Thrifty in my 60's

Humboldt

Hi @I_Love_comps I hope that you do not mind me joining in.

I too am in my 60's. My DH works part-time, I am retired and we both receive a work pension. We are making the most of what we have until we reach SP age.

With careful planning, organisation and research it is amazing what can be achieved with what some would consider to be a moderate amount. Best of all are the things that cost nothing, yet surround us every day. By embracing these 'simple pleasures', it is my view, that our lives are all the better for them.

Thanks for taking the time to post and share with others.

Love that we can once again get the washing dried outside. Great that you have some extra shifts. Enjoy your tea x

Topher

So here’s my current poser: I’m just breathing out after having done a lot of reorganisation; financial, household stuff sifting, & gathering strength together after mild but long term health problem. Hubby and I are both thrifty and live modestly and choose carefully where we splurge. We’ve been invited to two summer weddings (one where he’s best man & one we have to travel to), and he’s recently had a promotion, so he went to a decent tailor’s/gent’s outfitters and bought a suit and extras - this will continue to be used after the weddings at work, and for events he has to ”present himself” at. I meanwhile have “grown out of” some beautiful Hobb’s wedding wear that I bought ten years ago. I’m not part of the wedding party, just “best Man’s wife” in the first wedding and the second (we are on the fringes of the bride’s social group) is in some doubt as to whether or not we can attend because our aging dog needs quite a lot of attention and is beyond going into kennels or a friend’s home care for the length of time the abroad wedding requires. I’ve just read “Less” by Patrick Grant and it chimed with my methods of buying things, less stuff of higher quality so here’s the dilemma I have no faith in my ability to change shape and be able to wear my Hobb’s dresses, I don’t like buying cheap and flimsy none natural fabric clothes, but I don’t foresee any further use of the wedding outfit I need to buy unless it’s very flexible and can be used for high days and holidays. I’ve seen a pistachio tunic length light jacket in Next, with ruched sleeves that suits me very well and hangs well, it’s £34 so not an investment piece, but the nylony fabric it’s made of is fairly shabby looking, so do I go in the direction of a cheaper end set up (to be honest several pieces adding up to approx £150 is still money badly spent in my book) & look fairly under cared for next to my husband, or is there another way to look at this? I’m more confident in trousers than dresses, have all the expensive shoes I could need for mine and another person’s life time but need to make a clothing decision here.

boultdj

Ask the couple if they are happy to let you wear trousers, after all if you are not a 'main' part of the weddings will you be at the back of the photos so then only your top half is seen.

C_J

Could you hire an outfit to wear?
Is there time to search charity shops/Vinted for a quality but less expensive second hand outfit?
Could you buy an outfit you like, but then sell it on after the event and recoup some of the costs?

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965572#Comment_81965572

Must admit I gasped slightly at this suggestion. I understand why asking might be polite but it's something that I would never dream of doing. In that if I want to wear trousers I would. But that's just me remembering the days when a woman wasn't allowed to wear trousers to work or to any social gathering. Which of course I immediately did and asked why not. Sorry - not having a go but just reacted.

Frankly if there's any way to have a nice linen suit somehow that would be lovely in my opinion. Even if it's bought as separates that just happen to go nicely together. Add a nice silk scarf and you'll look divine! (but people who know me know I always say to wear a nice (preferably silk) scarf). Anyway - it will be nice and cool if it's hot, and endlessly versatile after the wedding season is past.

Rosa_Damascena

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965404#Comment_81965404

I have a one-word answer for you: chazzer!!

You would be syrprised at what you could find that is good quality and fits you now, that costs a few pounds. If you were local I'd accompany you and easily get you kitted out and looking a million pounds for under £10. Something that surprises me about modern weddings is not that everyone wants to look their best, its just how little fabric they seem to want to wear in order to do so. (←— Me getting old and curmudeonly).

ETA: I have just reserved "Less" at my local library. Thanks for the inspro!!

I_Love_comps

Welcome to everyone new who has joined on my journey through my sixties. Well today I can say I feel my age. I worked 3 shifts today. Only two tomorrow - but all extra to go towards my retirement,

Hope you all have a lovely evening. I shall be watching tv.

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965982#Comment_81965982

don't over do it!!! I'm thinking I should have slowed down a bit sooner some days.

weenancyinAmerica

Unless I am going to a church that requires dresses, I always wear trousers and a fancier top. No one will remember what you wear - unless you show up dressed as a clown (happened at my brother's funeral, but they were going straight to work afterwards).

I don't believe in destination weddings. Too expensive for the people attending. They shouldn't have to pay to go on your honeymoon. I would turn it down if it were me.

daisy_1571

Yup, if someone, other than very very close family, invited me to a wedding abroad id be declining. No way would I pay to go to a place and country id probably never want to go to at a time of year id probably never book for so i could hang around all day to watch what is essentially a half hour service 😆 🤣 .

Dxx