How often do you say "stuff frugality"?

LameWolf

charlies-aunt wrote: »

Being the last one of what was a large family, I have "inherited" a huge amount of things from relatives homes over the last twenty years but my own home has evolved into a quasi-museum and a monument to other peoples choices.

Ah yes, I get where you're coming from. Before I moved in here, Mr LW lived alone, and when his Gran, and later his Mum died, it was he who got given the oddments that neither of his sisters wanted.

The good part about that is that we're not afraid to use them - it's not a major tragedy if a glass gets broken, because it's not part of a precious and valuable set, iyswim.

At first, he did have a loft full of "precious junk", but I was easily able to persuade him to go through it and send some to the charity shop. I also identified a couple of things his youngest sister had given him as presents, which he had no use for but had kept "because P gave them to me" which I actually found a good use for - eg a small wooden cabinet - just a platform with a fancy back and 2 drawers underneath really, which he'd had in the loft, but I said would be perfect for storing my make-up.:o

I keep a "charity box" on the go in the spare room; anything in good nick that we no longer want goes in that, and when it's full, we cart it off to Newport Pagnell, to our chosen CS.:o

pelirocco

tizerbelle wrote: »

My canned/packet food cupboard where it had probably been sat for 5+ years, where else? It was Minestrone - a soup I only "fancy" on apparently very rare occassions.

Hoarding food for 5 plus years isn't being frugal

kboss2010

My worst 'sod frugal' moments tend to happen when I've been an idiot and it's usually an accidental splashing of cash.

Like the time I stupidly bought a Barbour jacket online as a gift using a debit card and it turned out to be a fake. I used to work for a bank, I should have known better!! Rookie mistake not paying by credit card, you rarely get your money back if you don't! (Website looked British but was Chinese)

Today I just booked holiday accommodation then realised it was for the wrong dates and non-refundable so our accommodation is going to cost £460 instead of £200!!! Gah, I'm so annoyed with myself. Also why I hate holidaying in the UK, everything is so blooming expensive!

This year has been the worst for me. I've "wasted" around £500 (I could nary afford) by doing stupid things like this. Honestly, I could kick myself!

My mission is to save myself the same amount over the next 6 months to make up for it. No splashing out for me lol

theoretica

How long will it take me to recycle/repair something and will I enjoy doing so? What is your time worth to you? I know what my time is worth to my employer and value my 'spare' time at least as much. Spending an hour carefully rescuing something which I could replace for £2.99 is only sensible if I enjoy doing it for itself. On the other hand ten minutes to put a stitch in time into a good piece of clothing will work out in my favour - and saves me a clothes shopping trip which would probably take longer.

[Deleted User]

at my age time is also precious but for me recycling stuff is something I enjoy and if I can find another use or a new home for something then I will do so.I renovate old unloved bits of furniture and my family have been very pleased at times to have the odd bookcase/cupboard etc that I have found for pennies renovated by my efforts.My eldest DD has a Lloyd loom slong box with a padded lid that normally goes for a blanket box and I renovated it for her spare room It cost me 50p in a boot sale and a bit of elbow grease scrubbing and a lick of paint and a new chintzy cover staplegunned to the lid transformed it for her I also found a similar one slightly smaller for pennies that looked past its best, and I trandsformed it into a sewing basket for her.If its quality underneath it will probably look good with a darned good clean and some paint and a bit of TLC
Its a rare day that anything doesn't get a new home or purpose in my house,but then I am of the make do and mend generation

lessonlearned

I love renovating furniture too, ive passed the bug onto my children and we are all into conservation, renovation, recycling etc.

However I do have some little luxuries......

good coffee and tea, cream in my coffee, I upgrade to 1st class when travelling by train (I have. Senior railcard, book in advance and travel off peak so not quite as extravagant as it sounds)

I won't sit in a cold house, I like a Luxurious soak in the bath. Life is too ,short to be miserable and a few creature comforts and a bit of luxury make life soooooo much more pleasant.;)

Having said that I don't fritter money away on cheap throwaway fashion, designer labels etc I am happy to buy clothes in a charity shop. I can cook from scratch, sew, and so far can still do my own decorating and gardening so am quite thrifty in those areas.

I don't smoke, drink moderately, mainly at home. I eat out occasionally. when I do eat out I won't skimp I will eat somewhere nice, I won't pay For overpriced mediocre food.

I think it's all about balance, cutting back in some areas so you can have a little splurge on the things that give you pleasure such as a holiday or a nice day out.

Occasionally, when I'm tired or time pressed I give myself the day off and will Have a meal deal that includes a bottle of wine.

I see nothing wrong with having a little break from frugality if you are feeling fed up with it all.

One thing I do advocate if you can manage it, is having a little bit of pocket money to spend just as you please. A small treat now and again or save it all up for a nice splurge.

I think we should all have a little "mad money" fund.

good_advice

How often do I say " stuff frugality" = NOT OFTEN.

It is a whole way of living.
I have learnt more of a better quality of life
If you do not spend as much on things that are not NEEDS, you don't have to spend long hours at a work place to aford the stuff.

Alot of people are talking about decluttering...
Our food, I first look to see what we have before I write the weekly shopping list.

Stuff = as adults with children leaving home to set up their own. I have passed on many items. Items that are ok till they want/can aford their own.

Of late - The last few years, I have had a total look over our stuff. Spring clean. Starts February.
Lots of items have been taken by family. some to keep and some to carboot.

Slowly we have more space and less clutter. Def an ongoing thing.

chanie

Time is money in my world. I try to be frugal where I can, but I have a young family and work full time, so being frugal isn't always possible.

I have a notebook and use it to plan ahead so that I can bargain hunt. If something is sprung on me (I'm talking to you, ds primary school), then I won't always have time to be frugal.

The money I save is used for treats, so I'm probably not that frugal!!!!

Rainy-Days

Good Advice - noticed you mentioned that allot of people are decluttering. You are right, the charity shops have allot more bric-a-brac in them than previously. I think people are becoming more discerning about what they are buying as well.