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

candygirl

I have no choice as my previous work (supply teaching) has more or less gone to the dogs, as lower paid TAs now do most of the cover work:mad::mad:Schools have had to tighten their belts too, so I am one of the casualties:(
That said I like cooking, and can make a whole lot of veggie meals from scratch for not much at all:T:TNow we just need to stop drinking, or learn how to make our own:beer::beer::beer:

Mingle

I think i'm OS because i'm interested in it. I'm not a millionairess but I have more money than the average student. I personally find it very satisfying to eat a meal from scratch and I enjoy charity shopping for vintage clothes. I'm moving into a house as well next year so hopefully i'll be able to grow my own veggies. After i've graduated I fully intend to get chickens!

espresso21

I know exactly what you mean, Bella. I used to earn a good salary and I am really annoyed with myself that I didn't appreciate it when I had it. As Candygirl said, the teaching sector has been hit hard (like any other sector I guess) and now I am on about two thirds of the salary I was on. Next year I will be down to half. In fact just today I heard that they are lowering my salary even more and I have felt physically sick ever since I heard it as I literally do not know how I am going to cope. I have been trying to look for other jobs but, despite having a good CV with lots of experience, I haven't even been shortlisted which is really demoralising and each time I send off a job application I lose a little more confidence. A far cry from the confident person I was this time last year.
But then I have to remember the things that matter more. This time last year my mother was seriously ill and there was a time I wasn't sure she would pull through. Now she is well and I couldn't put a price on that. So I do need to remind myself every now and then of what is really important...and it's not the takeaways and holidays I used to have!

redlady_1

I got divorced. I went from having a good second wage to a poor first. Whilst renting this wasnt a problem but I wanted to buy again. So, savings combined with begging, borrowing etc and I managed to get a renovation house. Never having done anything like this before (I hadnt even changed a lightbulb when I was first on my own) I had no idea what to expect but I did know money would be tight. I had no idea how tight. For the first time in my life I was awake at 4 am worrying over how to pay bills. BUT I knew there would be light at the end of the tunnel. I had a plan and I was going to achieve it. 18 months and alot of pain later I remortgaged to a better deal with alot more equity in the house. Consequently I now have more disposable income. I still watch the pennies. I was brought up with little financially but stacks emotionally. Now that is priceless. I have just gone back to my roots...time to concentrate on the next goal.

candygirl

EXPRESSO my decline in work, also coincided with my Dad being ill, then dying with prostate cancer, so I know where you're at hun:(:(I look at life very differently now:o:o

espresso21

Thanks Candygirl. So sorry about your dad. It was cancer with my mum too but luckily they caught it in time - it was still the most frightening time of my life though and has made me reassess what is really important. Sure, I don't like counting the pennies and would love my old lifestyle back, but the cliche is true -there really are some things money just can't buy. I just get so frustrated sometimes - I have a really good degree, loads of experience on my CV and here I am scrimping. But I know I have to count my blessings before moaning -it's just a matter of getting into the habit of doing it. This site has really helped. Everyone on here is so supportive.

oldtractor

I suppose its a bit of both and things are getting harder the more OS I an becoming. TBH if I won the lottery I dont think I could go back to buying everything. I so enjoy cooking and baking and growing food. I would buy a sewing machine and knitting wool though if I won the lottery.

Butterfly_Brain

Well something must be rubbing off ........DD has just got home with 2 bags of charity shop clothes and shoe finds and she is chuffed to bits.......I am so proud of her.

bramble1

It's a bit of both for me - i love the OS way of life, and when money is tight we OS more than if we are flush, but i do it because i enjoy it. I've learnt so much here and find it enjoyable for the most part.

ETA - if i was to win the lottery i would probably be more OS and i wouldn't have to work and could spend my day furthering my OS skills

CH27

It's a bit of both for me.

We needed to cut back & I hate the idea of wasting things, especially food.