Just turned 30 and decided I need to sort my life out

Wannabehousebuyer

StartingAgainAt29 said:

Just commenting to say I'm following your diary, I'm a similar age to you (turn 30 in August, eek!), and it's interesting to see someone at a similar stage to me. Regarding beans, I actually prefer other varieties to Heinz now - my fave is Asda's own, the ratio of beans to sauce is brilliant and the sauce is lovely and thick. As I only really shop in Aldi now I get the Branston ones which are nice. I have also had Tesco's own and they are nice! I think you will be surprised if you downgrade a few products, at how just as good they are, or even better than the branded stuff.
I agree re: Hinch and the cleaning products - I watched her for a while when I first moved into my place and got sucked into her lifestyle, but the amount of chemicals she uses scared me, especially the combination of them. I have two cats and the thought of them ingesting something by accident was too much for me. I use white vinegar to clean a lot of different areas of my flat, and only use zoflora (or pound world's version!) for the cats' litter tray. I stopped using wipes as they are bad for the environment, I invested in some microfibre clothes and just wash them when needed. 

heyyy welcome! Its going to be quite a ride haha!
I am going to (if i can get a slot) have a delivery when i get paid (EOM) and try changing some items to own brand. See how much i can get for my money. 
I love Mrs Hinch and I hate that people massively troll her, however i can see you point completely. I just never thought of that- thats crazy isnt to never even considerit. I use the soda crystals and vinegar down my sink. Maybe i should invest in some clothes -- do you use a product with them??

Wannabehousebuyer

katsu said:

My clothes small clean because they are clean. They don't need to smell of fake scent. Hang your washing outside and unless your neighbour has a bonfire or BBQ they'll be lovely and fresh. 

You really don't need to spray your bedding. If it makes you happy I guess it's fine but I would rather avoid all the extra chemicals,  less recycling/waste so saving money and the environment,  win win 😊

I don't want you to feel "got at".  It's a personal decision what works for you. Just worth thinking about if you are trying to save money. I promise being clean is enough. 

I also use a cloth and cleaning products instead of wipes. A damp cloth will clean many surfaces and just a little washing up liquid is often enough to shift things like make up. I do swear by bathroom spray though for soap and lime scale/ water marks. 

You want your house so you've got a goal to aim for. Good luck! 

I don't feel 'got at' at all- i came here for the good bad and ugly. lets face it- i need help, so i need people being honest with me! I need to clear all this debt and start saving, so every little helps, right?
Thank you- as i say im here to learn, grow and develop as an adult LOL

StartingAgainAt29

Wannabehousebuyer said:

StartingAgainAt29 said:

Just commenting to say I'm following your diary, I'm a similar age to you (turn 30 in August, eek!), and it's interesting to see someone at a similar stage to me. Regarding beans, I actually prefer other varieties to Heinz now - my fave is Asda's own, the ratio of beans to sauce is brilliant and the sauce is lovely and thick. As I only really shop in Aldi now I get the Branston ones which are nice. I have also had Tesco's own and they are nice! I think you will be surprised if you downgrade a few products, at how just as good they are, or even better than the branded stuff.
I agree re: Hinch and the cleaning products - I watched her for a while when I first moved into my place and got sucked into her lifestyle, but the amount of chemicals she uses scared me, especially the combination of them. I have two cats and the thought of them ingesting something by accident was too much for me. I use white vinegar to clean a lot of different areas of my flat, and only use zoflora (or pound world's version!) for the cats' litter tray. I stopped using wipes as they are bad for the environment, I invested in some microfibre clothes and just wash them when needed. 

heyyy welcome! Its going to be quite a ride haha!
I am going to (if i can get a slot) have a delivery when i get paid (EOM) and try changing some items to own brand. See how much i can get for my money. 
I love Mrs Hinch and I hate that people massively troll her, however i can see you point completely. I just never thought of that- thats crazy isnt to never even considerit. I use the soda crystals and vinegar down my sink. Maybe i should invest in some clothes -- do you use a product with them??

Yeah I'd certainly not go as far as to troll her (who's got time for that seriously?) but I do think she is excessive. It's a lovely thing to be clean and proud of your home, but there are other, more gentle or natural ways to go about it.

It depends on what I'm cleaning but yes I usually use a product with the cloth if just a wet cloth won't do it. I use white vinegar on my makeup table (I got a polishing cloth for my mirrors, between that and the vinegar they come up a treat!), or diluted zoflora if I think something really needs to be disinfected (this is very rare). I buy a lot of products from splosh who send refills through the post to save on plastic, and I like them as well as their products are a lot more gentle. The bathroom spray smells a bit weird but the kitchen one is pretty good. I have furniture polish for my bedside tables and windowsills, so just dust them, spray the polish, and then use the cloth after. 

I am NO domestic goddess believe me, but I am trying to make subtle changes here and there to minimise my impact on the environment and also to save money. If you bought a pack of microfibre cloths off ebay, they might be the cost of 1/2 packs of wipes, but these you get to keep forever (well, in theory ) Also as I said I highly recommend a polishing cloth too, it's so satisfying to get my electric hob gleaming after cooking lol.

Wannabehousebuyer

StartingAgainAt29 said:

Yeah I'd certainly not go as far as to troll her (who's got time for that seriously?) but I do think she is excessive. It's a lovely thing to be clean and proud of your home, but there are other, more gentle or natural ways to go about it.

It depends on what I'm cleaning but yes I usually use a product with the cloth if just a wet cloth won't do it. I use white vinegar on my makeup table (I got a polishing cloth for my mirrors, between that and the vinegar they come up a treat!), or diluted zoflora if I think something really needs to be disinfected (this is very rare). I buy a lot of products from splosh who send refills through the post to save on plastic, and I like them as well as their products are a lot more gentle. The bathroom spray smells a bit weird but the kitchen one is pretty good. I have furniture polish for my bedside tables and windowsills, so just dust them, spray the polish, and then use the cloth after. 

I am NO domestic goddess believe me, but I am trying to make subtle changes here and there to minimise my impact on the environment and also to save money. If you bought a pack of microfibre cloths off ebay, they might be the cost of 1/2 packs of wipes, but these you get to keep forever (well, in theory ) Also as I said I highly recommend a polishing cloth too, it's so satisfying to get my electric hob gleaming after cooking lol.

You have to speculate to accumulate as they say! 
I have Mrs H little white fluffy pledge duster which i love... i do need some polish. i think i am going to use up all that i have and then add it onto my food shop at the end of the month and hopefully that will try and cut down a lot of my spending in that dept. i live on a fairly busy road and a boiling hot house so the windows are always open so always having to dust everything down!


I must say i am feeling more and more positive about all this, cutting back and i suppose having money for 'real' enjoyment- not things i 'think' are going to give me enjoyment i.e cleaning LOL

Naomim

I agree with trying own brand, if you find something you like, great but if you don't try another.  We have branded ketchup and baked beans but a lot more own branded cereals etc. Its trial and error. 

You should pop over to the Old Style boards,  they are full of suggestions for mse ways to clean & tidy.

Wannabehousebuyer

@Naomim I have that logged to have a scroll tonight See what magic i can find. 

I am looking at my budget now wondering if i can slice it more- I mean i know during covid-19 i can- maybe i should have the budget and if any left over then decide what to do with it. I don't want to get to a place where I rebel against myself. 

So I joined prolific last night- I have made £7.99 + 2.95 pending- so £10.94 in not even 24 hours. Now i know i am not going to be that quick to the mark when i am back to work ( did i mention I am currently furloughed- but on full pay as my company are topping us up!- SO thankful) however, for this time period that kind of feels like the interim between xmas and new year I am certainly going to take advantage. So thank you to all those who suggest prolific. 

P.S anyone know how i can move this thread to the diaries section so i can keep writing in it- i am finding this very therapeutic!
x

[Deleted User]

Why are you paying leasehold management frees when you rent? Surely that's for the landlord to pay?

Naomim

Wannabehousebuyer said:

P.S anyone know how i can move this thread to the diaries section so i can keep writing in it- i am finding this very therapeutic!
x

@sourcrates can you move this to the diaries please?

Naomim

@Wannabehousebuyer - Great start on Prolific.  Just make sure when you cash out you put it to good use.  Also every now and then go back into the "about Me" section as they add further questions, the more they know about you the more you're offered that suits you. 

I usually have the app open but when I'm working I only do the 5 -10 minute ones. I've told my boss I'm doing them.

Naomim

Wannabehousebuyer

Deleted_User said:

Why are you paying leasehold management frees when you rent? Surely that's for the landlord to pay?

I dont know it is just in our contract that we have to pay it?