Life style shift - cutting costs / cheaper meals

bexster1975

Hello ska lover

Looks like a similar story to mine, except I left a hellish job to work for myself!

I have more time now to shop around, meal plan, budget, shop around for new utilities etc. I can recommend quidco/topcashback for utilities. I moved broadband and landline provider last autumn and saved £18 a month. Not bad. Also got £90 cashback and a £100 pre paid MasterCard for switching! Awesome!

I also shop at Lidl and Aldi. I cook from scratch a lot, have no spend days, shop in charity shops for all sorts. I look after what I own, and buy high quality once, not cheap 10 times.

I'm with lesson learned, I like luxury, but won't pay full price. I save on things I don't mind doing that with, and splurge ( for the lowest price possible) on my non-negotiables (for me, bedlinen, underwear, facial skincare, body care).

I would, however, recomnend a lot of aldis skincare

Good luck in the new job

Bexster

ska_lover

lessonlearned wrote: »

I have been reading with interest. You have got off to a cracking start.

Loved the bit about waking up from a slumber......working in a job that was killing you to buy stuff you didn't need. How true!!! TBH I think a lot of people live like that. I think many people would be happier if they could take a step back and reevaluate their lives.

Well done on biting the bullet.

My position is somewhat different from yours in that I'm a widow and now retired but I so agree. Life is short and we need to follow our dreams.

I live simply but very well. I started a thread called "Champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget" to share ideas. I am not ashamed to admit I love luxury and glamour and am determined to live a luxurious glamourous life even if I do have a minuscule budget.

After all who wants to wear a hair shirt when you can wear silk:rotfl:

Anyway good luck with your new job and your new lifestyle. I don't think you will regret it for a minute. I'm sure you will be much happier.

I shall be reading along and cheering you on.

Thanks so much for the nice post and the support, that is lovely

I just want more time for me, more time to read or play my instrument.

In my new job, I will still be working full time, but the hours are about ten hours less each week and the commute nowhere near as bad. So hopefully I should gain extra time to myself

I am going to check out your thread and have a good old read x

ska_lover

bexster1975 wrote: »

Hello ska lover

Looks like a similar story to mine, except I left a hellish job to work for myself!

I have more time now to shop around, meal plan, budget, shop around for new utilities etc. I can recommend quidco/topcashback for utilities. I moved broadband and landline provider last autumn and saved £18 a month. Not bad. Also got £90 cashback and a £100 pre paid MasterCard for switching! Awesome!

I also shop at Lidl and Aldi. I cook from scratch a lot, have no spend days, shop in charity shops for all sorts. I look after what I own, and buy high quality once, not cheap 10 times.

I'm with lesson learned, I like luxury, but won't pay full price. I save on things I don't mind doing that with, and splurge ( for the lowest price possible) on my non-negotiables (for me, bedlinen, underwear, facial skincare, body care).

I would, however, recomnend a lot of aldis skincare

Good luck in the new job

Bexster

Thank you

I am really enjoying having the time to plan ahead at the mo, but when the new job kicks in, that will change a little I am sure, but I am determined to continue with my plans - well, I will have to, now I have taken a huge drop in salary

I tried the Lacura coconut shampoo and conditioner and that was very nice - I will have a look at their skincare ranges

Thank you for the ideas x

ska_lover

I had put my breadmaker on, a delayed start, in the early hours this morning.....and when my Husband eventually stumbled downstairs, his face lit up when he smelled that lovely fresh bread smell you get

After a huge sort out over the last couple of days, we have decided we are going to hold a car boot sale one Sunday soon. We have a lot to sell

I am quite good at growing things from seeds (I am not saying i am a fantastic gardener by any means) - but I was thinking in spring next year, trying to grow on a load of little plants (tom plants and the like) and car booting them - its just a small idea for next year

ska_lover

OH and note to self - Tescos own brand diet coke, is repulsive

bexster1975

If you enjoy growing your own, selling them is fine, but you could grow them to use. I only have a small outside space and grow herbs, leaves, tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, raspberries and blackberries.

Bexster ��

alice-mary

ska_lover wrote: »

OH and note to self - Tescos own brand diet coke, is repulsive

I agree totally (and their value version is even worse)! I try to use own brands and value brands whenever possible but Diet Coke has to be the real stuff for me! I don't drink hot drinks at all and I AM trying to cut down on my caffeine but not too successful so far!

You are doing really well so far, so keep the real stuff as your special treat, after all, you are worth it!

Alice
x

joedenise

I don't drink cola at all but according to several people in my slimming world group rate the Aldi own brand cola.

DH doesn't drink Coke often but as we have gone caffeine free he had some last weekend - it was the caffeine free Diet Coke and he said it was very good.

Denise

[Deleted User]

Hi I have PM'd you if you want a copy of My Miser's Online Cookbook

Regards to you and yours

JackieO xx

PipneyJane

Hi

I’ve been thinking about this thread and your cut in income and I was wondering if you had worked out a detailed budget, based on your new income. It’ll make your life so much easier in the long run, if you have because you won’t get sideswiped by unexpected expenses. Our household income decreased by over £1,000 a month last year, so I really do appreciate what you are facing.

Here are some suggestions for items to cover, based on my own budget:-

Take home pay - use www.listentotaxman.com to calculate this. Include your pension deductions.

JOINT HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES - paid into joint account split proportional to income
Mortgage
Joint life insurance (to pay off mortgage)
Council tax
Gas
Electricity
Insurance
Telephone & Broadband
Water
Newspaper subscription
Parking permits
Buffer (start with £50)

JOINT SAVINGS - separate accounts for each paid as before
Holidays
Date night fund
Kids’ clothing & supplies
Medicines/Dentist
Christmas
Garden fund
RAC Membership
Bulk Fund (for when I go mad in Costco)

JOINT DRAWN AS CASH
Meat fund
Housekeeping/grocery challenge fund

PERSONAL SAVINGS FOR IRREGULAR EXPENSES - Each has its own savings account
Car - £200/month saved for insurance, repairs & replacement
Glasses fund
Emergency Fund Savings (I have a separate E-fund)
Clothing/Make-up Fund
Crafts/Hobbies Fund (I’m a knitter. Currently £10/month)
IT Replacement Fund
Football/Cricket Season Ticket Fund
Proms & Concerts Fund (also pays for Cricket/test match tickets)
Fun Fund - for nights out with my girlfriends
Investments
Presents Money - Christmas and Birthdays

PERSONAL EXPENSES
Mobile phone
Petrol
Hair cuts
Coffee club at work

With the exception of the cash items (meat fund and groceries), the Joint stuff is all funded proportional to our take home pay.

Yes, the above may seem like microbudgeting, but we still get to have holidays (New Zealand last year), evenings out and a really good quality of life. Everything gets moved from my personal bank account on payday, so that whatever is left there is my Money To Live Off for the month, so I know exactly what I have left to fritter away. And I always know exactly how much I have to spend per budget category. I have even managed to continue investing in my ISA.

HTH

- Pip