Good morning. I had this video in drafts, I store them up to maybe pull out later and use them in a post. This blog started out as a money saving, living within your means blog. I documented my money in and money out, because I was skint and about to finish work and move onto a state pension. Hence the name Meanqueen was born.
Now I am in a better place because of all my years of being frugally astute. If you can save a few pennies every time you shop, they add up into £'s. People laughed at me for being so tight. Why bother they said, it's only 10p.
I hung around in Tesco at 7pm waiting for the reduced trolley to be wheeled out onto the shop floor. I joined in the scrum with the rest of them to grab my share of what was available. A full load for less than a tenner. I lived on last date food for a long time.
I was frugal with my gas and electricity usage. Only switched it on when it was needed. Make a meal for less than £1 in one pan. For three years I had no central heating, couldn't afford to get it fixed. Put lots of clothes on first to keep warm. Always on the look out for money saving tips. Buying and wearing second hand clothes. All tips that my mother taught me. Thank you mum.
I can allow myself a few treats now. I can afford to spend money on a decent car, new clutch a few months ago, and keep three cats, vets fees and food. I had an old garage taken down at a cost of £1,000. I had a new roof on the house, saved up for it, paid £7,000 cash.
I have been debt free for 13 years now, when I paid off the mortgage. But, old habits die hard, I am still careful with my spending.
I watch money saving videos, because it's wise not to think it's all over. The high cost of living will not suddenly go away, it will carry on creeping up. To keep on top of things I don't take my eye off the ball. Always looking for new ways of becoming even more tight.
I was on Rip off Britain. I believe that programme is still going. Not sure because I don't have a tele. That's a hundred and something £'s saved a year because I don't have a licence.
Now is the time to be more vigilant as the Government tries to force everyone onto Central Bank Digital Currency. There are so many scams out there. I keep my banking simple. One account, paper statement once a month, two direct debits a month, pay everything I can with cash.
Try this video as a reminder that it's still important to watch the pennies.
Thanks for popping in. Have a good, cheap, weekend. Toodle pip. ilona
I've read your blog for many years although I don't often comment. It was all the frugal content that caught my attention. I follow so many of your money saving tips and am much more frugal. I also like things simple too and am not a fan of online banking etc and always use cash where I can. Nick
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you Nick. It astounds me that people think doing all their banking online, with apps, and paying for things with a phone, is a better option. I have been stuck behind people in a supermarket queue when someone has to step aside at the till to transfer money from one account to another so they can pay their bill. Or while they search for the right card in their wallet. I watched a woman select three pictures that she wanted to buy at an Art Fair. The artist couldn't take her card payment. I stepped in and paid the £20 with cash. I hope she learnt her lesson. Always carry cash. What could be more simple than that.
DeleteI do carry some cash, just in case, but pay for everything I can via my watch. my watch has my credit cards stored in it, even my Tesco club card. I can happily go I go Tesco, use my watch to release a scanner, scan as I shop and then pay with my watch when I leave. much quicker, more efficient and more secure than carrying cash.
DeleteMy husband enjoys doing car boot sales and he often has people ask if he will take a card payment. More often than not they walk away when he says no. Crazy!
DeleteTracy, some people are stupid. Car boot sales are for people who want to move on some of their possessions when de cluttering. Fancy thinking that a bloke selling stuff is going to have a card machine.
DeleteIlona you rock! You always gave us fantastic coffee chats about saving our pennies spending wisely more important than ever now with the costs of food petrol etc so high.i remember the first time I saw you it was many years ago you were talking about how much money people spend and waste at Christmas.I remember thinking this lady Ilona she is awsome she's so frugal and quirky and upbeat about life.you have not changed at all you still make us laugh and you still bring up important topics that are so relevant now.im glad you have been carefull and clever so you don't have to worry if a big bill comes in .I think everyone should do the same be very carefull what you spend on and save for a rainy day fundxx
ReplyDeleteHi Jo. Money saving works best for people who are not sheep. Buying Christmas presents is a guilt trip. People want to impress their friends and family by giving the biggest and best present, even if they can't afford it. They worry about what people might think if they haven't bought anything. I don't feel guilty when I tell people I am cancelling Christmas. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteFrom time to time I still go back and watch your earliest videos and advice about thriftiness, spending and saving. They are a timeless reminder to me of what is important information to keep in mind what with the fluctuating, and scary, expensive times we live in. Thank you, Ilona, for being such a practical and realistic teacher and advocate all through these years. You are appreciated very much. All the best...Margaret in Canada.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret. It's very easy to slip back into bad spending habits when you are distracted and thinking of other things. Some people are easily led so if they have friends who are constantly going out and having a good time it's only natural to want to join them. It takes a strong personality to say no thanks, I can't afford it.
DeleteI have been following your blog and YouTube channel for many years. You are such a very strong woman with great story telling abilities. Your frugal ideas have shown everyone can do it, you just need a plan and stick to it. You are very much a woman who stands strongly on your morals. You have definitely inspired me. Take care mother!!!! Keep on leading 😊😊
ReplyDeleteThank you Tammy. I am chuffed. Think small when it comes to money saving. A few pennies saved here and there, mounts up over a long period of time. The problem is that people want instant gratification and aren't prepared to save up and wait before they buy something. Like my mum said, if you haven't got the money to pay for it, you can't have it.
DeleteOne thing I have done to cut costs in recent years is to replace my own watch batteries. A lot of watches have a flip off back. I paid less than £3.65 on eBay for a prying tool which makes removal easy. Choose the one with the cupped end on it, the ones that look like knives are harder to use. Other tools are available cheaply for a screw back. The battery you are charged sometimes £10 to replace sells for about £1.70 and once the back is off, replacement is easy. All the know-how is on YouTube. H
ReplyDeleteThat's a good tip to know. Thank you.
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