British TV viewers will see 47 advertisements a day and then you will hear advertisements on the radio. They do everything they can to convince you that you need something, that you deserve something. Holiday adverts that suggest time on holiday with children is precious when actually any time with children is worthwhile as is time with loved ones. By the time we've watched it all, we could be lead to believe that our skin will fall off without certain moisturisers, our eyes will stop functioning unless we douse them in a fine misty spray, that we need toothpaste that lets us crunch ice cubes and that we need three new sofas from DFS every year (about as long as they last). In fact, we all need tools delivered by the next working day, that a swoosh of light is delivering stuff around the Olympic village and that insurance is better because a rat pisses in your pocket!
I'm going to suggest a very deep cleanse, the fiscal version of a soapy enema! Make the decision that tomorrow is the day you stop accumulating, that you get rid of stuff and you avoid buying. To do this, stop carrying any means of buying any of this. Take a deep breath and stop buying lifestyle magazines, gardening magazines and dare I say craft magazines. You don't need any more fabric until you've used what you have and you've turned the clothes that will never fit you again into quilts, cushion, chair covers and dusters. Take those ridiculous high heels to the charity shop and you are never going to wear that coat again, so take it to the hospice shop. Don't go shopping and that includes banning yourself from online window shopping and the only thing you're advised to do on ebay is sell stuff! You need food, a roof over your head, a few basic essentials and very little else. Stuff does not make us happy; love, friends, family and contentment does.
There is so little that we actually need and so much that we can go without.
Make sure that you come home every day, empty handed!
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx
Good thoughts, Froogs.
ReplyDeleteWhat really bothers me are the ads aimed at children. They are so vulnerable and believe all they see and hear.
Froogs, I don't usually comment, I will have to rectify that! I always enjoy reading your blog, your post today really struck home, you are quite right, I don't need to buy the craft/home magazines, the ones that make you feel you feel that you have to behave like a manic domestic goddess with a large wallet to attain that look. I will save my money create my own style and use my fabric stash of which there is plenty. I want desperately to sell this house to downsize and every penny counts, thankyou for the wise words.
ReplyDeleteOh Froogs, you are good!
ReplyDelete" Stuff does not make us happy; love, friends, family and contentment does."
If only I could be stronger. Sometimes the adverts just get deep into your head and before you know it, you've spent this month's wages on utter rubbish!
I must say, your blog has been very helpful in changing my spending habits, thank you very much!!
Keep up the good work Froogs!
;D
And get rid of the TV....no licence fee to pay, no TV to buy...no Ads to watch. Almost all decent programmes can be viewed on the laptop on Iplayer..and most good films are on DVD's and going for pennies on the carboot or charity shops ....
ReplyDeleteWe are Ad free in this house ... its quieter and clmer without the constant 'chatter' of the TV in the background.
Our number 1 rule is we only replace what is completely dead,after it has been restyled by me if fabric, gutted for spare parts, or composted if organic.Any bits that can go to recycling, that does not leave much for the scrap man who comes round weekly.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right.
ReplyDeleteI occasionally buy the lifestyle magazines and it sets me off looking for bargain versions on ebay.
It's stuff I don't need.
My home is more shabby than chic and not all my bedding matches but it is homely and welcoming.
We eat proper home cooked food on a budget.
I've a long way to go and reading your post has given me the reminder to keep off of ebay. Thanks Froogs. You're an inspiration just when I need it.
I must be an advertiser's nightmare as I change telly hannels the minute the adverts start (they drive me INSANE!!!!), never listen to the radio, and haven't bought a magazine (apart from Mollie Makes) in years. Advertising completely passes me by - thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteQuite possibly one of the best blog posts that I have read! I am now an avid follower xx. I'm new to being a blogger but avidly read blogs. You are now on my must read blogs x
ReplyDeleteHere here! I can't stand advertising (except to occasionally laugh at the ludicrousness of it all). We are bombarded by people telling us all the useless things that we need and the real truth, if people did but know it? we need none of it.
ReplyDeleteWe lived for 4 years free of the TV, didn't really miss it at all.
ReplyDeleteWe only got one last year when my wife became wheelchair-bound and couldn't go anywhere without assistance, and I remembered why I never wanted one.
The adverts, yes they pay for our numerous freeview channels, but the very few things I do watch are constantly interrupted by the (s)ad-men trying to sell the latest line in expensive un-necassary rubbish. Some of them I don't even understand what they're trying to sell.
Ahh Froogs that was refreshing reading. I enjoy reading your blog so much, you speak so much sense and its nice to have others on the same wavelength in these times of such materialism and want. Thank you
ReplyDeleteGreat post,agree fully.We use freecycle to give and receive its wonderful and we have met some lovely like minded people.We only buy when necessary and then we wait for a sale price.
ReplyDeleteI had to explain to my seven year old today why we need foodbanks.She then asked me why the rich do not help the people with nothing i could not answer sadly.
How right you are Froog,I wish more people would think this way. I live in a village where alot of people are very affluent and buy things left, right and centre. We aren't and we don't. In fact we are just about to say goodbye to one of our cars, it failed the MOT and putting it right costs too much. Also farewell tumbler dryer, no more for me thanks. I am wanting to do things much more frugally but still enjoy life. You are an inspiration and it's good to know there are some who think the same way as me.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit sad as one of our entertainments in the house, is to press the mute button and make up our own version of ads. It used to keep the children amused when they were younger and we still do it now. Mostly it does stay mute, but i can't resist that temptation although i do resist buying. :-)
ReplyDeleteTotal sad person exiting....
Too right Froogs...doing without and making do can be fun if you have imagination...borrow glossy magazines from the library if you must look at them...I use them as inspiration for my projects...
ReplyDeleteI do treat myself to an book creative book now and again...but I make things to sell and consider it an investment in my small business...
We have young children and they get days away at free or cheap events. If we don't have a voucher we do free. Beaches, woods, lakes, free castles, childrens events and they are just as happy with a playground. We have got Tesco reward vouchers this year for a theme park and a childrens museum which we have exchanged vouchers for and has cost us just £25.Instead of the at door price of £150. But we wouldn't be going otherwise. We will take drinks and picnic. Apart from Diesel, it will all be done as cheaply as possible.
ReplyDeleteI recovered and had restuffed 2 sofas this year which will save us considerably and should last us many more years to come.
You have insipred me to cancel magazine subscriptions and I never wear make up no time! I buy boots cheapest basic fragrance free moisturiser £1.52.
I've just had my first order from Approved foods and I am really impressed. Just need to get more orgainsed to avoid top up shops and I'll be a happy lady.
Keep up the good work Froogs You are a true inspiration Thank you
Hello Froogs
ReplyDeleteI am a fairly new, but already dedicated, follower of yours. I found this latest post particularly inspiring. I am 31, and at an age when my peers are all climbing the career ladder and trying to out-do each other with designer clothes, fast cars, big houses, fancy holidays etc. It's all so draining and i'm trying very hard to NOT be sucked into the competition. Your daily posts really help me with this. Thank you.
I am in the middle of an epic clearout, and the amount of stuff I am able to get rid of that I don't use, or never have used has put me to shame. I could not shop for 10 years and still have masses of beautiful stuff to use. I'm trying to change my ways because you are right, these things don't bring pleasure.
ReplyDeleteAnother fantastic post.
ReplyDeleteWe don't watch the ads in this house, we Sky+ all our favourite programmes and then watch them at our leisure, we 'izzy wizzy' through every set of adverts and just see them at top speed. If we do have to view a programme with ads, that's when we leave the room to go to the loo or to make a drink or just play with the dogs.
I've never understood why there are SO many adverts for sofas, it's amazing, I've had mine for over 8 years now (since I had to buy a new one after my divorce, as I left with nothing) and it's going strong, in fact I would say it's even more comfortable!
(Can I pinch your 'finacial fast' as a name for a challenge I may do in August?)
Sue xx
Bang on, Froogs! I'm fed up of high octane advertising but actually it makes me not want to buy whatever it is the're peddling.
ReplyDeleteI've recently had a huge clear out of tings and made up my mind then not to buy anything I didn't need!
You are an inspiration.
x
You are a true inpiration. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog as usual. Full of good advice. I have just placed my first item on ebay to sell. I shall do it again if it goes well. Sell, Sell, not Buy, Buy.
ReplyDeleteDianne - Hereford
Ditto,ditto,ditto! What really lifts my soul is to know that there are so many like minded people who want a simple happy life without all these "must haves (?)" Great blog!
ReplyDeleteDitto,ditto,ditto! What really lifts my soul is to know that there are so many like minded people who want a simple happy life without all these "must haves (?)" Great blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you for another brilliant and inspiring post. I have spent the last couple of days sorting through a massive pile of craft magazines taking out the patterns etc that I want to keep and when I saw how much of each magazine I actually want to keep I was amazed! £4.99 for a couple of pages is a ridiculous amount and there are patterns for almost everything freee on the internet.
ReplyDeleteI won't be buying any magazines from now on. You also made me think about how much time I spend on Ebay 'just looking'. From now on I will be selling only.
Thanks again. xx
Well said, yet again!
ReplyDeleteHi Frugal Queen, Just came by from Ivy Black, love your post. We have been living like this for quite some time. There are always times when i stray a little, but generally we've become really aware of how much others waste, and how much we wasted in the past. I can honestly say that i have never been more content than i am living on less.
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower! :o)
I make a point of dealing with one item per week not related to everyday things used. I will recycle it or give it away. One item is easy and gradually I'm achieving a clutter free home. I'm also very good these days at not bringing anything into the house unless it's food etc.
ReplyDeleteThank you Froogs for this inspiring blog , we have all b een brainwashed into thinking that spending makes us happy , when its quite the opposite .Trying my best to follow your good example , i now shop for new clothes at the back of my closet !x
ReplyDeleteWell said!
ReplyDelete