We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
The Edcawber Principle
Comments
-
When Mr Pavlov was cycling to work daily, he found the aldi specialbuy cycling gear to be surprisingly good quality for the money. Worth keeping an eye out for it.know thyselfNid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus...0
-
Tour of Britain started in Glasgow today, of course! - I am always in awe of the different and slightly unusual things you do to maximise your money.Save £12k in 2025 #2 I saved £14,660.97 of £6000 or 244.35% of my target. The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I finished the year at £2880.99/£3000 or 96.03% of my annual spend so I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here0 -
Suffolk_lass wrote: »Tour of Britain started in Glasgow today, of course! - I am always in awe of the different and slightly unusual things you do to maximise your money.
Unusual?!!0 -
edinburgher wrote: »Unusual?!!
Peer-to-peer lending, matched betting, investing heavily in your pensions, investing in commodities (whiskey), selling electricity into the National Grid - most people are fiddling about with their housekeeping budgets and getting their heads around the difference between saving and investing - just unusual, not illegal.
More interesting, if you like - it's what makes your diary more interesting because I learn from it (this feels like I'm in a bit of a pit - I meant it as a compliment...)
Save £12k in 2025 #2 I saved £14,660.97 of £6000 or 244.35% of my target. The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I finished the year at £2880.99/£3000 or 96.03% of my annual spend so I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here0 -
Ah - compliment accepted
I think the autumnal weather encourages my cooking genes. Today I've made a lentil and ham hock soup, am currently slow cooking chicken legs in Chinese five spice and have already boiled off rice for tonight's special fried rice. A mix of good value organic bits and some 90%+ YS deals.
Tomorrow will see me commute into work for the first time tomorrow and I am bricking it (politely put). Going in should be fine, as I get up pretty early, but the way back will be less enjoyable. I'm getting all my stuff ready now and am considering not taking a packed lunch (as it's one less thing to think about in the morning).
My panniers are a bit faffy (I suppose that's what happens when you go for a bargain) and I don't think it will be practical to remove them from the bike every day. My current cunning plan is two carrier bags, one to slip into each pannier? I can't think of an easier way to load up bags in the dark in the garage
I'll also move my LED camping lantern into the garage... 0 -
Eww! I don't envy you the cold dark mornings. My DH picked up a couple of these in the aisle of temptation when Aldi/Lidl last did cycling gear and they are excellent, if you want a longer term solution than the carrier bags. You can also get dri-rolls. Good useful Christmas stocking fillers (ours came on holiday with us as laundry bags as they can be compressed down and keep the air out too).
Sorry, should not be encouraging you to spend more but you like nice things, I think!Save £12k in 2025 #2 I saved £14,660.97 of £6000 or 244.35% of my target. The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I finished the year at £2880.99/£3000 or 96.03% of my annual spend so I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here0 -
Left the house at half past six, chain came off, went home. Now approaching the city roughly 90 minutes late on a bus
0 -
oh no. What a start to a Monday morningMade it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!0 -
Hope your day gets better!I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.0 -
You have gone very quiet edinburgher - I hope all is well with you and team edSave £12k in 2025 #2 I saved £14,660.97 of £6000 or 244.35% of my target. The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I finished the year at £2880.99/£3000 or 96.03% of my annual spend so I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.7K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 259.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards