Which thrifty thing do you do that you're surprised that no one else does?

[Sizeofalentil]

Basically, that

I'm always surprised when people don't bulk buy things (toilet paper, store cupboard staples etc) or only buy name brands. How much tastier can a posh tinned tomato really be?

Dh is mortified when I reuse bath water to water the plants or make my own cleaning cloths from old pants. But he does love a charity shop bargain (most of his coats are from there).

What are your favourite thrifty tips or what thrifty things are you surprised that other people don't do?

PP using the same teabag 3 times...WHY? Do you hate tea?

Barbara Of Seville .Tool hire shops do hedge trimmers ,Ladders and so on .Saves large expensive outlay for only occasional usage

I don't update stuff like phones unless they get lost / stolen / broken beyond repair. I don't have a smartphone, my mobile is about six years old and works just fine.

I feel like I'm reading Viz.

^^

Cut the legs off DS's trousers when they go through at the knee. Use the bottom bit for dusters and then hem the top for summer shorts.

I do that vote.

Cut off tracksuit bottoms are used as summer short PJ bottoms. My cleaning drawer is full off tatty cut off legs of clothes.

I really wish there were community tool libraries

There are! We're setting one up in our local town now :-) go and have a word with the council!

My 94 year old aunt was very frugal and did many things listed here.

Last couple days years she’s completely changed. No more spreading a tea bag acros three cups of tea, sharing bath water, Only buying if reduced, constantly shopping around for best deal.

I spoke to her about it. She said it’s bloody brilliant and she wishes she’d relaxed a bit decades ago

Those of you who say you bulk buy washing powder etc, where do you buy from?

I get my big boxes of washing powder and big Fairy Liquid from Farm Foods

I can't understand why anyone would fly any other class than economy

Every year I take a 12 hour flight. Now I’m getting older and get aches and pains, 12 hours in economy kills me. My bottom actually ends up so sore around hour 5 that I spend the next 7 hours trying to do a sort of sideways sit to relieve the pressure! Not easy in such a confined space. I also have long legs and I get restless leg syndrome which is agony when there’s no room to move. I get off the plane feeling absolutely wrecked. So now that is my one luxury, is to fly business. A fully flat bed is utter bliss and I get to the other end feeling great.

In other areas I spend very little money. I don’t own a car. I don’t spend lots on socialising or shopping. I do all my own decorating, gardening, cleaning etc. So I can afford that one splurge on a nice flight.

Get shoes and boots reheeled and re-soled. Eventually needed my favourite boots replaced after a new sole and about 8 new heels - didn't feel so bad about getting the new pair because I know they'll have similar longevity.

I used cloth and water instead of baby wipes at home - old pyjamas were beautifully soft. I was surprised how many people who decided to try washable nappies bought new ones, sort of defeating the purpose but at least resulting in more available to be second-hand.

I try to take at least drinks and some food with us on a day out, as otherwise it can get stupidly expensive.

Have to admit I don't meal plan as such, because I can look in the fridge, see what needs eating, and that makes dinner (or gets cooked/frozen). Works pretty well.

Looking up on the internet or calling the manufacturer to see how an appliance can be fixed probably saves us the most - Bosch have been very helpful in sayinf eg "it's probably this part which will cost you £2, or if not, this other part costs £10, and if that doesn't work, call back and we'll send someone out" - £2 part worked.

Buy shoes in different seasons. Ie bought some ex display timberland boots for 40 quid from office. Clothes from charity shops. Use old clothes as cleaning rags if they're damaged or stained, no point giving them to charity. Invest in own gel nail kit. Slowly getting pieces together after paying someone else once a fortnight. Batch cook and take food out.

Use the library. I love reading but I don't need them getting dusty in my house . Why people would pay £7-8 for a book you could read for free or even get second hand is beyond me.

Pay for spotify. Not sure why people are still using itunes. 99p for one song!!!!!!!!

Use borrow box for audio books. 6 at a time, free to library members

I thought getting shoes reheeled was just a normal part of life? Are there really people who throw shoes away just because the heel has worn down?

I never ever throw food out. We grow our own fruit and veg - chicken soup eat anything left over. We bulk buy cleaning stuff on special offer eg packet of washing powder - £4 instead of 12 - we buy 20 and use it up for 2 years 😂. We have memberships (life) to NT as gifts - free days outs, we have a reduced membership for swimming pool for kids - again cheap days out. We eat fresh eggs from our chickens at least once a day - breakfast or tea, we don’t buy or eat meat.we make our own soups, breads etc and use the slow cooker a lot - have a huge chest freezer. Anyone with a load of plums etc or apples - here giving them away freeze and store everything. Apples from September last us until April May if stored properly etc Everything is stored like children’s games etc in huge outside easily accessible sheds - no need to buy new toys. We buy board games and books from charity shops and dvds. We pass clothes down and accept freebies from friends. We have one tv with amazon prime and Netflix and that’s it. We have virtually no bills as we have an air source heat pump. water for baths etc is used to water plants as are huge water butts - I don’t see it as being frugal I see it as saving the planet and a better quality of life

And hot boiling water and reusable cloths and steam mop everywhere

yes, tectonic, my old boss did that. Bought cheap shoes, never cleaned or re-heeled them, just threw them away and got more cheap pairs. Hideous!

I had the bulk buy discussion with DH about rice. Now he has been shown how much we save he has stopped complaining about the 10kg rice bag in the kitchen.

The single easiest way to save a lot of money is to stop eating out and to cook at home.

Quidco EVERYTHING. We are people who mostly shop online and by the time we do that, book hotels rooms, hire cars, eat takeaways or whatever other random things that we''d have done anyway we end up with a big chunk. In the four years I've been doing it I've had £1,400 back (although admittedly a few of those were big £150 or so chunks for TV subscriptions, mobile phone and broadband contracts etc). We get the money out for holiday spending money and it's great.

Mostly I own brand but for the things that we do like that are branded I never pay full price, so keep an eye on the brands I love that I know get reduced. Eg, I like Azera instant coffee. It's stupidly expensive in Tesco at £6 a can, but every month it's usually on for £2.50 on special for a couple of weeks. Wait for it to come round and buy one for the cupboard then.

How much money do you actively save by reusing teabags etc? I think you need to prioritise where the time spent will make the greatest saving.
I take the time to research mortgage deals, utilities, insurance etc when they come up for renewal. I've probably saved thousands over the years doing this.
I drive an electric car which I got new, which is extravagant but I do a lot of miles commuting and I got a get cheap PCP deal and it costs me barely anything to run compared to £200 a month petrol costs in my old car.
I do have a smartphone but contract has just finished and I can go on a PAYG contract -I can do everything on the phone I need so I don't need a computer as well.

I don't drink alcohol saving a good £10/15 a week on my friends average and more if they go out drinking.

I don't buy kitchen towel, we just have a collection of cloth for spills.

We make our cleaning products- we only buy vinegar, baking soda, castile soap and washing up liquid.

Disposable san pro- can't imagine life without my cup, can't imagine shelling out for disposables each month either.

We look for second-hand items first. If it can't wait, we buy new.

The single easiest way to save a lot of money is to stop eating out and to cook at home.

There’s an even easier way. Die and then you won’t have to spend ever again. Seriously though, I have every sympathy and understanding for those who have no option but to be frugal but to spend time and energy jumping through hoops that some on here profess to do just to save a few pennies is completely beyond me.

Buying yellow sticker meat and fish for the freezer
Batch cooking veg soup with veg slightly past its best instead of chucking away
Waiting until sales to buy uniform, pants, socks etc
Facebay or ebay for most other clothes (usually new with tags for a few pounds)
Check special offers first when doing online grocery shopping
No named brands
Meal planning
Very few snacks and sugary treats or alcohol
Use vouchers for days out, meals out etc
Sign up for birthday vouchers with pizza express etc
Hand me downs from friends, we also pass clothes on

Use topcashback and Quidco
Bought last car outright (3 year old/ ex mobility ) at a car auction and been driving it for 7 years . It probably has a few more years left in it .
Buy mobile phone outright with a sim only deal .
Cook good quality food at home instead of eating mediocre food in mediocre restaurants .
If driving somewhere make sure you can carry out a few errands when there . Eg when my son has swimming lessons we go afterwards to do food shopping. Saves a trip .
If having food delivered go for the cheapest slot.
Go to the cinema on Tuesdays when it’s cheaper or take advantage of the kids club . I used to take my two on Saturdays at noon for £4 and we’d take our own snacks.
Don’t buy newspapers or magazines.
Books are from charity shops unless I have a book token.
Teach your children about want and need . Get them interested in saving money from birthdays and Christmas.
Buy shoes and boots out of season and buy the best you can afford . Same with winter coats .
Buy children’s clothes in the sales for the next year .
Pass children’s clothes and toys onto family members . I get clothes from my sisters two kids which I then pass onto my brother’s.
Your children don’t need children’s furniture or beds . Buy normal furniture and buy it once . My kids went from a cot into a double bed when they were toddlers .
Constant days out are overrated , children sometimes just want to hang out at home . They don’t need constant entertainment .
An annual holiday isn’t a necessity, think about going every other year and shop around for the best deals, use cashback websites too .
Clean your own windows and wash your own car.
Grow some fruit and veg if you have room . Raspberries, gooseberries and black /red currants are incredibly easy to grow and the crops get better every year .
Make friends with someone who has a holiday home at a seaside resort 😝