What changes have you made to adapt to recessionary times?

u_c_thesecond · 14-01-2011 01:36AM #1

so seeing a post by someone remembering old times and saying what they have done to adapt to recessionary times i am wondering what you have done to adapt?

I take money of all my bills every week, 10 off gas, 10 off esb, etc, after 2 months thats 80e off each ,and by the time they come in they are usually paid

bought a v cheap house(that needed a bit of work and iv 35 years to do it)

i save for what i want.( Example atm my tvs bust and im using an old portable from 10 years ago that my dad had in the attic. I have money saved away for a rainy day about 1500 but thats for a rainy day, and i do want a nice tv, so im savin 10e a week towards it. I might find a decent tv for about 250 and it will take a few months but ill live)

We used to get the "3 meats for 10e" offer at tesco on a thursday evening, Now We go to tesco on a Monday night and get the reduced meat(that out of date the next day) and we freeze it, and its grand. They had salmon at 80c a packet a month ago and they mormally about 3.99 each. Normally have to fight to get into the aisle but it knocks a good bit off ur shopping

Theres other stuff but want to hear others

orourkeda · 14-01-2011 01:38AM

I have no job. Therefore I am f*cked

Danbo! · 14-01-2011 01:41AM

I stopped going to work as my job no longer exists. I visit my post office a lot more than I used to. I talk about the weather more cos I've **** all else to talk about. I stopped buying quilted bog roll.

EverEvolving · 14-01-2011 01:43AM

Got the landlord to reduce the rent or we would have moved somewhere cheaper.

Rang sky and our broadband provider to cancel and they gave us retention deals (which I knew they would, had no real intention of cancelling, if ever you need sky and broadband it's when your unemployed)

Shop in Lidl, Dunnes, Tesco and Londis to get their best offers, tbh it doesn't cost a lot more per week to eat well and have a few treats.

Gave up the smokes a bit over a week ago and can see the money building up big time, don't feel like drinking either without them so even more money not spent.

stevejr · 14-01-2011 01:46AM

I've just given up...

/heads to PI...

u_c_thesecond · 14-01-2011 01:47AM

EverEvolving wrote: »

Gave up the smokes a bit over a week ago and can see the money building up big time, don't feel like drinking either without them so even more money not spent.

Another thing i forgot to put in, we drink at home now instead of going out. Hmmmm 4e for a cheap bottle of plonk on sale, or 4.00 for 1 glass in a pub

Hmmmmm

ps- well done on giving up the fags

OPENROAD · 14-01-2011 01:48AM

Shop around supermarkets for best offers.

Shop more regularly for fresh food items thereby cutting down on waste

When supermarkets have special offers for household items buy in bulk.

Avoid convenience stores as much as possible.

Buy own brand labels for most things.

Turn off lights in rooms I am not in.

Don't buy Irish newspapers( well haven't done for some years now) way too expensive,

Avoid retail stores as much as possible and buy online instead.

af_thefragile · 14-01-2011 01:51AM

Buy the larger packs because more economical.

Stop buying **** I won't need or might only use once or twice.

Stop eating outside, or atleast not as much as before.

OPENROAD · 14-01-2011 01:52AM

af_thefragile wrote: »

Buy the larger packs because more economical.

.

Not always imo

fletch... · 14-01-2011 02:02AM

Down graded the car (i hate it)
I dont bother with newspapers, news is on internet.
Im a very regular customer at my local garage as i only buy the very minimum amount of petrol, i know exactly how much il use getting to my usual places.
Always awear of what deals are on in shops and offy's.
Sleep with a hat on due to it being cold.

Also i notice i been wearing tracky bottoms alot more often for being lazy around the house, not like me at all.
It is 1am now and ive just woke up, sleeps are way out of synch with thems working peoples

arybvtcw0eolkf · 14-01-2011 02:03AM

Rarely go the pub or eat out anymore.

Keep doors closed and have turned down the heating as a result.

Watch out for off licence offers (including Tescos, Dunnes etc off sales).

Cancelled Sky and switched over to the basic NTL package.

Switched from O2 bill pay to pre-pay and saving a wad.

I've gone back to servicing the car, plus smaller jobs like doing the brakes etc myself.

Thankfully for this year thats about it, but the budget is very tight. A family member owes me a almost a thousand Euro and its killing me and has really caused a bit of hardship I shouldn't have had to deal with.

I've to budget for the increase in my son's college fee's, but if I've to starve he'll get through college as I come from a background where few got the chance of third level education.

Trying to get oversea's again this year, Lebanon or wherever I can get my ass.. Its hard leaving the kids, but its worth a few quid and has to be done. I was oversea's one year when three lads (with families) were killed and swore I'd never serve oversea's for money - but needs must, and I have to go.

I'm lucky, I have a secure job. But my tummy turns when I read here about the guys who are unemployed, or when I see a student has dropped out of Judo because of job losses they can no longer afford to attend.

Sh*t, I'm lucky as hell and really appreciate it.

Hank_Jones · 14-01-2011 02:04AM

I changed my underwear there last week.

I might just do it again next week.

These ones still have a bit of give in them.

af_thefragile · 14-01-2011 02:05AM

OPENROAD wrote: »

Not always imo

I check it if its more economical first. Usually it is.
Also you get offers like buy 2 get 1 free on large coke bottles and such.

Senna · 14-01-2011 02:08AM

I've stopped taxing my car and I not going to pay the TV licence ever again

af_thefragile · 14-01-2011 02:09AM

Senna wrote: »

I've stopped taxing my car and I not going to pay the TV licence ever again

Is this something you'ld want to say on the internet?

Unless of course you dumped your car and TV...

Senna · 14-01-2011 02:11AM

af_thefragile wrote: »

Is this something you'ld want to say on the internet?

Your edit confused me, now i'm confused, thanks

namelessguy · 14-01-2011 02:13AM

Stopped getting the bus to work and started cycling. Saving of €16 a week.*

*Once the annual commuter ticket expires and the bike is paid off

fletch... · 14-01-2011 02:13AM

af_thefragile wrote: »

I check it if its more economical first. Usually it is.
Also you get offers like buy 2 get 1 free on large coke bottles and such.

or a big box of 240 lyons teabags for 6e, 2 giant bags of dorito's for 3e. The local shops home made bread rules over all other bread.
Also a big pot of stew can feed a family and lasts longer.

dear god, i remember when i was younger and had not a care in the world, now im posting things like this :mad:

OPENROAD · 14-01-2011 02:14AM

af_thefragile wrote: »

I check it if its more economical first. Usually it is.
Also you get offers like buy 2 get 1 free on large coke bottles and such.

Thats the thing to do.

What I have noticed on two items I buy, Kitchen Towels 8pk, cheaper to buy 4pks of two.

Locozade Sport pack of four is 4.14 or you can buy them individually for 1 Euro.

ascanbe · 14-01-2011 02:15AM

Light my cigars with matches now rather than $100 bills.

Banjaxed82 · 14-01-2011 02:21AM

Down to my last pair of jeans and the bollix is about to fall out of them. Also, gave up wearing glasses after the last time I sat on them. That was 3 months ago. If the headaches continue I'll have the swipe some money from somewhere :mad:

Senna · 14-01-2011 02:35AM

Banjaxed82 wrote: »

Down to my last pair of jeans and the bollix is about to fall out of them. Also, gave up wearing glasses after the last time I sat on them. That was 3 months ago. If the headaches continue I'll have the swipe some money from somewhere :mad:

Go into a hotel and tell them you lost your glasses here last weekend, they always have a few pairs lying behind reception. Keep going to different hotels until one of them hands you a pair that suits your eyesight.

af_thefragile · 14-01-2011 02:41AM

I also have pretty much stopped buying clothes.

I have about 3 pairs of jeans a good amount of shirts/t-shirts, a couple of warm jackets for winter, few hoodies and so I really don't need to buy any more clothes than I've already got. I've got more than enough.

I don't get it why (especially women) have to go and buy new clothes every few months. And when people go on a mad shopping spree every time there is a sale. Like how many clothes does a person need! People, learn to resist the temptation!

Br4tPr1nc3 · 14-01-2011 02:45AM

i decided to get myself a job.

sherdydan · 14-01-2011 02:48AM

Thatcher Puny Stalker wrote: »

Rarely go the pub or eat out anymore.

Keep doors closed and have turned down the heating as a result.

Watch out for off licence offers (including Tescos, Dunnes etc off sales).

Cancelled Sky and switched over to the basic NTL package.

Switched from O2 bill pay to pre-pay and saving a wad.

I've gone back to servicing the car, plus smaller jobs like doing the brakes etc myself.

Thankfully for this year thats about it, but the budget is very tight. A family member owes me a almost a thousand Euro and its killing me and has really caused a bit of hardship I shouldn't have had to deal with.

I've to budget for the increase in my son's college fee's, but if I've to starve he'll get through college as I come from a background where few got the chance of third level education.

Trying to get oversea's again this year, Lebanon or wherever I can get my ass.. Its hard leaving the kids, but its worth a few quid and has to be done. I was oversea's one year when three lads (with families) were killed and swore I'd never serve oversea's for money - but needs must, and I have to go.

I'm lucky, I have a secure job. But my tummy turns when I read here about the guys who are unemployed, or when I see a student has dropped out of Judo because of job losses they can no longer afford to attend.

Sh*t, I'm lucky as hell and really appreciate it.

This is the type of story I like hearing, it annoys me endlessly when people just give out about whats going on and make out that there life is terrible. I know so many people who "cant get a job" but when i suggest a vacancy somewhere i get "I dont want to work there" as a response.

good man Thatcher Puny Stalker, and hell weve had times like this before in this country, theyl be over in probably not as long as people think!

edit: just re-read that there and i sound a little condescending.... I didnt mean to, honest!!!

whatdoicare · 14-01-2011 02:51AM

Got rid of one car - sharing the remaining car now.
Always shopped in Aldi, Asian stores and Pennies, so no difference there.
But 3 for 10 meats in Tesco and freeze most of it.
Sharing one mobile - the other half only uses his to answer calls now.
Never go out anymore - drink at home, if at all.
Use the washing machine at night (cheaper)
Getting free view channels in instead of sky.
Don't go to the cinema anymore, wait till it comes out on DVD.
Got rid of the land line and broadband - pay as you go dongle thingy now.
Um...can't think of anymore...I'm sure there's more....

Firefox11 · 14-01-2011 02:52AM

I've decided to clean the house more often??

Mackman · 14-01-2011 02:58AM

af_thefragile wrote: »

Stop eating outside, or atleast not as much as before.

Dont you get cold?

Millicent · 14-01-2011 02:58AM

Nothing. Was skint before the recession and still skint now!

scientific1982 · 14-01-2011 06:01AM

Millicent wrote: »

Nothing. Was skint before the recession and still skint now!

Same as myself. The fabled celtic tiger did not visit me.

mud · 14-01-2011 06:25AM

I sleep all day, so don't spend any money. Don't go to the pub/clubs. Don't have people over for dinner anymore.

This will have to change when I go back to college at the end of the month. Dreading that as it's a 50 mile round trip 5 days a week. That's a lot of petrol. Don't bring any money with me, if I have to stay late for any reason I just go hungry until I get home.

Ah well, it will be worth it when I have the degree, students are meant to live in poverty!

What changes have you made to adapt to recessionary times?

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