Change - better late than never

newlythrifty

Hi
I hope you don't mind me posting a diary-type thread here, but I hope to record a number of lifestyle changes that fit in with the Old-Style ethos.
I have loved reading the threads for a few years now, but have only just decided to post.


I am now 60 years old and I need to change a number of aspects of my life.


I would like to spend less money and perhaps earn some.
I would like to waste less food.
I would like to live a healthier lifestyle.
I would like to have a beautiful home.


Last week I joined slimming world. I have a lot of weight to lose so I want to make a start as the weather gets better and I can eat lots of salads and fruit.
I've also decided to shop as I need things - I tend to go to the supermarket weekly and buy for the week, but I always seem to spend so much and waste a lot. I have a (very expensive) supermarket within walking distance, but if I shop for fresh foods only as I need them I can probably still save some money and I'll get some exercise too. I'm looking for a cheap second hand bike which will give me more options.
My house needs a good decluttering before I can do anything else. I live alone so the mess is all mine. I have a wardrobe full of clothes (and I don't even like most of them) and unfinished craft projects all over the place.


All this baggage is sapping my energy so I hope to achieve a little something every day.


My aim for today is to plan my meals for the rest of the week, mostly using what I already have in, clearing my ironing heap and going for a walk.


Off now for a healthy slimming world breakfast (lean bacon and tomatoes - a rare treat - but the bacon was in the freezer and the tomatoes are going soft).

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply!
[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

HOWMUCH

Welcome and good luck with your aims, I will be back later when I have more time to reply. x

VfM4meplse

Welcome to OS, and congratulations for deciding to make positive changes to your life. You've come to the right place for support from nice people!

You've also done the right thing in writing your goals down, check into this thread daily and look at your first post again before you start (reinforcement ). You've got an elephant to eat, as you've indicated its a case of one bite at a time...

Soworried

When you start meal planning it helps to look what is going off in the fridge then meal plan around it.
Start seeing any food you throw away as money burnt.

Have you looked at ebay for all your extra clothes? That can help bring in money and your de-cluttering at the same time.

Ilona

newlythrifty wrote: »

I am now 60 years old and I need to change a number of aspects of my life.

I would like to spend less money and perhaps earn some.
I would like to waste less food.
I would like to live a healthier lifestyle.
I would like to have a beautiful home.

Hi Newlythrifty
You have come to the right place, may I offer a few tips to help you along the way. Read some thrifty money saving blogs, or maybe write one yourself documenting your journey. Lots of good people on here to support you.

I made changes when I was in my mid fifties, wasn't enjoying my job, needed more 'me' time. I suddenly realized that if I didn't spend any money, I didn't have to earn it, so as soon as I hit 60 I stopped working. Good decision. Depending on your circumstances, if you need to earn more money make sure it is doing something that you enjoy.

Before you go food shopping always do an inventory of what you already have in your cupboards and freezer. When people say they have nothing to eat, I don't believe them. Dig the pasta out of the back and eat that.

Don't look at money saving and thriftyness as a miserable journey, it can be anything you make it. I look on it as a challenge, I am determined that I will live within my means, and do whatever it takes to stay afloat. Oh, the fun of yellow sticker shopping, and skip diving.

Eat all you buy, don't throw anything away. Freeze portions if you make too much. Healthy food can be cheap, cooking from scratch is best, you probably know that.

Buy second hand for your home, even better a lick of paint can often spruce things up. Got a sewing machine? Buy second hand fabric from car boot sales and charity shops and make home furnishings, curtains, cushion covers etc. We have two charity shops now where everything is £1, yesterday I bought a lovely jacket and a warm fleece.

Good luck on your journey, it's a great feeling when you are in control, when you can walk out of a shop without buying anything because the price is too high.
best wishes,
Ilona

Janey3

Never too late to make changes - I'm heading for 70 and still enjoy trying to be thrifty, meal planning, making things from scratch and getting a bargain etc., - in fact, it's one of my hobbies and I love it! Money saved goes into our 'pot' for days and meals out and short breaks etc.

Lots of helpful advice to be found on here, so good luck with your new life and weight loss.

wort

I found kondoing. THE Marie Kondo method has helped me declutter and buy less. It also will help you sort your clothes as you only keep the ones which bring you joy!
Good luck :beer:

dingdongsaving

Hello!
This is a lovely board...full to the brim with lovely people with similar goals and an understanding of the old school ethos.

I hope you enjoyed getting your teeth into your targets for the day. Anything unfinished isn't a failure...just a chance to make tomorrow's list more accurate. :j

As v4m4meplse already said, your first post will inspire you over and over again, and it'll be a good marker for your starting point. Looking forwards, imagine how far you could have come in 1 week, a fortnight, a month, 3 months, by Christmas etc...:T

I look forward to your updates.

monnagran

Newly thrifty, welcome to your new life.

You are in the right place here. You will learn an awful lot, have loads of support, know that you are part of a loving community, not to mention the laughs you will have along the way. Read avidly posts by Ilona, JackieO, Mrs Lurcherwalker. You won't get any better advice anywhere.
Get in as many NSDs as you can.
Make a budget for everything. Remember that a budget is telling your money where to go, not wondering where it went.
Make everything a game.......that you are going to win.
Stick with Slimming World. People on here have had much success there.
You are never too old. I am nearer 80 than 70 and still learning in spite of living through the war and the austerity afterwards and being brought up by parents who had to turn every penny over twice before spending it.

Be grateful. Every day write down 3 things you have been grateful for that day.
When your enthusiasm starts to fade, and it will, read back over your journal or blog and be proud of how far you have come.

Onwards and upwards. Or, as we say on the garden fence thread, 'Chin up. Titus out.' (My tablet's predictive text is very prim and proper and doesn't like me to say 'T*ts).

Bless you.

x

VJsmum

wort wrote: »

I found kondoing. THE Marie Kondo method has helped me declutter and buy less. It also will help you sort your clothes as you only keep the ones which bring you joy!
Good luck :beer:

^^This^^

do try to read some of the Konmarie thread, it really does start to make things clear.

it is life changing and it feels like magic.

newlythrifty

Thank you for all your kind words and support.


I read Ilona's blog regularly and will try to incorporate some of the principles. When I read your replies I realised that I bought Marie Kondo's book for my kindle when it was really cheap - I will read it now.


I had a NSD today. I used up some vegetables form the fridge and some fish from the freezer. I also made up a slimming world recipe which will give me four meals (though I had to improvise a bit).


I checked my cupboards and have rice, bulgar wheat and cous cous, so I have the basis for many meals.


I had my walk today, despite the rain, because I had to deliver some flyers for a summer fete.


I nearly finished my ironing pile - but still have a little to do. I sorted out some part used shower gels and liquid soaps, ready to used up. By combining the bottles I managed to recycle four plastic bottles.


I think it was a pretty good start.


Tomorrow I will finish the ironing, have another walk; shred some paperwork and do some work for a committee meeting in the evening.


My blessings for today? All of you, for your support and encouragement; a full store cupboard; being well enough to go for a walk.


I'm looking forward to tomorrow.