NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

edwink

Glad you are ok JackieO!!


What a lovely, lovely interesting post you have written!! Enjoyed reading it so much I read it again after I had finished!!


All ok here on the happy farm. Will update on Langley and the others later!!


Have a great day shipmates!!


Edwink x

agnesjr

Evening all,

As my crew mates know, I am a newbie to the MSE forums. And am avidly reading this entire thread....don't want to miss any tips....now about page 160. Whilst reading posts some folk mentioned other threads which were kind of related.

So, got the periscope out and had a look at the horizon. Sure enough there were other islands to visit - more info, chat, laughs, kindred spirit shipmates possibly too.

And off she went (brief off ship pass freely given) all smiley, happy, curious.

Well! Holy Moley! Talk about a cold dip in the sea. Oh at the start, some lovely warm water to paddle in, friendly natives too. And then whoosh, cold water, stinging jelly fish, fierce looking natives. Now confession I was only looking around, not participating on other island life. But boys oh, it can be fierce out there.

Captain Slowdown and these crew members must be commended for running a good ship where a hand up and friendly chat is the motto of the day. Alongside NBI of course.

Or maybe I was just a bit naive ( which isn't like me) to assume all other islands and ships were like this nice one.

Toddle pip.

Btw, these island weren't all recommendations from NBI crew. Oh no, some I had just fancied visiting myself. You live and learn

Lynplatinum

Hiya

Agnesjr - I too have looked on other threads and gone ooo-er - glad I landed on MM&M first and then here - folks on these 2 are v friendly - sometimes the same peeps! (but not all!) However, do keep looking I have found some sort lived threads are OK. At least here we have good monitors - on some other sites it get really horrendous!

Jackie O me and my son and his friends swap books all the time - I cant honestly remember the last time I bought a new one!!! however, we have all said we must buy at least one a year otherwise - if no one buys new then the publishing industry will cease to exist

NBI completely today - I had a complete at home day today - not even venturing outside my front door! Bliss! I had gardening to do so the great day (weather wise) was not wasted but I have finally caught up on all my e-mails!!! Also nearly went out -' eek!' I thought 'I have no eggs! I must have eggs!! I must have eggs!' how daft! :rotfl: I can make flapjack or biscuits that dont need eggs - I have loads :eek: of stuff to eat that does not involve eggs!! What was the matter with me. However chums I stayed on board - and cleared a load of niggly jobs that were small but needed doing!

Sail on calm NBI waters fellow sailors!!

GreyQueen

Just checking the book I'm reading, which was published in 2011. I bought it last Bank Hol weekend at a bootsale as part of a 6 for £1 deal from a nice couple. Of the six books, one was intended for Mum and handed to her immediately, as will this one when I've finished with it, as she likes this author. Another of the six was effectively a make-weight and immediately handed off to my bookseller brother and is presently up in the interwebs for sale.

Of the other three, one has been read and is ready to be donated to a chazzer which turns them out at £1 each (plus the gift-aid contribution). I have two more to read, one of which will be donated and the other which my brother has put in a request to read when I've finished with it. I see him every couple of months or so, so will be sure to hand that over next time. Then it'll be sold if worth the hassle or, more likely, be given back to me to chazzer it.

The speed of circulation of used books is astonishing. I bought one in a library sale in Picton, NZ, brought it back from my holidays and it was listed and sold for x 20 what I paid for it in under a week in the UK and went to Lindisfarne(!).

So, someone has to buy them new, but they have an astonishingly varied life as used items, sometimes continuing to circulate for decades.

Yesterday went pretty well as a NBI until mid-afternoon, as I was busy on the allotment. Then I fell off the wagon by spending £1 on fruit and veg (that's a whole £2.46 for food so far this month, goshdarnit) and another £2.50 at the charity shop on a pringle top and 2 baskets.

I'm easing into the day of rest and then making a flask and sarnies and going off to play on my allotment for a few hours. I may swing by a supermarket at closing time to forage for YS bargains, which can be a fabulous haul or nothing at all, but I enjoy the thrill of the chase.

I'm looking at an unspendy week ahead, as will be doing something other than archery on Tuesday. Will be looking at a new pair of glasses in the next few weeks, which I estimate will be, from previous experience, about £200. I'm not precious about frames, but I do have varifocals and really need the lenses thinned as they'd be very heavy otherwise due to my astigmatism. Will possibly wait until next month as I have some annual leave booked and will be able to shop and price-compare without being rushed. Takes me quite a bit of time to earn that money, so I like to spend it with caution.

Hope the sun is shining on you wherever you are today, lovely peeps.

eandjsmum

Morning All


2 NSD's in a row. Went to a local art show last night - free. Have been persuaded to contribute one or two of my efforts next time and as I can hold my own I will. Went out wearing my Pandora style bracelet, making no apologies for this I enjoy it. I will only wear things that make me feel good. I don't like cheap clothes and I don't like clingy clothes. I am lucky enough to be able to make my own or buy very good quality with very little wear from the CS around here. Past bargains have included brand new tagged Per una jeans and Joules top. I have also brought East, Next, Zara, Laura Ashley and Temperly with very little wear in them. Like Jackie O I do buy good quality shoes, this is because I have had Ops on both my feet I have fused bones, toes in the wrong order and dodgy tendons so for that reason I am not going to jeopardise any work the orthopaedic surgeon has tried to put right ,
I am very grateful to be walking virtually pain free.
As regards books 2 years ago DH brought me a kindle for my birthday , he had run out of Ideas and really there was nothing that I needed, I now download free books for that. Today has been a bonanza day, The complete Anne of Green gables and 4 others, My cup runs over.
I do use the library but CS are very good sources of books Last week when I was early for an appointment I went into one and brought 3 beautiful art books, one of which I had seen on Ama$on for much more than I paid.
Any way the sun is out here and the blackfly are engulfing my broad beans so I must be away to deal with the critters.

vulpix

i have ventured onto other threads and got my fingers burned.Only post on this and MMM thread.

I have not been buying it as I have been busy packing.i did go to patchwork on friday which i thoroughly enjoyed even though I heard about Two deaths in the village of nice old ladies.Made a lovely little cushion cover from a completed cross stitch from 25 years ago.They call them UFO's unfinished objects.Next time I will make bag from offcuts of a vinyal table cloth.group started out as just patchwork started by an American lady but anything crafty goes.£2 spend there.

I have also spent £3 at a carbootsale today on stuff I wanted but could have lived without but what the heck push the boat out once in a while.

I have a few pieces of good jewellery.A watch,2 engagement rings,an eternity ring and my wedding ring oh and a gold locket. All else is primarni or car boot.I just dont seem to be a fancy jewellery type of person.Mr V bought me an expensive silver and amethyst bracelet years ago which is not me so I gave it his daughter,she has never worn it either.I put a £10 gift limit on him after several expensive mistakes which included a watch and matching necklace set amongst others.Gave that to his daughter too,I think he took the advice of sales assistants who must have been very young and liked bling.

Nice to see you posting Edwink.My ex MIL had menieres and was quite poorly with it at times.It does seem to be something that can ebb and flow a bit,for her anyway.

have had a couple of hours kip and feel like iv'e been drugged.Laters Vx

Bathory

It went very warm this afternoon. Have managed to get all the laundry dry which is so much better than clothes airers cluttering up the house. Still doing ok on the NBI ship although I did stock up on some of Souperdrugs Vit E range at 1/3 off. I'm also after a good quality metallic soap holder which I will allow out of my budget towards end of the month if I can find such a thing sold in the high street.

I watched a DVD last night which, no matter what, this one particular film always has me welling up. Its The Belstone Fox, think it was made in 71-72 but so few have heard of it when I mention it. I gave up on TV in 2009 when analogue got switched off in this area to digital. This combined with water getting into the ariel and frying the freeview box made us make the decision to never bother with live TV again. Neither me or OH miss it but one thing I do turn to is Y-tube to view old adverts/regional closedowns/comedy & crime shows. Some things seemed simpler ages ago or is it because I'm deluded in my advancing years? (nearly 47).

My 2 mogs are moulting everywhere. Today they were furminated, brushed and combed and now have coats as smooth as silk. Luckily both of them have adored being brushed since kittens and one will often try to push in whilst I'm brushing the other. Now I'm being reminded that its Dreamies treats time so need to get going. Take care all.

maria3104

JackieO wrote: »

Hi Ya Chums I am back online again,albeit taking things slowly and giving my old body time to recover.I seemed to have lots of cash at the moment £13.06 left over from May's food budget plus the whole of Junes £60.00 intact.But lots of food in the cupboards and freezer and no way am I wandering around the shops at the moment My walking pace has slowed down a bit since my op. and I'm not that mobile I will have a slow shuffle round to the library later to return some books ,but they will go into my shopping trolley as I can't carry anything heavy at all.I am hoping next week when the stitches are removed I will feel better ,but not too bad at the moment just rather slow :):) Nothing to buy and absolutely no inclination to go near a shop which is good.

Sun is shining and my chair in the conservatory is looking pretty good with a library book and a pot of coffee that will be my day planned more or less.I spent several days at DDs being fussed over by my DGS and her which was lovely, but I hate fussing, so I came home last night.So today is a pottering around day with no housework to be done (can't bend anyway) and no cooking (its all in the freezer from last week) and DD stopped and got me some fruit and fresh salad stuff last night on the way home so I'm all sorted for the next few days .

Re frugality ,I too cannot understand why folk who splash the cash recklessly then complain about being broke yet cannot see how easy it is to just rein in the spending a bit.

I have always been frugal and sensible with my funds and live well within my means.I enjoy spending on my family and 10 weeks today we are off to the Isle of Wight for our annual holidays.I go every year with my DD and family plus two dogs and even the hamster comes on holiday with us
DD and I save all of our vouchers from tesco/morrisons/sainsbugs etc plus we take a crate of staples stuff with us that we collect from June onwards .We rent a property and self-cater.On the last night we will have a meal out as by then we will have used all of our stores up.

Last year at the holiday house, twice my DD went out sea fishing with her sons, and caught dinner for us, plus in the garden were two apple trees that made us a couple of apple pies and several crumbles whilst we were there.

I love to hunt around the CS on the island for odds and ends and got a great bag to hold my knitting in from Freshwater for 50p and its lasted me well.

I treat my running costs of my house the same way I would run a business and budget for things I need (not want ) and every month I have a separate food purse with my £60.00 food only budget cash in.

Once its gone thats it until the following 1st of the month.My cupboards are full and I make all my own cakes/biscuits and cook from scratch.to me HM soup is far nicer tasting and uses up past their best veg beautifully and costs pennies to make. As yet this year I have had money left over at the end of each month and it all goes into the 'holiday pot' for treats for my DGS on the beach.
I have very little jewellery apart from stuff my late OH bought me ,most of that is gold and sits in my eldest DDs safe at her house and will come out for high days and holidays.

I never wear any of my watches as when I retired in 1995 I took my watch off and never wore one again.I suppose I would spend extra cash on decent shoes as I have to have happy feet, when you walk with a stick and have joint problems as I do happy feet are essential. I use the library all the time although I do have a soft spot for books they are usually from a CS and rarely bought new. I enjoy spending any spare cash on my grandchildren although I don't spoil them , but if there is something really big they need I will help DD out by paying at least half as she is very good to me and I'd rather the boys had it while I'm around to see their pleasure than after I've popped my clogs

I am happy with what I have, and have a roof over my head,food in the cupboard and a loving family around me so I really want for nothing.I have never been a 'things' sort of person anyway I get more fun out of people than I do out of things.

Shops and advertising just don't grab me at all. I see things in the stores and think I do make/cook/ repair from what I have indoors better than what they ask the price for . Where I live there has opened a small 'vintage shop' its full of recycled junk.I recycle lots of stuff myself, and to me bringing an old chair or piece of furniture back to life with a bit of sanding and undercoating and top-coating is great fun.last week I saw they had an old pair of step ladders in the window repainted a very pale shade of blue the asking price was £85.00 !!! is an old pair of steps probably worth about a fiver at most but I'm sure someone will come along and buy them and think they have a bargain.Fools and their money are easily parted. I haunt boot sales for old bits and bobs and its suprising what you can find I take around a fiver in small change with me and thats the max I will spend and love to bargain a little .

Loved this post. Thank you.
I sometimes feel I am the only one trying, although logically I know there are others like me out there.
Very inspiring.
Thank you
Maria

emslovesmickey

Hi everyone!:wave:

Not been here for a while. Last month was a bad one, only managed to put £75 away but that's better than nothing I suppose.

I've got this week off and no money so I'm keeping myself busy in other ways. I've already cleared my wardrobe of everything that doesn't fit/suit me anymore and it'll go to the charity shops. I've also discovered a cheap but brilliant way of making presents, so I've started on next years birthday presents! It's water soluble canvas. So far I have used it on one t-shirt, which now has butterflies trailing across it. I've got seven more to do. I have to buy a couple more shirts, and possibly some threads, but all in all it'll be pretty cheap:T

Lynplatinum

Ahoy there !!


Well shiver me timbers! I was shocked when I read your post GQ

'Then I fell off the wagon by spending £1 on fruit and veg (that's a whole £2.46 for food so far this month, goshdarnit) and another £2.50 at the charity shop on a pringle top and 2 baskets.'

A whole £2.46 for food and we are only 8 days in the month :eek: - you really are slipping GQ - and spoling yourself in the CS - definately being tied to the wheel for several days!!! :rotfl: ONLY JOKING GQ! I believe you can take a joke - you seem that type - you are one of the best of us at being frugal - and a little treat is essential now and then - AND you can well afford it due to your frugality!

Re getting big brand names - I sit here in Pr!da trousers - which have been taken up (badly)by someone so were 50p in CS - but are soft a lovely for lounging around in - I have stuff from Cott!n Traders/N!xt/Karen Miil!n - all from going to CSs in the posher places near me!! Re wearing Pandors - yep - do so if you love it and it suits you - cool - I spend a fortune on good shoes (have bad arthritis in feet) and contact lenses - the problem I have is not with the look (I think the more Celtic beads are way pretty) just so long as folks are not taken in by cleaver advertising to think they are buying anything of lasting value. If its valuable to you and you enjoy it - great - wear it!!:) I wear rather too much cheap and tatty stuff which seems to suit me :A

Had a great, if expensive day yesterday at my friend's surprise 60th birthday party - £16 for pressy and salads. Had to buy pressy as we were asked to buy JLewis vvouchers for something she wants - so no fudging it and making choccys/beaded necklace/biscuits etc!!! But she was v surprised and happy and your friend is only 60 once :rotfl:

Busy today and did my main shop for £5.40 - 40p over budget!! Purse now shut till next week!
Walked the mile and a half to the bank and thence to L!dil and home - please let me loose weight soooooooon
Nite all