Does being OS get you down?

scottish_lassy

When my daughter was small and as a single parent, I HAD to OS. Now that I am working and better off I still find I OS as it allows me to prioritise where my money goes and get my money's worth out of a pound. I get better quality meals, allows for saving for treats, stops all the big conglomerates from milking MY purse! In fact I think it is my duty to OS as not to, would be wasteful.

My daughter is now on a restricted budget and her upbringing must have paid off, as she is now a budding OSer!!!!

Ada_Doom

I know just what the op means!

Because we are (newly) OS by nessesity and really struggling with money at the moment I feel quite down although reading through the posts on this site make me feel so much more positive.

I have always disliked waste and enjoy cooking but am still trying to get my head round not having what others seem to have, especially as we have two wee children.

Have to remind my self we are luckier than lots of people as we have each other and our lilttle family but do sometimes feel like i can't cope.

That's when i come on here and read all the positive things os'ers do and it gives me a boost[HTML][/HTML]

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there

I have to agree that the greatest decider is if you WANT to OS or HAVE to....
I have pretty much always cooked from scratch but now i have great delight in doing it as economically as possible... We are lucky that at the moment our "cut backs" are through choice - the money being saved is going into a savings account for a bit of a safety net. But we are able to live better than before just by making some simple changes...eating sensible portions for one ... we are both losing weigh whilst eating plenty and not going without and at least i know what is in everything.
I know somedays i just think "i can't be bothered".... but i have various meals that i can knock together in under 15 mins and just shove in the oven for those days

bertiebots

I think the key question is choice...I love being o/s but still would rather have the choice..not because I want to eat ready meals but because I would like to be able to provide more for my family. I o/s because of our budget and choose to be a sahm but that meens we dont get to travel or go out much. Although that makes it a real treat when we do for birthdays for the kids etc...Just once in a while it would be nice to go for a lovely meal on a sunday...or take the kids traveling (I always felt I missed out when I was young).

Mrs_Weasley

I have to O/S but ......i love it:happyhear

as we 'speak' i am sat munching on a homemade hobnob you just can't beat it:D

also once i've got over the novelty of home baking i will start to lose weight:rotfl:

DianaMattos

I don't consider myself particularly OS, but then I have been brought up that way and cooking from scratch, budgeting etc comes second nature! Having said that, over the last few weeks suffering from morning (all day) sickness and having no kitchen, we have been eating more takeaways, stuff from jars and tins, and to be honest, its nowhere near as nice as what I can make home-made! Some stuff we put straight in the bin or down the sink as it is so vile!! Not very OS I know, but roll on the new kitchen and I can get back to making the nice stuff. Really makes us appreciate the home cooking when you are without it for a while. And isn't that what everyone appreciates when they go to visit mum/grandma?!?!?!?!!!!!

purpleivy

bessy wrote: »

I have to O/S but ......i love it:happyhear

as we 'speak' i am sat munching on a homemade hobnob you just can't beat it:D

also once i've got over the novelty of home baking i will start to lose weight:rotfl:

I'm still waiting to get over the appeal of home baking. Trouble is that dd has it as well, though she only normally makes stuff to take out with her, to school, to friends or on her music courses.

mrs-moneypenny

i enjoy being os but wish i could be more organised to embrace it further. i had lapsed and the spending was spiraling before christmas but im determined to keep it in check. since visiting the os thread regularly ive found some brilliant recipies and money saving ideas.

with 4 children still at home its a fighting battle to stay in budget

pigpen

We were way below the 'poverty line' growing up.. every penny had to count so it is normal to me.. I see those who are not OS as wasting money.. there are so many things I would do with a large sum of money.. or unending money like some people have.

We actually probably get a lot more into our house than lots and lots of people on here but the thought of spending it on something like heinz beans instead of tesco value just galls me.

I LIKE tesco value beans!!

I don't think I could live on ready meals if I wanted to.. though having a freezer full of meat and veg and bread doesn't appeal to my 16 y/o son.. he thinks there is 'nothing to eat' if it needs a bit of preparation..

I like cooking meals for everyone.. I want to slop it on their heads when they complain about it though lol

We are OS through necessity really as we have debts to pay off and the ongoing bills to pay.. but one day they won't be there any more.. but I love it.. I see every shopping trip and every task as a challenge to make it as cheap as possible but the best that I can.. currently saving and looking for a stove for the middle room.. I want a certain size and less than £100.. I have found a few but they are too small.. I'll find one.. I love a challenge!

Bargain_Rzl

For those who are saying they HAVE to be OS... is this really the case for anybody? Do you not still have the choice between being OS (i.e. feeding yourself and your family good nutritious food on a very small budget) and succumbing to the junky, additive-filled alternatives? After all, disgusting tasteless value burgers, crisps etc are VERY cheap, and a lot of people on very low incomes do go down this route :eek:

I think for the vast majority of people there is at least some element of choice in the decision to be OS - even if it's only that on the budget available, the alternative just doesn't bear thinking about.

I suppose the point I'm trying to make is... maybe if you realise that it IS a choice, and you've taken that choice to feed your family the best you can with what you've got, you might feel more positive about it