Back to basics.

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