I have no money!

apsalar

Like the title says...well, after being cleaned out with school costs for the offspring, car bills, repayments to loans, a few special occasion bills over the summer not to mention the usual stuff, I'm clean out! There's food in the fridge, I have all I need, but spotted an ad in a local beautician's for gel nails at 20 euro and just HAD to have my nails done...only, I'm broke!

What cuts on personal spending have you other ladies had to make?/ how do you provide special treats for yourselves on a budget? I haven't always had a lot of money due to various issues/ school. a few difficult situations, but I always try to have a little something just me myself every now and then. It could be 5 euro on a pair of tights, or 100 for a gorgeous pair of shoes. Except I haven't been able to really be nice to myself bar the odd soak in the tub the last few months.

But lack of cash has actually paid off for me in other ways. Over the last two years I've learnt to do my own hair (and I get complimented-yay:p), I've become a sales hound, started baking bread and cakes at home again - something I haven't done since I was 16! and I've found youtube invaluable for personal grooming on the cheap i.e., diy. I've found lots of treats in Charity shops, be they clothing books or just general junk (I'm a magpie) and best of all I've lost a lot of insecurity over my appearance as I have learnt to work with what I have esp. how I dress as I now take more care in what I buy.

Anyone else finding new and interesting ways to love themselves?:)

baby and crumble

apsalar wrote:

Anyone else finding new and interesting ways to love themselves?

Alriiiiiiiiiiiight...

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Back on topic though... I'm a student, and have been FOREVER (:mad:) so I've never REALLY had that much money, so tbh in some ways the recession is actually good for me since things are coming down in price and its socially acceptable to say "Sorry, I can't afford it"!

I've come to realise that my real indulgence is going to the cinema, so I got myself the Cineworld Unlimited card (19.99 for as many movies as I can fit in a month? Yes please!). I also have been mending and patching jeans etc, and figuring out ways to dress up outfits with what I already have, or jazzing things up with new scarves for 1.50...

Also rediscovering the joys of a good old fashioned bar of soap, especially Pears- smells divine and it lasts forever. That and making presents for people at birthdays or christmas. Much more fun than a mad dash in the shops and they do mean so much more.

Scarinae

I gave up highlighting my hair last year because it was just too damn expensive to keep up. Considering that there have been some weeks I can barely afford food, hair didn't seem like a top priority! I thought it looked like absolute shít though and felt depressed every time I looked in a mirror seeing my natural colour - I'd been dyeing it for ten years, I started when I was 13, so it had been a long time! However, we had a party for my Dad's 60th at the end of July and my Mum paid for me to have the highlights redone as an early birthday present (I knew the photos would be popping up for years, and didn't want reminders of my crappy hair forever)
Much to my puzzlement though, only two or three people have even noticed that I have had highlights put back in. Two of my flatmates haven't even noticed. I guess my natural hair wasn't as dark as I thought it was?

Blush_01

My big treat to myself is petrol for the car. I haven't taken a holiday pretty much ever, I very rarely buy clothes and when I do I never pay full price for them, I get my hair cut roughly 4 times a year, I dye it myself, and I actually feel like a sieve where money is concerned. I don't drink anymore, I don't eat out anymore, I very rarely go to the cinema... but I've gotten involved in a local group for 17-35s and I've joined the gym. I have this week off, so I'm at home with my family. I don't have money for material things, but I have time which is much more valuable - it's not about how I spend my cash (I've never really had much to spend), it's all about how I spend my time.

Maple

My new bargainous delight is Tesco's Cocoa Butter. It's approximately 3 euro for a 400ml bottle, it smells lovely and my skin has never been smoother.

Jenroche

Due to all my bills going through at once I often find myself without money one week out of every month so I've learn to cut corners and make sure I've gotten food in the week before the bills hit. Cost-saving measures include:

Saving petrol by walking the child to and from school.
Colouring my own hair.
Doing my own nails.
Buying clothes from ebay and on occasion, from charity shops.
Revamping outfits with new accessories. Even changing the buttons on a jacket can give it new life and make people think you have something new.
Going out less, drinking less.
If you have a local beauticians, butchers, etc that have a text/mailing list sign up to be notified of any special offers they have.

Jen ;->

I don't really get that much money, either. What with a €4000 loan only halfway paid, college expenses and the bit I give my parents from each payslip there isn't much left for myself. Though over the past couple of months I've started popping a percentage of my remaining pay into my Paypal and letting it build up. It's not much, but it helps me expand my Pokemon collection little by little!

Catari Jaguar

I'm saving up for a mortgage and a wedding. Also just had to pay registration costs for going back to college. Not much cash to splash atm. I've got a Cineworld unlimited card too, I drink at home before I go out, most of my clothes are from Penneys, I dye my own hair now - and I have it black under, plum all over with a purple streak. You'd never think it was a home job.

I'm trying to lose weight so I cook from scratch (lots of fruit & veg) and don't get rolls or anything in Londis on the way home. I've stopped eating out so much & ordering pizzas. I use the Dublin Bikes (free!) instead of getting a bus to work. Saving money and losing weight and toning up! Whoop!

apsalar

You know, reading over replies here I'm thinking hey, you know what, there are plenty of ways to save money and still feel good that don't need lack of cash to figure out. I don't drink so have never spent much that way but I will admit to an embarrassing weakness for shoes that seems to be slowly fading. I only got two pairs of shoes this summer. A pair of 3 euro flip-flops and a pair of runners from lidl.

The best thing of all is really re-discovering some talents. My son's lunchbox is all the better for the baking I now do and I've cut down on bread as well...although substituting with cupcakes and biscuits is probably not good....I like the fact that I can look after my own hair properly as well. Youtube has really been a god-send.

maple wrote: »

My new bargainous delight is Tesco's Cocoa Butter. It's approximately 3 euro for a 400ml bottle, it smells lovely and my skin has never been smoother.

I tried it but it makes my skin feel dry after a few hours. A friend told me about Olive oil and that's what I use now instead. I like the smell and it feels pretty god too. If I have to condition my hair I'll use that as well. Overnight in clingfilm with a cap then washed out in the morning.

apsalar

apsalar wrote: »

Olive oil and that's what I use now instead. I like the smell and it feels pretty god too. If I have to condition my hair I'll use that as well. Overnight in clingfilm with a cap then washed out in the morning.

Yep, that's a really good one. Must do it again soon

jokettle

I discovered shopping in charity shops (bit behind the masses, I know!) and I buy lots more in Penneys. This is also related to the fact that Topshop etc seem to have really awful clothes at the minute but Penneys is more my style!

I'm trying out the healthy living as well so very little alcohol is bought, and I bring in lunches from home. I got a bit of a start when I realised that buying lunch in the SU every day was costing me €100 per month, while food in the fridge was rotting away!

Maple

jokettle wrote: »

I bring in lunches from home. I got a bit of a start when I realised that buying lunch in the SU every day was costing me €100 per month, while food in the fridge was rotting away!

I've started doing this as well, I feel much healthier for it too as well as noticing the difference in my spending.

Have also given up coffee, nuts to think I'd actually spend about 6 euro if not more a day on the stuff. Am drinking hot water with lemon, it's lovely and refreshing.

Dinkie

I tend to have a budget for the week. If I have extra over at the end of the week, I put it into a jar. It can often mean a new pair of shoes every couple months, etc, or some new make up.

I bought a cafetiere and travel mug and now try and make my own coffee (work does good coffee also, so take some of that on the way home). Started saving money doing this after only a week.

Starting shopping in Lidl and Aldi (super 6 vege). Save most money this way.

Finally bought tupperware and starting making double and freezing. I was buying food every second day! And food was going off as I was feeling like something different. Now there is always something in the freezer.

This is in addition to ensuring emmersion is switched off, not turning on the heat as much, not using the oven as much (use the microwave) and other general household savings.

At times I feel like a scrooge in relation to my friends.... but a lot of them seem to live way beyond their means! I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't have a handle on my money.... and as like many single people with a mortgage I don't have anyone else to depend on if anything goes wrong...

Truley

I do all of my shopping in Lidl, not only because it's cheaper but I actually prefer their food.

Started going up north (only an hour away) to get my hair done. You can get a dry cut for less than €9.

Never buy clothes now, and when I do it's simple, untrendy but good quality clothes that will last. I don't 'browse' around clothes shops like I used to, so I'm avoiding temptation.

I grow my own organic veg, so that cuts down on shopping costs.

I never go to nightclubs anymore, have more nights in with my friends, a bottle of wine and a takeaway. I actually prefer this!

For daytime entertainment I either go surfing, skateboarding, gardening or do some knitting or sewing, all of which are free of charge.

Cycle everywhere, always have

If I had a proper chest freezer I could save much much more by freezing food. Right now I only have a little ice box compartment in my fridge which is rubbish.

apsalar

Truley wrote: »

I do all of my shopping in Lidl, not only because it's cheaper but I actually prefer their food.

I've ALWAYS done my shopping in Lidl! At least from 2004 anyway. Get meat from Dunnes and specialist groceries like spices from Tesco but the majority has been from Lidl. Cheap, good quality and their specials are great.


I grow my own organic veg, so that cuts down on shopping costs.

I'm jealous! You can't beat the taste of fresh veg...


If I had a proper chest freezer I could save much much more by freezing food. Right now I only have a little ice box compartment in my fridge which is rubbish.

This...please! I would love to get one as well and pop milk/ bread/ meat etc in. Our fridge is tiny!