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AIBU?

Little things you do because actually you're a bit tight...

172 replies

theevildead2 · 17/12/2010 10:07

I put a bit of milk in creamy dressings to get the last bit out.

I will cut toothpaste tubes to squeese last bit out.

By bannana that are on death's door for 50p to chop and freeze for smoothies and make in to loads of bananna bread to freeze for snacks.

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nameymacnamechanger · 17/12/2010 10:10

Buy value handwash when I'm skint and decant into nicer empty bottle. Use handwash when washing up liquid has run out.

Buy sainsbury's basics tea bags.

Chop and freeze fresh peppers, onions, mushrooms.

Buy 'whoopsies'

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NinkyNonker · 17/12/2010 10:11

A bit of water into the bottom of liquid soap bottles. Shake it up, get last dregs of soap! Not skint, but do it anyway!

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kreecherlivesupstairs · 17/12/2010 10:14

We are skint, but I do all the above just out of habit I suppose.
I buy cheap washing up liquid and dishwasher tablets, cheapest fabric conditioner, basics potatoes and onions. I don't drink tea so visitors bring it over for DH I do drink coffee, but refuse to compromise. Tis Ethiopian or nothing. I also get value butter, it tastes the same as the normal priced stuff.

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tyler80 · 17/12/2010 10:14

Last night I got a load of free wall paper samples from Wilkinsons and will use them to wrap up Christmas presents.

I take douwe egberts coffee jars out the recycling box at work and use them to keep tea/rice/biscuits in them

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QuentinCrisp · 17/12/2010 10:31

What are whoopsies?

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hairyfairylights · 17/12/2010 10:33

YANBU! Very sensible, planet friendly and frugal :) Love the Bananas idea!

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theevildead2 · 17/12/2010 10:36

Hve you not met your local whoops aisle Quentin!!!?? Its where all lovely things get re-wrapped and reduced.. But you have to either freeze them or eat them that day. I have a freezer full of whoops.

Thank you Hairy, although I hope that blackened banannas don't start disappearing from the aisles now! lol

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Flisspaps · 17/12/2010 10:41

Squash loo rolls so they're an oval shape. Means you can't pull yards and yards off easily.

Sounds like this link is called for Xmas Wink

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SantasENormaSnob · 17/12/2010 10:49

Share bathwater

buy stuff in January sales to distribute as bday presents through the year

buy and freeze whoopsies

bulk out casseroles and soups with veg, lentils etc

I use 1 teabag per 2 cups if I do the dcs a warm drink

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Flisspaps · 17/12/2010 10:57

I didn't buy a pram for DD but got one of those jute bags for life with a blanket in the bottom.

Easy to carry and a fraction of the price, plus if if breaks they'll replace it for free.

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JenaiMarrsTartanFoxCube · 17/12/2010 11:00

Xmas Grin Fliss

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KPidgeon · 17/12/2010 11:03

OOhhh- loads of tips here. Thanks all!
I use the design bits on the front of christmas cards as tags for the following year.
Flisspaps- brilliant.

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JeezyPeeps · 17/12/2010 11:05

When I was skint I didn't decant value handwash - I decanted cheap bubble bath and even diluted it - much cheaper and is just as effective!

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loveulotslikejellytots · 17/12/2010 12:12

I babysat for a friend a couple of weeks ago and I sat with her DC's and we cut up all of last years Christmas cards to make this years ones out of them.

Cheap and people get a lovely handmade card from a 5 year old! Sorted!

I use baby wipes to clean our sofa instead of the £££ 'leather' wipes... not done it any harm.

Cheap bleach ... it's all bleach!!!

Buy cheap biscuits and put them in the tin before DH notices they aren't Mc'Vities!

Cut old clothes or bedding into rags, use them for cleaning the car or use them as dusters. I keep a bag in the kitchen, use them for when I spill something and all the kitchen roll has vanished!!!

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theevildead2 · 17/12/2010 12:18

ha ha ha ha
Does he not notice the expiration date on the biscuits is from like 2002?

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Igglystuffedfullofturkey · 17/12/2010 12:19

Buy essentials range for most things.

Squeeze toothpaste tubes so hard I hurt my hand.

Keep heating below 20c and put a layer on.

Leave bath water in bath until cold to heat the room - no idea if it works.

This is after I got flamed for revealing my food shopping bill on MN.

However I do waste in other ways so it cancels out!

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thumbplumpuddingwitch · 17/12/2010 12:24

Do whoopsies include bent/dented cans? Shouldn't buy them ever - they might not be airtight and they become a breeding ground for bacteria very quickly, so can cause food poisoning. Saving a few pence on them just isn't worth it, honestly.

I put water in the bottom of washing up liquid, I squeeze toothpaste tubes to the nth degree so there is nothing left in them.
I do not throw everything out that is past its "best before" or even its "use by" date - especially not dried fruit and stuff. If it looks all right, smells all right and tastes all right, chances are it is all right. And crispy raising can always be reconstituted in boiling water. :)

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YuleTideD0G · 17/12/2010 12:28

That's not whoopsies, that's what Mum and I call the shelf of shame, I LOVE the shelf of shame Grin

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ButterflyChild · 17/12/2010 12:28

siphon bathwater onto the garden

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NigellaPleaseComeDineWithMe · 17/12/2010 12:29

Maybe we have some odd old habits of thinking we don't have that much money - when in reality we are quite fortunate and do - so possibly just tight frugal with our money;

buy basics type stuff when think the quality is quite OK - ketchup, beans, and the like.

refill the little raisin boxes up from a bigger packet

re-use fruit -shoot-- sports type bottles for DS packed lunches

make stock everytime from bones - including any left on the plate

buy up the use by / yellow label stuff and stash in freezer on the day

do regular trips to Lidl - actually prefer much of their stuff and its usually so quiet when you shop there!

don't buy designer type gear unless its from TK Maxx / designer outlet where prices become more normal

On the other hand we spend quite a bit at local butcher when we want a good roast / other interesting cuts use local market to buy fresh stuff when we can etc.

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YuleTideD0G · 17/12/2010 12:32

I have a friend who is the tightest person ever.

We both go to a toddler group where you can buy a round of toast for 12p, her dd didn't eat it once so she wrapped it up and took it home for her dd to have for lunch "I'm not wasting 12p"

I can think of more but would hate for her to read this and think I'm taking the piss, I wish I could be more like her though.

I never buy ice creams singly in the summer now, madness when you can buy a pack for the same price as one.

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Caboodle · 17/12/2010 12:33

Didn't think I was tight but maybe I am....Grin

We share bathwater.
I also use cheap baby wipes to clean the leather sofa.
Heating never above 19c.
We share a curry on a Sat night rather than have one each,(they are huge though)
Often have leftovers for lunch (often the chilli / bolog from the night before but made to stretch with extra tinned toms).
I buy sets of books from the Bookpeople throughout the year and separate them for b'day presents.
Xmas budget for DH and my presents is very small.
Am pregant, 90% of maternity clothes are second hand (my friends and me pass round a large bag of mat clothes to whomever is pregnant at the time - must have done 5 of us by now).
And, of course DS2 (also known as 'Hand Me Down Joe') rarely has anything bought new.

But I never: miss my turn in a round of drinks - this would be unforgivable.

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ThisIsANiceCage · 17/12/2010 12:34

Dilute washing up liquid. I'm the only person in the house who can be trusted not to squirt great squirts, and sometimes you can't see the sink for bubbles.

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Caboodle · 17/12/2010 12:35

And it may run in the family....a few years ago DH saw his Dad in Tesco's late on Xmas eve (Dad didn't see him), DH's Dad had a trolley full of whoops...DH hid it when Dad wasn't looking....don't think DH Dad ever forgave DH Grin

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NigellaPleaseComeDineWithMe · 17/12/2010 12:39

Sharebaths - but prefer it that way anyway..
Share curry - tick too - portions are massive - sometimes even the set menu for one we cool down and freeze one of the side dishes
Generally hate waste (blame it on parents) so any small leftovers get re-used some how, use by dates are a nonsense etc.
Have loft of clothes in various boxes - to pass down clothes and toys - not that we plannedto have 4 boys...

But if anyone comes for a meal then we are nver knowingly under catered Xmas Grin.

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