Not Buying It- A Consumer Holiday 2016

atypicalblonde

Good Afternoon All

Spending diary is going well. We have kept spends low this weekend, and have no spending to do today or tomorrow. I am cross with myself as I meant to cancel our Greenthumb visits last time they came, but completely forgot. They came to treat the lawn on Friday so I have paid them (£16) but will send a note advising that I want to cancel with the cheque.

I have vouchers for two free meals at a local cafe so that's me and DD sorted for lunch tomorrow, and I have also planned dinners from the freezer for the next three days

It's wonderful to feel more in control of our spends and be on track with simplifying life at the same time without rushing hither and dither to the shops.

ATB xx
PS Is JackieO around on this thread still? I adore her posts and wise words xx

Primrose

I don't post too regularly but have had a self sufficient week with home grown beans for the freezer and lots of ripe tomatoes picked from the garden for salads and for processing for tomato purree for freezer for winter casseroles, soups and pasta sauces.
Earlier in the week we made several pounds of Victoria plum Jam from a glut kindly donated by a neighbour. Don't eat a lot of jam so it will last for ages ! And today I picked raspberries , redcurrants and blackberries from the garden and have frozen them so I can grab handfuls of the mixture to liven up my winter porridge and muesli.

I decided some years ago our front garden wasn't really doing much of use use so have replanted it with a strawberry border and soft fruit bushes. As it's all part of the house on which have to pay council tax at least it now earns its keep and produces blackberries , gooseberries, red currants and blackcurrants every summer instead of just featuring rather boring shrubs! And people walk by and don't even notice that all these goodies are growing under their noses. A nice free source of Vitamin C too !

Aril

Hello. I am still kicking around. We received an inheritance this year so there has been some measured spending going on. All of it is logged and has in the main been used to either replace things which are beyond repair or things we haven't got/can't borrow/not available via the used market. This past week I've been out on a free organised evening walk round our local nature reserve, done some voluntary work for the NT rechalking the White Horse and danced at a beer festival. Free entry and free drinks [sadly though was driving so gave my pint to another dancer] Yesterday I used my shopping points from a shopping scheme I'm in to pay for a firepit from their rewards catalogue. So it's all good here.
Arilx

determined_new_ms

Hi everyone :wave: it's quiet round here... Just wanted to update - I'm pleased as punch with my NBI challenge I'm 3 days off of 3 months into it. I have purchased exactly 3 things in this time - an ipod cable (£1) ours broke, a timer plug (£2) so I can put on the sc when working and yesterday I treated myself to some Bodyshop Hemp hand cream (£8.85), upon reflection this was a bit of an impulse buy and I could have got some nice hand cream for half the price. However I do like it alot, I know it will last for ages and heck I've worked all month I can treat myself if I want! I also got it on fleabay so less than it would have cost in store.

Still loving NBI. Without sounding like I've drunk too much koolaid I think it is changing my outlook on life. I hardly think about money, spending money or wanting "things" on a day to day basis (not everyday as the hand cream shows!) Because I am being so frugal in so many ways I have more freedom to spend a little more on certain things supporting small businesses, or think about an ethical consumer choice rather than always looking for the cheapest option. I'm making much more effort to spend time with the people I love and do things that I enjoy/ bring joy & excitement.

Honestly I cannot recommend a consumer holiday enough!

Primrose

Did anybody watch last night's BBC1 9 pm programme on the medical scientist who wants to persuade doctors to reduce their prescription of pills because most of them are not doing the job, and in fact over time can make people worse? Worth a watch.

I found it very thought provoking It reminded me of the hundreds of thousands of pounds we spend on expensive over-the-counter pill remedies for headaches, sore throats etc. etc, when probably a glass of hot lemon & honey or resting up and patience might resolve the problem just as well. Not sure our own medical cabinet and cupboards would bear scrutiny. My OH seems to buy an over-the-counter remedy for every ailment under the sun as it arises. . I recently had to dispose o a huge range of such medications which were massively out of date and had probably had only been used once or twice. What a waste of money! The pharmaceutical companies probably love customers like him!

Lynplatinum

Hiya shipmates
Sorry long time no post but being as NBI as I can while sorting out new house - have had to buy new garage door and new washing machine and have also treated myself for a few bits as decoration (cushions; hangers to cover screws left in walls; door stop! not more than £50 in all) However, there were budgeted for and other than that I have just got so used to NBI as part of life that I really have not got owt else!!

Re programme this week - it was fascinating and rather supportive of my views. My kids used to complain that I would sort anything out with salt water or honey and lemon!!
My first aid box contains non stick bandages; micropre tape; plasters; insect bite cream; E45. The only tablets are non-brand paracetamol; non brand ibruprofen; mucron.

All scrapes etc are and always have been sponged with clean kitchen roll and salt water. Headaches dealt with by yoga massage, peace and quiet and glasses of water. Head lice - teetree oil in an almond oil suspension. Dandruff a rosemary tissane.

I suffer with arthritis quite badly but after being over prescribed NSAI drugs I now have to take anti - acid producing tablets (under presecription) every day GRRRR! But I no longer take pain killers. I use yoga exercises and wheat bags. If I am really suffering I have a shot of brandy before bed so I get a good sleep in.

It really horrifies me when I go to folk's houses to see how much they have spent so unnecessarily on things where we are uncertain of the very long term effects. Where as 'Old Style' Grannies cures work just as well and are often tastier (lemon and honey!!)

None of this is to say that prescription medicines are not neccessary for some folks, some times but I do think that more though needs to be given before doling out pills. Then again, GPs are under so much pressure!
I look forward to the next episode of the program, Primrose.
Nite all

Primrose

Lynplatinum, as a fellow arthritis sufferer I agree with you on yoga exercises and stretches rather than painkillers which I only use as a very last resort. I also have a wooden back rack stretcher which looks rather like a torture rack but when used regularly is a wonderful aid to stretching the spine and releasing the pressure on ageing compressed joints ! We can become up to an inch shorter at the end of the day apparently.

The other issue which worries me about all this medication being taken is that when it has worked its way through the system it all ends up disappearing down the toilet and into our water systems. One wonders what the cumulative effect of all that is having on our bodies when we drink tap water. I truly don't understand how all of it can be filtered out and wonder what the long term effects are. That is why I prefer to drink bottled mineral/spring water rather tap water, but sometimes wonder how pure that is these days!

Aril

Hello. Today the crop of raspberries I've been squirreling away in the freezer over the last couple of months are going to be made into several jars of jam. I have bought some very expensive wallpaper this week but by shopping around I have saved £20 per roll. Just as well that I don't often invest in that sort of thing!
Arilx

Lynplatinum

Hay Aril
I bet it is beautiful wallpaper - you enjoy it!!

Today a total NSD - and I have spent it restoring picture frames and putting the pictures up to cover the screws that they left everywhere in the walls in my new/old house! Also first day of using new washing machine! Whohooo! Have been without one for 2 and 1/2 months by washing my clothes by hand every other day and doing fortnightly washes at friends houses (of towels and bedding - there is only me in the bed and I wear PJs so it doesn't get v dirty). Like you Aril I researched it carefully and have chosen a Sams!ng eco bubble - which apparently saves you lots of money. Also got it from cheapest installer!
May have to shop tomorrow as am nearly out of milk and so will do my L!dil shop 2 days later in the week. Apart from tomatoes and some cleaning products and whatever protien is on offer I shan't buy much else.
Frugaling on folks

determined_new_ms

Hi guys :wave: so passed my 3 month mile stone

Have been having a thought circulating in my mind over the last couple of days. Incidentally since spending time with my db and sil who are massive consumers, my db earns a pretty good wage and they do buy expensive things, my sil in clearly quite new clothes. They look good, as do their things.

Got me doubting myself! Wondering if this lifestyle choice I have made is fair to our lo? On a day to day basis I am loving being less consumerist and I often feel I have enough of everything and am content. But it can be hard wondering if I am depriving our lo of material things and also if I am damaging my career by choosing to step down in responsibility and earning power. It's hard to go against the generally accepted consumer culture...