I'm a Mom and I Saved £10,000 Through Lean Habits - Here's How I Did It

The frugal mom claims to have saved over £10,000 in her life by choosing her favorite things.

The mother of two, Ray, loves to buy used things from an early age and almost never buys anything new.

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Ray’s mom saves thousands of pounds on clothes for herself and her kids.1 credit

Ray said she has always been aware of her environmental impact and sees no reason to change her unique shopping habits now.

She said Mirror: “The idea of looking for existing items has always been a way of life for me and my family.

“I am very aware of how many things already exist and the impact they have on the environment, so it makes more sense for me to look for a used version of what I want or need.

“I also find that used items tend to have a longer lifespan.

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“Most of what is currently being produced is very fast and therefore cheap, so buying second-hand means I tend to buy things that were built to last or made by brands that I wouldn’t be able to afford with new ones. prices.”

Ray claims that most of her family’s wardrobe consists of second-hand clothing from thrift stores or online platforms like Vinted, eBay and Facebook.

And she says her habits make sense considering kids grow up so fast.

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“All parents know that children get used to clothes and toys so quickly when they are small, outgrow things before they have a chance to use them again, and it can be very expensive,” she added.

“So in terms of saving money, buying secondhand helps keep my bank account happy!

Ray’s husband also shares her thrifty spending and often buys used and refurbished appliances.

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Mom says it’s possible to save money on things like iPhones as well as furniture, and they often save a significant amount of money in the process.

“My husband has also bought several refurbished units and he is always happy with the quality and use he gets,” she exclaimed.

“Furniture is what we would buy second-hand and over the years we have purchased a sofa, a baby bed, a desk, a few bookshelves and more, plus they tend to be made from solid wood rather than from cheaper and less elastic materials.

Rae added that she is particularly proud of her daughter’s stateroom bed, which she was able to buy for just £30 – a fraction of her £130 online price.

“I think my husband saved over £200 by buying refurbished phones, but seeing how happy my daughter is, I always thought about those savings,” she said.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Mom also says her shopping habits extend to holiday shopping, and this year is no exception.

“Obviously some of the items were bought new, but through places like Vinted, eBay, Facebook Marketplace and good old thrift stores,” she explained.

“I was able to get through the Christmas list just as quickly, although postage might be slower, as if I was stuck on High Street or online shopping platforms.

“While I tend to keep my eye on the fall, the vast majority of my purchases have been in the last few weeks.”

Ray now advises last-minute Christmas shoppers to look at things differently.

For example, she said that you should pay close attention to clothing labels and try to weed out brands and materials that are unlikely to last.

However, for those who don’t want to risk it, she also said that the Christmas period is a “great way” to satisfy needs without unnecessary surpluses.

And it requires only small changes.

She concluded: “If you only need to use something once, it’s a great way to meet your needs without a huge commitment, things like party wear or something like a hot plate for Christmas dinner are great examples.

“The idea of using a rental scheme to minimize the production of additional surplus or to help me make more informed buying decisions makes environmental and financial sense. I often find that these two things go hand in hand.”

A study by second-hand retailer Music Magpie found that nearly two-thirds of us are considering buying used or refurbished items for Christmas this year.