Slow Living - Doing It Old Style!

Ollielikesswimming

What an interesting thread and one that I will be following along with. 

I am not sure if I can commit to being fully into all of the ideas but having just been signed off work for a month and also paying off the mortgage I feel that I am at a bit of a cross roads going into 2024.

I will take some time over the next few days to reflect on how and why I have gotten to where I am now and what I want the future to look like

Wishing you all a lovely 2024

Wimbledonwomble

Good morning everyone. Very interesting to read your posts. 

I've made a good start. Trying to live more mindfully. Sorted out my herbs and spices yesterday . Made a shopping list and plan to visit my local refillable shop ( don't know what to call it) as reducing packaging is very important to me. 

Started to use up stock in freezer and store cupboard. Actively trying to cut out all processed food ( I'm reading a lot about this at the moment ) started meditation again which is so relaxing and calming. 

To anyone who is concerned about finances in retirement I can honestly say that living on such a low income has not been the issue I thought it would be. There are other issues but I don't feel poor at all . I love the feeling of self sufficiency and just generally  slowing down .

Have a good day everyone . 

Christianne1957

Wimbledonwomble 

To anyone who is concerned about finances in retirement I can honestly say that living on such a low income has not been the issue I thought it would be. There are other issues but I don't feel poor at all . I love the feeling of self sufficiency and just generally  slowing down .

I retire in a week - I'm 66 & have tried to keep working. I'm anxious about not being able to make ends meet but can't work forever!  Old Style and slow living seems to be the way forward in 2024

Sun_Addict

I have 3 years to go before I retire so slowly winding down. Still working full time 😐 @nannygladys does amazingly well on a limited amount, growing a lot of her own stuff. This will be a very interesting thread 🙂

I_want_a_baby

Hello all,
really enjoying reading this thread.
ive noticed that spending is actually quite a habit for me and I hadn’t really thought it was.
already put some white bunting in a shopping basket with some fairy lights as I want to keep the hygge feeling in January and not get low like I normally do. Before I checked out I realised I have some white felt stars from a craft project I never started so I did not purchase and will make bunting instead. 

Then put a journal in a shopping basket later but I know I have a handful so barely used notebooks so stopped that purchase too. 

It seems spending is easily justified by my brain so I must be on guard as it do not need it but actually I do really want the simple life and want to make do and craft and be resourceful - so I need to be on guard that my brain is not (yet) on the same page!

NSD today! 

Settling down with a cuppa and a book and have my nephews staying over tonight which will help enormously with the food glut.

working on keeping the food budget to an absolute minimum the next couple of months while I run stocks down. 

IWAB x

Thevalueofless

Hello all

I have had a productive morning sorting out freezer and stores, everything listed so I know at a glance what we have, is weighed or counted and I have made a note in my January plan of the things I want to use up during the month. This is things that have been languishing in the freezer or sitting on the shelf far too long - we have a lot of courgette shredded, chunked, grated and dehydrated it seems.

I also want to give the bread maker a second chance but have never found a recipe where the bread is good the day after. Does anyone have one they can recommend or tell me where I may be going wrong? My bread always turns out a bit heavy although the crumb looks fine and it is definitely only toast worthy the next day. I've seen recipes that add milk powder and wondered if that is the secret but can't use as vegan.

TIA
TVOL

KajiKita

@I_want_a_baby, there’s a good thread I use which helps you track your NSDs (No Spend Days) - that’s been a huge help to me in cutting my spending ‘because is deserve it / a treat / something nice*’ (*delete as applicable 😉). 

January’s new challenge, with an explanation of the approach 😊

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6494914/joyous-januarys-no-spend-days-challenge/p1?new=1

The other thing is, you are building a new muscle in cutting down your spends - noticing is the first part and THEN you went on to *not* spend on some items and ‘shopped from home’ - I’d call that a win 👏😊

KK

Wimbledonwomble

Please try not to worry Christianne1957. Don't forget your expenses  will reduce too. 
I am the world's worst worrier and I really did  but now  ( for example ) I have no need to shop at all until next week ,simply because I have time to use up left overs I would possibly have thrown away when I worked 50+ hours per week . Being frugal is my job now . You will be fine .x

Oh yes I agree spending is a habit and I too could convince myself I needed things. I_want_a _baby ,well done ! You have resisted . 

Sun_Addict ,you have inspired me in the run up to retiring . Been lurking a long time and I'm sure  if anyone can live well in retirement it will be you .wish I was as greenfingered as NannyG! I did manage some cherry tomatoes and chilli plants in pots in communal area by a large window . No garden unfortunately . 

amber03

Joining in with this challenge, which will be a challenge for me as I’m a doer and don’t often relax. Mainly due to when I do have a moment, either someone shouts for me, rings me or texts me. It’s like they all know I’m about to relax. Some of the things I want to achieve this year which I think will help Is less phone and computer time, leaving phone at home when I’m going out( how the heck did we managed before mobile phones were invented),more reading, jigsaws, walking. Going to bed earlier and hopefully having a good night sleep. X

mrs_motivated

What a fantastic thread, I’ve just read all the posts and feel so inspired by you all and want to join in it that’s ok.

A bit about me, work full time (3 years and then I plan to finish),  only me, Mr M and the dogs at home now, kids have all grown up and flown the nest so in theory I should be able to slow down and make more me time.  I do grow some fruit and veg, love cooking.  Plans for 2024 are to make more use of the gym membership, lose a stone in weight, read more books and have a good wardrobe cull and get rid of what I don’t wear.

i also love to keep a journal and have kept a positivity journal for a number of years, I started my new one today ready for the new year and new habits include being more mindful and new challenge is starting a qigong class.