Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

adindas

Well Many people could live with 12k but it will not be a Champagne Lifestyle. Examples, international student studying in the UK many of them could live on that budget.

IMHO What you describe on your post below could not be defined as Champagne lifestyle. I also want to learn if you could lead a Champagne lifestyle with 12k pa budget.

With 12K I think it is more exclusively to living with "Tesco Basic range", Iron your own clothes, travel with public transport, become a bargain hunter lol :beer::beer:

lessonlearned wrote: »

This week I had to change my mobile phone but although I now have to pay an additional £5 per month I am happy with the deal. I also have to take my car in for what I hope will be a minor repair.

My car is getting on a bit and so far has cost me peanuts to run but it's on notice. If it starts getting too expensive then its days are numbered. :rotfl: I can live without a car if I have to, at least as a short term measure. We have good transport links here. I have a free bus pass and a senior railcard. A taxi into the city centre is reasonable.

I have good practical skills, love charity shops, and make most of my own lotions and potions.

What I really need to do is learn now is how to get the fabulous entertainment, hotel and travel deals that I know are out there. As a solo there is often a premium to pay for the privilege of travelling alone......

So now it begins......my quest for a champagne lifestyle......

I am sooooooo worth it. Lol.

Wednesday2000

I have had a relaxing and pampering day at home today.:A

I'm just having another glass of wine and settling down to watch Friends.:D

lessonlearned wrote: »

:rotfl: I never ever ever wore pink. But now my hair is white I have found it does actually suit me. Funny how we change. I definitely need a kitty. My son took "ours" - his cat really but I was very fond of it. It was a sweet cuddly funny little thing.

Love the sound of your chesterfield sofa. My parents had one, so comfy.

Horrid night, really windy. I'm glad I've got rid of the window shutters, they used to really rattle in the wind and keep me awake. But I'm super cosy with my heated sofa throw and candles. .

What about fostering cats from your local animal charity?:) I think i will do that when my pets leave me in the future.

It's very windy here too. I keep hearing things crashing around outside in the gardens.

I like pink too. I think it suits me despite being a tomboy at heart.

lessonlearned

adindas wrote: »

Well Many people could live with 12k but it will not be a Champagne Lifestyle. Examples, international student studying in the UK many of them could live on that budget.

IMHO What you describe on your post below could not be defined as Champagne lifestyle. I also want to learn if you could lead a Champagne lifestyle with 12k pa budget.

With 12K I think it is more exclusively to living with "Tesco Basic range", Iron your own clothes, travel with public transport, become a bargain hunter lol :beer::beer:

Well that's the challenge......;).

The actual phrase "champagne lifestyle" is just a lighthearted term to explain the idea behind the purpose of the thread ......a bit of fun, sharing ideas and tips with like minded people so as to extract every last ounce of joy, enjoyment, luxury and glamour to live a life of ease and elegance.

Rather than wallowing in self pity because I have a small income I decided to set myself a challenge to live the most comfortable, glamourous, and luxurious lifestyle I could. I want to live in a beautiful comfortable home and to glide through life with style and panache. And why not. I don't want to wear a hair shirt and be miserable.

I want luxury and indulgence.

Anyway......So far so good......

And whilst I certainly love a good bargain I dont rely on Tesco's basics.:rotfl:

Actually I'm not really familiar with Tesco. Is Tesco basics so bad.....I wouldn't know because we only have one Tesco's and it's not really convenient. It's on the other side of the city.

But Surely basic ingredients are simply that........basic ingredients to create your own culinary delights. Its how you cook them and serve them up that makes the difference. Or am I missing something.

I do eat great food but then I do enjoy cooking so I am prepared to cook from scratch. I rarely touch convenience foods - partly because of health concerns but also I am a pretty good cook and can compete with any restaurant. I buy most of my food from Aldi or Lidl - really great quality at really good prices. As I say I don't know Tesco's but I imagine Aldi and Lidl are probably both cheaper.

I can afford a car although Of course I use public transport sometimes. Trains, planes and ships....

.Even if I was stinking rich I wouldn't bother owning a yacht or a plane - far too much hassle. My car is nothing fancy but it goes like the clappers and is fun to drive, a little city run about, perfect for my needs. I have owned expensive luxury cars in the past and again they aren't worth the trouble. I got fed up with them buying vandalised .......so now I don't bother with flash cars.

I dress well (I love clothes), I get my hair cut at at a first class hairdressers, I eat great food, travel and have holidays, eat out and get about whenever I want to.

And yes I drink bubbly. :rotfl:

As for ironing my own clothes.......sure why not, it's no great hardship. I enjoy ironing. If I hated doing it then I wouldn't, I would pay for an ironing service. I would have no guilt about delegating jobs I disliked and paying someone to do them for me. I would just juggle my money to fund it.

I think it's about priorities and targeting money to the things that we deem important. I have no desire to own ridiculously expensive designer handbags or throw money away on hair extensions or nail salons but each to their own. And whilst I do have an iPhone - it's not the latest model.

I think its all about what makes us happy. I think it does help that I do have a lot of practical skills and that I'm "arty" and creative. I think that helps me stretch the pennies.. I also have a great imagination and am always coming up with new ideas. I also shamelessly pinch other people's great ideas too. :rotfl:

I really do believe that we can live fabulous lives for next to nothing......obviously as long as we can cover the essentials, a roof over our heads, food on the table, heating. And they don't come cheap but I have found this site enormously helpful in teaching me how to shop around for the best deals. In the last two months alone I have saved nearly £600 by switching energy suppliers and hunting out cheaper car and home insurance.

Today I saved £69 on paint and of course I am saving shedloads of money by rolling up my sleeves and doing my own decorating and Some simple diy. It's hard work but again I enjoy it. Hard work never killed anyone. I see it as cheap exercise. I don't need to go the gym when there is decorating and gardening to keep me fit and toned.

The money I save by going down the diy route will fund my next big holiday adventures.....a cruise to Iceland next August. I realise not everyone enjoys doing their own decorating and household maintenance etc but to me it's a rewarding hobby. One that pays dividends.

If you are struggling I suggest you look at the debt boards (even if you aren't in debt) and also the Old Style boards. There are some very clever people on these boards, always willing to share their knowledge and advice.

I really do think it's possible to live well for less and to have plenty of fun and enjoyment along the way. I treat it as a game. .

And I always remember ......

Whilst the best things in life are often free, the best things aren't actually things at all.

MrsFingersCrossed

Can I join this lovely uplifting thread? It has cheered me right up. We're trying to live well on a lemonade budget too (it helps that I'm not fussy about my wine, though I do like it in a nice glass) and are practical and creative like you I think, so will never run out of ideas of how to have fun for nearly free.

I will follow this thread and look forward to hearing updates of your adventures. Also for a boost from your wonderfully optimistic outlook to keep us on track.

lessonlearned

Of course you can Mrs FC. Lovely to meet you.

And yes....."Optimistic October" has gone really well. The only blip was the unfortunate tummy upset the other day.....another reason why I cook from scratch and avoid convenience foods. I do have a very tempremental digestive system. It rebels if I don't treat it right. :rotfl:

My new challenge of saying "yes" is going well too.

I met a new friend today......

I was looking at the jewellery on offer in Sainsbury's trying to see if I could spot something nice for one of my DILs for Christmas. A lady started chatting to me and ended up inviting me to join her for coffee. Of course I said "yes" .

Had a lovely time, turns out she is a widow too. We really hit it off and exchanged phone numbers. So another solo to go out with.

Wednesday......what a good idea of fostering a cat. I nearly applied to adopt one that had been abandoned at the vets but someone had beaten me to it.

Right time for bed. At least the winds dropped now, it did get quite rough at one point. I'll check for damage tomorrow. Looking forward to getting the new windows put in a couple of weeks.

DundeeDoll

Currently at a conference in Erzurum, Turkey. My champagne moments
1) Being taught Turkish dancing by the lovely nursing students (it's a nursing education conference) - my fitbit says i did 25 mins aerobic exercise!
2) The shower. The travel here was overnight, going straight from airport at 8am to hotel for breakfast then conference so getting back to hotel at 6:30pm and standing in the shower for a good 15 minutes singing 'singing in the rain' was an absolute champagne moment
3) the hospitality - 2 lovely full conference meals - no alcohol as muslim country but just goes to show one can have champagne moments on sparkling water

lessonlearned

Sounds great Dundee........some real fun moments - bet it's warmer there too. Truly horrid here. Notice the garden is flooded - again. Will definitely have to sort out the drainage next year.

There's always something. Lol.

candygirl

lessonlearned wrote: »

Well that's the challenge......;).

The actual phrase "champagne lifestyle" is just a lighthearted term to explain the idea behind the purpose of the thread ......a bit of fun, sharing ideas and tips with like minded people so as to extract every last ounce of joy, enjoyment, luxury and glamour to live a life of ease and elegance.

Rather than wallowing in self pity because I have a small income I decided to set myself a challenge to live the most comfortable, glamourous, and luxurious lifestyle I could. I want to live in a beautiful comfortable home and to glide through life with style and panache. And why not. I don't want to wear a hair shirt and be miserable.

I want luxury and indulgence.

Anyway......So far so good......

And whilst I certainly love a good bargain I dont rely on Tesco's basics.:rotfl:

Actually I'm not really familiar with Tesco. Is Tesco basics so bad.....I wouldn't know because we only have one Tesco's and it's not really convenient. It's on the other side of the city.

But Surely basic ingredients are simply that........basic ingredients to create your own culinary delights. Its how you cook them and serve them up that makes the difference. Or am I missing something.

I do eat great food but then I do enjoy cooking so I am prepared to cook from scratch. I rarely touch convenience foods - partly because of health concerns but also I am a pretty good cook and can compete with any restaurant. I buy most of my food from Aldi or Lidl - really great quality at really good prices. As I say I don't know Tesco's but I imagine Aldi and Lidl are probably both cheaper.

I can afford a car although Of course I use public transport sometimes. Trains, planes and ships....

.Even if I was stinking rich I wouldn't bother owning a yacht or a plane - far too much hassle. My car is nothing fancy but it goes like the clappers and is fun to drive, a little city run about, perfect for my needs. I have owned expensive luxury cars in the past and again they aren't worth the trouble. I got fed up with them buying vandalised .......so now I don't bother with flash cars.

I dress well (I love clothes), I get my hair cut at at a first class hairdressers, I eat great food, travel and have holidays, eat out and get about whenever I want to.

And yes I drink bubbly. :rotfl:

As for ironing my own clothes.......sure why not, it's no great hardship. I enjoy ironing. If I hated doing it then I wouldn't, I would pay for an ironing service. I would have no guilt about delegating jobs I disliked and paying someone to do them for me. I would just juggle my money to fund it.

I think it's about priorities and targeting money to the things that we deem important. I have no desire to own ridiculously expensive designer handbags or throw money away on hair extensions or nail salons but each to their own. And whilst I do have an iPhone - it's not the latest model.

I think its all about what makes us happy. I think it does help that I do have a lot of practical skills and that I'm "arty" and creative. I think that helps me stretch the pennies.. I also have a great imagination and am always coming up with new ideas. I also shamelessly pinch other people's great ideas too. :rotfl:

I really do believe that we can live fabulous lives for next to nothing......obviously as long as we can cover the essentials, a roof over our heads, food on the table, heating. And they don't come cheap but I have found this site enormously helpful in teaching me how to shop around for the best deals. In the last two months alone I have saved nearly £600 by switching energy suppliers and hunting out cheaper car and home insurance.

Today I saved £69 on paint and of course I am saving shedloads of money by rolling up my sleeves and doing my own decorating and Some simple diy. It's hard work but again I enjoy it. Hard work never killed anyone. I see it as cheap exercise. I don't need to go the gym when there is decorating and gardening to keep me fit and toned.

The money I save by going down the diy route will fund my next big holiday adventures.....a cruise to Iceland next August. I realise not everyone enjoys doing their own decorating and household maintenance etc but to me it's a rewarding hobby. One that pays dividends.

If you are struggling I suggest you look at the debt boards (even if you aren't in debt) and also the Old Style boards. There are some very clever people on these boards, always willing to share their knowledge and advice.

I really do think it's possible to live well for less and to have plenty of fun and enjoyment along the way. I treat it as a game. .

And I always remember ......

Whilst the best things in life are often free, the best things aren't actually things at all.

Omg You always manage to cheer me up, n give me some hope hun.PS Tesco basics are crap compared to Aldi stuff :D

lessonlearned

candygirl wrote: »

Omg You always manage to cheer me up, n give me some hope hun.PS Tesco basics are crap compared to Aldi stuff :D

Are they any cheaper......:rotfl:

Fabulous champagne moments this evening, loving the antics of my 16 month old grandson. Dancing with him to La Bamba and La Vida Loca with him dressed as Dracula. All on camera of course for posterity.

Then a nice time with my son and dil, watching a movie, drinking wine and stuffing our faces......

I really need to go back on the diet tomorrow if I'm going to shift that last half stone in time for Christmas.

I've indulged rather a lot this week. :rotfl:

house_elf

Hello Peeps!

Hope you are all well.......I am popping in for half term.

Yesterday's champagne moment has to be roast dinner made with 2 reduced chickens from Lidl. (Lots left over for later in the week).

Roast dinner is especially nice, because everyone likes it and there are always clean plates all round

I have managed an extra hour in bed, and it has stopped raining, so today is off to a good start :rotfl:

Have a lovely day