How to be frugal and thrifty and live life to the full

CantSwingACat

I've been working really hard lately to save money but one thing that has annoyed me is the number of people who say things like "you're not living your life now! You should enjoy yourself now rather than saving for the future"

Obviously that's a load of nonsense and it's obviously possible to save hard for something that you really want while still living your life. I've been having a great time!

So I thought I'd see if anyone has any tips to enjoy yourself without having to spend money.......mine to follow...

CantSwingACat

Go to free art galleries and museums

Go out on a bike ride (there are loads of websites where people are giving bikes away for free if you haven't got one already such as Freecycle and Facebook buy, sell and swap groups)

A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I went for a wander round a graveyard one afternoon. While some might think that's depressing, I enjoy reading the headstones and imagining what that person's life was like. I make up little scenarios in my head for adventures that they had.

Get on a bus to a random place you've never been before.

Make some time to see your friends - or the ones who understand you don't have to spend money to have fun, anyway.

Have a movie night in and ask all your friends to bring drinks and food for everyone to share.

When it gets a bit warmer in a couple of months get your friends or boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/kids/whatever and go camping (could camp in the garden if all else fails)

If saving money is stopping you from going out with your friends start a hobby that's free. knitting, drawing, origami, blogging or something. I've started to blog about my money saving efforts and it's got to a point where I'd rather sit at home and do that than go on a night out with my friends anyway.

Go to a thrift store/charity shop/vintage shop with friends and take it in turns to dress up as a particular character that the other person has chosen for you.

If you're anything like me you've probably got a pile of books in your room that you've never read. Read them. Also, in my dentist's waiting room there is a shelf with unwanted books for people to take if they wish...make use of this sort of thing.

A visit to a library can actually make a pretty cute date with someone you've been with for a while and can share comfortable silences with. Pick books out for each other and spend an afternoon just flicking through random stuff.

Anyone got any more to add? I'd love to get some more tips

skintmum2012

I love walking my dog just me my dog and the great outdoors

tooties

Stay in and count up all the cash you have saved and enjoy

regards

Goldiegirl

Is there anything in particular that you are saving for?

I'm just asking, because I've seem people saving for the 'future', but when the future finally arrives, the saving habit is so ingrained, they are literally unable to spend anything, and survive on a pittance when they've got £1000's in the bank.

It's sometimes difficult to get right balance between spending and saving -maybe you could allow yourself to spend for a treat from time to time without feeling bad?

Brambleberry

Walking! The kind that makes you breathless and the kind to take your breath away! :j Utterly free and can beat more expensive hobbies hands down for feelings of satisfaction and wellbeing.
Plus, a well organised walk, accompanied by a couple of artistic selfies on a summit / by the sea plonked on your fb page will have your naysayers feeling envious and in no doubt at all that you are "living":D

CantSwingACat

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Is there anything in particular that you are saving for?

I'm just asking, because I've seem people saving for the 'future', but when the future finally arrives, the saving habit is so ingrained, they are literally unable to spend anything, and survive on a pittance when they've got £1000's in the bank.

It's sometimes difficult to get right balance between spending and saving -maybe you could allow yourself to spend for a treat from time to time without feeling bad?

I'm saving for a house which I hope to buy this time next year,so I'll definitely be spending it. You mark my words . Fingers crossed it goes well any way. Hoping to sneak a holiday in over the summer as a treat too. Will set me back only a month so that's not too bad. Have moved back in with my parents and so that's enabled me to save most of my wages

savingpennies

I save my £2 coins for treats/days out but stick to the mantra of not paying full price for anything if I can help it.
Cinema - find out which nights/days are the cheapest. I invested in an Odeon card so save the points for free tickets. I've also bought Groupon Odeon vouchers for a treat over Christmas for the family.
Meals out - my union gave all its members a Gourmet dining card, which gives discounts like 2 for 1 or a % off. I find this good for special events like birthdays.
I second the free galleries/museums - we had a great day out last year in York visiting the National Railway Museum and our local paper did a deal with Northern Rail so I collected vouchers and got return tickets for £10 each, along with a pack lunch and flask we had a great day out which we couldn't have afforded otherwise.
National Trust membership - days for free once you've paid for the membership - great days out especially in the summer, though of course there is the cost of getting there to factor in.
I thoroughly endorse walking - look in local libraries for walking magazines or books, or even local council tourist shops often have walking leaflets.

Half the fun for me is planning these treats - finding things to do or places to visit and whether we can do it for free or cheaply.

superrhinos

If you have a Waitrose near you then a MyWaitrose card allows you to have one hot free drink a day.

HappyMJ

superrhinos wrote: »

If you have a Waitrose near you then a MyWaitrose card allows you to have one hot free drink a day.

Couldn't I just go to the kitchen and make that for myself for next to nothing. Teabags are only a penny. The wear and tear on my shoes would probably be more than a penny.

Butterfly_Brain

We buy an annual zsl membership that gives unlimited entry which pays for itself after a couple of visits, it is well worth every penny!

http://www.zsl.org/membership/zsl-membership