NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

Lynplatinum

Ahoy there me hearties!

I m back after 3 days of just being so busy that I did nt even get time to lurk!!! Phew - it takes some reading to catch up on!!

Thanks for all your positive and rational comments re my recent expenditure. You are all correct of course :A - they were 'investment ' spends!! But I so rarely buy new things - especially frivolous things like clothes that I have to justify it to myself - and you folk are great at seeing the sensible side of things. I am going to make one more 'investment' - having broken my leg lat year - understandably - I threw away the sandals I was wearing at the time (MnS flats with straps round the back of the ankle). I may go for Ec!o shoes - but they are £80 a pair (but I feel confident to go out walking in them as they have v good grip on em - as I need to loose weight - I need to walk - so they would be a good investment) but will go and look @ MnS & Sket!chers at folks recommendation (while at the meet on Friday) first, as although they will be expensive - they wont be Ec!o prices! :j

After that - its purse closed - firmly!! I have more clothes than I need (and one set in size 18 - which I am now - and one set in size 16 - form when I was slimmer and is where I need to get back to!) and certainly need no more kitchen equipment/ornaments/jewelry/books to read/scrapbooking stuff/make up or handcreams etc etc. Also need to eat up the freezer - am gonna do a review of what is in there this week and list it again to ensure no wastage! :cool:

I have better uses for my money - so agree with Agnes jnr - we go on auto pilot - we are programmed to go for expensive coffees to meet friends - to go shopping with them for stuff we dont need - to eat when we are out (the amount of food outlets on Victoria Station on Friday stunned me - I full intend to get back into 'Own vintage sani's mode!!) - and made to feel inadequate about our clothes; homes and food - just so that we buy more!! what happened to the 'going for a walk' or 'popping round for a cuppa' for the art of conversation???
Or spending time on here 'chatting' rather than eating - in my case :rotfl:
Nite all - am off to bed - they how you sleep affects weight loss - I intend to be off here by 12 every night and in bed by 12.15 from now on. Sail on frugally!

vulpix

I am with you on not buying clothes and general stuff.I have restrained myself with plants this year.I confess I have bought a church pew for my new house and an oak bookcase from eebay for a fiver.I caught myself looking at wardrobes,like the ones i have just sold but smaller.No no no,I have clothes rails and we will decide once we move what we need.

Must repeat,do not need anything on the hour every hour.Vx

[Deleted User]

Definitely recommend the Sketchers ones I have two pairs that will be going into their third summer this year, an aquamarine colour and a white pair.The greeny ones I usually live and die in once the weather gets warmer and are so comfortable you forget you have them on.I too must have 'Happy Feet' ,you spend most of your day in shoes so decent ones pay for themselves in the long run.
My next big spend will be a part present with DD for my DGS G/f next month as she is 21.We have all been invited to the party in Tonbridge Wells and it looks like its going to be a nice 'do' as its at a rather smart hotel.So I may even splash out on a decent frock as well or I may have a sort through what I already have. I'm sure there must be something in the wardrobe to wear thats 'smart casual'I shall ask my eldest DD as she is the fashion guru of the family. I think my yougest DD said maybe we could buy her some nice earings for her birthday.hard to know what youngsters like today.She is a hard-up medical student so we want to get her something pretty she can keep.
No shopping to buy at the moment foodwise at least.
have a good and frugal day chums
JackieO xxx

RicardaRacoon

Morning everyone

Nice weather here, just perfect for a day in town. Will go to a Japanese market with two friends, but don't intend to buy anything. Will just have a look and try not to be tempted by them buying loads... Afterwards we'll have sushi to go with the Japanese theme, so that will hopefully be my only spend today.

When I think about this sushi is my 3. meal out this week... Was out on Monday evening and then had lunch with a coworker on Tuesday. Not very NSD all in all, but I think sometimes meals out are a treat. And the one on Tuesday was very inexpensive and very taste, a place I will for sure go again.

Yesterday was our local librarys book exchange, basically you can bring books you no longer want and take as many books as you want back home. I managed to limit myself to the one-in-one-out rule, brought five books and took five back home, although it was quite hard to choose.
There was also a fleamarket organized by the local football club and my Mum and I had a look around and bought some jigsaws and teddy bears in very good condition for our charity parcels for Christmas.

Was quite a spendy week, had to invest in a new hair dryer as my old one turned into a dragon and burst in flames on Monday morning - lovely start into the week, isn't it? But if the new one will also work for four years in almost daily use it is money well spent.

I think some things are investments rather than spendings. For example Jackies renovation which will mean being able to spend the rest of her life in that house. Or sometimes even new clothes can be an investment... I just say comfortable bras or shoes. I also bought a cardigan two years ago for very little money which matches almost all my other clothes and which I wear at least once a week, so I think that was certainly money very well spent in a good addition to my wardrobe.

Jackie, I think earrings are a lovely present. I have a ring which I got from my parents when I turned 18 and which I wear daily.
Well done on only spending 20p on your "shopping trip"

A big expense is coming my way though, booking holidays. My sister gets crazy if we can't finally fix a date and book so that she has something to look forward while one of her coworkers after the other go on holidays. And our week at the seaside is something we look forward for months.

Clutter... i think some people really have a hard time sorting out the house after a loved one passed away. Two of my neigbours died earlier this year, one was a lovely elderly lady who apparently had a very clean, uncluttered flat and her son finished in no time. The other neigbours had tons of stuff (husband died, wife is in a home for years) and their kids spent months dealing with everything and where very upset when they tried to sell some of the things on eb@y and found noone wanted the things as they were in a bad condition. but nevertheless kept for years in case they will use it again.
But then I can somehow understand that generation for keeping things that might eventually come useful. They were brought up during the war to learn that you can make something out of every little piece, so best to keep it in case it comes useful.

Heard a lot about accidents and illnesses lately, makes me once more appreciate being healthy.

So, need to get ready to go out. Just hope the weather stays ok, will pack an umbrella just in case.

Have a nice sunday everyone!

GreyQueen

I think having to deal with the contents of a relative's home is often a wake-up call for many of us, isn't it? As in, how so much of what has been kept has become worthless because it is broken/out-dated/ugly/not applicable to modern life etc.

It boggles my mind to see what happens sometimes when people move out of the tiny flats in our block. And these flats are very very small, but still you sometimes see 50 black binbags, chocka full, lined up outside the flat.

My flat is comfortably-furnished and fully-equipped but I still don't think everything I own would take 50 black sacks. And these are flats where people are moving, not deceased, so they are presumably taking stuff like most of their clothing and some of their housewares etc with them.

I like to think if I popped my clogs tomorrow, there wouldn't be too much work to do, and what is left on the premises would be usable by others in 90% of cases, whether family/ friends/ charity shop donations.

The remaining 10% would be things like undies, well-used trainers, a few personal items of memorabilia which mean something to me but not to anyone else.

Apart from groceries, my expenditures thus far in June have been; archery class, a cinema ticket, 2 small baskets, a poloneck top, 3 pkts of beetroot seed (sown already) and 2 low-energy lightbulbs. £22.99 in total. Will probably spend a similar amount in the second half of the month. Bit of a rubbish consumer, frankly, and happy about it.:D

agnesjr

Evening all,

I too need shoes for happy feet. A couple of years ago 'gave in' and cs got all my 'heels'. And I was a heel girl as am only tiny. But, joints said NO & feet swollen so flats and comfy it had to be. But not 'flat flat', some support essential. Found the brand H*avenly F*et...and boy do the just make my feet heavenly. Also R*iker & Sk*tchers. F*otglove from M*rks & S sometimes too. Yes more expensive, but I live in them and get moneys worth for sure.

By accident came across a radio 4 book club prog - which interviewed Oliver James a psychologist about his book 'Affluenza'. Interesting indeed - about conspicous consumption. Lol, when he mentioned our obsession with doing things to our homes, especially a fascination with wonderful and expensive kitchens. Personally, am totally at a loss about why folk want big expensive kitchens. A lot of TV finding a house progs, people also say ...oh, kitchen isn't big enough. What the dickens are they doing in them. Some good restaurants, cafes etc have tiny kitchens and manage. And as for the galley kitchen on this ship...well all manner of cheap and nutritious meals are prepared....as well as ship cleaning materials. (Was actually looking for the R4 book prog about Dr Henry Marsden and his book Do No Harm. He is a neurosurgeon, prog very interesting).

As a dear friend of mine says, no matter how big, fancy, costly your home is.....and how much stuff you have in it...you can only sit in 1 chair at a time, use1 cup at a time etc. So what is this obsession with 'stuff'?

Stuff that can't be bought....chat, cuddles, stroking my dogs, hugs, time, just being there, nature, fresh air, smiles, a kind word, a listening ear, a shower, a story, a cuppa, seaside, sunsets, sunrises. Add to the list NBI crew...a sort of virtual NBI 'good mood board'

JIL

agnesjr wrote: »

Evening all,

I too need shoes for happy feet. A couple of years ago 'gave in' and cs got all my 'heels'. And I was a heel girl as am only tiny. But, joints said NO & feet swollen so flats and comfy it had to be. But not 'flat flat', some support essential. Found the brand H*avenly F*et...and boy do the just make my feet heavenly. Also R*iker & Sk*tchers. F*otglove from M*rks & S sometimes too. Yes more expensive, but I live in them and get moneys worth for sure.

I love the heavenly feet brand and I believe they have a couple of outlet stores, there's one in market harborough, leics. They have men's and ladies as well as slippers. The shoes, boots and sandals are generally a third of usual prices and they have a good selection. I often pick up a pair for £10 to £15.

[Deleted User]

Just logged on to my Capitol One card and as they are ceasing cashback I have now got £17.06 in credit on there.So putting my smartypants hat on I decided that if I use the 'credit' instead of 'real cash ' from my food purse I can chuck £17.06 into my holiday savings account in cash IYSWIM

Only 60 more days until our family holiday so every little bit extra I save will go towards using when we are at our holiday house for food or on the beach for ice creams for the children.

Today I am going down to M&S with a voucher my eldest gave me yesterday for a 'free breakfast' there I only have to buy a drink so a nice breakfast for the price of a cuppa is a fair exchange I think and one less meal to make .

I have tonights dinner which I brought home from DDs last nights Her left -over odds and ends of roast potato,carrots,runner beans,brocolli and a couple of slices of lamb which will have some gravy added and will do me very nicely.Not enough to feed her family,but she usually cuts me out enough so I don't have to cook on a Monday night

Just working out my menu's to try and run down the freezer before I go away in the hope I can defrost it.

Taking into account the times I am out for dinner and at Quiz night (where I get a meal along with the quiz price) it seems I have 37 dinners to find between now and my holidays.

Hopefully I should be able to get a good few from the existing stocks.The less I have to buy in, the more I can use up what there is in store.
Exactly half way through the month and well over half of my food budget still intact for June .

So not being able to drive for a few weeks and not being able to carry much home means I am certainly noticing how much less I am buying.

Back in the dim dark past of the 1960s when I first got married I used to go shopping once a week on a Tuesday for some reason (probably because it was family allowance day:):)) and certainly never carried indoors as much stuff as I have now, and then I had myself,OH and two children to feed.

Tiny little kitchen, and an even tinier box in the fridge that held virtually a packet of peas and very little else.

Our shopping habits have changed so much over the past 50 odd years.I am sure we all fall into the habit of buying far too many things.

Today I have lots of herbs and spices that I never had before and numerous jars and sachets of stuff. I am going to make a determined affort to rid myself of some of this stuff (by using it up if possible ) and hopefully seeing some room in my over full cupboards.

This way my cupboards will be emptying out, and my food purse will be fuller.

I always collect the same amount of cash per month from the bank for my food purse so for the next month or so I shall endevour to get some space and invent ways of using up some of my 'food clutter '

What do you think or am I the only one on board who has this problem I'm sure I'm not.So come on shipmates lets strt de-cluttering our kitchen food cupboards by using up some of the stuff we have all be guilty of buying ,sometimes on impulse.
:):)
JackieO xxx

vulpix

I am with you with the food Jackie.
Yesterday I strained 3 almost eaten jars of gherkin,pickle type things,and recycled the solids in the green bin and then the glass jars.There is a half eaten jar of pickled red cabbage that I will give my Mum.(is there no end to my generosity) There are a couple of half jars of jam and mayo and Hp,mustard etc
I have emptied my food cupboard onto the top of the microwave.There are 3 tins of beans a tin of tomatoes,2 tins of tuna and 2 packets of instant noodles.The dry goods cupboard has been emptied onto the worktop.there is weetabix,oats,pasta,spaghetti,lasagne,plain and SR flour,sugar of various types,rice of various types,lentils and crisps and chocky bars for youngest's snacks at school.The herbs and spices I have emptied into a plastic box,I have yet to look at these properly,some I think were bought by various kids when they lived at home,They don't want them,I will never use them but it grieves me to bin them.I must be strong and just do it.My Mum recently gave my Daughter a fab spice rack from the 1970's complete with original contents.They whatever they once were are all the same colour now.
The freezer I think I will freecycle. MIL gave it us and to be honest it only has bread and veg in it.
So not massive stocks but I will be eating it up for the next few weeks before the move. Vx

edwink

JackieO wrote: »

What do you think or am I the only one on board whohas this problem I'm sure I'm not.So come on shipmates lets strt de-cluttering our kitchen food cupboards by using up some of the stuff we have all be guilty of buying ,sometimes on impulse. :):) JackieO xxx

Lovely post JackieO

We declutered ours within the first 3 months of being on board the ship No Buy. Now we find that they stay in order and never need tidying up!! And we can see at a glance what we need when we go shopping!!

Langley and the crew are doing well and enjoying the sun. So there is plenty of sunbathing going on which I love watching and bathing in soil/dust to keep their feathers in tip top condition. Some of the hens are rather lazy and wait for me to cover them in soil. They just lay there with there feathers stretched out on the soil until I start flicking some on them and then they start rolling about in it. We have a White Star hen who is by nature a nervous hen. Every summer when she starts bathing I sit with her and start covering her with soil. Slowly bit by bit she gets covered. But, she never flicks it off and just sits there with her eyes closed but occasionally opening them to watch me. I normally manage to cover her completely until only her head is sticking out. Still she just sits there watching me. I think she likes the coolness of the soil on a hot day. She looks so sweet!! I have to uncover her before I go in case she just stays there all afternoon. Bless her!!

Tried to have a longer walk yesterday since my Gentamicin treatment but sadly had to come back home. Just could not do it vision wise as the road was bouncing. As my hubby says we can try again next week. I was disappointed but I do take on board what my hubby says and we can have another go next week!! Managing at home because I have got used to walking around indoors and now in the garden. So I think small steps and I will eventually get there. Menieres disease is quite difficult to live with at times and takes over your life. But, other times it gives you a break and you can get on better albeit very unsteady/wobbly. I have to shuffle when walking around the hens otherwise I step on a few toes!! Langley is ok and loving her new life with us. Such a shame she had a bad start in life. Hopefully she has put that all behind her now. It is very difficult to introduce a single hen to a flock but we had no choice with her. Thankfully she has now settled in and runs around with the others fine!! Nice one Langley!!!!!

Still keeping to under £50 for the food shopping. Will be spending less when all the veg is ready. New potatoes will be dug up soon. Already picking leaves off the "cut and come again" lettuces for us and the girls. Have grown 4 cucumber indoors this year by the patio doors as we are south facing. Hubby and I have 2 each and are having a race. His are a couple of inches from the skylight windows but mine has 3 good sized cucumbers on already. They are a real talking point when friends pop round as they are right by the kitchen table. They are taking over the kitchen a bit but we don't mind as it was my idea and certainly turning out to be a bit of fun.

Have a good day shipmates, the sun is back out!!!

Edwink x