Not very exciting but saving pennies is always good and this is what I spent 50p on. Things from the house clearance boxes. A probable saving of a couple of pounds maybe.
Someone suggested I don't save money as I use the car to get to the boot sale, this is true but I count it as an early morning walk with a purpose and it's only 6 miles down the road so not too drastic. The bigger boot-sale is 9 miles so neither are real budget breakers and I often combine them with shopping etc.
They both get me out of the house on weekend mornings - and believe me - weekends are not always easy when alone (and someone is sure to say she has no problems with weekends!)
Lots of people drive further than that for a McDonalds coffee!
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Totally agree with you about weekends and distances. Sometimes we just have to crawl out of the shell and combining that with shopping, enjoying, taking a walk, connecting to other humans, is all in the balance.
ReplyDeleteLiving in the country there are not many things inside a 10 mile radius so it's a case of having to travel for almost everything.
DeleteIt's good to get out and about in fine weather and I do enjoy the search for a bargain
I have known too many folk who retire and just can't be bothered to go out. So they go from one week to the next barely seeing or talking to anyone【except the Tesco delivery guy] That is not good for anyone's wellbeing. A short journey and a stroll round a boot fair, yard sale or charity shop yields much more than just the satisfaction of a small bargain.
ReplyDeleteI like my morning exploration of a boot sale - you never know what treasures are to be found
DeleteYes, weekends are unkind to those of us who live alone, I should know after 20 years of being a widow. Just to say good morning to someone and hear your own voice, otherwise it’s 2 days of silence. We don’t have car boots around here otherwise I would go but sometimes I park in supermarket car park to watch people being busy but can’t drive at present due to surgery. Hope you find some more bargains soon and someone to chat to. Sandra.
ReplyDeleteWeekends were always the time when we worked together on the smallholding. I miss always having plenty to do and miss Colin of course too!
DeleteDriving every weekend is keeping your driving skills practised, and being out and about and staying active and healthy saves the NHS £££££££. You just do what you want to do!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good walk round a car boot. I could just walk up and down the road in the village but it would feel pointless!
DeleteYou would have to use the car to get shopping so not sure what point that person is making! Also getting out and about in fresh air is a real plus and you might just find something to buy so that's another plus with anticipation thrown in. It is your life, your choice, some people just see half empty a lot of the time. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteIt's good to search out a bargain in the fresh air of early morning
DeleteIt is good to get out of the house as others have said. Just to see other people, walk around and have a change of scenery. Bargains are even better.
ReplyDeleteThe fun is in searching out the treasure! and going for a walk in the fresh air
DeleteIt’s good for your health to be out and about and you have a great eye for a useful bargain. Enjoy your outings and your little coffee and scone treats too. Catriona
ReplyDeleteMy coffee and sausage roll out at Orford last week was so expensive I'm now resisting temptation for a couple of weeks - until my birthday!
DeleteIt is good to get out and about and there is also the thrill of finding a good bargain. The cards you bought last week were a real good haul. I love a good rummage and the finding of a"treasure" even if it's just a half price baking sheet!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to find things I would be buying anyway at half the price.
DeleteI was very pleased with those cards
Thank you for mentioning about weekends. I thought it was just me who struggled with them now.
ReplyDeleteJ.
Winter weekends are the worst - I end up having TV on mornings which I hate doing so I'm glad to get out to the boot sales once they start
DeleteAs a widow also, I too often hole up by myself or with the pets on weekends, and now worry I'll do that during the week. The boot sales and I wish it was a US thing, sounds like a perfect outing upy ally.
ReplyDeleteI usually have a couple of things weekday mornings - or I do a baking or meal making session - but weekends are harder to fill, sometimes the family visit but walking round a boot sale is fun. I wish you had them over there too - lots of people say they'd enjoy them.
DeleteThere's always someone who can't understand how anyone could fail to like weekends and manages to put you down. Don't worry about them. They're quite sad people, really.
ReplyDeleteAnything that makes you feel happy and glad to be alive is worth the effort.
If you enjoy car boot sales, that is the fun factor instead of the frugal factor. Go do what you enjoy---life is short! Phillis in Tennessee
ReplyDeleteI think it's kind of exciting to shop out of doors, as at a flea market. Everything looks interesting, oh dear! Good for you. You do well with your choices, too. Things you need and use. I like seeing pictures of your haul.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great you go to these sales. I'm always keen to see what you've found for a good price. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteAnd I should say, I love your blog. It's my first read of the morning!
ReplyDeleteI always love getting out and looking for things. I went to a second hand book sale on the weekend and ran into a friend and had a chat. Getting out and about is an important part of life, it’s invigorating. We would be awfully dull people if we stayed put. Love your blog. Jean in Winnipeg.
ReplyDeleteIt's really important to get out when you're on your own. Your mileage to the boot sales is modest and as you say you can combine several chores/ visits at once. There's always someone who thinks they know better!
ReplyDeletePenny
The Boot sales are like treasure hunting. The US should have them as I think many people would love them. Before Covid, during the summer months, we used to see "flea" markets where people put things on their front lawns for sale. Some called them "moving" sales. A few years ago, a neighbor decided to move to Colorado, and he sold the contents of his house. On the day of the sale, he posted a simple sign on the street, and he sold everything. Plants, cars, art, furniture, canoe...everything sold.
ReplyDeleteIt's your life so you should do what you want, Sue. You find great deals and are so good at saving money.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that weekends can be tricky.
ReplyDeleteWhen my children were young my husband worked shifts and weekends. Friends would welcome visits for play dates or trips to the park etc. in the week and during the morning or early afternoon but at the weekend or after tea/dinner time they of course wanted to spend their time with their family and partners so I would spend many long weekend days without adult company.
Jane a regular reader
We love a car boot sale - the fun of finding useful things at a really good price, or just something that we like the look of! And we always bump into people we know and perhaps haven't seen for a while, so it's a chance to catch up.
ReplyDeleteI too struggle with weekends. They can be very lonely. I have lost my weekend outing thanks to politics (I no longer shop in the US) and need to fill that void. There is nowhere in my isolated part of Canada to fill the void.
ReplyDeleteKeep doing what you enjoy and ignore the nasty comments. Enjoy your car boot sales, coffee and scones regardless of the cost. One day you may not feel up to it and you will regret all the missed opportunities. My Dad is 96 and regrets not doing more when he could and as he says 'I've got money in the bank but no opportunity to enjoy spending it'.
ReplyDeleteI just finished a book that said, "Say yes to everything." Within reason, of course, and a car boot sale is definitely within reason!
ReplyDeleteI am a widow of 4.5 months and I've already discovered that weekends are the longest. I've been checking for things to do and I'm going to a high school play next weekend!
Do what makes you happy. If the boot sale will make you happy, do it. I hope you have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteoh, for crying out loud! It's your money, you enjoy car booting, so do it! It's not as if you are flying half way around the world, and at the end of the day it's none of their business anyway. Life's too short to not do what brings you joy.
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me, how people seem to want to get their snoots in to someone else's 'happy'. You enjoy your carboots, and I enjoy seeing what turns up and it is a good walk for you. Plllllllt to the naysayers.
ReplyDeleteYou're entitled to have a little bit of fun! It's nice to get out for exercise and to have a look around shopping without spending lots of money.
ReplyDeleteI think that you are managing your mental health by visiting the car boot sales. If you join in the shopping, heck you are combining errands. Enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Here in the US, you have to have a car. I do hope to try public transportation once I qualify for a senior discount (half off). The car is so important for us because it lets us get places where we can save money. You can plan trips to hit multiple stops, so it's not such a huge expense.
ReplyDeleteI was widowed 13 years ago when our son was taking his A levels. Since then I've done so much and often on my own. I work on the premise that if I don't enjoy it I never need to do it again. Boot sales, travel, coffees out, concerts, cinema - the list is endless. Embrace every minute for you never know what is round the corner. Good wishes to you Sue.
ReplyDeleteI'm noticing that there are a lot of negatives Nellie's on blogs and all social media sites these days. They are getting harder and harder to put up with. Whatever you say they will contradict it, or criticise you for it and usually just for the sake of it.
ReplyDeleteI like going to thrift stores to see what they have after I donate clothes, etc. Going to other places where things are cheaper and good or on special low price helps as well. Sometimes on the weekend I just stay at home. I am sure you like what you do for yourself and hopefully you get to be with friends and family often. Happy weekend!
ReplyDelete