Awww Yeeaaahhh!
Thursday 28th August, 2008 - £7,977.79 in debt…
I was reading this post today - Dan’s take on a recent YouGov poll about the luxuries we’re denying ourselves during the credit crunch - and it got me thinking. What have I been denying myself since I started repaying my debt? And what could I still cut back on?
The top five luxuries I no longer enjoy:
1. Sky Sports and Movies
These were among the first things to go, saving me about £10 a month. I regretted it as soon as the tennis season started to get busy, but haven’t re-subscribed. Yet.
2. New music
Number three on the YouGov list was CDs, but this is a bit more specific. When I was spending with reckless abandon, I would buy albums I’d only heard snippets of by artists I wasn’t quite sure about. That’s what most people do, right? Now I’m only buying music I know I’ll like, or nothing at all. Or getting free CDs with right-wing publications.
3. Biscuits
Not only has the Viennese Whirl addiction been knocked on the head, but I’m cutting out biscuits and cakes almost entirely. Luckily, the boyfriend’s parents normally have a reasonable stash. Not that that’s the reason we visit so often. Honest.
4. Heating
Yes, I’m one of those people that are always moaning about being too cold. Sorry, but it’s chilly in here. My switch to E.ON’s capped tariff won’t save me any money yet, so I’ve been piling the jumpers on. I might have to buy more jumpers.
5. Free time
Every spare minute is time I could be using to earn money, so free time has become a luxury I can’t afford. But I’m lucky to have the kind of job and lifestyle that allows me to earn a lot when I need to, so I suppose I can’t complain. Although I already have complained, quite a lot.
According to the aforementioned survey, I could also save money on:
1. Branded food
I’m already cutting down on this and getting more own-brand stuff, but it’s something of a lottery: Tesco Value chocolate digestives are amazing. Tesco Value pasta sauce can be made at home with a can of chopped tomatoes, a scoop of aspartame and an unshakeable sense of foreboding.
2. Uncut bread
I only get this as a treat, and I know it’s wrong, but it smells so nice.
3. Nail polish
I probably have enough nail polish to be getting on with. Next time I’m after a new look I’ll try pink and orange stripes.
4. Fabric conditioner
This also smells nice, but I suppose I can do without it.
5. Wine
Not in a million years.
Why Footballers Are Absolute Bankers
Tescos own Malted Milks are amazing Olivia, out of this world.
Don’t you find it’s the own brand corn flakes, coca cola and tomato ketchup that invariably let the side down though?
I beg to differ!
Asda’s own brand diet coke is WAY better than regular Diet Coke…
Although the packaging, and advertising is no where near as sexy as Diet Coke!
Luckily, I’ve never tried own-brand ketchup, but I can’t imagine it tastes any worse than any other type of ketchup.
You’re right about cornflakes of course, but I’ve recently tried Sainsbury’s Basics Fruit ‘n’ Fibre and it’s incredible. And I’ll have to give that Asda diet coke a whirl, although I usually prefer full-fat coke with added fat and sugar.
[…] a bit of a girly girl, one who appreciates life’s little luxuries, having to cut back on things like buying expensive shampoo, making withdrawals from cash machines […]
No more Lloreal Elvive silky smooth for me, not at £3 a bottle anyway!!
Asda do their own brand, in a suspiciously similar pink bottle however… At only £1.29 a bottle, it’s less than half price, meaning I can get the matching conditioner as well!! Bargin!!
And definitly try the diet Coke Olivia, it is lush!!
Cash-strapped chocoholics can now indulge in a new luxury treat - the “Credit Crunch”.
The range of chocolates, priced at £3.99 for a 150g bag, has hit the shelves at Selfridges department stores.
It has been launched to tempt shoppers looking for comfort food amid a diet of news dominated by economic woe. The combination of Valrhona chocolate and honeycomb pieces has been created for Selfridges by The Chocolate Society and food writer Laura Santini.
[…] was only moaning a couple of months ago that my poverty means I’m not buying new music any more - just […]
[…] Recent public urls tagged “debt” → Cutting Back - Olivia Buck Needs Debt Help - Day 120 […]