Reduced cost living - share your ideas?

[JtB]

Pre-Covid Mrs JtB and I used to eat out several times a week. Since the situation has eased we have tried eating out only a couple of times and on each occasion we found the food extremely disappointing and expensive. We therefore no longer eat out and ever since I retired at the end of last year I’m enjoying spending more time in the kitchen with Mrs JtB.

 

[Reynard]

Pre-Covid Mrs JtB and I used to eat out several times a week. Since the situation has eased we have tried eating out only a couple of times and on each occasion we found the food extremely disappointing and expensive. We therefore no longer eat out and since I retired at the end of last year I’m now enjoying spending more time in the kitchen with Mrs JtB.

There's something very sybaritic about cooking a gourmet meal at home, and then sitting and eating it in your jimjams...

 

[ColinJ]

There's something very sybaritic about cooking a gourmet meal at home

Ooh, I've picked up a new word!

 

[Brandane]

I was spending £2,000+ a year on alcohol ten years ago.

That's only about £6 per day, or 2 pints per day. About 1½ pints per day at today's prices!
If I was currently drinking at the same rate as I did in my late teens/early 20's; I'd be looking at £10k per year .
Thankfully, that level of "socialising" was left behind a long time ago. I probably visit a pub about once per month now, and it'll cost about £30.

Back on topic, I have cut out visiting M&S food stores quite as often. Cut down driving. Sold my motorbike. Use the heating less. Foreign holidays have also been done away with, but that's more down to covid related restrictions followed up with air travel becoming more of a PITA than it's worth.

 

[Mike_P]

I have cut out visiting M&S food stores quite as often.

The same particularly if I actually have to pay, seem to have a near continual run of gift cards from Christmas, TopCashBack and credit card so actually paying for anything there is rare.

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

I like to think I'm pretty frugal anyway and have struggled recently to cut back even more.
I think its a balance between still enjoying life and being conscientious though.
We like weekends away and are limiting meals out to when we are away as treats.
Now the nice weather is here I'm cycling alot more, not just for work but for errands too saving me alot of diesel.
Heating has been off a while but was replaced with warm pjs and dressing gowns when chilly.
Car insurance has just been paid for the year, saved £60 by shopping around and paying off in one go rather than direct debit, same with house insurance.
On days at work currently so can eat for free usually as long as I'm not too fussy about what I eat.
Yellow sticker items are good for this too again if you're not too fussy.
Considering the balance of enjoying life I've cut back a bit on how much I save too every month, I dont work just to pay bills, I like things and work hard so don't deny myself things all the time.

The main increase for me recently has been the energy bills, almost doubled. Not using central heating anymore but already have led bulbs, turn everything off when not in use, only boil as much in the kettle as I need etc so finding it hard to cut that back anymore.
I'm lucky that I earn enough to support my lifestyle and there is always overtime if needed. I do feel for people really struggling though, got alot of friends who are feeling it right now.

I do find however when speaking to people, especially colleagues, they have no idea how much their monthly bills etc are and often impulse buy or don't budget accordingly.
Work out the stuff you need to pay, then budget accordingly for the rest. Some of the people i know who are currently saying they are struggling have £300 car finance, £50 TV and mobile contracts and never shop around for better deals when things renew which I can never understand.

 

[Kingfisher101]

Well I've started washing down at the local river and sucking on a dishcloth when thirsty instead of turning the tap on. Even though I earn 50K per year I still think I would feel the pinch if I didn't do this. I also go around in rags that are 30 years old and sleep on a hessian mat with an old sack for warmth.

 

[All uphill]

Well I've started washing down at the local river and sucking on a dishcloth when thirsty instead of turning the tap on. Even though I earn 50K per year I still think I would feel the pinch if I didn't do this. I also go around in rags that are 30 years old and sleep on a hessian mat with an old sack for warmth.

You have a dishcloth!

Extravagance.

I use grass to wash (and wipe)

 

[raleighnut]

Yellow sticker items are good for this too again if you're not too fussy.

Yellow sticker produce can still be excellent as long as you buy the right stuff, I'd never buy 'pre-produced' stuff like ready meals but Meat/Fish and Veggies/Fruit are fine as long as they look OK. Sausages/Burgers can be a bit of a minfield unless you're cooking them that day as they're still 'in date' (i've had a few improptu barbies after coming home with a load of em)

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

@raleighnut Yeah I agree and I tend to freeze it on the day of purchase anyway but find most things are still OK a dayish past their date, the good old sniff test is the tester.
Not a huge ready meal fan but got some lasagnes and chicken tikkas for 20p the other week, handy for night shifts and don't taste too offensive, for that price I'm willing to eat them.
My Morrisons local sells lots of pastries and bread items off for 5p after 8pm which often come home with me 😁

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Well I've started washing down at the local river and sucking on a dishcloth when thirsty instead of turning the tap on. Even though I earn 50K per year I still think I would feel the pinch if I didn't do this. I also go around in rags that are 30 years old and sleep on a hessian mat with an old sack for warmth.

Get a better paying job then.

 

[ColinJ]

most things are still OK a dayish past their date, the good old sniff test is the tester.

Unless you are recovering from a Covid-induced loss of your sense of smell!

It took my niece 3 months to be able to smell (or taste) garlic in her cooking again.

 

[Reynard]

Yellow sticker produce can still be excellent as long as you buy the right stuff, I'd never buy 'pre-produced' stuff like ready meals but Meat/Fish and Veggies/Fruit are fine as long as they look OK. Sausages/Burgers can be a bit of a minfield unless you're cooking them that day as they're still 'in date' (i've had a few improptu barbies after coming home with a load of em)

Yep, this.

The vast majority of my YS purchases are meat, fish, fruit & veg.

Rarely buy ready made stuff, as I prefer to make from scratch. Sometimes though, the odd item comes in handy. Especially things like pasties, sausage rolls, pork pies...

 

[Reynard]

Unless you are recovering from a Covid-induced loss of your sense of smell!

It took my niece 3 months to be able to smell (or taste) garlic in her cooking again.

That's Mesdames Poppy and Lexi's job.

If they'll have it, you know it's OK to eat.

 

[Andy in Germany]

That's Mesdames Poppy and Lexi's job.

If they'll have it, you know it's OK to eat.

Isn't it a bit late then?