To ask how you pay less

[Favouritethings]

I'm trying to spend less. I've just discovered sainsburys basic dishwasher tablets are as good as finish, for a fraction of the price. Morrisons orchid hand wash is lovely, for just 67p. Fabric conditioner is apparently not needed, so I now just use own brand washing powder. I now smuggle sweets/drinks into the cinema and take picnics out instead of getting lunch whilst out with the children for the day. Does anyone else have any tips on spending less, without feeling like you're going without as such?

[EnterFunnyNameHere]

I think the best thing I did for cutting food costs was start writing proper shopping lists so that you don't end up needing to throw anything away (that and working out how to cook leftovers). There are some good resources online (like the resourceful cook) which give you meal plans where nothing goes to waste (so a recipe which uses half a standard container of ingredient X will be matched with another recipe which uses the other half).

Then buy lots of own brand stuff when doing the actual shopping and it's all good. Packed lunches are good if you can have time, or home made pot noodle (a la Hugh F-W!)!

[shiveringhiccup]

Meal plan and only buy the food you need.

I found Tesco own brand dishwasher tabs rubbish. Maybe I should try Sainsbury's!

[Bananalanacake]

Stop buying clothes for yourself and only buy children's clothes from charity shops when they really need the item of clothing.

[maggiethemagpie]

Put your eyes on the lowest shelf when at the supermarket all the cheapest things are there.

Buy good quality, branded second hand kids clothes off ebay and then sell them on for a similar amount when the next season rolls around.

Buy everything in the sale or on amazon at discount.

[shiveringhiccup]

Do food/ household shopping online. Less likely to buy random stuff and it's way easier and quicker.

[OrangeSquashTallGlass]

There a very similar journo thread on here a little while ago where the OP said she took her own cakes into cafes when she met with friends for coffee&cake. You could always try that!

[SomedayMyPrinceWillCome]

I use frozen veg, massively cut back on wastage

[BlackVelvet1]

Second shopping online, time saving and midweek pass is inexpensive (Sainsbury's have them half price quite often, Ocado's is free at the moment). Probably cheaper than buying the petrol to go the store.
I have just discovered cashback websites, looks like nice incentives for car insurance, etc...
Check e-bay and Amazon when need to make a purchase, you can bulk buy nappies and wipes for a good price with "subscribe and save" on Amazon.
Pinecone research is good for paid online surveys.

[Favouritethings]

I'm not that brave orange
The resourceful cook sounds great - will check that out.
The sainsburys dishwasher tabs have great reviews, that's why I tried them. Really cannot tell any difference and they're only £1 something. They're basics tea bags also have rave reviews but I do love a good cuppa and scared of disappointment!!

[BlackVelvet1]

Also, if you shop at Sainsbury's you can wait for a double up event and have double value of nectar points to use on clothes, electricals, etc...

[BlackVelvet1]

Favourite, have tried the basics teabags and I like them, they are fair trade to boot

[Ubercorn]

If you click on the ideas bit at the bottom of the page on the Sainsbury's website you can often get a few freebies, you just add them to your online basket.

[Blondie1984]

Before I buy things I ask myself if I actually need them or just want them

[Favouritethings]

Sold blackvelvet I'm going to give them a try!

[EveryoneElsie]

If you see something on special offer and you definitely use it and it doesn't go off, buy all you can afford.
If it goes off, buy as much as you will use.
Make best use of your freezer, fill it when stuff is cheap.

I once bought 2 years supply of loo roll half price by going back every day until the offer finished!

[NovemberInDailyFailLand]

I like to buy things in bulk. You can get good discounts if you look up the online shopping offers.

[lovelilies]

Aldi is my new best friend

[Favouritethings]

I've not tried Aldi yet, do you find you save a fair bit?

[WhyBird2k]

If you shop in the evenings the reduced food will be out. You can get really good discounts and then freeze it straight away...as long as you eat it asap after defrosting its perfectly safe and the reductions can be huge e.g. a whole joint of lamb for a few pounds

[flirtygirl]

I only branded products on offer like certains cereals sauces and baked beans. They are on offer most months in at least one supermarket so i use mysupermarket.co.uk and stock up.

I buy clothes and products only when on sale or from ebay/amazon and i have a 50% rule. That it must be 50% off or more. I plan ahead so i rarely have to rush out and buy full price, in fact its been years since ive bought full price anything.

I know loads get charity bargains but im not that lucky and my local ones are over priced and ebay does better but shopping around allows me the luxury of bags shoes and accessories, i otherwise would not afford and quality items ie £150 bag bought new from ebay for £25 instead of buying a cheap non leather non quality one for the same price.

If you see an offer and know you will use it then stock up and if you see an offer and know you can sell it on then buy it. Tesco and argos toys are cheap in august sept and early oct, great for putting on ebay in nov and dec, they still get a bargain and you make some money.

I have never bought cinema snacks as my mum never did but we still had popcorn and sweets and drinks that we had chosen beforehand for a fraction if the price and always do packed lunch on day trips.

Use compare websites for all insurance and cashback sites, find online vouchers before making all purchases and wait if necesary, a week or a month without a washing machine isnt so bad if you save a few hundred. I went 9 months a few years ago without a second sofa as only wanted a quality one from ebay and it took that long to find it but i did. ( and it had to match my purpke velvet 2 seater which it did being the matching 3 seater)

Admittedly im cheap but you wouldnt know it to look at me (hopefully) still have nice things but love a bargain.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Getting on here as all my money goes on food.

The resourceful cook website sounds good.

I've dropped a brand down on a lot of stuff and no one minds. They stuff they have to have I do get.

[GrumpyMcGrumpFace]

with the online shopping, i start with half price offers and work from there.

if you have time to get to a market (or a butcher if you live in an area where butchers are good value rather than a luxury IYSWIM), you can often buy much cheaper than supermarkets.

start growing your own. Even if you don't have much space, growing salad leaves on a window sill is cheap and you can just cut as much as you need, so less wastage. If you have a proper garden (1) I'm jealous and (2) you can make amazing savings growing from seed. Also make friends with people with gardens/allotments who are SO happy to have grateful recipients for their gluts. I love it when my friend comes round with buckets of apples!

[libellule1]

Aldi all the way, I can't get some things there (I prefer low sugar ketchup, they don't have golden syrup regularly etc) but a lot of great food and so much cheaper than a usual trolley-full.
The basics extra-long toilet rolls that Sainsburys and Morrisons have are actually really good, £2 for 6.
Pet food can be really expensive so bulk-buy when on offer.
Make-up is another super expensive thing, if you buy the high-end brands try experimenting with Bourjois/Max Factor etc

[228agreenend]

Meal plan

Energy, car insurance etc - use comparison sites to find cheaper option

Batch cooking - buy in bulk, and freeze spare

Try a brand down. Ie, kelloggs for supermarket own, supermarket own for value version, swop when no one notices the difference

Freezer - have a week of using up freezer food

[libellule1]

Also if you order a takeaway boil your own rice instead of paying £'s