling too deprived .Good luck in your new life style and let us know what ups and downs you are experiencing we are all here to help if we can .

Justamum

prettypaula wrote: »

1 thing i would say, even if u watch iplayer u need a tv licence, and if u HAVE a tv, then they can still prosecute you even if u claim you dont watch it.

You only need a licence if you are watching iplayer on live-stream. Watching catch-up programmes doesn't require one.

You can own a tv without a licence if you want it just for watching dvds or using a playstation, etc. They would have to prove that you are using it for watching live tv, and that would require them to catch you at it. They have no right of entry into your house without a warrant - which they are most unlikely to obtain.

lilac_lady

Enjoy your new challenge to be Old Style but don't forget that you deserve a treat now and again.
Cash only is a great tip and helps you decide "need or want" very quickly.

£200 handbags don't do it for me so I suppose I'm lucky that I'm easily pleased!

Going4TheDream

Justamum wrote: »

You only need a licence if you are watching iplayer on live-stream. Watching catch-up programmes doesn't require one.

You can own a tv without a licence if you want it just for watching dvds or using a playstation, etc. They would have to prove that you are using it for watching live tv, and that would require them to catch you at it. They have no right of entry into your house without a warrant - which they are most unlikely to obtain.

I would happily let them in as since digital switchover I get white snow on every channel! Its almost as good as the scheduled programmes though and I have to say I only keep the telly on show so friends who come round dont think I am living in poverty :rotfl:

Hawthorn

ExCityGirl wrote: »

Howthorn

Surely buying in bulk is the way to go but what do you do if you if you do not have much space? I recently moved in to small 1 bedroom flat with my partner with not much storage space. Do you think it’s worth while renting storage space? We bought a freezer but because there is not much space it is small 2 compartment freezer so I will have to plan exactly what to freeze there to have the biggest return on space.

Now processed foods! WOW I am impressed!, congratulations! My dream would be to eat no processed food at all! It is expensive, does not taste that good and it has loads of waste! How do you manage that? is there anyone at home not working and doing all the cooking?

Loved your pound idea!

Do you have a garden? Our chest freezer lives in the shed. It's a pain to run down there in the winter but a better option than not having one for me (then again there ARE six of us :rotfl: )

I don't work. Anxiety problems rule that out for me so yes, I do all the cooking, or at least the great majority of it. My daughter also loves cooking and likes to try her hand at new dishes (under supervision)

Some dishes I do take less than 30 min to prepare - a good example is a simple sweet and sour.

I tend to use the cheaper cuts of beef, and that's where the time comes in for us mostly, but a slow cooker makes life easy there. Pop it on before you go to work, and it's ready when you come home.

My main reason for avoiding processed foods is the fact that the majority of it has gluten in it. That's a no no for me, and buying from the freefrom section is in no way moneysaving :eek: I do cave and buy the odd packet of biscuits though (on offer of course )

I do have packs of ham in the freezer, for standby, but mostly I try to use tuna/eggs/chicken/leftovers as sandwich fillers for lunches. All of the stuff they use to cure hams these days gives me a nervous tic.

My poor kids are deprived of course. We rarely have cordials in the house (birthdays and christmas only). They were raised on milk and water. My eldest son used to have the most horrible reactions to additives and I guess that's when I realised what we were filling our bodies with, and we are told are safe are not always so. My hyperactive, destructive, very difficult son became a lovely child off all that stuff....until he became a teen and discovered cola at his friends house anyway

I also grow what I can in the garden. Since I am unable to work, I make it my mission to save the family money, in place of earning it. Makes me feel less useless

You seem to have things well thought out If I find myself lacking in motivation some days, which happens, I come back here and do some reading. Always perks me up

ExCityGirl

I had been reading the forum during last year but not really posting anything as I had been trying to cope.

It is tough basically -_-. Many things changed, some to better some to worse but I still think overall it was a positive change.

Now I decided to save for mortgage and came here for tips. Will have a look at other topics where this is discussed.

Many thanks everyone for your advice over a year ago

ExCityGirl
:heart2:

tara747

I've just discovered this thread, it's good to hear from you again and do keep posting. Any lessons you've learned?

ExCityGirl

I did actually Many lessons. So many that I am starting a blog to share them all

One biggest thing I learned is that the life is just another game. If you play it well you will be successful no matter where you are and no matter what your circumstances are.

With little money last year and reduction in spending I managed to be relatively happy, start a part time business whilst keeping my job, start a facebook page with now over 21K followers, start a photos blog with over 8K followers, harmony in private life AND some small savings.

Back in the university I learned the concept of Lean Six Sigma. In a nutshell it is a constant race to cut costs. This is the journey I am on now. I cut cost and up my revenue with the resources I have. With so many ideas floating in my head I know I will get where I want to be in time.

Overall: quitting the city is the one of the best things I did in life.

ExCityGirl
:heart2:

floss2

ExCityGirl wrote: »

I did actually Many lessons. So many that I am starting a blog to share them all ...

Please could you PM me a link?

Thanks!