Category: Frugality

2022 Personal Review – Mr Way

On By Mr WayIn Caribbean Adventure, Finances, FIRE, Frugality, Mental Health, Minimalism, Travel4 Comments

It’s time for my 2022 Personal Review – what a year it has been! 

First and foremost, Happy New Year to you all! Hopefully 2023 brings you health, happiness and prosperity.

My 2021 review promised that the blog would become a priority for us again. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened yet, due to the chaos of setting up our new lives in the Caribbean! Fingers crossed 2023 sees us finally find the time. 

Leaving It All Behind 

The start of 2022 saw us unravelling the lives we had built in the UK. I had lived in the same place for nearly 14 years. We owned our home and had lots of commitments, both personal and professional. We also had lots of belongings! 

Selling our house was a huge undertaking, but a very interesting process to go through for the first time. Alongside selling the property itself, we also got rid of most of our belongings. As someone who had been wanting to live a more minimalist life, having to fit everything you own into suitcases is quite a strong motivation to get on with it! 

We didn’t quite manage to achieve the goal, because we’ve left a lot of sentimental belongings at parents’ houses. Nevertheless, the process has been very freeing and is something we’ll try hard not to go back on without good reason.  

As well as the physical ‘stuff’, we also had a lot of loose ends to tie up. I was the Chairman of my local tennis club, which was upsetting to leave behind. However, I hadn’t been able to play for a while due to a long-term injury, which made the decision easier in the end.  

I was at the point where I really hated my old job so going into 2022, I was VERY happy to be leaving that aspect of my old life behind.  

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How Much Does a Baby Cost?

On By A Way to LessIn Baby Way, Finances, Frugality, Optimisation1 Comment

6 Months In 

How much does a baby cost if you’re frugal? It’s really easy to spend a fortune, but we found it hard to find examples of those who are more careful with their money. 

The Big Issue 

Money can be up there with the biggest worries for new parents. Baby costs are often cited as a reason why couples decide not to have children.  

This is understandable considering the commercialisation of anything baby-related. There are endless gadgets and fashion statements out there for new parents. Clever marketing teams are tasked with guilt-tripping you into buying their products. You’re led to believe that if you don’t buy the latest gadgets your baby will be left behind! 

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Frugal Food – Grow Your Own

On By Miss WayIn Coronavirus, Frugality, Optimisation2 Comments

Our Coronavirus Journey – Part 3

There has never been a better time to begin simulating The Good Life and ‘grow your own’!

The current Coronavirus lockdown has given us all the opportunity to spend more time in our gardens. We’re using this time to rediscover our green fingers!

With many supermarkets low on lots of fruit and veg, having your own supply has become more important than ever.

All you need is some decent compost that is not at an exorbitant price! We found B&Q particularly useful as they’re offering a very efficient collection service, with social distancing thrown in!

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Reusable Nappies

On By A Way to LessIn Baby Way, Finances, Frugality, Optimisation2 Comments

We recently made our first large baby purchase, buying a bedside cot from Aldi! Shortly after that, the opportunity arose to buy some second hand reusable nappies. In this article we’ll explain why we decided to go down the frugal reusable nappies route and the potential benefits it can bring.

Preparations

As we continue to prepare for the arrival of Baby Way, we’re thinking about what we will need to buy. Our intention is to continue to live as minimalist a life as possible.

As new parents, there is severe pressure from advertisers to buy all sorts of gadgets for your baby, playing on your vulnerability and willingness to provide the best start for them.

We’re convinced most of the conventional baby purchases are unnecessary and we’ll continue to question these decisions at every stage.

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Baby Way

On By A Way to LessIn Baby Way, Finances, FIRE, Frugality12 Comments

We’re Having a Baby!

You’ve met Mr Way. You’ve met Miss Way. Say hello to Baby Way! Well, not just yet….

If the incredibly expensive Africa trip followed by a new car weren’t expensive enough, we’re now expecting our first child!

We recently found out that Miss Way is pregnant, with the baby due in July 2020.

Obviously, we’re absolutely delighted with this news. But at the same time, there are some severe doubts about whether we’re doing the right thing.

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How to Buy a Car – The Frugal Way!

On By A Way to LessIn Finances, Frugality, Optimisation3 Comments

Intro – Miss Way 

I had been avoiding the fact that my car was on its last legs for far too long.  It had done a respectable 165,000 miles!  

A couple of weeks ago I accepted it was no longer safe to drive and the repair costs far outweighed the value of the vehicle (£1,000 on repairs for a car only worth £200!) – I needed to buy a new one – and quick!  

I begrudgingly rely on my car for my work. Due to the peripatetic nature of my job, it unfortunately isn’t always possible to cycle to all my work destinations. Over the last month I’ve used the train where possible, but it can be an expensive alternative. Ideally, we would love to be entirely car free, but this is not an option right now. 

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Frugal Tennis Improvement

On By Mr WayIn Finances, Fitness, Frugality, Optimisation4 Comments

As you probably know by now, we’re always looking to optimise in every area of our lives. 

My latest obsession in this regard is with my tennis, as discussed in Tennis Mindset. I’ve decided to push myself to develop to the next level. I really want to compete with players who currently thrash me! I’m determined to be the best I can be.

“Make the most of yourself….for that is all there is of you.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In order to make such a large improvement, my game needs some fairly fundamental changes. This won’t simply happen by playing more regularly – I need to go back to basics and change my technique.

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My ‘Monthly’ Money Saver

On By Miss WayIn Frugality, Optimisation2 Comments

4 Reasons to Switch to a Menstrual Cup! 

Mooncup

Us girls have a lot to put up with once a month. For those lucky few, periods come and go without too much disruption to their lives. Unfortunately, I have never been that lucky. Ever since mine started they have been a monthly ordeal. Either very heavy, very painful, extremely emotional or often all three!! I am sure many women experience similar. 

On top of this, being on your period can be expensive! There are definitely frugal ways of approaching this but often the cheaper sanitary options are a lot less comfortable or effective. Having tried lots of options through the years I have settled very happily on the ‘menstrual cup’. 

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How We Cut Our Food Shopping Bill In Half

On By A Way to LessIn Finances, Frugality, Optimisation1 Comment

Over the last few years we have gone through the process of optimising almost every aspect of our spending. One of the biggest changes has been to our food shopping bill. We managed to cut our bill by more than half! 

Food shopping is one of the biggest items in most people’s budgets. If you can manage to cut this in half like we did, it can have a huge impact on your ability to save more. All of these savings can really add up and help you to retire earlier!  

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