I have lost my OS ways, help!

bellaquidsin

I've been a bit distracted over the last few days by poorly family and friends. My family are getting better now but it has meant they have had to cut short their holiday in Snowdonia and they now will not be coming for dinner on Sunday. Sooo., I have them makings of a Sunday Lunch for seven in the freezer and now I shall only be cooking for three. I nipped to Mr. M. and bought a turkey leg, so will do the thigh in the Remoska where it cooks just yum. I had enough pie filling left from my blackberry and apple pie to make a small crumble for DH and DS as I don't eat pudding. Unfortunately my friends continue to be in a pickle so much help needed there. I think I have maintained my OS principles and not had to resort to convenience or takeaway meals and certainly have not had time to linger in shops, but I will be doing a big shop today. Sorry, my laptop will not let me do paragraphs at the moment. Bella.

Caterina

jlhmd666 you are not alone re. having problems bringing your OH on board. There are many of us who have struggled with our partners' lack of involvement/vision. I think the best way to go is leading by example, alongside a good pinch of sneakiness (eg value cereals/shampoo/whatever decanted into brand packet/bottle etc...), followed closely by surrounding yourself by friends who understand and sympathise with your aims and philosophy of life. This is why I find this forum so useful. I have organised regular OS meet ups for people in my area and it has proved very successful, I have made lifelong friends. Best of luck with your struggle to get your OH into the OS fold.

Bella, hope your family gets well soon and friends' issues are resolved to the best possible solution.

1of3

I have found the same with my OH.

When I started buying clothes in charity shops all I got was "how can you wear secondhand clothes" but when they seen I was coming home with well known brand names for pittance the tune was quickly changed! Now the Charity shop is the first port of call!

Same if we need furniture or clothes for Kids gradually bring them in and then it's " oh I picked that up in the charity shop" and we are better off now and living better.

I find this approach works all the way through OS gradually introduce bits as you go along.lot of people think OS is being miserable and a skinflint but when they see the results it is usually an eye opener!:rotfl:

fairy3

Morning everyone there is loads of OS going on here on this bank holiday weekend! Great haul Caterina I am not averse to the odd skip dive but am still in declutter mode so must NOT look as I usually want to rescue everything.
I mainly have the house to myself today as the twentyteens are out and about doing their 'thang' so no cooking as such so plan on getting out and about for a forage, there are lots of blackberry bushes and plum trees around here so taking gloves and a strong shopper.
Hope everyone has a good day

F x

Aril

I like to say yes if I am offered veg and fruit this time of year. I then share it with family and friends so none is wasted. In the last week I've done that with runner beans, two lots of plums, beetroot and sweetcorn. Everyone wins and nothing gets wasted.
Arilx

Caterina

Thanks Fairy3!

Update for today, not a bad day and spend according to plan, beers and a few needed bits from l1dl, fish and chips 2 portion for 3 of us, also visit to DD who kindly let me have some homegrown lettuce, pears and basil from her garden.

Another big expense coming up, as we accepted a quote for the rendering of the pebbledash at the back of the house. Quite a large surface and rather expensive but I have seen one of his other jobs and it is done beautifully. It has to be done. Every year we say next year next year and another year passes. So I took the plunge, got the man in to quote, accepted the quote.

Now more than ever we will need to bite the bullet and tighten our belts. We are spending most of our savings renewing the house (more to do still, front and back rooms, windows inside and outside, under stairs cupboard) and as DH has another possible 4 years of work before he retires we need to save like mad to prepare for a reasonable standard of living in retirement, while he is still drawing a salary.

I hope that posting here and reading so many inspiring posts will help, so I am confident we will manage.

Good night.

amber03

Same here Caterina, OH is looking to retire in about two years when he is 55, ( hopefully he will freelance otherwise he will be under my feet). So until then we are looking to do all house improvements and increase out savings , as obviously our income will reduce and we want to have a simpler life.x

Pinkstar206

Good evening people, hope you've had a good day and you enjoyed your fish and chips Caterina!

Afraid I didn't fully avoid pitfalls today, got some school uniform at sainsburys for DH with 25% off which was a bonus but ended up picking up a few more 'bits' whilst there. One was a travel mug which I'm theoretically hoping will save money long term in helping me to buy less coffee when I'm out and about, but don't know if that was just an excuse I used to allow myself to buy it

Thanks for the tip on the thread on simplifying jlhmd I've had a look and will read more fully but it looks like the sort of thing I need. I really wish I could simplify so much at times as I do feel overwhelmed with many things in my life: work, money, responsibilities etc. I also have some issues with OH, though he is generally on board with some OS principles it's only what suits him and he has some bad habits (betting in particular) which I know he won't let go of. Thanks for the tips on leading by example Caterina.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on a bit, hope you all have a good bank holiday weekend and thanks for the support and encouragement. PS x

northwest1965

DH is away all week starting tomorrow with his children. I am really looking forward to having a good clear out at home.

There will be a big saving in the weekly shop, I'm also going to try and not eat meat for at least 4 of the days

jlhmd666

northwest1965 wrote: »

DH is away all week starting tomorrow with his children. I am really looking forward to having a good clear out at home.

There will be a big saving in the weekly shop, I'm also going to try and not eat meat for at least 4 of the days

I've been looking at making some of our evening meals 'meat free' maybe twice per week as meat is so expensive but I can't see OH going without as he loves meat and would rather have that than anything else and I will feel guilty if he has it but no-one else does. I think I will try with a vegetable quiche or cheese and bean / onion pasties this week and fingers crossed they won't notice the lack of meat