WHY are you old style?......

Larumbelle

I'm finding this really interesting! One of the things I love about this forum is the sense of belonging and community, as most of my RL friends think I'm mad, (even though they know how it is that our finances are in such good shape).

For me it was when I became ill with a recurrent long-term condition for the fourth time in seven years. It was looking like I'd lose a job on medical grounds again and I was terrified that I wouldn't find another, it's not easy to put a positive spin on long-term illness in an interview! And then when I found jobs I'd worry that I'd get ill, which of course caused stress and made me ill.

My 'oh my goodness' moment came when my other half pointed out that with a little jiggling we could manage on just his wage, using my extra time to save money in ways that you can't really when you both have full-time jobs. So now I don't work full-time, though I do some self-employed work that fits around my 'good' days and 'bad' days. I can't believe looking back that we used to struggle on two salaries! OS has improved my self-worth because I can show exactly what I'm contributing to the household and our standard of living is much higher now. I feel that I'm 'providing' for OH in a way I never did when I was just putting my money in the pot. It's weird because OH feels a higher esteem that he is 'providing' for me too as he brings home most of our money. And the best thing is, I feel positive about our lifestyle because it is our choice rather than a way of making ends meet, and it's a way of doing things that fit into our goals of trying not to waste either money or resources.

I get that 'oh my goodness' mement every time an unconverted friend tells me about their money woes or is blatantly wasteful. I can't believe I used to be the same! Or if one of them phones up asking if I want to go shopping and I just say no thanks, I can't think of a single thing I need right now!

afterglow_2

i always realise my frugalness if i have to buy a loaf of bread!! cant believe the price its gone up to, actually i tend to think that about most kitchen staples, think i have lost track of price rises!!!

Teapartymum

Keeley... Thats really good and lovely.

Im not "There" yet but my ways of think have ie I think do I need it or do I really want it but i will be sticking to this forum.

pink_princess

:j What a great thread OP
Im scared to say that im fully converted in case i start slipping back .
I can t think of a time in the last 7 months though that i ve been mad at myself for wasting anything money included.So im so pleased at this.
I never used to cook and as a previous poster said ,it really does make me feel like I am contributing more to my family.
Heres hoping it continues.i think it will.:D
PP

wogglemaker

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Silvercharming,

My long term illness has deteriorated drastically over the last six months, your post has given me little nudge, in a direction I may find useful.

Thank you

canidothis

I would love to share the feeling of satisfaction of frugalism (? real word )

The other day at work my colleague was explaining that her daughter would be losing her job and that she would love to help out with a weeks worth of shopping but couldnt because her daughter regularly spends £70 per week (1 adult and 1 8yr old), excitedly I told her about this site and OS and she shrugged and said that her daughter had too many problems to think about and to cut down on shopping would just give her another problem to fill her brain with.

I understand that it takes a bit of thinking and planning but its such a wonderful feeling to not panic when you know you only have £20 for a weeks worth of shopping, there's me, oh and 2 dd to feed but I no longer have a wave of panic if funds are low. As long as ive got toilet rolls!!! lol

Jasper27_2

I can't pinpoint when I came round to the OS way of thinking, probably not long after I became a homeowner and realised how much everything costs after living at home for so long. OK so we may all have the odd slip but for me there's definately no going back. The money I save allows us to have a nice lifestyle on our modest income and peace of mind that we have no debts apart from our very small (and shrinking fast) mortgage. OH and I have been out tonight, meal at Cafe Rouge (with 2 for 1 voucher) and cinema (Orange Wednesday) and I swear I enjoy it more knowing it's not cost me a fortune. I now hate paying full price for anything and can't wait until the mortgage is gone and I can work less hours and devote more time to being OS.

Disflop

I think I realised this was now my chosen way of life when it occured to me I had not been to a single shop during the sales! Or had the desire to 'just have a look - oh thats a good price I'll have that'. And not felt as though I had missed out on anything at all.
At last I understand the difference between want and need and have learned that spending money does not buy happiness.

EagerLearner

katholicos wrote: »

21 days in a month ? If so, WOW!!! There i was giving myself a pat on the back for doing 6 no spend days so far in January

Ha ha - it was a good month, hasn't happened again though My average is say 17 and then I get all competitive with myself As you can see on my blog, the diary I made is responsible, as I printed a notes page that had a cash section on it, making NSD day numbering addictive he he

At the end of each month I sometimes note how many NSD's and also what my total shopping was (for the Monthly Shopping challenge here on MSE) but I have been slipping. I am on NSD04 this month, so you are doing better than me :beer: Might start a blog post on it and get some healthy competitiveness going If there's a month to do it in, it's January...

buxtonrabbitgreen

When my sister was most delighted with the Thrity Ways For Modern Days book I bought her for christmas. Especially since I got it cheap shhh.