Hi,
I'm only 30 but I am wanting to start being more careful with what we are spending and the new year is I think when I'm going to start so I will join you on your journey if that is OK. I hope that you have a lovely Christmas xxx

That would be lovely Rachel the more the merrier. Happy Christmas to you too 😃🎄😃

Well I'm retired, live simply fairly frugally but I know I can do better.

I am also determined to enjoy a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget. (see the thread I started).

However, I have decided I also want to make some further cutbacks next year so I can boost my savings (without it impacting on my fun of course). So I'll join you if I may.

I want to save at least an additional £2k next year. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting cracking in the new year.

In the meantime, Happy Christmas.

I have been retired for coming up to 15 years now and mortgage is paid off, kids all grown up and left home and my money gets spent on what I want it to be spent on. Heating bills council tax food haha. Have to say there is a freedom in retirement that I never had when I was working or when I was young. I am enjoying that freedom and peace and a contentment.

I feel like Grunnie. Enjoying retirement of 8 years now, 2 of which were off sick so only benefits for that time.

We try to enjoy our retirement on a pension but also trying to update our bungalow whilst on a pension. We're nearly there - bathroom updated, kitchen being done early next year. Living room will hopefully be done later next year. Will just leave our bedroom to sort out properly but that will just be painting and new carpet as happy with bed and wardrobes/chest of drawers/bedside cabinets. which hopefully we'll sort the following year.

Denise

I retired in 1995 and have never had so much to do since .Sadly I lost my OH in 2003 but have made a not so much a new life, and a slightly different one than I expected to. I belong to the W.I, the U3A a book club, a history club various local walking groups (think more gentle stroll as I need to use my stick to get about now more .) I also swim and have helped look after all of my seven grandchildren over the past 15 years.Down to the last two now although they are 17 & 14 so only need the occasional feeding with cake and biscuits etc I am a prolific knitter and knit for a couple of charities. I have a big circle of friends and both my DDs live close by. By living within my means and budgeting I have a family fortnights holiday in August and a week in a caravan with my tribe in April I also usually manage to get away for a week with my oldest friend in the spring.

I enjoy my life to the full as much as I can, I do what I can, and what I can't (gardening ) I pay someone else to do it.
I like renovating old junk furniture etc and both my DDs have been able to use it over the years ,especially my youngest DD who has had five children .I am now a great granny and am looking forward to Erin getting big enough to have dolls that I can make outfits for I still have my DGD's dolls cot in the cupboard under the stairs which will be renovated in due time for her little girl.

I am always on the lookout for new ideas and will happily join in if I may
Happy Christmas to each and every one of you

JackieO xx

Hi everyone,

I would like to join in too, I am planning to retire in 6 to 8 years, depending how the plan works out. There are a few things I would like to do to my bungalow, new bathroom and ensuite, extend a redo the kitchen....so saving and spending if you see what I Mean.

Looking forward to seeing how everyone gets on with this and picking up some frugal tips.

Merry Christmas everyone. X

I will follow you, if I may. I will be finishing work in January and am happy to take on the ideas of others. I might chip in, if I think I've got the hang of things but do feel free to correct me if I have the wrong end of things

I am hoping that you don't mind me joining in as well. I have been retired for 8 years now. We live simply rather than frugally - we both worked for the NHS and have decent pensions. However, old habits die hard, we have always been committed to living simply (NHS salaries aren't that good!). We are now grateful that we can use our income to help our children and grandchildren, by paying for swimming lessons and make a regular contribution to their school.
We built our own house on retirement - and had to keep that to a strict budget (no Grand Designs!) which means we are very comfortable.
It is a huge help being able to take advantage of 'off peak'. My regular swimming costs me £15 a month.
We live in in area with good markets and local producers, and make good use of those.

Hi, cuddlymarm. I've been retired for 11years now and can't believe how easy it is - partly thanks to this site! I'm s big fan of vouchers and of Quidco, sales etc.

We go to cinema on the meerkats, then eat on them, too. It used to be using our Tesco vouchers to buy restaurant vouchers. As you can see, I'm a cheap date!

We love travelling, so that's always a focus of saving and spending. Otherwise, most of our leisure time is with U3A and its many activities, so interesting but not costly.

Hi guys
Welcome all of you.
Once Xmas is over I will be doing more batch cooking. There’s no room in the freezer at the moment.
I aim not to buy any makeup, moistures etc until I’ve used up what I’ve got. I’m still working my way through last Christmas gifts and then I’ll start on my birthday stash. Nothing will be thrown away until it is well and truly empty.
Any saving will go to wipe out my credit card debt and then to pay off next years holiday.
We’ve loads of clothes so nothing will be bought until we’ve worn out most of them. Or if they are too big because we are both doing SW and then they will go to the charity shop.
We live simply anyway but have let things slip recently. Christmas has been more expensive than I would have liked but next year is going to be less so. We’ve cut down on the food this year, next year we’ll cut down on all the extra stocking filler bits. It’s very difficult though because old habits die hard.
Anyway I better get on
TTFN
Cuddles

I'm using up all my odd bits of moistures etc at the moment. I love Clinique and usually buy it in Philadelphia airport on the way home from busting son and family in the USA. But nit been since March so run out last week

I have three of the taster creams left from the Marks treat last year, so one of those at night and an Avon day cream. I must have bought that ages ago when supporting a local woman who'd split with her husband.

OH and I lost a lot weight two years ago, so stocked the charity shops. I'm wearing fine cords at the moment which are pulled in at the waist so much that they look gathered!

I have been retired for six years and just like buildersdaughter am ex NHS . I am due to get my State pension in July so have augmented my pension by selling on Ebay,making cakes for my son`s work and also being a host for theatre professionals.

I love being retired and but definitely feel I have taken `my eye off the ball` with my monthly spending so need to monitor it more closely. I have had a lot of unanticipated costs recently such as the CH etc and definitely ran out of money.

The positives are that I live very near to the town centre and to public transport, have lots of friends and am never bored. It is hard being single not only because I miss being in a relationship and also it is more expensive!

Hi Everyone,
This sounds like a great idea. I will join too if that is okay. I am retiring in July next year, and am planning how to make my money go further then. I would appreciate hearing all the ideas you all have. I love sewing and knitting and I am trying to use up my stash of things before buying anymore. Look forward to sharing ideas!

Hi everyone, just lost my post as the internet went down before I finished it!! Anyway I would like to follow. Retired a few years ago, only have state pension as had low paid jobs and being a single parent couldn't afford a private one, but I managed to buy my own house that was paid off before I retired and I manage pretty well (theres still only me) but I would like to do more things eg travel a bit more in this country and perhaps abroad if there was a chance, so I will follow and see if I can pick up a few tips.
Nannyg

i'd like to join as well. My dh will semi-retire this year (or so he says...i'll believe it when I see it) and I must learn to live on less. HE is ok with us spending from our retirement savings but I am not.

Good morning guys
Hope you are all happy and ready for tomorrow’s festivities.
I resisted the urge to buy more mince pies yesterday, we’ve still two boxes left and lots of other yummy stuff. Also we are going to youngest sons for Xmas and Boxing Day this afternoon when I finish work and he will also have bought some. So I didn’t spend a penny yesterday and that’s my aim for the rest of the week.
Yesterday was soooo busy at work. You would think the shops were shut for weeks rather than a few hours 😱😱 and it’s probably going to be as bad today. But after that I’m off and ready to eat, drink and laze about 😃🎄😃
Well I better go get ready
Have a wonderful day tomorrow guys
Merry Christmas
Cuddles

January will see me and DH attempt to live on one state pension and two tiny occupational pensions. The second state pension, mine, is still more than 5 years away.

So I'm really interested in how this thread will develop!

Meanwhile, merry Christmas and peaceful New Year to all.

Hi, I'd like to join as well. I retired with very little notice 3 years ago aged 60. I have two small pensions and supplement this from my savings till I get my state pension in October 2021. With the support of MSE I paid off my mortgage (ex LA house) 8 years early which then allowed me to future proof my home and have savings.

I divorced when my children were only small so I have complete control and responsibility for all spending and savings. Although my spending budget made in 2015 is going to plan I still feel really uncomfortable dipping into my savings each month.

This year has been a tough year for me and I feel I have lost my way a bit. My interests are sewing, knitting, quilting, baking, cooking, walking, going to the cinema and travelling. I love being retired and having the time to spend on all my activities.

My goal for next year is to get my mojo back while spending less xx