How come everyone seems better off than me?

enjoyyourshoes

Ilons, what is skip diving, I dare not ask !?

Ilona

enjoyyourshoes wrote: »

Ilona, what is skip diving, I dare not ask !?

When people want to get rid of rubbish, and there is too much to take to the tip in their car, they hire a skip. This sits on their drive for any where between a few days or a couple of weeks, depending on how long it takes them to fill it. Skips vary in sizes, average size costs about £150 for one fill.

They might be sorting out a garage, or downsizing and can't take all their possessions with them, or having some building work done and need to get rid of the rubble. The builder usually includes the price of the skip in the quote for the job. Bigger skips can be found in factories and are not usually accessible to the public.

When skip diving you must always ask the owner, (hirer) if you can remove something, they almost always say yes help yourself. Taking something without consent is stealing.

I can't walk past a skip without looking in, even if there is something useful in there which I don't need I will ask for it, and pass it on to someone who does need it. I have had brand new items still in their wrappings. Some of it I keep for myself, but lots I pass on. I found a lot of childrens toys once, two car loads full, I passed them on to the Womens Refuge. I take things to charity shops. I hate anything being dumped if a new life can be found for it.

I look in builders skips and find scrap wood which I can use for my arts and crafts. I find things for the garden, bricks, paving slabs. All free.

In the USA they call it Dumpster Diving. Don't be afraid to ask if you see something you want, the worst that can happen is they say no. Don't be embarrassed to lift things out of a skip, it's better than it going to landfill. We throw away far too much.

Sorry for the long winded reply, you did ask.

Ilona

tallyhoh

I'm with Ilona on this one! I live life as frugally as possible, never buy new what I can get free or used, I have an allotment & my hobby is woodwork at the local "shed" £23 a year.
My only luxury is a 14 year old car.
Never had a particularly well paid job but managed to finish work when I was 47 & lived off my savings till my pension kicked in. Still have money in the bank.
It was time I craved not possessions.

Only wish my partner was the same.

theoretica

The other thing to think about is how many people know about your financial situation? We all tend to project the good, and I expect that some of your friends look at you and think you are better off than they are.

Peelerfart

Been there! Despite earning good money there always seemed to be an expensive"thing" that month. So never seemed to have any disposable income.
Yes, those days are gone now but it taught me a lot.

Everything was paid,I was never afraid of the mail. Children had what they needed and we paid very few bank charges, my pet hate.
However, the crux of it is,to me, it doesn't matter how much money your neighbours or friends are perceived to have.
Because you can't spend it, and you don't have to pay it back, so what the hell, who cares

trailingspouse

Never compare your inside to others' outside.

In other words, don't compare what you know is going on inside your life to what you think is going on in someone else's life.

walletmoths

Thank you soooo very much for all of your replies everyone. You really are a motivational bunch

I'd got into the habit of looking around me at what others are doing - but you're right - after everything I've done to get my finances in order, and now being able to get by without owing anything to anyone - it is a good place to be in.

I guess I need to be more grateful for that.

After reading your posts, you've really motivated me to crack on with more challenges to save (or make!) more money. Looking forward to it

Thanks again.

117pauline

On your diary, it has been suggested that you should do an SOA so you can see where exactly your money is going. It will also let you see some areas where you can potentially make savings.

An SOA is a work in progress where it will change over the years. A spending diary will also show what you are really spending, not what you think you are spending.

Please don't compare yourself with others. It never ends well

Take care
Pauline

How about deciding to do some surveys and use the funds towards some treats?

datlex

walletmoths wrote: »

Thank you soooo very much for all of your replies everyone. You really are a motivational bunch

I'd got into the habit of looking around me at what others are doing - but you're right - after everything I've done to get my finances in order, and now being able to get by without owing anything to anyone - it is a good place to be in.

I guess I need to be more grateful for that.

After reading your posts, you've really motivated me to crack on with more challenges to save (or make!) more money. Looking forward to it

Thanks again.

obviously with some of the challenges you need to be careful regarding tax, if it is seen as actual income rather than you getting rid of old tat. If for example you were to sell crafts online that would be income, hence you would be liable for tax which could potentially depending on your current income put you above the threshold for child benefit.

As others have said, give more information e.g. an SOA (not like you are giving name address or any personal details) and folk might be able to see ways to get you a better life style without going into debt. Unfortunately being restrictive with what you share means it is hard to see where you could do more to cut back or reallocate funds.

Do you save? Or do you think I'll save what's left? If you can put aside just £10 a week that's £520 in a year! It will seem less if you do it weekly than £40-50 a month.