How to fall in love with saving money

Preeti12

brasso wrote: »

Keep a written log of everything you spend. Every penny. By some magic, this always cuts down on spending.

Hey brasso,
You are absolutely right. By keeping a written log we are sure about where we spent our money more and hence by following that log we can manage and can spend less amount of money which results in saving money

atush

RE Frozen veg, I do use them. but I like my veg lightly cooked and crunchy and you dot get it with frosen as much. But if i plunge it into boiling water and drain as soon as defrosted they are OK. It is a bit tricky lol.

As a side note, due to the way frozen veg is processed, cooking so soon after harvest then freezing, it can have more vitamins than fresh veg flown in from the southern hemisphere.

cathybird

atush wrote: »

As a side note, due to the way frozen veg is processed, cooking so soon after harvest then freezing, it can have more vitamins than fresh veg flown in from the southern hemisphere.

Yes, that's why I don't mind using them. I tend to use frozen veg in stir-fries or I braise them in a little water and butter. I generally find them yum.

I was thinking about my book habit today. It costs me money I could probably also fruitfully allocate elsewhere, but I am constantly finding gems. Two books I bought from the work sale the other day were "How to be Alone" by Sara Maitland (actually I'm pretty good at being alone but that's why I was interested in reading it) and another one I'm now reading, The Call of Character: Living a Life Worth Living, Both have turned out to be very thought-provoking and interesting, and were absolutely worth the £1 each I paid for them in the sale. Well, that's what I think. Not saying I shouldn't exercise restraints with obtaining books but it is not something I am willing to give up altogether.

Lomcevak

I was thinking about my book habit today. It costs me money I could probably also fruitfully allocate elsewhere, but I am constantly finding gems. ... Not saying I shouldn't exercise restraints with obtaining books but it is not something I am willing to give up altogether.

Nor should you, I think. To me the MSE ethos is more about not wasting money, so unless you're dealing with debt or saving very hard for a limited period (e.g. house deposit) then I don't think you should compromise on what you enjoy. If you're consistently buying 20 books a month and reading five then maybe time for a pause while you catch up with the bookshelf, but don't feel that you should give up completely if you're getting enjoyment from them.

Possibly missed some context earlier in the thread, apologies if so

YoungBusinessman

Back to work today after 5 days off visiting Paris....which cost near £1,400 all in for the 2 of us! Should maybe have kept it for a week in the sun but we had a brilliant time and I'm back to work raring to go! Earning next to nothing this week but back full bore next week and make up for this week and last not being so good money wise. On price work so need early nights etc so I'm fresh when I get in so maximise earning potential. Absolute soaked today but working on thinking of the rewards il get for it come march when I am back saving my target of £1k+ Per calander month. No spend day today which feels like the first one this month!! Need to keep taking packed lunches to work and having no spend days so savings can catch up as they are behind what they were at the end of January.

JoJoC

Glad you enjoyed Paris YB!

Your savings will be looking ship shape in no time!

atush

I like the fact you spent some money, but it made you more motivated to save more again.

cathybird

Lomcevak wrote: »

Nor should you, I think. To me the MSE ethos is more about not wasting money, so unless you're dealing with debt or saving very hard for a limited period (e.g. house deposit) then I don't think you should compromise on what you enjoy. If you're consistently buying 20 books a month and reading five then maybe time for a pause while you catch up with the bookshelf, but don't feel that you should give up completely if you're getting enjoyment from them.

Possibly missed some context earlier in the thread, apologies if so

True, Lomcevak, though I suppose the true MSE-er always keeps their moneysaving target in mind and thus (up to a point) restricts spending on what they enjoy? ... I am saving hard, but for a longer-term goal, my retirement, and on the one hand there's every good reason to focus on that, and on the other, the reality is that it's important to enjoy life now since none of us can know what the future will bring and we might never reach the long-term goal we're aiming for. I love books and having a home full of books and gain an immeasurable amount from them so I am not sure I could give that up anytime soon. Having said that it's quite useful to note the book spend here on MSE - I would never have guessed the figure at over £70 for this month, so it just goes to show.

apple_mac_user

whats book spend?

money spent on books?

cathybird

YoungBusinessman wrote: »

Back to work today after 5 days off visiting Paris....which cost near £1,400 all in for the 2 of us! Should maybe have kept it for a week in the sun but we had a brilliant time and I'm back to work raring to go! Earning next to nothing this week but back full bore next week and make up for this week and last not being so good money wise. On price work so need early nights etc so I'm fresh when I get in so maximise earning potential. Absolute soaked today but working on thinking of the rewards il get for it come march when I am back saving my target of £1k+ Per calander month. No spend day today which feels like the first one this month!! Need to keep taking packed lunches to work and having no spend days so savings can catch up as they are behind what they were at the end of January.

Paris is so beautiful and it's good to hear that you and your girlfriend had such a good time there, YoungBusinessman. I bet you any money that despite the £1,400 you'll quickly surpass your savings goal.