I saw a Tik Tok yesterday: "four things I stopped spending money on" It made the idea of saving money almost glamorous.
The four things were manicures, coffees, magazines and uber eats.
I was surprised that anyone would bother to put that on Tik Tok. It's not exactly revolutionary, is it?
Or maybe the idea of cutting back on "lifestyle" is unusual to the average Tik Tokker?
I know my readers are of a generation who have different spending habits to todays in-crowd but I thought it might be fun to ask, what are your favourite money saving tips? What would you never buy? what are your guilty pleasures?
Tell me your thoughts?
I only buy one of those things which is manicures. :) Would never not get them because it really is the only thing I spend money on for myself.
ReplyDeleteHi Snoskred!
DeleteI can't care less about manicures but I do buy coffee. I wouldn't buy it on the way to work like so many people do, i buy it if I go out, with a friend, for coffee :)
Why buy $5 coffees when work has it for free (or my kitchen has it, not free but cheaper)
I don't get manicures, uber eats, coffee, and few magazines. I save money by only buying on sale. I would never do any of those things except the occasional magazine, like once every two months. I would never buy designer clothing or shoes even if I could afford it. I am not sure I have a guilty pleasure. If I think of one, I will come back...lol.
ReplyDeleteI used to love magazines but didn't buy many; the Oscars issue of Who and an occasional recipe mag. These days the free recipe magazine in the supermarket is all I get. The internet brings more royal news and celebrity gossip than I could ever hope to read.
DeleteI have bought expensive clothing, in the days when I could. I think if ther's something I really love and I can afford it, I'll buy it. It's balanced out by buying very few clothes the rest of the time
When you've already cut out extras, it's frustrating to read yet another "10 tips for saving $1000 this year" or such, isn't it? I've been watching YouTube videos on extreme cost-cutting for food, although not so much for the money saved as for the simple recipes. They've inspired me to make soup and I'm enjoying that very much - thick multi-veg soup, simmered for a long time. I'm trying to eat better as my food choices over the past year have not been good.
ReplyDeleteMy guilty pleasure is books, almost all bought used. I cringe at the cost of new books, but occasionally do it anyway. I can't drink coffee or tea which makes it easy to avoid buying them. I would never buy a manicure or pedicure for so many reasons - people touching me, sensitive/ticklish feet, and nail polish makes my nails feel weird, like they aren't getting enough oxygen - strange, I know. If you find any really helpful tips, please do another post!
I think it's funny when someone posts money saving tips for things I never regarded as normal spending.
DeleteI love soup for the way you can just eat tonnes of vegies without feeling like it's tonnes of vegies (and then because it's so healthy, a hunk of garlic bread is completely reasonable)
I did a facebook post along these lines, asking people to post their favourite budget recipe. If it becomes popular, i'll post them here :)
I used to buy books, both real and digital, but renewed my library card and have been only reading their digital offerings. I have several books I am reading and free is so much cheaper than buying.
ReplyDeleteI do not do manicures, coffee regularly (though I will admit I do occasionally get a black coffee from McDonalds for $1.52
We do eat out or take out at least once a week but we budget for it.
I don't have a designer body so there is no reason for me to wear designer clothes.
I do splurge sometimes on odd things (like the trip to the olive oil store) b ut wel really enjoy them.
This covid mess has been great fro my clothing purchases and makeup. I wear the same 5 outfits over and over since I seldom go anywhere, and makeup is a thing of the past except for the few times I go out.
There's nothing wrong with an occasional splurge, life is for living after all!
DeleteI don't read a lot so I could keep myself in books by buying them as gifts and reading them when the recipient finishes (which I do a little bit)
I don't buy any of those things - BUT, I keep meaning to cull some subscription services - one includes newspapers and magazines, and cut out my Lindt chocolate habit - these are the two things that would save me some money.
ReplyDeleteSx
Subscription services can really add up, can't they? life without chocolate doesn't bear thinking about
DeleteMy only indulgence now is books. Either Kindle versions or prints if not available in the former.
ReplyDeleteBooks are worth having, especially when other options for enjoyment are diminishing
DeleteI'm not prone to guilt, so for me it's more a question of unhealthy or extravagant pleasures. So what am I spending less money on? We're eating out less. We never buy ready meals. We only buy printed newspapers on Saturday and Sunday. We don't buy scented candles or pointless knick-knacks. We have no subscription services except Sky. I don't have a smart phone, only a PAYG phone. I never buy designer clothes. And I've never had a manicure!
ReplyDeleteI see candles and soft toys as possibly the most pointless things in the world
DeleteIs chocolate a guilty pleasure? I could never give that up. I used to have manicures now and again, my nails looked so good when someone else did them, and lasted longer. Nowadays I do my own. Like you Kylie I buy coffee only occasionally when I'm out with friends or my daughter. Same with magazines, only buy them occasionally, but not the expensive ones. My friend and I treat ourselved to lunch every now and again, and we love having coffee and cake most Fridays :-)
ReplyDeleteyes, a professional manicure lasts ages. I can see the attraction. Coffee and cake is an essential and so is chocolate :)
DeleteI don't love the way uber eats treats their people but sometimes the convenience is just so irresistable. I do get it sometimes and will continue to but it's not enough to keep them in business
P.S. I've never done Uber eats.
ReplyDeleteOur daughter thinks nothing of spending $5.00 on morning coffee at Starbucks on the way to work.
ReplyDeleteMost people dont but that makes $1200 a year on coffee. I like coffee but I'd prefer a holiday or car repairs....
DeleteMoney saving tips - turn electric lights off when you are not in the room and why use sidelights if they are just for ambience? This switching off habit also, most importantly, helps in the fight against climate change.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would never buy - a big petrol-guzzling car like an SUV or something like that. Too bad for the planet.
Guilty pleasures - driving into the countryside for long walks. I am aware that each time I go, my trusty vehicle Clint burns up precious fossil fuel.
I turn lights off as standard behaviour and while I'm not working a tank of petrol lasts more than a month. At the current price of petrol, that's a very good thing
DeleteMy only expenses are electric, sewer, and water. on the positive side are my old Volkswagen buses, cars and a Meyers Manx. They are positive in that they are appreciating in value. They are also a hoot to drive. Boats and airplanes have also been a plus.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, AZDave!
DeleteWe had a boat for a bit. It was constantly breaking down and costing money. What a nightmare.
I enjoy driving a nice car, my old Peugeot is a pleasure even now
For the longest time my weakness was books, but then I started buying them second-hand and now I'm making do with what I have, which is so many books I probably won't finish them before I'm 100! Never did manicures etc. but my hands don't look great anyway. When I was still working I pretty much took my own breakfast, lunch and drinks every day as I was HORRIFIED at how much first my ex, and then my colleagues would spend on lunches etc. that wasn't even that great. Their choice of course, but I credit that habit with helping me pay off a 17 year mortgage in 7 years.
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt that taking your own lunches would have been instrumental in getting that mortgage paid. The small, regular expenses are so much more than the larger ones less often
DeleteI just don't do manicures, coffees, magazines and uber eats. These are all recreational activities. Do your retail therapy at the Op Shop and Tip Shop. Be proud if your clothes look well worn. See if you can wear them to death. Buy local when you can - where we live there are roadside stalls for veggies and eggs. Cook your own food as much as possible - takeways can get expensive. If you don't love cooking, make extra curries and freeze. Swap favours for food. I've been helping a farmer write letters to ministers etc and he gives me as much meat as we can eat. Invest in an eBike and some good paniers. We save on fuel when we ride the 6km into town to do the shopping a couple of times a week. If you like short hair, buy an electric razor and cut your own hair. It's easy and looks surpisingly good once you get the hang of it.
ReplyDeleteThose are good money saving tips, Michelle. So many things we do are just unnecessary
DeleteWell I spend a fortune on coffees because I meet so many of my friends at The Woodlands because it is convenient for us all. Since Covid we have met at each others' houses again more but that involves a lot more travel. I don't buy magazines (although I have had a subscription to one for well over 20 years and it gets passed on to others so I wouldn't give that up). I've never had an Uber eat and we have no such thing on the Islands anyway. I don't know what I could or would give up if I'm honest. One day I may be forced to take the decision but until then.....
ReplyDeleteI think coffees out are well worth it. They are a small investment of cash and a big investment in relationships. It also takes pressure off people to "host"
Delete