Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

Coming towards the end of a nice weekend. Socialising with friends and family on Saturday and Sunday. Was lucky that I was invited to dinner/lunch on Saturday and Sunday so I'm feeling very spoilt. apart from buying some lovely tulips (such a cheerful happy glimpse of spring) and some chocolates to take to my hosts and filling up with petrol it's been a no spend weekend.
And the interesting thing for me is that I really can't think of anything I need to fritter away my money on. I will need to buy food, petrol etc but not only do I not need to buy anything I actually don't want to buy anything. This is a very new state of mind for me. Perhaps I am actually slowly metamorphosing into a saver not a spender? Of course, the true test will be passing a Jo Malone shop or other similar outlet ...... note to self I do not need any candles and I certainly don't need a £50 candle - goodness gracious that's 5 squares on the savings grid.

foxgloves

Now Blackcats m'dear... You know from my own diary that I have left behind me some seriously spendy decades, but I can tell you honestly, hand on heart, even at my money frittering peak, I NEVER spent £50 on a single candle. I did buy many candles, which over the years must have totalled hundreds of pounds, but although I have had my naughty nose pressed right up to the glass, I have never been inside a Jo Malone shop. I don't know exactly who those candle prices are aimed at, but it isn't anyone on any salary I've ever earned!
Be strong. This could be a very upmarket plastic cactus moment.
F x

Franalamadingdong

A £50 candle?! Have you seen the "this smells of my vagina" candle? I'd hate to be in product development for that one! Hahahaha

That's great that you're feeling less frittery. I am too, except I keep having other people and furry beasts dictating spends! Maybe it's because we have everything we want/need for now?

Glad you had such a nice weekend. Tulips are so cheerful. I popped into the florist's (due to my work I often arrange flower orders) and they're getting ready for Valentine's Day!

savingholmes

Love your early retirement plans Blackcats - glad you like my diary too

Fran - Tulips are my favourite flower. I did indulge in some little pots of narcissus today. 70p each at Mr M.

I am trying in general to have a shop from home mentality. I am also challenged by the age of money thing - I think it is like a trained pavlov's dog response - I've been paid - where's my treat? Then I go in various rooms of my house and see all the clutter and remind myself I really don't need to buy anything. I have lots of 'cheap' candles around the house I need to use more. I'm told Ald1 candles are good. I generally can't cope with scent though so tend to just buy plain ones... or one's that smell like cotton.

There's a utube I've been watching - and a couple who early retired at 39 - and I thought they'd packed up their house to move it was so empty!! Then they said they were minimalists... No-one would ever accuse me of being one... I think most people are so far from true frugalism and minimalism that it would take years of not buying new stuff before it made a visible difference.

savingholmes

As an example of shopping from home - DD asked for a new mirror for xmas displacing a bigger one already in her room. DS came home loved her old mirror - and took it back to uni - together with a couple of other items lying around our house that have been surplus for years...

Blackcats

Hello Foxgloves - ahh yes, the candles .... well the good news is that in fact they are only £48 each which includes lovely tissue paper and a carrier bag. I have previously purchased these candles on 3 occasions. The experience of the shopping experience outweighed the reality of £48 leaving my bank account. I probably wouldn't buy another one ..... probably. Guess what though? the £300 candles are out of stock - sold out!!!!!!
Fran - the candle you describe is ..... well ..... probably not one that I would aspire to. I think I'll stick to Yankee candle!
Saving Holmes - yes, yes! I totally get the "just a little payday treat" or the "I deserve this" thought process. I now try to remind myself not to jeopardise the things I want in the future for the things I think I want now. Great story about the mirror.
A couple of small spends today. Why are tights so bloomin expensive? Ticking along nicely and looking like it will be a low spending month.

cuddlymarm

Hi
I hope you don’t mind if I join in.
We took early retirement 4 years ago. We do minimalism but you wouldn’t notice because our little one bed flat is really small. We both work part time to pay for treats and extras like holidays.
I find that if I put nice candles on my Xmas list I never have to buy any. As a mother of two grown up sons they jump on anything not too difficult to choose I think. The same with smellies (just remember to put the name of a few perfumes you like) Leaving me to spend on what I really want.
We do live quite frugally anyway, but this allows us to travel while we still can.
Cuddles

Franalamadingdong

Blackcats, I use snagtights. It's quite expensive, however, I have not laddered a single pair and so the cost per wear is amazing! Might be worth looking into next time you need to replace some.

newlywed

Franalamadingdong wrote: »

Blackcats, I use snagtights. It's quite expensive, however, I have not laddered a single pair and so the cost per wear is amazing! Might be worth looking into next time you need to replace some.

Are they really as comfortable to wear as they say? I never believe the ads :rotfl:

Franalamadingdong

They are, newlywed. I chucked out my leggings because I didn't wear them anymore. Prefer the tights now.