Is frugal the new normal?

[Deleted User]

I use a combination, mainly cash for my food purse,paying the gardener,window cleaner my history club and my quiz night.

My diesel I use my c/card to top up once a month and get points from my M & S card.I pay it off asap when I can get to my computer and transfer from my current account.

Its useful for buying large things as well as i did when I bought my Mac air book in August then paid it off straight away and got the extra loyalty points all the points are accruing and will be used in M & S at Christmas to help DD with the 'goodie food stuff'

I'm not that fussed about clothes or 'stuff' anymore and am quite happy to order a book from the library or recycle wool for my knitted charity blankets. Charity shops are a treasure trove of stuff and if you really need something trawling through a few will usually find what you want in there.

My gardener bless him painted the outside back wall of my downstairs loo last week with a tin of masonry paint that I had unearthed from the cupboard under the stairs.My late OH bought it to do the job in 2002 !! but sadly never got the chance to complete it. Tin had never been opened and was perfect Glad it finally was used :):)

I am a great make do and mender and recycling is second nature to me

Brambleberry

lessonlearned wrote: »

New word folks. "Frugadence". Def. Being frugal In Some areas so that we can afford premium alcohol.:rotfl:

Just popping in to say thanks to lessonlearned for the new word - it doesn't appear anywhere but here on a Google search, but I predict it won't be long before it's the next lifestyle media buzzword:D

Mr_Singleton

mardatha wrote: »

We even buy cars with cash

Serious question.... how do you convince the salespeople your not drug dealers? Plonking down a suitcase stuffed with £30k in tenner's is a tad bit suspicious wouldn't you say?

greenbee

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Serious question.... how do you convince the salespeople your not drug dealers? Plonking down a suitcase stuffed with £30k in tenner's is a tad bit suspicious wouldn't you say?

Maybe they don't spend £30k on their cars? I never have...

mardatha

We buy cars always from the same garage and we're too decrepit to be drug dealers lol And no I've never paid £30 grand for a car either!

lessonlearned

I use a combination of credit cards and cash.

As my old dad always usedto tell me "cash is king" and by using cash you can pick up,some amazing bargains. I like to use credit cards because of the various cash backs, points etc but do clear them each month.

I have also done some stoozing, using 0 per cent cards, keeping the cash in savings to build up a bit of extra interest and clearing them at the end of interest free period.

Plus I always use them for any large. Purchases because of the extra layer of consumer protection they offer.

I won't use them though if the retailer makes an additional charge for using them.

I guess it's all about weighing up what works out best.

Well my Frugadence is going to have to go into overdrive.

Our cat was knocked down by a car, resulting in a broken pelvis. we are looking at a vets bill of around £4k. We do have insurance but the complicated surgery takes the bill over the limit of cover.

Pets are Definitelya luxury item........i wouldnt be without him though.

Hoping to bring him home today. I'm a bit nervous about managing his aftercare - the poor little sausage is in a very sorry state.

LaineyT

I too use a combination of cash and credit cards.

A set budget amount of cash goes into my grocery purse, this is used for fresh veg and fruit during weeks and also for any YS bargains that help stretch out our meals. My main monthly stock shop and petrol go on to the JL P/card, together with any larger purchases, there is a direct debit in place to pay this every month that way no temptation to leave anything unpaid but if timed correctly you get up to 60 days interest free credit. You earn points and then receive JL vouchers once a quarter, these are all saved for holiday / Crimbo treats. Also like the protection offered by purchasing larger items on the cc.

LLsorry to hear about your poor cat, they are so much part of our families aren't they, fingers crossed his recovery goes well.

76rosie

both of us are working in my household and we haven't got kids but i am as frugal as ever.

buy ys in morrisons, like coupons and freebies. always hunt for deals. have the best bank accounts for interest and cashback.

have a water meter, led bulbs and no heating until it is really cold.

have a small mortgage and managing to save.

why would i change....

PasturesNew

Jo4 wrote: »

Would you mind sharing the recipe for fishcakes with tinned tuna?

Tin of tuna (drained), cold mashed potato (50/50 by volume).
Maybe an egg to bind. Toss in anything you usually use, like salt/pepper or chopped parsley ....or not if you don't.
Shape them into patties.
Flour them. Egg dip them. Breadcrumb them. Repeat last two steps if the first go wasn't great.
Let them rest in the fridge if you've time ...
Toss into a frying pan and fry both sides on medium/hot heat .... or you can even bake them (hardly worth it if you only made 2!).
Eat.

Goldiegirl

76rosie wrote: »

both of us are working in my household and we haven't got kids but i am as frugal as ever.

buy ys in morrisons, like coupons and freebies. always hunt for deals. have the best bank accounts for interest and cashback.

have a water meter, led bulbs and no heating until it is really cold.

have a small mortgage and managing to save.

why would i change....

What do you intend to do with all the money you are putting in savings? What is your goal?