Is frugal the new normal?

lessonlearned

Goldiegirl - don't go away. I shall miss you. I have enjoyed chatting to you. I enjoy discussing around a subject too.

And I agree with some of the points Mr Singleton made about timely replacement of uneconomical energy hungry appliances, cars, boilers etc.

Some old style ways are the best, they are tried and trusted but sometimes new technology can supplant old ways and even surpass them, saving time, labour, and sheer back breaking effort.

Although I am a keen diyer I freely admit to taking short cuts, especially now that im getting olderand increasingly more decrepit.

This week we had some new sofas. The old ones are beyond redemption, sowe broke them up to,take them to the tip. I then worked out it would take at least 6 tip runs, having to lug them in and out of the car and hurting my back in the process.

I had a brain wave and have arranged for a fully licensed carrier to do the job for me for £35, which is cheaper than the Physio treatment I would have needed if I had tried to,do,it myself.

Plus of course, several hours of my time and the petrol to do,the journeys.

I do,agree with Mr Singleton - sometimes time is money and it is better to pay for goods or buy in services. I just thought he was a bit rude in the way he made his point.

[Deleted User]

GOLDIEGIRL I didn't shout to the world that we'd bought a new car because it's no ones business but ours! It hadn't come up in any discussion that was relevant up until that point. I don't give a tinkers cuss what other folks think of me online or in real life so I don't have any credentials to lose, I'm a boring ordinary 67 year old Grandma, I have nothing to hide but I do have my privacy when I choose to maintain it. I shouldn't have to explain motives but I'm not prone to boasting about things I buy, mostly because I don't get to buy many of them in the first place. You can discuss me and my posessions as much as you want to but it really is no one elses business what we do with our finances than our own. Having said that if anyone ever came to visit they would see that virtually everything we have has been rescued and found in charity shops/boot fairs and I'm happy with what we have and wouldn't want life any other way pet.

armyknife

Crossed Lines folks, crossed lines.

Goldiegirl

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

GOLDIEGIRL I didn't shout to the world that we'd bought a new car because it's no ones business but ours! It hadn't come up in any discussion that was relevant up until that point. I don't give a tinkers cuss what other folks think of me online or in real life so I don't have any credentials to lose, I'm a boring ordinary 67 year old Grandma, I have nothing to hide but I do have my privacy when I choose to maintain it. I shouldn't have to explain motives but I'm not prone to boasting about things I buy, mostly because I don't get to buy many of them in the first place. You can discuss me and my posessions as much as you want to but it really is no one elses business what we do with our finances than our own. Having said that if anyone ever came to visit they would see that virtually everything we have has been rescued and found in charity shops/boot fairs and I'm happy with what we have and wouldn't want life any other way pet.

My post was in the context of telling your friends online about your life (not just your Old Style Life), not about shouting to world or boasting. I can't see any way how talking to your friends could be construed as shouting or boasting


The new car was just an example - I wasn't singling you out.


I bought a new car myself earlier this year, so I've no axe to grind in this respect.


As Armyknife says, crossed lines !


I was trying to open up a subject for debate, not have a go at anyone!


My post definitely wasn't aimed at you Mrs LW, so I'm sorry if I've caused you offence, it was not my intention at all

[Deleted User]

Oh dear its getting a bit heated I can see the value of replacing stuff thats well past fixing.In the case of a vehicle, when it becomes a money pit then its time to move onto a new model.

I replaced my old desk top computer recently with a new Mac air book.Its what I am using at the moment.Very fancy and cost shed loads of hard saved cash.It does what its supposed to do,yet I still like my old one better, daft I know, but I have had it for so long its like an old friend. No doubt I'll get used to a lap-top,but given the choice I prefer an ordinary PC. I too am fairly frugal,by choice and inclination. I like to splash the cash on my family,and grandchildren. Now and again I will treat myself (as I did with the lap-top) or my real favourite treat is my Chanel no.5 used on high days and holidays but makes me feel special as its what my late OH used to buy me.But I wouldn't wear a hair shirt or live on twigs and grass to buy it I think we all like to 'spoil' ourselves a little and why not.Life is far too short not to have a little 'cheer me upper' now and again.

[Deleted User]

I have to shake my head and despair how some people can be so negative and hurtful to others

Lol, I am frugal and thrifty, have been for over 50 years, it all lead to me being comfortable now but still thrifty. I now own a brand new top range skoda yeti and all new miele appliances. I can now afford it, thanks to me being frugal and thrifty and astute with money and investing, ie making it grow. It is a long way from me using envelopes for cash, from being so skint that we could only eat grown broad beans and parsey sauce for dinner etc etc, needs must then.

I am not newbie frugal and thrifty but very much old style, from when it was a no choice necessity, all those years ago. I am not a miser and nor am I mean or unkind but I am loving my kitchen luxuries and my safe and lovely car, all bought with reliability in mind, for my future older age, so I can stay independent for longer

Goldiegirl

suki1964 wrote: »

Aww Goldiegirl, don't be feeling this board is cliquey, it's not

lessonlearned wrote: »

Goldiegirl - don't go away. I shall miss you. I have enjoyed chatting to you. I enjoy discussing around a subject too.

Thank you, both, that's very kind of you both.


I do enjoy reading along, and I've picked up loads of tips from these boards. I also like to help others if I'm able.


But, sometimes it's interesting to debate a subject and challenge what appear to be traditionally held views. When views are challenged, I know people can find this difficult, but I enjoy it when there is friendly debate.


Don't worry, I won't disappear from OS, but, as I have inadvertently caused upset, I think it's time for me to disappear from this thread!

fuddle

I think things are very much getting crossed armyknife, I agree.

Mr Singleton didn't come on to post about older items v newer items. He came on the thread to call my husband stupid for having an opinion on something that he could make nicer and cheaper himelf. He was very rude and when explained to very nicely at what my husband's skills are and past record, Mr Singleton then changed his tack to make a very valid point.

Trolling or not, it was rude to begin with. That ship has now sailed and left the thread with another.

Maybe people don't post about what they have bought because it's not relevant or would be seen to be off topic. Last week I bought an expensive brand of natural yoghurt. I have never mentioned it because it isn't relevant to anything on here. Today I have milk heating up in my slow cooker as an experiment to try to make my own yoghurt. Now that's relevant and something of interest so no doubt it will be part of my posting in the morning.

[Deleted User]

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No offence taken and the above is a line drawn under the whole thing! Onwards and upwards!!!

We now have 3 extra cradles full of wood for the woodburner which has saved us buying in a load of unseasoned wood. All 14 cradles are chocka block full with lovely ready to use wood to keep us toasty warm this winter. I also visited B&M when I was with DD1 and got some tins of mushy peas, tins of corned beef, tins of coconut milk and very nicely reduced Pataks Pickles of various kinds to pop into the store so it's beginning to feel cooler out there and I kind of like that it's going to be autumn weather, very foggy this morning while we were driving home and lovely coloured leaves on all the trees beside the motorway. Time to dig out the warmer blankets soon methinks!!!

CEW

GreyQueen wrote: »

Dear Mr_Singleton, if you read these boards regularly, you would have seen Fuddle's posts showing the lovely outdoor furniture and arbour which her husband has made from old pallets got for free, plus the stuff she has made like indoor shelving from the same free wood, plus the superb and stylish painting which she has done for the outdoor stuff and the sophisticated refinishing for the indoor. These are people who are busy with paid jobs and childrearing and can still turn their hand to making items which are both useful and attractive, from next-to-nothing. Items which others would be glad to have the opportunity to purchase.

So, it's obvious that the tools are already owned, the wood is available for free and that, if the lady's husband can price it up as precisely as £2.59, he knows whereof he speaks.

I was not suggesting that the Fuddle household go into fullblown production, as she was well aware, just that a few of these made in spare time from spare materials would likely find a local market. And I know people who do similar and sell at the gate and have never paid a penny in advertising or packaging - their rep preceeds them, people ask for stuff to be made and come collect it from their house.

Perhaps you'd like to re-read the bit at the top of the board about being nice to all money savers before you spoil a Sunday morning being offensive? Otherwise you are in danger of looking 'stuuupppid' as well as rude.

My OH does not follow these threads but I often read out those posts that I think he will enjoy or will be of interest to him. He particularly liked the above post and thought you were spot on.

Chez x