Unexpected benefits of a dfw lifestyle

Storm

lennymfo wrote: »

It has taught me that with money, patience is indeed a virtue and I have been without CCs for 18 months now and there have been times where I could have used a CC but have had to wait. It has also taught be the value of money - better late than never! Also, I've met some cracking people on here - especially the ladies!

Completely agree - us ladies are marvellous aren't we

(Having a mini crisis when I realised that most people think I'm a bloke, hence referring to my gender as many times as possible today!)

Queen.Bess

I no longer buy books as my house was filling up with them! I now enjoy the delights of the library! I borrow all the books I would've normally bought and it also helps towards me having no spend days, by spending my lunchtime there!

Ytaya

I have fun making things! Cooking from scratch is the obvious one, but I'm also preparing to get my own place in a couple of months, so I'm really enjoying seeing what I can make from things I already have. Lampshades from old plastic milk bottles, knitting my own dishcloths, making reusable 'kitchen roll' from old sheets, etc. I'm even going to try my hand at weaving a laundry basket from newspaper 'reeds'! It'll keep me occupied, at any rate

Garnet_Gem

A Friday night bottle of wine to start the week-end, some occasional chocolate, a rare takeaway or meal out - they all seem so much more exciting now. Life is just better.

mattfiona

I love this thread! I am just recently (maybe over the last year) realising the true benefits of a DFW lifestyle and I am a huge fan - I think it just makes you appreciate everything in life that little bit more and there's that huge satisifaction from just getting everything a little bit cheaper.

redsquirrel80

Garnet_Gem wrote: »

A Friday night bottle of wine to start the week-end, some occasional chocolate, a rare takeaway or meal out - they all seem so much more exciting now. Life is just better.

You do appreciate things more, don't you? I used to buy a couple of bottles of wine a week for myself at home, now that only happens once every 2-3 weeks and I really enjoy it - must be better for me as well!

Likewise I used to buy lunch from work canteen/ shops but now I only do that once every 1-2 weeks if there's something I like on the canteen menu. Am no longer spending £2 a day on mostly stodge that wasn't that nice anyway, and it feels like a treat when I do have that occasional one.

I'd also say it's made me think about what's really important to me - as I have to be careful with my money, I have to choose - £20 to go and visit some friends or £20 on clothes that I don't really need - the first one wins every time.

poorbutrich

You appreciate free things...like good lovin' and glasses of tap water...

Mrs_Dawn

I like not being pressured to do stuff just because everyone else does it.
My DD1 is visiting us this weekend and we are all looking forward to going to car boots. We have abudget for the weekend, but the best bit will be spending time with each other.:j

SAFC73_2

Hello been away for a bit so missed this post.

I would agree with the takeaway bit. I tended to do it with the OH if we'd not be bothered to cook even if we had stuff in to cook with. Just lazy really so now I've expanded my culinary skills. Had a couple of botched meals but it was fun trying.

Books I would buy 5/6 at a time but now I use the library service where I work and can alos get books online from them; costs a fraction esp. if it was a book I would buy. Trade a bit on readitswapit website which is good for books I wouldn't buy but swap and see!

Wine is now just maybe once a week at the weekend and I feel a whole lot better for it.

I feel my realtionships with friends and family has improved. They know I'm self employed in an industry which is in turmoil yet I'm not judged by not having much cash. I hope secretly they are proud of me for having a bash at it even if it all goes pear-shaped.

However , my best factor is that I enjoy watching my team more as can't afford a ticket very often and therefore get first refusal on my sister's season ticket when she's on holiday. Oh for a home draw first game of the new season!!!!

SuSu1871

Love this thread! It's good to remind yourself that it's not all a slog.

I love my spreadsheet - check bank & update spreadsheet daily. Since getting my A into G I've realised that I get around £150 a month incomings aside from my salary. Where did this go??!!! It now goes towards overpaying my debts - hoorah!

I love selling stuff on ebay as well. I couldn't even tell you what I've got rid of, I had so much !!!!!!! But ebay will now pay this year's car tax which is great!

I love learning to live with what I've got. I'm more creative in kitchen - we have Ready Steady Cook nights where we make stuff up from what's in the cupboard/freezer. Great for my flatmate, too, as I'm teaching him to cook.

I love the fact that I can now be open and honest about my debts (on here and with friends/family) as I feel more in control of them. That feeling of control has crossed over into other parts of my life and I feel empowered to be able to say No more often. It's a huge relief.

The best bit, though, is thinking about what I'm going to do with all my "spare" money when I've cleared my debts. I'm already hatching savings plans! Makes a nice change to go to bed thinking about having more money than worrying about not having enough.

SuSu1871