What can you do without?

flutterbyuk25

lilian1977 wrote: »

Look out for the charity bags that come through the door, they're ideal. And try to recycle as much as you can, or buy items that don't have as much packaging. xx

My local council won't accept rubbish on bin day unless it is in a black bag so sadly I can't use this option.

I do save the hundreds of charity bags I get though and re-use them in other ways, they are quite handy to make ponchos with in an emergency :rotfl:. And I collect the plastic bags that stuff comes in (fruit etc) and use a charity bag to hold it all, and when full I take to the tip to recycle as the council won't collect plastic bags (or glass) in the doorstep recycling :mad:.

Things I can go without:

- takeaways
- alcohol in the house, I do go out for the odd drink now and then
- meat (I'm veggie )
- branded toilettries/most food items - unless on offer.
- magazines - I used to be a magazine junkie , but now I only get 3 a month and that's only cos they subscription is paid for til end of year, then it will be canceled.
- buying lunch at work - always take packed lunch unless I'm getting a freebie through work
- Sky/virgin - have a Freesat box which was donated to me

I'm sure there is more but I can't think off the top of my head!

x

tessie_bear

i can do without;
mags/newspapers
fabric conditioner
fancy handwash
kitchen roll
made cakes...i do my own

some things we have never had so dont miss such as
ready meals...make own
air freshner...we open windows

hth

kettlenic

We have recently got rid of the virgin package - freeview all the way for us.

we do get takeaway but seldom and we hardly ever eat out now - we have a nice dining room table and invite friends round instead!!

I walk 30 minutes into work so no oyster card for me

Make lunch everyday- for me and mr kettle

there are some others but can't think right now

VJsmum

No Sk7 - never felt the need
Gym membership - have a bike and a pair of legs and feet. Will swim occasionally
Personalised number plates
a timeshare

I mention the above as my in laws have all of these and complain that they haven't any money

Few ready meals - except when on offer
ready made sandwiches - why do people buy these
bottled water - occasional basics fizzy
curry sauces
ready chopped veg
posh liquid soap - thanks to whoever first suggested basics baby bath
facewash, toner, eye makeup remover - thanks to EVOO (though I do sometimes use it to get rid of residue)

I do have a tumble drier but have used it fewer than 20 times in the last year. Probably nearer 10

I do, however, have make up, fabric softener, I like nice shower gel but is always a birthday pressie, I like nice wine and nice coffee.

Tiglath

- I don't drive (but DH does and has a car for work).
- Alcohol - I don't drink since I lost the taste for it years ago.
- Takeaways and meals out.
- Most branded household items - I won't compromise on Birds Eye frozen peas, Yorkshire Gold teabags and real butter, but everything else is negotiable.
- Most things with wheat in, as I react badly although I'm not coeliac.
- Fabric softener and most cleaners - I use Stardrops and white vinegar/bicarb for most things.
- Cosmetics in total, and new clothes/shoes (except when something wears out).
- Magazines and newspapers - I read online.
- Paper books - I'm a huge Kindle fan and am gradually recycling the books I have as I replace them.
- Sleep (apparently!) - if I get 4-5 hours a night, that's a lie-in. I had undiagnosed Graves' disease for about 20 years and am recovering from that after treatment.

I do have a gym membership until December but will be cancelling it as soon as possible - there's nothing I enjoy doing at the gym since I've had to give up weight-training, so walking (hobbling) is good.

I have an annual travelcard which I need for work, and I get an interest-free loan for that. I also get private health insurance through work for us as a taxable benefit, and it's been fantastic for the past few years - worth its weight in gold. It's paid for 4 surgeries and thyroid treatment and physiotherapy, so I've far exceeded what it would've cost me to pay individually. I understand I'll qualify for all free prescriptions with some kind of exemption certificate now I'm on levothyroxine for life, so that'll save quite a bit.

LameWolf

Further post, while I wait for Mr LW to come home for his dins (HM pizza for us tonight).

Meat and fish - I've been veggie for donkeys' years.

Ipods - we don't own one at all, on the rare occasions we bother with music, it's an old-fashioned CD.

HDTV - our TV is an ancient box-type jobbie; and tbh, if I could get Mr LW to agree, it'd be gone, as I actively dislike watching TV.

Bottled water - I take a bottle of tap-water when we go anywhere.

New shoes - being a wheelchair user, I don't wear out footwear (I don't actually wear anything on my feet at home, at all) so see no point in buying any new.

Ah, my ancient (approx 6 years old) NON-smart phone just rang - Mr LW is on his way home.;)

SpikyHedgehog

I stopped buying face wash & moisturiser & use extra virgin olive oil instead.

Don't use fabric softener or buy washing powder, make laundry gloop.

Stopped Sky... watch freeview.

Linda32

Its myself and OH at home.

Nether of us buy magazines as they are expensive for what they are.
I don't buy hair conditioner or fabric softener.
I don't buy shower gel/body wash type things either. We use bar soaps and refill the ceramic pump dispensers with value cream bath.

I've never ordered a take-away in my life.

We've never wanted sky or anything like that.

I wouldn't class any of the above as going without though, I just personally think more of my hard earned cash.

Edited to add, kitchen roll. We have done without this for years.

flubberyzing

- Magazines. Used to buy at least one every week, as well as the Radio Times every week. Have now cut TRT out completely (I look at the listings online) and only buy a "fun" mag perhaps once every 2 months.
- Hair conditioner. I only have very short, fine hair. I don't really need it.

After reading the posts above mine, I will certainly considering cutting out fabric conditioner, but I've literally just started a brand new bottle, so it won't be for a while!
Only thing I won't compromise on is coffee. It has to be Kenco or Nescafe, I find even the premium version of the supermarkets own brand quite repulsive.

Nargleblast

As others have said, takeaways (expensive and disappointing when you get to eat them), ready meals (why does a lasagne look lovely in the picture on the packet but a heap of tasteless slime when it's on your plate?) newspapers (just once in a while as a treat), magazines (full of ads and nonsense about so-called celebrities), smart phones (I just want a phone that will make and receive calls and send and receive text messages. It can take photos as well if it must, but I don't want to watch films, play games or surf the Net on it), designer- anything, gym memberships, the latest eyeshadow or lipstick etc etc.

I don't think that makes me tight or miserable, just a bit more discerning about how I spend my money.