A New to Me Blog

LadyDee

Probably regular readers/posters will know of this Blog which, is really interesting, not to say inspirational in many respects; but I came across it by chance:
http://www.meanqueen-lifeaftermoney.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-money-saving-tips.html

Is she a member here?

GreyQueen

LadyDee wrote: »

Probably regular readers/posters will know of this Blog which, is really interesting, not to say inspirational in many respects; but I came across it by chance:
http://www.meanqueen-lifeaftermoney.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-money-saving-tips.html

Is she a member here?

Most definately. Her MSE handle is her RL first name; Ilona.

tessie_bear

love ilonas blog...great tips really funny

LadyDee

GreyQueen wrote: »

Most definately. Her MSE handle is her RL first name; Ilona.

Oh dear I should have known.

I'm so glad I qualified my post as "new to me"

Nargleblast

No worries, LadyDee, there will be many people who have never heard of Ilona or her blog. As a member of these forums for seven years, I am still finding new things on this site, it is a veritable treasure trove! Anything you ever want to know, there will be a thread somewhere on here about it.

Pollycat

I had a quick look at the thread and there are some things I wouldn't do - such as making a stew in a saucepan and eating out of the pan (even if I was living on my own) and I wouldn't buy and wear blokes pants.

I have a vague recollection that Look North or maybe Calendar did an interview with her a few months ago about her ways of saving money.
I'm pretty sure it mentioned an ex lorry driver.

VfM4meplse

Pollycat wrote: »

I had a quick look at the thread and there are some things I wouldn't do - such as making a stew in a saucepan and eating out of the pan (even if I was living on my own) and I wouldn't buy and wear blokes pants.

We've all got our boundaries and although I wouldn't eat out of a saucepan, I don't have a problem with men's undies, had just never thought of it before! Am unlikely to buy them any more than I would a string vest.

Ilona's been a news feature nationally. The recent R2 interview with Vanessa Feltz had a pejorative slant to it I felt - but the listener responses backed her all the way!

pavlovs_dog

Here's a few money blogs I enjoy, hopefully some will be new to you and offer some inspiration.

the simple dollar: An American site as the name suggests. lots of thought provoking posts, particularly on tackling lifestyle inflation

the shoestring cottage: I wouldn't be surprised if this is another MSEr and I haven't made the connection. UK blog about simple living and OS ideas to stretch your pennies.

doitonadime: US blogger and youtuber. Great for lovers of organised spaces - I discovered her through the first Konmari thread. She's obsessed with the dollar store, and lots of her videos focus on creating things that look expensive from bargain store basics.

blondeonabudget: Canadian blogger who rose to blogging fame after documenting her shopping ban and ruthless purge of her possessions. More recent posts explore the lifestyle options now available to her with all the money saved via the shopping ban.

the frugalwoods: another US site. Simple living with a view to early retriement

Ilona

Good morning. Doing the rounds of my favourite sites, listening to Sounds of the Sixties, before I get busy in the garden. I am a big MSE fan, often directing people here, and hopefully my little contribution to the forum might give money savers some ideas.

My money saving tips are based on my simple way of looking at things. Switching on appliances and utilities costs money. Mucking up pots and pans costs money to clean them. Being over zealous with the cleaning and toiletry products costs money. Jumping in the car for a short journey costs money. Buying boys pants which last years, is cheaper than buying ladies knicks which fall apart. Wearing freshly laundered clothes every day costs money. Not looking after your teeth costs money. Eating junk food costs money, not only in monetary terms but is detrimental to your health. Poor health costs money. Being a slave to housework costs money. Booze and fags costs mega amounts of money. All common sense really.

You will find a few jokey money saving tips on my blog, I don't want a simple frugal life to be perceived as all doom and gloom, let's make it fun. Living within your means can be very liberating. Ignoring all the trappings of a consumer based lifestyle frees up lots of time for enjoyment. I feel no pressure to conform to what is seen as the norm. I feel no pressure to keep up with the Jones's or anybody else.

I save money on my day to day living expenses, so I have enough for treats, a nice car, holidays, my pets etc. My ways will not always suit people with families, but I hope it gives food for thought. I don't know everything so it's up to the individual to do as they think best. Sometimes this might mean a change of mindset, to do things differently, look for new ways of budgeting.

A bit off topic, but I am on the Jo Brand documentary, One Hell of a Walk, shown last night on BBC1 at 9pm and available on iplayer. I walked the first 7.5 miles with her, then walked 7.5 miles back to my car. I am on at the beginning, walking behind her over the Humber Bridge, and I got a speaking park four minutes into it.

It's 10am and Sounds of the Sixties has finished. I am going to get off my bum and get busy. Have a nice weekend. Toodle pip.
Ilona

Pollycat

I hope nobody (especially Ilona) took my earlier comments as critical - they weren't meant that way.

Just an observation about a couple of things I wouldn't do to save money.
Wearing my new fab Ted Baker bra (was 70% off in Debenhams sale :T) with y-fronts just isn't my style. :rotfl:

Ilona

No worries, Pollycat. What did you say :think: oh never mind, already forgotten. After all the sarky comments written about me on newspaper articles and Facebook pages, I don't give a stuff.
Ilona