[Bluey]

There's apparently a movement in the US towards simple and frugal living with lots of hints and tips on thrift, how to make the best of what you've got, how to be happy with what you've got, how to recycle and so on.

It's supposed to be anti-consumer and anti-materialist in scope. It's the type of thing that advocates buying clothes in sales, making your own outfits, making your own gifts and so on.

So has anyone got links they can recommend?

Has anyone tried it, not necessarily out of poverty, but out of principle?

[Mashauk]

There's a Yahoo group, called FrugalGeniusUK, They're really friendly and offer lots of tips and advice on frugal living, very interesting. Hope this helps.

[postie]

You could try this link.

www.imatramp.com

or

www.earn-from-street-bins.co.uk

or www.ebay.com

Nah, seriously... living very frugally, but only through no choice...

[Mashauk]

It's good for the soul (allegedly!). Seriously though, it doesn't hurt (the pocket or the planet) to consume (i.e. buy) less. When I was skint and on the dole I learned how to budget properly, had no choice, and taught myself to cook cheap healthy stuff etc, now I'm working and earning a so-called decent wage I still find it hard not to bargain hunt, and have become somewhat of an expert on being a miser with certain things, but then I still spend on daft things sometimes.

[Bluey]

I spent around £500 on Xmas presents last year which I'd rather not repeat, even if I can afford it, so I'd prefer to make my own gifts this year as a more personal and spirited gesture.

Quite how my family and friends will feel about getting jars of home made Piccalilli and bath salts instead of single malt whisky, Chanel perfume and Amazon vouchers, I don't know, but that's what they will get and it will cost me £50 max.

I already make my own greetings cards - £2 a pop for a decent one in a shop but probably 2o pence each now to make. I enjoy making them and each one is unique.

[Mashauk]

I bet they'll love home made pressies. I did that last year, I made home made Baileys - which was yum and much cheaper (and stronger) than the real thing. I also made "deli baskets" with home marinated olives and feta cheese with herbs from my garden, everyone loved them.

[metalchix]

Exactly! At Xmas last year I made my own wrapping paper out of newspapers and paint. Very eco-friendly and the paint was under £1.

M, like you said about learning to eat cheaply it is actually so easy and do-able but it's about making concious decisions to do so.

[Ellie]

first year I was over here. My house mates and I decorated the lounge room with holly and ivy from the garden and made our own Christmas crackers. We each had to write a joke and saying to go in someone else's cracker and I used an asortment of things from the bathroom as the prizes eg: cotton bud, sticky plaster. We made them out of newspaper. They were the best crackers I've ever had.

[healthy_lemon]

[fourx]

There are a huge number of message boards devoted to a frugal lifestyle, as a quick Google will indicate- aka ""downsizing"".

[Bluey]

Blimey. This isn't a very frugal place - there's been no postings on this thread for a month.

How's a blue water drop going to save money these days?

Any more hints of tips that will appeal to my stingy nature?

[Mashauk]

Online surveys that pay? Set up a throwaway email account, as you will get heaps of spam as a result of doing them, but they pay (a bit) - when I've got nothing to do at work (and therefore am getting paid twice which obviously appeals) I do them, and after a couple of months earned enough to redeem my Boots, Amazon, whatever voucher. Soon adds up!

[Life is for living]

have you tried www.freecycle.co.uk

[clairest]

I try to be Frugal when going to Tesco's etc, but being a Pescatarian i do find it difficult not to return with tasty veggies that are normally organic (not wanting veg that has been in a freezer for a year) same goes with fruit. veg meals etc and tofu and soya cost the earth too. Any hints as to what a wanting to be frugal food lover should do?

[biagotti]

I totally get where your coming from. A friend of mine told me how old some of the vegatables are in supermarkets etc. Put me off... so i also find it hard to find nice cheap food. If i do tho, i'll let you know.

byeeeee

[Voyeur]

I switched from coke to crack

[scarletdevil]

[Peco]

Paul McCartney used to buy his suits from charity shops. I don't know if he still does this, what with him having a daughter who is a fashion designer.

You can find some good quality gear in charity shops, even good label stuff. We all buy new clothes sometimes that we never wear, sometimes we just go off it, or we get it a bit too small or large, and can't be arsed taking it back. If you have any clothes or bric-a-brac, hand the stuff into yer local charity shop. Give someone else the chance of it cheap. I buy all sorts of stuff from charity shops, but I've gave them 20 times as much stuff of my own. It's environmentally friendly, and yer helpin others who might be in need and who have little cash.

I live quite frugally thesedays, due to necessity. I try to save energy by using energy-saving-light-bulbs, but I don't know if it does any good cos I find it just as strenuous switching them on as I did with the old style bulbs. ( kidding, but I do use them.)

I try to eat more fruit now, as snacks, it's good for me, and it means I'm not using fuel to cook it. I also try to buy fruit loose instead of wrapped in plastic, same goes for veg, unless it's frozen.

When I had money to spend frivolously, I liked to buy the latest technology products, .e.g. always getting a better and bigger TV, the latest Hi-fi, and other appliances, but now I make do with what I have.

Remember, we should consume to live.......not live to consume.

[Bluey]

[Bluey]

Or see if it's more economical to order your organic veg and get it delivered to your door by box each week from the companies that offer this service (but not available in all areas). Example

Small Mixed Box of Organic veg: £10

http://www.abel-cole.co.uk/default.aspx?tab=ThisWeek&menu1=ok

Small Deluxe Box of Organic veg: £12:50

http://www.abel-cole.co.uk/default.aspx?tab=ThisWeek&menu1=ok

Mixed Organic Fruit and Veg: £14:80

http://www.abel-cole.co.uk/default.aspx?tab=ThisWeek&menu1=ok

[metalchix]

I admit to frugal living (but only to splurge on other things).

I bring my own lunch to work or when I don't I have a strict £2 a day for lunch rule. I check out the Tesco reduced price section for lunch the next day. There's really nothing wrong with it as they must follow health regulations and wouldn't sell something dodgy.

As for charity shops, you can sometimes find cooler clothes (for cheaper) than some high street stores. Twice annually Traid has a £2 clearance where you can find all sorts of designer brands and wicked shoes. You can usually find books for 50p-£1 or even better, go to the local library for free!

There are so many ways to cut down on unnecessary expences.

[urbanc]

a money saving forum http://forums.peazyshop.co.uk

[imlooking]

yes i am into frugal living if you discount all the jetting around the world and the five mansions being built at the taxpayers expense

[imlooking]

rubbish

[kitty]