Not Buying It- A Consumer Holiday 2016

[Deleted User]

Not a problem we welcome everyone, and sometimes its good to just 'stand and stare ' and realise that there really are things that all the money in the world can't buy.

I'm sure we have all seen on an early morning in the autumn /winter a spiders web covered in dew how beautiful it is Who wouldn't want to look and be amazed at how intricate the lacework is that the tiny creature had spun.Oh that any of us could crochet something as beautiful

Or as I sometime do, I am up early, and sit at my computer and look to the left out of the window and see the sun rise and the colours in the sky that no paint box could replicate.You just can't buy that sort of thing that Mother Nature provides for free :):)

JackieO xx

Bathory

I love seeing spider webs especially ones in hedgerows when there's been a frost and it turns them all sparkly white. Better still is seeing spiders busy weaving them, they really are awesome little things. Only trouble here is they have a tendency to weave between the 2 posts of the front gate and if we're not careful we can walk into them taking web and spider along with us.

One of my most fave things to observe in nature is starry night skies but round here is too much light pollution. I visited Whitby earlier this year and the night skies over the sea were breathtaking when you walked out of the streetlight glare. If its a clear summer evening I like sitting outside. I always remember sitting out in a field one warm August night watching shooting stars, hearing crickets chirping and a tawny owl chorus going off in the nearby wood. Nothing beats moments like that.

I had some tomato and herb soup left over that I used as a bolognese sauce last night rather than using a carton of passata like I normally would (btw, the value passata I've found to be as good as the more dear brands). I was worried I might ruin it but it tasted really nice. I've had 3 NBI days this week due to better meal planning but realise that I can't do big food shops as our fridge only has a small freezer compartment (2 packs of frozen peas and its more or less full) and the kitchen has not much room.

I was awake at 4.30 this morning. No one around - only 2 foxes casually trotting down the street. Anyway I'm probably wittering on a bit, happy sailing NBI crew.

Margaret54

Hi everyone I am really enjoying this thread and reading all of your lovely posts. I too understand about having a breakdown /depression (many years ago now) There are such lovely supportive people on here so would love to stick around if that is okay? I need to reign in my spending. I tend to be over generous with presents to my family and love to help my dd and her little boy with clothes as he is growing fast but my dh and I love to be able to help out. Money is tight for her and her little family. I have taken notes down and have decided not to buy any more books even though I buy from charity shops and give them back again so they can be sold on. I do use the local library, and my husband does too. I am not going to buy any more yarn or knitting patterns fabric craft stuff clothes shoes accessories, as I have more than enough to last a very long time. We do save but I feel I really do need to rein in my spending and discipline myself better. I noticed I would buy stuff to try to make me feel better when I was feeling very low and shopping online doesn't help me. So I am so happy to find you all here.:)

Margaret54

and what I found in my back garden lifted me up so much, the beautiful scent from our lilac bush absolutely blissful.:) and free

Aril

Hello there...I know it's been ages hasn't it! This is always a manic part of the year for me both work wise, family etc...throw in a child doing A levels and you get the picture. There has been spending going on but wise spending. We had some money come through from my FIL's estate so we have bought a wheelbarrow [ex display so reduced] and Mr GBT has dug up the back lawn [we only have a small garden] We have hired a skip and are filling it with mud. Mr GBT has built some raised beds and we are going to put down gravel. The washing machine has just died - it only lasted 3 years and was the brand we'd always found to be reliable. I now find they've been taken over so are rubbish. We shopped around and got an excellent deal on a machine from an independent shop which came with a 5 year warranty so they're obviously confident it will last. The motor has a 10 year guarantee and we got free delivery and installation. This weekend it's the teenogre's 18th birthday. I offered to get him a cake made but he's asked me to make one instead as he says he prefers the taste! NBI In a bid to eat even more meat free meals I made a really delicious sweetcorn and chilli soup this week. Inexpensive. Enough waffle for now! Arilx

alice-mary

Hi All,

I have been MIA for the last 4 months and fell off the NBI ship in a non-spectacular way, just ordinary stuff :-(

I am now back on board, having got myself a new job to start in September, which means that I can walk to work most days saving money on petrol etc. I also joined Weight Watchers a couple of weeks ago and although the membership is obviously not free, it has helped me to look more carefully at my food spending.

I am going to a wedding in Ireland in December and have already paid for my flights but need to save enough for the accommodation, outfit and gift, so starting today I am NOT BUYING IT, unless it is absolutely necessary.
The weight watchers and the walking should hopefully mean that I will be able to buy my outfit "off the rack", rather than at a specialist store (5'2" and 15 stone with massive boobs means it is not easy to find nice clothes) so wish me luck with it!

Anyway, I feel like things have been out of control for a while and it feels good to be taking charge again! This worked really well for me last year so I know that as long as I stick with it, the same will happen this year!

Alice
xx

Margaret54

Hi Alice-Mary lovely to meet you Well done and the wedding will give you more incentive too. I hope you enjoy it when it comes. We live in the North of Ireland:) It will be lovely for you when you buy your new outfit and the hard work will be worth it. I have just joined this thread and am enjoying reading what others are saying too:) Margaret

Aril

Took full advantage of the lovely weather today to get the quilt washed and line dried. Elderflower champagne is now brewing and I've decorated the teenogre's birthday cake. Mr GBT meanwhile has continued to save us a fortune by doing the work on our garden makeover himself. We've got a rosemary bush which has got really woody but rather than buying a new one he's taken some cuttings and a friend has pruned her bay tree so I'm collecting some of the leaves to dry later on in the week. Arilx

Happytravelling

Nice to see some new names joining the crew

I've been frequenting a different sea over the last few weeks, dipping my toes (and admittedly not much else) in the med. Its as MSE an overseas holiday as I've had, as we stay with family and take it in turns to cook meals each evening. I am jealous of how good their potatoes, tomatoes, etc are and for so much cheaper then here but we have taken full advantage during our stay!

Had a bit of a swap with mum and dad tonight, leaving them the free soaps and instant coffee acquired at the airport hotel and collecting half a tray of spare bedding plants from them. Everyone's a winner :beer:

Joined the grocery challenge for June as extra incentive to get a hold on my grocery budget. I'd cross my fingers but my hands are too busy writing meal plans and shopping lists :rotfl:

Hope everyone's enjoying this weekend and the lovely weather :cool:

milasavesmoney

We had hail today and DS ran out to rescue all the seedlings I had set in the warm sunshine. One tray was the leeks I'm attempting for the first time. I was most worried about them. (Leeks are very expensive here) All the plants were fine. Whew!