Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

mrs_slapshot

Good morning all - LL, you are so articulate, and you have so many good ideas and wonderful life philosophies. I really enjoy reading your posts! And I am not surprised you made a new friend - do you think sometimes that fate intervenes and introduces us to new people? I do. I also think it helps to have an open outlook which you obviously do.

Welcome Mrs FC - I love your idea of having a special glass for wine!! Reminds me of the idea of not keeping things 'for best'. I have decided to give up wine for a month - its is my downfall really, although I enjoy it. It will mean less alcohol as I won't drink other stuff to make up for it...

I have had a great week - we can do flexible working at my workplace so I had an afternoon working at home. It was marvellous. Just the ability to switch off my laptop at 4.15 and get straight into some housework before dinner made me feel so much more in control! (dont judge me for loving getting my housework done :rotfl: )

I had a lovely afternoon with a friend yesterday mooching round charity shops in an upmarket village nearby. Brand new skirt which I love for £5.95, still with the original £29 tag on (which I didn't realise until I got home!), a scarf, and some lovely earrings. Then popped into Tesco and treated myself to new thick cotton PJ bottoms and a fluffy pink top. All cosy watching Strictly last night! Plus I had a lovely chat with the girl on the checkout (a different one this time...I am not stalking them, honest!)

I've booked a weekend in Northern Ireland in January, and I am continuing with my hunt for bargain clothes and accessories for my trip to Palm Springs in the Spring. I have spent a couple of hours on eBay this morning searching for particular items. I love my new hobby of bargain hunting!!

Have a great week all!!

Wednesday2000

I'm getting back on the MSE wagon as I have spent a shocking amount of money in the past year and a half. Our savings are at less than they were back then. We want to get the bathroom tiled this year so that will be another lump sum. We will have to start saving much more after we get that done.

I'm thinking about all the free or cheap things I can do in the next months.

I'm not having any takeaways for a month at least. Myabe we will have one a month as a treat.

I've got tons of books to read on my kindle. I've got lots of shows recorded on my set top box to watch too.

The only charity shops I'm going to are the £1 ones.:money:

I want to start cooking again so I'm going to look for new recipes online.

I'm going to make sure I'm doing my 45 minutes or 1 hour walk to make sure I get enough daylight.

Today I am going to do some decluttering, go for a walk, feed the birds, read a chapter of my book and make a roast dinner and also a batch of veggie burgers for the week.:A

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.

:T

lessonlearned

Good morning all......

Just had to come on here and blow my own trumpet.

Woke up to brilliant sunshine and thought right come on, you have got an extra hour use it and finish that blasted ceiling.

So I did.....it's finally done. :j:j. Wahoo.

Hateful job and there were times when I wished I had never started but I am glad I persevered. I have to say it's looking pretty good. Makes the room look heaps better, lighter and brighter. I have chosen a soft blue/grey for the walls so that should help with the light too. (It's currently a sludgy dark beige, so depressing). :rotfl: I have a gorgeous Turkish rug to go down. 12 ft x 10ft, pure wool, beautiful colours £15 from a chazzzer:D I have had it a few years now but it's still beautiful and very cosy.

I painted the pine table and 6 chairs a pale grey a couple of years ago. Still look good. Table was £80 new and the chairs were £10 for 6 from a chazzer. Just need to get some fabric to recover the seats.

I will add extra colour with artworks and brightly coloured pottery on the shelves in the alcove, most of which I have collected over the years, so don't need anything new although I might keep a look out for a small chest of drawers or unit of some sort to slot in there, at least in the lower part.

I think I might paint just the table legs a deep mustard yellow but need to see it against the rug first. Not sure. New curtains for the patio doors - yes you've guessed - from a chazzer £1.50, cream linen so nice and neutral.

So the actual decorating and furnishing hasn't cost much at all. The big splurge was the new light fitting £90. But it's a statement piece and really sets the room off. Well worth the money.

So totting it all up.....paint/pollyfilla, bits and bobs for materials such as sandpaper, paint roller etc around £100, light £90, curtains £1-50.

The biggest expense has been the building work.

£300 to remove the dividing wall, tackle the damp and replaster, £270, including materials, to level the floor and replace some laminate that was damaged, new skirting boards and dado rail.

I'm pretty pleased with that. Just need to slap on the emulsion on the walls and freshen up the woodwork, aiming to get it all finished by the end of November.

Mrs S. - Ireland, both north and South is on my list. I have been to Dublin but would love to see the rest. It always looks so beautiful. Some nice chazza shop bargains there.

Anyway the sun is still shining so I'm going to get cleaned up and head off out and grab some fresh air. No more work today.

lessonlearned

Wednesday.....our posts crossed. Yes I'm on a mission now......I want to save enough money to pay to have some landscaping done next year (as well as my holiday and some concerts I fancy) - so no more new clothes. As you say £1 chazzer only.....:rotfl: reduce food budget, no buying books or magazines.

Reduce, recycle, repurpose......:rotfl:

Wednesday2000

lessonlearned wrote: »

Wednesday.....our posts crossed. Yes I'm on a mission now......I want to save enough money to pay to have some landscaping done next year (as well as my holiday and some concerts I fancy) - so no more new clothes. As you say £1 chazzer only.....:rotfl: reduce food budget, no buying books or magazines.

Reduce, recycle, repurpose......:rotfl:

Exactly where I am at the moment! There are lots of good ideas on here for cheap things to do.

well done on finishing the ceiling!:T

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moment yesterday was having a really great evening at a new Karaoke in Forest Hill singing and dancing the night away.

I sang 7 of my usual songs: Hurt so good, It's now or never, Lean on me, The wonder of you, Can't take my eyes off of you, Dream lover and Fever.

There were some exceptional singers last night, which made the night even more enjoyable. :j

Valli

Ooh Sugarbaby - a few songs in there I love - Lean On Me in particular.

Anyway hello from a sporadic poster/reader (on this thread).

Today's been positively bubbly

a gorgeous autumn day - 3 loads of washing on the lines.
rabbit hutch cleaned; rabbit run moved. My two new bunnies (rescues) are real grazers so they're trimming the lawn as I move the run around. Bonus.
Been to town. DD's perfume on her xmas list significantly reduced in B00ts. A couple of gifts bought at the Artisan Market, so supporting sole traders there. And a trawl of the town centre supermarkets, M&S, Mr T and c00p mean YS meat in the freezer and rack of lamb for sunday tea! Boom!

Well done on the painting, LL.

candygirl

LL well done on the painting , n Your house sounds gorgeous. I might come over for a week :rotfl::rotfl:
WEDNESDAY have you looked on ereaderiq for free kindle books? They have new ones every day.Also kindle unlimited is only £7.99 a month, you can have 10 books at a time.It's worth it for me, cos I read loads
SUGARBABY You have such an amazingly colourful social life.I used to be a,proper social butterfly, but have turned back into a comatose caterpillar lately
Am going to try on my holiday clothes later.Wish me luck:eek::rotfl:

house_elf

Good Morning Folks,

LL Since DH has been on gardening leave he has laid a laminate floor in the dining room, and is now repainting the study. We took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer at B&Q last week, as we had some money off vouchers on the loyalty card as well. He is now stocked up with paint for DS1 bedroom and a feature wall somewhere!

Yesterday's champagne moment was being invited to a friends house for tea. Lovely food. A couple of glasses of wine, as no one needed a lift anywhere. A tour of all the home improvements......stunning. And lots of baby talk, in anticipation of a new arrival.

I really need to be more productive today, so a list must be written :rotfl:

Have a lovely day

pollypenny

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who has a special glass for wine! Mine wasn't expensive, though. I have just two left from a set of six recycled glasses I bought from Ikea years ago - it's just right.

Miserable day yesterday as Wales lost so narrowly to South Africa! Off to the big city, well Chester, today for a visit to Marks with my Quidco cashback and Oxfam voucher, followed by lunch at Carluccio's with a free bottle of wine.

We will need to renew our bus passes this week, too. Online means a new photo, but doing it in the library the original one stays. Thank goodness.