NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

[Deleted User]

Karmacat wrote: »

Purpleposting4, I missed your post first time, I've seen so many people commenting on it, I went back for a look. How horrifying, what the ex-facebook friend did! I think that was really sensible of you, to just unfriend her and not comment - someone who writes like that about her sister on such a public space isn't likely to be someone who can take constructive criticism well

Thanks Karmacat, I was tempted to write something, but someone like that does not deserve my time. My ex-friend / acquaintance would have responded very negatively I'm sure, all f-ing and blinding, trying to prove her point. Not worth it.

And as Emslovesmickey said, she should have seen it as an opportunity for a family outing and a memory, rather than expensive toys that won't be played with in a month's time. This was my first thought and I know that I am more appreciative now of the memories and smaller, more meaningful things in life rather than the stuff. And judging by her fb xmas photos last week - there was a lot of stuff.
Some people are just ungrateful, greedy people. There is no need to spend a fortune at Christmas on anyone, especially if you can't afford it, and especially on someone who is unappreciative. It really is the height of greed and want, want, want. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this as disgraceful.

Aril

Hello:D As ever I am pages and pages behind but I'm taking my time and reading it all carefully. Don't want to miss anything. The thread is taking me all over the places with new ideas to explore.

Mission continue to reduce rubbish has yielded more results. There have been changes in how our kerb side collections are done and they now take more than they used to. However, I don't personally recall being told by the council. It is perfectly possible that I have missed this but I bothered to ring to double check my facts and then got on our local FB group to let everyone else know so that hopefully less may go to landfill:j I've been through all our Chrimble rubbish carefully sorting. Ribbons and suitable wrapping paper have been snaffled away as I think they'd be suitable for making my own crackers next year. We have not produced much more rubbish than normal and our now down to less than a black bag full every two weeks with 3 of us including a teen who buys lots. Not perfect but an improvement

I am continuing to thoroughly enjoy my steady Christmas. Yesterday I danced [morris dancing with attitude: the "hells angels of morris" one person described us as:rotfl:at a local pub. Loads of people came to watch us and then the pub kindly put on a spread for us afterwards. Today we've had a clan gathering with Mr GBT's siblings/partners catching up on news and sharing food.

Other than milk bought today I've no need to go shopping. I shall do a thorough audit of the fridge tomorrow. LO roast veg are already earmarked for soup and I'm just decluttering the wine:o Have made a plan for deep cleaning and sorting the kitchen [it's clean but it's all those 'orrible bits that you don't regularly do that need my attention] and this will be the start of the latest serious decluttering mission. Decs won't come down until 12th night as I ignored Christmas until it was Yule:rotfl:

Arilx

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi everyone. We went into town this afternoon as the kids both have vouchers to spend. After much deliberation I bought a cheap DAB radio with some of my Christmas money. I love listening to the radio but my old one needs a thump now and again to get it working. Wow its fantastic and my parents will be pleased to see their money used wisely!

I bought nothing else. It felt strange and if I am honest I did feel slightly like I was missing out on something.

We were also going to call at the supermarket but I vetoed that idea. We have had toasties made with leftover chilli for tea which is a real favourite here.

I am planning on filling some bags for charity over the next week or so as my wardrobe needs some serious decluttering. I have tried to persuade OH to do the same but he is not keen!

Bobarella

115K wrote: »

When I joined the forum £115k was the total we were in debt with mortgage and credit cards. Now we are at about £60k.:)

We are moving next year so that will change and unfortunately grow to a much bigger number._pale_ Damn house prices in London and the South East.

Thanks for that I suppose it's all relative with house prices isn't it. I'm assuming you will stand to gain more than at present so the extra will be worth it ultimately?

Bobarella

oneemptyshelf wrote: »

I've spent a good few hours with many cups of tea reading through this thread and it's very inspiring to see that lots of people are fed up of consuming too much as well!

I'm not buying anything next year and reading through everyone's comments gives me extra resolve! :T I can't wait!

Hello there
I'm so glad you've come to join in. Your latest post about people's general reaction to your quest to have a spend free year is so telling of the attitude among the gen pop.
I had a typical experience of that sort tonight. Bought some YS food. Got home 10 mins walk away & when I checked the items in I noticed I'd been charged full price on some soup that should have been 35p. Walked back and calmly explained that I wanted a refund on the extra. The shop assistant was really funny. He said 'how did you know you'd been overcharged?' To which I replied 'because when I checked through my reciept it was easy to spot.' He laughed & said 'oh I wouldn't have thought to do that. Will next time.' He was a sweetie and I thought it was nice he was impressed by my frugal ways rather than dismissive. But it made me think. How many people get routinely ripped off because they think they have bought YS food so they don't check their reciepts? Anyway. I felt it highlighted your point.

Bob

vulpix

Phew,this thread moves.

Apologies for any typo's,this laptop is on it's last legs,stubborn keys,print refusal etc.

Well firstly congratulations to all the expectant Mums,how absolutely lovely.

thank you Grey Queen for onion advice.Much appreciated.

HensVs Cats.My hens saw off any unsuspecting cats that inadvertently strolled into my garden.the look of shock on the poor moggies faces when 3 hens ganged up on them!

I have the other Quad to join the husband triplets who like to amass stuff.
Mr V has complete control of the garage,his Mothers garage,the shed,a huge loft and a friends loft.He also has 2 cupboards in the house where i chuck stuff he leaves lying about.It actually distresses me the amount of stuff he "needs".The weight of the stuff in the loft oppresses me.He has spent his Christmas money on new headphones and a carry case for them although he bought some on holiday last october.He has floated the idea of new trainers(got 3 pairs)new house phone and a tablet today.Yikes he has 4 laptops now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The stuff in the garage is all massive stuff too,yes to do with his work but he buys new up to date stuff but keeps the old just in case.It distresses me so much that I think I am more driven to get rid of any excess I have to compensate.

Anyhoo today was our Christmas and most civilized it was too.This afternoon we made some gift tags with the nicest Christmas cards and then some very effective hanging ball decorations with an idea from pinterest.My decorations will stay up a while because i love them so.

i love sewing,my favorite craft.But saying that one of my aims is to do some more of a massive patchwork I started in 1975.It's been in and out of fashion several times over the years.middle daughter has got a yen for it,so I will have a bash at it,don't want to rush things though.

I have bought something off ebay with my Christmas money. A bistro table and 4 chairs for £17.I have been on the look out for one at a reasonable price for ages.I still have money left and will keep it in a section in my purse till i see something.

I may have to go and buy milk tomorrow.i would have it delivered like my Mum does but it actually come s twice a week from 30 miles away,mad.

vx

boultdj

Done seed audit,..definatly do not need any,for at least, 2-3 years:eek:, just wondering though,seeing as I don't eat a lot of salad, how the heck did I end up with 26 pk's of salad leaf seed's:o, realy need to keep track of what I'v got, so list of all seed's,and how many of each type I'v got has been made, and today's job is planting time list,so I can keep up to date with planting.

1of3

Hi all

Was back at work yesterday. Shops were heaving again! It's unreal the amount of stuff people buy in such a sort space of time.

Ended up spending 7 quid in argos on some annuals and some magnetic sketchers for the LO's for birthday/Xmas pressies for the coming year.
Not sure if today will be a NSD. B&Q rumoured to have a clearence on paint so will toddle over there and see if anything suitable for our bedroom as it has never been painted in the 10 years we are here. Otherwise it will be a NSD.

Anyone else find it exciting to try to get to the end of the day without purchasing tat? Even better when you find some that can be donated to open up your living space a bit more!

GreyQueen

Interesting reading about other people's Christmases and experiences. I was deeply shocked about the 'friend' who whined publicly on FB about her £50 cinema voucher. What a mare, to be frank; bad enough to have such emotions, but to express them in a public place against your relation, how the heck has this woman been dragged up? I'd hope that she never gets another gift from her sister, what an appalling example for a mother of 4 to be setting to her own kids.

Presents are nice things, but they should be received in the spirit of a happy extra to life, not mourned if they don't arrive at all, and not priced up and disparged if the don't reach the value that the ungrateful recipient's ego thinks they're worth.

I was astonished and shocked as a late teen when my then bff wanted to go to a certain store to see how much a gift from her bf, later her hubby, had cost. I didn't get it, didn't she like it, did she want to change it? Nope, she liked it just fine, but she felt she needed to know how much it'd cost to see if it was too cheap, just right or very expensive.

It was the first time I'd been exposed to the concept that your satisfaction with an item was dependant on your perception of the giver's generosity; I still find it hard to wrap my head around that one.

Today's plan will involve a stroll to the supermarket to restock supplies of bread and milk, plus I found some more used gift wrap which need to be trimmed and ironed. I will ask if I can take their Christmas cards with me when I leave on the 4th to make gift tags out of, as I have pinking shears and ribbon scraps at home, and will bring them back another trip.

The ribbon loops from clothing are worth saving for such purposes, I find.

Other than that, we will loaf around reading and playing with the cats and might do a little light housework, nothing too strenuous, it is a holiday after all.

pollys

Good morning

Please could I join in. I have been reading the thread since it started. It's just what I need to keep me on track.

We need to do some serious saving up this year. I've already started by checking dates on food gifts we have been given and food we have left over. I'm working out meals depending on what needs eating up. Yesterday I made a cheese and onion pie using up onions and opened packets of cheese. The pie is in the freezer as yesterday we ate up Turkey, pate etc.

Looking forward to getting to know you all and picking up some fabulous tips along the way.

Polly