NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

RicardaRacoon

Evening everyone

Hope noone here is affected by the floods!

I had a wonderful day trip today by train as I had a free train ticket still to use and so decided to drive around a bit. Quickly went shopping on my way too, but only a plain black longsleeve shirt for under jumpers as the one I had is in bits and not even suitable for under something... Plus toothpaste and a hand cream.

Besides a small groceries round tomorrow that is all the shopping for this year done.

Started a lovely scarf today with yarn I bought at TlGER last summer. 50 g for a pound, will need two balls for the scarf, so 2£. Wouldn't knit a jumper from it because it is a bit fuzzy and might get felted in the wash, but for a scarf that I can handwash it is quite nice.

GreyQueen most garden centers are departement stores nowdays... The one where I use to go sells more candles, wellies and pillows than flowers, soil and pots...

Mel, since I would die after 500 meters I admire anyone who could do a marathon, no matter how slow... And since the money isn't spent too bad on that I wouldn't be too strict on yourself if I were you. You could use the money for far worse things.

Jackie, just let them fall into the freezer and they will find a spot to hide for sure :-) They're small after all!
My freezer downstairs is currently filled with everything that my parents couldn't fit into their freezer... Like a big freezer bag full of rowan-berries since my dad insisted that jam made from them helps when you have a cold... So my mum forraged them, cooked a small batch and put the rest into my freezer until she knows if the jam is any good. I don't think she has decided yet...

Have a nice evening everyone and in case I'm not writing here; Happy New Year! Do you know by the way that in German you wish people "a good slide" into the New Year? That gives the opportunity for plenty of jokes when the weather is cold and you could wish people a nice slide into the New Year, without slipping on the icy street....

117pauline

I seem to have recovered the NBI bug, thankfully.

We have eaten less over Christmas than ever before and I feel so much better.

Roast lamb was our choice for Christmas Day which was absolutely gorgeous with just enough vegetables and side dishes and little leftover. We also had meringues, cream and strawberries for dessert. In fact I have not had a turkey meal, mince pie or Christmas cake this year at all.

I have been on a low FODMAP diet to help my IBS symptoms and it has worked a treat. Although it has taken more time and money to follow, I have noticed a huge difference and I am 11lbs lighter in 8 weeks. I now have the fun of trying to re-introduce foods so I can find the trigger foods that cause the worst of it. I have a nasty suspicion that it is going to be mushrooms and onions which will be very hard as I adore them and put them in most dishes. The hospital dietetian has been so helpful and suppportive.

So for the last few days, I have been looking back at 2015 and forward into 2016 - I am sure I am not the only one!

Overall I haven't done too badly although my partner's health scares did knock me off track somewhat.

So 2016 will be my "Better Than Before" year. It's based on Gretchen Rubin's book which encourages developing helpful habits.

This thread has been a joy in 2015. It has never failed to be supportive, funny, informative and thought-provoking. So you will all be in my thoughts as we go into 2016.

Pauline

mirry

Pauline, I'm thinking of starting the fodmap diet too as my mother said it really helped her when she tried it. I have eds3 and ibs is something I'm prone to unfortunately, did u find your main triggers?

RicardaRacoon, I've never thought of looking in tiger for wool before, did they have many to choose from? I managed to pick up 5 big balls for lace crocheting from the charity shop yesterday, for a total of £2. So I've decided to make a table runner for myself and four bookmarks for future gifts. Although I'm still in the process of crocheting a kingsize bed throw...my poor fingers, lol.

Lynplatinum

Hiya All

Welcome new folks!!
Christmas at the multi millionaire's house went well. It was like staying in an updated National Trust property! thank you so much for all your clever suggestions for what to put in my HM (home Made) hamper - it went down a treat and folks were nibbling on its contents over the whole period and coming up and saying how nice it was. I was also thanked profusely for my help in the kitchen and my diplomacy. (my DIL's mum usually never lets anyone help with the cooking).

Re 2016 - I think we should start an NBI 2016 thread with a link on pg 1 to this thread - does anyone know how to do this? I am happy to admin - if I know how?
Evening all

Lynplatinum

Oh more decoding for newer folks:
NSD - Non Spending Days - we try to do them as much as poss within a month as it saves you money
LBM - Light Bulb Moment - the moment when you realise that you HAVE to do something about your finances!
Anymore folks?
Hope these help :-)

jellybeantinker1

Morning all,

I have been following this thread since it started and have not posted. I'm a lurker rather than a poster! Anyway, I'm hoping there will be a 2016 thread as have had a lot of inspiration from this one.
We really do not need anything (except a couple of big purchases, but they are accounted for! We need to get a new car as the one we have has an ongoing problem, we had it 'fixed' but problem has started again and it is one of those where we will just keep throwing money at it and have been told more than likely never solve, so biting the bullet.

Also we need a new mattress, so that is the other big purchase which we will get in the sales, again accounted for.

We've just had to buy a new fridge too in the last few days as the old one decided to go do-lally and was not worth getting fixed. Gone for something more simple this time!

Overall, we have all that we need and are happy with what we have. I am trying to de-clutter Marie Kondo style (to an extent) and we are slowly succeeding on that front. I've been ebaying a lot this year and have made a nice amount on our junk, so surprising what other people will buy. If it hasn't sold after so long, I then take it the charity shop.

I have started meal planning again which has helped enormously time and money wise and don't really know why I stopped, but that is stopping me from spending so much food wise, though I still want to get the amount down, so now doing the Grocery Challenge and trying to stick to it this year. Meal planning also helps as I am a foster carer (with OH and DD's) and look after babies, the tiny little people who come into the world! I love it and it is so rewarding, and meal planning has helped with this too as we get to eat at a sensible time when baby is asleep and it's hot! Now actually awaiting a phone call to see if we have been chosen to look after a little person. It's sad, but exciting at the same time.

Luckily we don't have any debts to pay off, mortgage was paid off 18 years early (25 yr mortgage) and we were really pleased to see the £0 on the statement. We threw everything at it in those years as we knew we wanted to pay it off and so glad we did as now we can save more of our money.

Happy new Year to everyone and I'll see you on the new thread! I'll try to post too!

[Deleted User]

GQ I think you are my long lost twin honey I too look at things and think no way Jose would I cough up a bit of my pension for that load of old tut.:)
I have, I'm glad to say, not set foot anywhere near a shop since before Christmas, and hope not to go near one until at least the end of next week,then it will only be for fresh fruit and veg.

I ate some of the brussels and peeled and froze the rest.The half a cabbage has been reconstituted into bubble and squeak patties that have also gone into the freezer and the head of celery has been renewed as a couple of litre pots of soup.

I have just a green and an orange pepper to sort out,but that's not a problem, as one I shall stuff and have for lunch, and the other one will be sliced and diced and into the freezer it will go.


At the moment fruit wise I have half a dozen nice apples and some grapes .I do have some stewed apples in the freezer to use as well so I can get away without buying any more for a few more days.

I am at eldest DDs for a couple of days from tonight anyway so with luck I shan't need to shop for anything in the food dept until about Wed/Thurs fingers crossed.

My left over cash from this month will get popped into my holiday account this morning plus the last of my Happy Cash Stash for December .New month,new year and new budget tomorrow :):)

I am quite pleased at how this year has been I have managed to have a decent holiday with my family, and slightly increased my Rainy Day savings. Plus also bought myself a new MacAirbook which I had been lusting after for awhile.Got a decent £120 discount as well which I was more than pleased with.

I have a sound roof over my head, and more than enough food in the cupboard.

My family are all well and healthy,and I have been totally discharged from the hospital and pronounced clear of cancer No more operations thank goodness (and I can now wear a bra after 8 years :):))

I was so pleased to be able to do the Race for Life with my DD in July of this year .We had a great time with all of the other 3000 plus people at Moat park and we raised between us over £600.00 which was great, thank you all who donated to the F/B page it was so kind of you all.
DD is keen for us to sign up for this coming year as well so looks like we will be having another go again.

I met some really nice people this year (some from this forum ) and we all had a great day in Bromley back in the summer.

Looking back over this year I am pleased and feel very lucky that its been a good year.Roll on 2016 I'm sure it will bring lots of new experiences and hopefully new friends.

Happy New Year to all on here and I do hope that you too will have as good a year next year, as I have had in this one.

I have been reflecting this morning and counting my blessings about 2015, and now perhaps you to can have a go, and do the same, as it does make you feel as though you have achieved something when you look back.

Even if its just joining the good ship Not Buying It. Thanks Slowdown for starting us all off on this voyage

JackieO xxx

nursemaggie

What a lovely reflection of the year JackieO.

Well I certainly am not ending the year not buying it as there is quite a bit of spending associated with the move. Our carpets are now down and the flat is looking quite good. There is also the prospect of making new friends as the neighbours seem friendly.

DS was complaining a couple of days ago he does not want to move, it was one of those moments when he was wandering round the house looking for something to fit in the last hole in a box. We both wanted the same small glass vase to fit an almost identical hole. Needless to say I have not found anything yet.

I agreed I did not want to move either we had agreed we would stay here at least another three years when the eviction came out of the blue. We are after all only going round the corner but this could prove to be an advantageous move after all. At least after the first year we will have long term security and not any more of these 6 months short term lets.

Today will be the frustrating day of waiting around all day when I could be packing. Apart from the eternal waiting and the needle in my arm for my blood tests, I quite enjoy my 6 weekly visit to the Christie Hospital. I only have about 4 more six weekly visits and then my treatment will be finished, three years of daily treatment is a long time, then I will be down to 6 monthly visits. I am on my way to being all clear of cancer too Jackie.

2016 is the year when DD and SIL retire from the British Council and retire to Malta. I do wish they were coming home to the UK but understand they stand a better chance of getting jobs teaching English to foreign students in Malta. It is a nice place to visit too.

Yes all in all I think the New Year will be something to look forward to.
I don't see why we should need to start a new thread this is nowhere near as long as some of the threads.

Not buying it should be our permanent philosophy every year.

A Happy New Year to you all.

chirpycheap

Lynplatinum wrote: »

Hiya All



Re 2016 - I think we should start an NBI 2016 thread with a link on pg 1 to this thread - does anyone know how to do this? I am happy to admin - if I know how?
Evening all

That sounds perfect. I'm sure that there will be lots of people making no spend New Years resolutions and a new thread would be really helpful.:T

blackcatsx2

I've just spent half an hour un subscribing from all the retailers who email me frequently with "marvellous opportunities" for me to spend my money with them. that should keep my email inbox a bit less cluttered and remove any residual temptation.
Happy new year to all the lovely non spenders who follow this thread and make it so inspirational.