save it : Most liked Posts

Sold a cardigan I regretted buying at a £50 loss on Vinted. Lesson learned there!!!

Also putting together a pile of stuff for the charity shop including books I won’t ever read etc. have also cleared out some visual clutter from the kitchen and bathroom- I swear that getting rid of stuff is more enjoyable than buying these days! I just feel so much lighter.

I've opted out of secret Santa and work Christmas lunches for a few years now. And honestly feel so much better for it. Hated receiving a load of uninspired crap that I don't really like (and then the pressure of having to buy something for somebody I don't know that well). And paying to eat a rubbish Christmas lunch with people I don't have much in common with. Until a few years ago I went along with it so that I didn't look like a miserable cow. Then just thought 'stuff this ', and stopped. I wasn't enjoying any of it, so decided to keep the money.

Just Eat & Amazon are starting to notice my absence! Progress.

Love this idea! I'm far too easily influenced wethwr it be a hair/face/body product, clothing... footwear is my biggest downfall! 🫠 I also read somewhere to wait 48 hours before purchasing and if your still thinking of it after this time, treat yourself!

Hi all. Just checking in to this lovely friendly thread. I'm doing ok. I have certainly cut down massively on impulse spending. I have lots of no spend days now. I live alone so it's much easier for me having more control of a budget even if on the low side. I'm just so grateful to have relatively good health that I try to be content with what I have. Managed to buy £50 of premium bonds this month so now at £125. Last month was tough financially. So all in all I'm on track. Best wishes everyone

I want to implement this mind set but I have a vinted account I'm very active on.

Tired of this crap said:

I read a book about saving money once (sorry can’t remember the title) and it talked about how things have increased over time - eg a large popcorn at the cinema used to be 50g and now it’s 100g (no idea on measurements, I’m just saying it as an example!) they also said house square foot has got bigger etc etc. Our expectations have increased in such a short space of time. Celebrities totally reinforce this and I think the example of Elvis’ house really highlights this!

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I think cars are a good example of this. People on average incomes now have huge cars on finance, whereas the average person's car used to be much smaller. People make excuses in their heads as to why they need a big car, like because of the kids/dog etc. But think back a few decades - parents made it work just fine with a smaller car.

I love this thread and I've taken so many notes.
I'm really happy now I think I can actually contribute something!

I got a £50 John Lewis voucher for Christmas, which I could have spent many times over.
But this thread has stopped me - the amount of times I've added something to my basket and thought:"it's free!"
For something I really didn't need
And because of this thread... I've stopped.
I'm going to safe it and use it for something I need, rather than something I want.
And that'll mean a £50 saving!

Thank you everyone for your power and your amazing motivation

I’ve only just found this thread and it’s what I need!! I am a serial spender trying to get better!! I’ve always had good jobs, I get paid well, but I always spend well. If I want something, I buy it, regardless if I need it or not. I’m a terrible hoarder!

I'm nearing 40, and since stopping drinking last year (I’m an alcoholic) I’ve realised how much I buy or do things to fill ‘a non existent hole’ in my life.
I have therapy to help fix me, but I’m now looking to set myself challenges to stop spending!!

I use Vinted for selling now, and my husband is aware of my finances so I can’t hide anything anymore.

I don’t have kids but I do run 2 cars myself. A sensible one and a weekend toy. I’d never be willing to give them up, it’s my hobby, but there are so many changes I can make in my life around that!! I do not need to be on first name terms with the Amazon delivery driver for one After having Prime since day one, I think that might be my first big change 🫣

Christmas gifting is out of control. I actually dislike receiving Christmas presents from people apart from husband. My in-laws still buy for me and quite honestly I would be happier if we just gave it up. Generic items such as scarves, picture frames and pointless Nic naks are just a load of more clutter. There is so much wastage.

My husband once received a big box of cheese making kit. It was made up of a few bowls and some yeast, you had to go out and buy the whey, which was more expensive than cheese anyway. The gift was probably way too expensive for what it was and was just a gimmick. I hate these type of gifts.

It's better to give consumables that you know the recipient likes - wine, beer, chocolate, jams etc

Re: books, am thinking of rejoining the local library. I go for a walk most days past the library so could combine a visit there and get my steps in. Bonus is that I'd save money, as if the book I fancy is no good, I've lost nothing and can return it. I've wasted sooo much money in the past on buying books in the supermarket then end up giving them away to friends or charity shops.

Another day eating from the pantry stock … pasta puttanesca , and another day of walking on the beach without stopping off for a coffee afterwards. I’m finding I’ve got more time to concentrate on myself now I’ve stopped wasting an hour or so a day in cafes.

After the great pantry clear out, I’m starting on the linen cupboard tomorrow. I have a weakness for new bedding and lovely soft throws, but how much bedding can one couple need. Admittedly we have 3 guest rooms, but realistically I don’t need to purchase new sheets every time we have guests.

I got my dividends through from my shares in a bullion company today. More than I was expecting and I’d usually use that to treat myself but I put it straight into my business start-up fund instead. I get my keys in 3 weeks so every penny counts

furbabies said:

You guys have influenced me to be more proactive with my savings. I know I have an old, maybe inactive, ISA account I need to move and I have some building society savings that must have a shocking interest rate.

I'll be hitting up money saving expert after the 6th to move/ consolidate accounts and get my money to work for me!

Out of curiosity, and I appreciate this is a bit rude to ask, but do people having a savings goal and what defines that goal? I feel like I'm saving but I don't know what for. I feel like I have a good safety net if I was made redundant (which isn't going to happen as I've just done the redundancy dance and secured a role (albeit a lower paid role ). So what now?

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Not rude at all, no worries. If people talked more openly about money it would help all sorts of stuff. (A tangential form of money transparency, but my daughter recently asked a male colleague with an equivalent role if he minded letting her know his salary. He didn’t mind at all and as a result hers is now being reviewed considerably upwards. She works for a well known national company which has on the surface committed itself to righting the gender pay gap, and lack of financial transparency is one of the remaining stones under which gender disparity lurks.)

Anyway, back on track: I save because life is weird and saving helps me sleep at night. Savings make the comfiest pillow.

@Catlady1 none of us know what the future holds. If you’re entitled to claim PIP (which is non means tested), then fucking claim it. It won’t be donated to “a good cause” just because you don’t claim. Life is a fucking twat and ready to swipe at us. I planned my life so very carefully and did all the “right things” - at no point did I plan for my immune system eating healthy tissue and leaving me with brain damage (MS). Damned fucking right I claim everything I can.

I have unsubscribed from alerts from companies.

Sales used to be a big deal but they're so regular now that I feel offended if I buy anything at full price!

When I've wanted something I've been adding it to a shopping wishlist on my phone. Now my husband is asking for birthday present ideas I'm going through that list and actually there's nothing I want enough to ask for.

I was able to pay off one of my two credit cards yesterday I have just passed them from interest free to interest free card for yyeeears, but have done the snowball method. £2.5k paid off since Jan

Put it into practice today:

went into a charity shop. Gorgeous wool and cashmere coat for £30. Asked myself “do I want this because it’s a good deal or because I need it? Would I buy it if I saw it in Zara?” Didn’t buy the coat and don’t regret it!

Honestly my dream is to sit on the sofa all Christmas day with a bottle of wine, a posh pizza and slob out watching Christmas telly with my cat. No people. Bliss!

Kittylover2019 said:

4 adults in the house, packed lunches for 3. What should I be spending?!

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There's a wide range but ultimately it comes down to what you can afford and your saving goals.

heretoreaditall2019 said:

Today I went to the dump and thought of this thread - as a caveat we were dumping waste like metal for recycling/old toilets that needed replacing/etc not consumer goods - but was so surprised at how much “nice” stuff I saw? Like not stuff I wanted to fish out for me but perfectly normal Christmas stuff or rugs that could be sat on a shelf in any shop and not look like they’re at the end of life or horrifically antiquated. Also the volume of stuff going to landfill/processing is always quite anxiety inducing too. Maybe a spiritual experience for anyone looking to re-address their relationship with consumption/sustainability, I wonder if there’s YouTube/TikTok content to save you a trip down lol.

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I feel like the insta huns are to blame for excess consumption being normalised. Constantly redoing rooms just for "content".