How to enjoy life on a budget

buildersdaughter

Before I reply, I have to say that I laughed at Lessonleaned's 'day at the races' -. the kind I go to, you can't doll up because your shoes would sink into the mud and your hat would get drenched! But we still have a good day out!
So, OP, I know your neck of the woods roughly - some fairly decent markets - sometimes we go early, have bacon sarnies from the food van, enjoy looking around and make it a 'day out' - sometimes we go late and pick up reduced produce.
Next month keep your ears open for offers of cheap pheasant because the idiots who blast away at the commercial shoots don't seem to want to pluck and eat them (?!). We eat well for a lot of the year cooking pheasant instead of chicken.
In most rural areas people put out apples to buy cheaply or even 'help yourself'. Every autumn, I freeze blackberries, bottle apples, pears and plums and that's our puddings until next summer. I am an 'extravant' bottler: I use diluted wine or cider (I look for what's on offer) + flavourings like vanilla or cinnamon & a little sugar. Then when I open the jar and heat up the fruit, I boil the syrup down until it is thick and rich and lovely (that's what makes the difference between just being thrifty and really enjoying food on a budget!).
If you don't have any jars for bottling, look in charity shops, freecycle, or consider buying from places like Wilco. I have acquired a lot of jars over the years, so don't buy any, but I think it may well be worth the outlay (opinions welcomed!). The Kilner site is useful for information, but encourages you to buy their posh, unnecessary stuff!
Also sign up for every 'local news and information' site that you can - free / cheap entertainment, bargains and so on.
My adult kids are very glad that they learned from us that a 'good day out' can be a nice walk with a pack of sandwiches, and if you're in funds, a drink at the pub on the way home.

Working_Mum

I have discovered the BBC Sounds app - it is amazing and has LOADS of audio books for free - Michelle Obama's biography for instance which is chargeable via audible.

I set myself little goals and save money which goes towards these goals - it could be a weekend away or a big night out etc - by popping my savings (from food spends etc) into a tin which I leave at work it means I can splurge on little events/outings etc which are all paid for.

There is a great Mortgage Free Wannabe part of this forum Itsjustsammy19 - once you have a mortgage you can use the ideas etc to get it paid off early!! I wish I had done this when i was first married - instead I am now divorced with a chunky mortgage I need to pay off!!

Have you thought about the kind of furniture you want for your new home? if you have the space now you can keep an eye out for bargains on furniture etc so that when you move in you are not paying full price!!

Good luck, it sounds such an exciting time for you!

candlebreeze

Hi just a quick message to wish all the best

trailingspouse

Working_Mum wrote: »

Have you thought about the kind of furniture you want for your new home? if you have the space now you can keep an eye out for bargains on furniture etc so that when you move in you are not paying full price!!

OH and I used to go for days out to visit the 'big shed' DIY places, when we were renting but getting ready to buy. We didn't buy anything, we just looked, had ideas, discussed possibilities - and also got a feel for what was a bargain and what wasn't. It meant that when we finally moved we had a bit of an idea of what we wanted and where to buy it from, which saved a lot of time, money, and hassle.


I'd completely forgotten about that until Working Mum mentioned looking for furniture!!