Turning Straw into Gold: Creating Long Term Security & A Solid Home

in_need_of_direction

could you pop £3.50 into a savings pot each time you start a new lip balm from home?

Blackcats

I have a tea shelf in my cupboard. I really like the yorkshire tea cherry Bakewell flavour and the Victoria sponge is my current favourite.

MillQueen

@ArtyJ931, that's a brilliant idea, thank you, I'll have to put some post its by the front door and write "have you got your lunch?" on one, as a checkpoint on the way out - great plan! :)

@in_need_of_direction, I love that, will definitely do that, I have enough of them to last for years. I've put one by the sofa so I can apply some when I sit down. I've been using it on my cuticles and elbows too. I like the idea of tying it to some savings as a further positive money saving action.

@Blackcats, I haven't managed to spot the Cherry Bakewell one anywhere on my travels yet, though I look for it every time I go a supermarket. Hoping to try it soon, as I love all of them! It's a nice low cost treat isn't it, as you get about 40 teabags for £2.50 or so. Small things like this are nice ❤️

Blackcats

I completely agree that treats can be low cost and still be relished. Now it's Autumn we are re-introducing our Friday night treat basket. It usually has crisps or nuts, a nice chocolate bar or sweets and sometimes a little bottle of wine or a cheap can of ready mixed cocktail. Most times we just have a fancy cup of tea or a hot chocolate with our treats. Even though we don't go to work anymore it's still nice to look forward to Friday night.

MillQueen

@Blackcats, this is such a lovely idea 😍, I love thinking of you having a little treat on a Friday and I think I might start doing that myself - it's a really sweet idea. I bought a lovely small ceramic dish a while ago from the charity shop and was wondering about it's purpose… evidently this! 🤣

I have got some treats (kitkats and chocolate toffees) and put them in a cupboard, so that I forget to eat them. Friday would be a good time to have a few toffees and a kitkat. The thing I currently like most is chocolate brazils but I am buying them rarely, because they are a) full of fat and b) pretty expensive. I'll have to train myself to be one of those people who can have one and ignore the rest of the packet.

MillQueen

Having a work from home day today and also waiting for a parcel to be delivered - the dry flex, which couldn't be delivered to a pick up point. Once that comes I need to pop out at lunch or after work to get the heat gun from the pick up point, and then just wait for a dry weekend to do the front door.

If it's not too late in the day, I will walk there to save on not using the car for unnecessary journeys and to get some exercise. I have got a shopping trolley I can take, to grab any useful yellow sticker stuff while there. I need some weetabix as well. Saving the bigger stuff like toilet rolls for when I get a delivery.

Last night I really wanted KFC after my late shift and I didn't get any, I came home and ate stuff I already have and took my sustainable water bottle (and a hot water bottle) to bed, so that was nice. I think money not spent is becoming my new satisfaction, as it's paying off my overdraft. I am still struggling with the water bottle, as I really hate the taste of any tap water even when filtered, but I am not paying any more for bottled water, so I'll just have to get used to the disgusting taste.

OpalGirl

Could you add something to the water to dilute the taste - maybe a dash of lemon or lime or something similar?

MillQueen

That's a good idea @OpalGirl, I will have a little experiment with some things, thank you.

Had a no spend day and didn't end up going to pick up the parcel as I couldn't be bothered to walk. I will go tomorrow on the way back from work, so it's not an extra journey. I've had quite a low effort day.

I have managed to find a dupe version of the bronzer I like (Benefit Hoola Light), as the Benefit one is now £34, which is crazy. I had one I had been using for ages and it's now gone and people keep asking if I'm ok and saying I look tired. Granted, I am tired, but I only look deathly because I'm not wearing bronzer. Anyway, there is one called Honolulu that's only £4 in Boots, which looks the same. A £30 saving!! At some point, when I am feeling rich enough to spend £4 I will get that, but I first have to use up some bronzers and blushes I already have. I'm currently using a combination of an old Benefit Georgia, with a mini version of Dallas and Coralista. I've been piling it on to look healthier and hit pan on all of them.

I haven't bought much makeup in recent years, but this is one of the areas I used to waste a lot of money on and when I put everything into my spreadsheet I saw that I actually have 19 blushes and bronzers. It's going to take me a couple of years to use them all and I'm unsure about whether to persevere and use up the ones I don't like as much, as a money saving exercise, or get rid of them if they aren't right for me. I could do like I am doing with conditioners and wear the bad ones on days no one I care for will see me 😂

ETA: I am on my training tomorrow and I don't know anyone, so I could have a crappy products day and wear all the hair and make up products I want to use up but don't much like!

Lolina

I love Benefit cosmetics (big Benetint fan!) but their prices have gone crazy. £34 for Hoola is just beyond a joke! Glad you found a dupe that works for you.

in_need_of_direction

get rid of the ones that aren’t for you. Don’t shortchange yourself, you will still have enough for a while along with some lovely empty space. Some supermarkets have cosmetic bins and women’s homeless charities are always grateful for unopened products.