Ideas for cutting back - big and small!

[Whiskers4]

Can anyone give me any ideas for cutting back on spending, larger and also tiny suggestions welcome.

I've been trying to be really careful with food spending, we've moved to another energy supplier, tweaked our insurances, our mortgage isn't massive and we're tied to a Fixed rate deal.

By way of history we bought a car this year taking our savings down to hundreds, after which our household income reduced by £4,500 pa with little hope of being increased. Also our roof has started to leak in three places. We're having the worst part patched up in 2-3 months, so cost of living and unexpected repair are going to leave us with nothing/minus money and Xmas is approaching.

[squishysquirmy]

Tiny things:
Got my hair cut at supercuts today! I didn't get a free hairy cup of coffee like I would at an expensive salon, but the stylist did a very good job and it was a fraction of what I used to pay an expensive place.
Also, be organised to avoid spending money on snacks whilst out. I try to remember to grab something as I head out of the door, even if it is just a banana, packet of crisps and a drink of water if I think I will get hungry in town.

Be really disciplined with yourselves about unnecessary spending, but replace some of your treats with a cheaper option so you don't feel like you're missing out completely. eg, never buy snacks when out but keep a multipack at home.

Don't use heating in the summer, and set your thermostat a degree lower than normal in the winter.

You are already watching what you spend on food, but try to spend less on toiletries etc as well - try out own brand/value shampoo for eg.

[shouldaknownbetter]

Go to Aldi or Lidl and buy a shed load of snacks, drinks cartons, etc - they have some quite healthy nut and raisin type ones near the checkouts in aldi.. put in boot of car and don't ever buy snacks on the road again.
Also - try to avoid actually going in the shops particularly the old 'popping in to tesco for a pint of milk' chestnut.
I go in and see loads of crap I want to buy that if I hadn't gone in there, i wouldn't have missed. My motto is 'If I don't go, I won't know (what I'm missing) '
I try to have no spend days and low spend days (less than £5) and give myself two points for the former and one for the latter, at the end of the month I count up how many points I have and give myself one pound per point to spend on a treat. Yes, it's spending money for saving money, but it means I get a nice treat rather than spend money on meaningless crap and it focuses me to save in the month so I think it is cost effective!

[squishysquirmy]

Do you have a boots card, and if so do you have many points built up on it yet? If so, you could start redeeming these instead of paying in cash when you need something from there (maybe Christmas stuff).

Ebay stuff you no longer need.

Switch to a bank account which gives you cash back for bills etc.


When we got a car, we were able to save quite a lot off our food bill as we could do weekly shops at Aldi/Lidl instead of relying on more expensive, closer shops. More options for cheap/free days out as well. So at least you've got that.

Always buy cards and wrapping paper from cheap shops like the card factory, never from Clintons! Have a cheap Christmas this year - it is harder to cut back on kid's stuff, but maybe you and your dh could agree a v. low spending limit on each other's gifts? Token presents and thoughtful, homemade gifts can still be very special and it is possible to still have a lovely Christmas for less, especially if you and your dh are on the same page and you can stay disciplined.

[AdoraBell]

You mention Christmas, what do you normally do that could be trimmed back as suggested by squishysquirmy ?

[specialsubject]

Tatmas goes to the bottom of the pile. Stop all adult presents now and set a small limit for kids. BTW the nightmare is months away, it is still summer!

You've used your contingency and will be screwed if there is a job loss until you have rebuilt it.

[ifonly4]

Do try Lidl or Aldi as you have definitely save a few pounds there.

One thing I picked up on here was to buy large bottles of bubble bath and put it into empty soap bottles - I got Radox and no one noticed, so hand soap is 50% cheaper. I also cut up old clothes to use as one off cleaning clothes when one of my cats has been sick.

Go through your cupboards now and check dates, use up anything with a short self life while you can. Likewise with clothes, so through and remind yourself what you do have to avoid unnecessary purchases.

[Whiskers4]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm really trying to think before I spend and keep focused on just what I need in the shops.

special, I could quite happily not bother with the Xmas but I don't think we can avoid it. We suggested not buying for adults a few years back and it didn't go down very well. Families! I think we'll just have to spend a bit less on everyone and only buy for when we're entertaining.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I've been doing this all afternoon, I'm pretty frugal anyway but I'm looking at everything I'll need for winter & trying to find it cheaper.

So far I've decided to use laundry gloop instead of powder, dw powder eked out not tablets, spices bought from the world food aisle, red lentils the same & that I need to get Dh some flannel pj in the next sainsburys 25% off event.

I've also looked at vegan lunches dg soups, stews with dumplings, hot chilli non-carne, veg curries etc. Vegan cakes, crumble toppings, brownies, ordinary rice puddings & semolina. All very filling compared to processed ready made food but very cheap to make.

Try doing valued opinion surveys, they pay out in various vouchers which I'm using to pay for Xmas this year.

[glow1984]

Go vegetarian a few times a week. Meat can be so expensive!

[ivykaty44]

I put dads into one bedroom and rented out the other bedroom. This brought in a substantial income which is tax free under a certain amount per week

[RandomMess]

Christmas - tell your families now, "sorry we can't afford gifts for adults this year" let them sulk!

[Wolfcub]

Find a milkman and get your milk delivered - avoid unnecessary spending on quick trips to the shop for milk

[Orangeplastic]

After the usual checking all monthly contracts with phones, broadband, insurance etc I have started using bars of soap and they last bloody ages compared to liquid hand soaps and shower gels and they cost pennies, actually most of the ones we are using at the minute were freebies we picked up while on holiday - I'm going to change to shampoo bars as well. Same goes for washing powder, use it rather than liquid.

[ginorwine]

White vinegar for mirrors and cleaning with hot water and wash up liquid .
Pad out meals with lentils or porridge oats with mince .
Baked pots .
Walk not drive .
Never ever go to shop without menu plan .
A girl called jack ( from library ) does good food .
We never put heating on in the day when out at work - the house is freezing when we come in ! Does anyone kno If it is cheaper to do this or to keep hearing on at a constant low temperature ..?