NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

girlinayellowdress

We'll I've been looking around the house and taken note of things for the charity shop, lucky for me they collect so come the new year I will arrange a collection.
I had some money put by for a christmas shop but took stock at everything in freezer and cupboards and nothing is really needed. So, with the money I have treated myself to a bamix and a set of decent but not top of the range knives. These are two things that I couldn't justify buying before but with my intentions firmly set in my mind for 2015 I know these items will pay for themselves with money that would of been "lost" over christmas period

thriftish

The husband came home with a Christmas bonus yesterday - woohoo! It is made of up of cash and vouchers.

We don't need any additional homewares, and the children are getting enough, yet my kneejerk reaction to the voucher was to spend, spend, spend. Thanks to this thread I took a moment & came to my senses!
It will cover the big food shop and the cash we had set aside for that will go with the bonus cash to our savings.

So thanks to you all

moments_of_sanity

GreyQueen wrote: »

I got ME in my final year at uni, that scotched a lot of plans. I wouldn't recommend it as a lifestyle choice, but I had to play the hand I was dealt. Plus I have a life-threatening chronic illness and am kept alive by medication.

Those things either destroy a person or cause you to evolve a philosphical mindset.

Mind you, never having had much, I am easily contented, and can't advise on how to downsize from a well-paid career because I was never there in the first place.

I'm currently amusing myself playing with boiling water, baking soda and vinegar to give the ol' kitchen sink a schoosh-out, whilst enjoying a new combination of my pj separates (each top and bottom bought from the 50p chazzer, nothing matches, yesterday was penguins on the top and tartan on the bottom, today is floral jacket and plain pink bottoms).

I have a John Sandford crime thriller and a bar of chocolate, too; life is very peachy indeed. :rotfl:

I too have ME fibro Greyqueen, I believe this was due to my Mum passing away in 2004 after 2 years battling cancer, divorcing in 2005, remarried in 2010 but wedding had to be moved forward as DH's Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer and moved in with us during the last few months of her life. I have 2 children, now 17 & 19 and worked 45/50 hours a week as a PA. I suffered 4 chest infections in 2011 and have never really recovered from them. I honestly think it was the stress of life that brought it on. I was made redundant in June last year and I have to say i don't miss my stressful job, working for people paid far too much money (accountants) who never appreciated how much work I did.

I hope to go back to work some time next year but only part time and nothing that involves pressure. Money is very tight but we manage and are so grateful to have a roof over our heads, a warm bed and food on the table.

GreyQueen

I was working 16 hour days at uni, and 8 hour days on both Sat and Sun, living in grotty underheated accomodation, stressed for money and nearly 500 miles from family support. I am sure that the strains we are subjected to, cumulatively, conspire to break our health. I have seen it all to many times IRL.

Nowadays, I say phooey!! (pls note the double-exclamation marks, that's critical) to false ambition, ego, the Jones (they're due a good smacking, when I get my hands on them) and all that carp.

You only live once. I've been pulling gunk out of the kitchen drain with tweezers.........I have to say it's surprisingly satisfying in a gross kinda way........:rotfl:

Minimalist

GreyQueen wrote: »

I got ME in my final year at uni, that scotched a lot of plans. I wouldn't recommend it as a lifestyle choice, but I had to play the hand I was dealt. Plus I have a life-threatening chronic illness and am kept alive by medication.

Those things either destroy a person or cause you to evolve a philosphical mindset.

Mind you, never having had much, I am easily contented, and can't advise on how to downsize from a well-paid career because I was never there in the first place.

I'm currently amusing myself playing with boiling water, baking soda and vinegar to give the ol' kitchen sink a schoosh-out, whilst enjoying a new combination of my pj separates (each top and bottom bought from the 50p chazzer, nothing matches, yesterday was penguins on the top and tartan on the bottom, today is floral jacket and plain pink bottoms).

I have a John Sandford crime thriller and a bar of chocolate, too; life is very peachy indeed. :rotfl:

Thanks GreyQueen! Sounds like you're leading a very fulfilling and contented life, getting personal satisfaction from your impressive frugal skills and thrifty spending - all the more inspiring in light of your health challenges. I for one have a lot to learn, so very much appreciate all the advice and good examples to follow!

And 50p pjs - I'm in awe - and I do like the sound of your mix-and-mismatch stylee! A good book and some treats is also my plan for the evening - OH is out on his work's Xmas do, rather him than me :beer:

maria3104

I love this forum. In my world I am the only wierdo who loves the simple things in life, a good book, choc, pj's. BLISS!!

May we all have good health and a wonderful frugal Christmas enjoying our stuff. Those in wine bars nursing hangovers and enormous cc bills in Jan are welcome to them. I would not trade.
p.s. I have health stuff going on, but nothing like some of you here, I count my blessings.

Bobarella

2nd NSD in a row for me. I woke up this morning & read some of the Non Consumer Advocate in bed whilst having my coffee. Reading about her zero spend Christmas is very motivating.

Aril

Evening:D
I am so looking forward to sitting down and reading this thread through properly. Haven't had the chance yet so it'll be a real treat when I do

A lot of my non spending non buying comes from a very simple pimple approach to living that I've gained since I completed a life changing and life affirming CBT course at our local hospital 2 years ago after many years of sometimes chronic mental health issues. It's given me back the ability to notice and relish the small everyday details that are so easy to miss. This week I have loved walking around in the evening enjoying all the Christmas lights and I now often take a camera so I can enjoy that pleasure many times over.

I went shopping this week. Not for anything major...just things we'd run out of. I did buy a pair of the most amazing purple leather boots unworn from the charity shop for a fiver. I now have three pairs of leather winter boots that I have bought over the course of this year for the princely sum of £14.50...I have simply sat on my hands and only parted with my money when I've seen quality at a price I can afford. Up until a year ago I was very squeamish at the thought of second hand footwear. Now I don't care- so long as they are in very good condition I reckon it's probably not much different to buying a pair of new when you factor in just how many pairs of feet may have tried on that pair you buy "new". This way the charity gains and it's a local concern so is helping people who live within my community.

When I do buy I want my money to count more. One decision I've made is if I buy rather than make a greetings card I shall buy it from a charity. My favourite ruse is to buy them from the mixed box of cards people have donated but they were awful this week:eek::rotfl:I buy as much reduced price food as possible- again I figure that along with buying the second grade fruit and veg I'm helping in a small way to cut down on wastage. Next to no food is wasted once it crosses the threshold here at Gnat Bottomed Towers.

The intention is to help more on a voluntary basis in 2015. I've always done a certain amount but the one thing I do have is odd slots of time in between my self employed joblets for one offs. I helped marshall at a charity run last month- it was the best feeling ever so look forward to more positive experiences of that ilk.

I really do think I've rabbited enough- it must be that glass of homemade limoncello I'm enjoying.

Arilx

cydney65

Bobarella wrote: »

2nd NSD in a row for me. I woke up this morning & read some of the Non Consumer Advocate in bed whilst having my coffee. Reading about her zero spend Christmas is very motivating.

I found the website and have been happily reading it this evening...thank you it is very interesting. I'm hoping to do something similar to her zero spend Christmas next year using swag buck vouchers too.

vulpix

In my world I too am strange in enjoying the simple life,but I think more people are catching on.

I gave up my career as a social worker when I had my eldest preferring to live simply whilst trying to make little impact on the planet.

When my first husband left when the children were 2 and 4 I got a job as a teaching assistant where I stayed for the best part of 20 years.

We lived well.Everything was second hand with the exception of underwear and shoes for the children.My ex managed to never pay maintenance but I produced 2 citizens who give back to society.


I could have spent money on "stuff"but it was more important to me for us to eat well and have a nice home.I am not "tight" I take pleasure in recycling,repurposing and not buying into consumerism.

I think what I am trying to say is that even though I had little money I made choices with what I did with it,for us as a family and for the planet.

I never wanted the children to stand out as odd.We always dressed well but what most never knew was an outfit cost pence.

My son now buys quality clothing which will last years and my daughter buys vintage stuff from charity shops.

I am so pleased to have found like minded people like yourselves.