Trying to save money but it always backfires

[cantbedoingwithit]

I am trying to reduce my monthly outgoings so that I can begin to build up some savings .I have switched providers for my utilities and have managed to save quite a bit, so far so good.

However, when it comes to saving money on other things, such as food and household items, it always back fires. For example, I use face wipes for make up removal,so after reading reviews on cheaper wipes I decided to swap brands. The wipes I bought do not remove my make up as well as my previous brand. Therefore I am having to use more wipes than I normally would, which is in fact less economical!

I have a cat, so I thought I would buy his food in bulk which is cheaper. The cat has now "gone off" this brand!

These are just a couple of examples, I just don't know what else to do. I try to be sensible with my spending but it just keeps going wrong. I see all these people demonstrating how they manage to save money each month with brand swaps and how marvellous it is, yet it just doesn't seem to work for me.

I’m always interested in savings threads and agree it can be so tricky! At least you have tried once with your face wipes - my next move would be to stock up on the good ones when they are on offer and always check online for offers on them in various shops. My usual is when I stock up on something the kids like ... then they go off it 😂 keep trying though - some swaps are bound to be better and stick!

Face wipes - if you're using something that has an element that you're throwing away, always going to be more expensive and not great for the environment
Use something that doesn't create so much waste - Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser lasts forever and is brilliant. Aldi have a similar product.
Agree with PP on buying stuff when it's on offer - I don't think I ever buy basics at full price, similarly things like tea and coffee; I get my favourite brands at half price rather than having stuff I like less.

I have a similarly fussy cat - she has one absolute favourite, but I try to give her a variety of different food. Zooplus is great for good quality discounted food. Give her something else for a couple of days then reintroduce the bulk food that you've just purchased.

Instead of face wipes have you tried miscellar water (which comes in much bigger bottles than other makeup removers) and cotton wool (or a flannel/ washable makeup remover pads)? Disposable wipes are sooo uneconomical and comtain plastic so are also terrible for the environment

I think also with brand swaps there is always going to be an element of hit and miss depending on what suits you

On the examples in your op.
Stop using makeup.
You'll save on the makeup and the makeup remover.
Also get rid of the cat. You'll save much more .

I like cheaper loo roll as it doesn't block the loo (we have temperamental plumbing) and when I use said loo roll I scrunch it before using. DH doesn't scrunch and so likes the more expensive stuff. Guess who keeps having to unblock the loo? (washing up liquid works best here).

I tried using cheaper washing powder and got the Aldi version. It's been recommended by all sorts of people, but it didn't bring things up as well as Ariel and now I just try and get Ariel at the best price possible.

I think a lot of the 'save money by...' stuff is clickbait.

@cantbedoingwithit don’t use wipes just use a facecloth and bar soap.

If you're changing products you always try them out first though? So you buy one pack of makeup wipes, discover they don't work for you, and then go back to original brand or try another one. Or why not swap to reusables?
If you've bulk bought something and then decide you don't want it any more then you just don't buy anything else to replace it until it's gone the cat will just have to lump it

I think you need to work out what is important to you. This a journey, so don't think of it as not making any progress, because it is trial and error. It will be compromise, because you will have to make sacrifices, but the key is to establish what you are willing to sacrifice.

The wipes are a really interesting example. I'm not judging, but they aren't good for either your skin or the environment. You can decide wipes aren't something I want to compromise on, so you are going to continue using them, but stocking up while on offer. Or you could think they aren't worth it, so I'll use something else instead. Using something else doesn't have to be more inferior, just different.

If the beauty products are going to be an issue, focus on something else eg cleaning products:

For example, I use stardrops to clean most of our home. A bottle costs £1 and can be used on most household surfaces. A bottle lasts me a couple of months and means I don't have multiple bottles, which costs money. Yes, it does mean I have to scrub a bit harder when cleaning, but it's not too difficult.

It's worth targeting things you spend a lot on. Swapping Heinz beans for basics may save 50p, but if you only have beans once a month that's pointless.

Swapping a branded alcohol for an unbranded one will save more. Even going without occasionally. So if you have a bottle of wine every week, skip a week.

Look at things you use a lot of. Baby food pouches perhaps, or bread. Can you save a bit there?

Thank you for all your lovely replies and advice. I don't drink alcohol so that's a financial bonus 😁 I don't have to worry about nappies or baby food so that's another plus.

I will look into alternatives for make up removal, I do buy the biodegradable face wipes, but agree with previous comments regarding the environment.

I agree with the buying a stock of particular products we use when they're on offer.

Surely you still have to scrub your face with water and a face wash even if you use poundlands 2 for 1 face wipes or Johnson’s wipes which are more money OP.

Facewipes:

Cut down on the makeup, it's lockdown, nobody cares.
Or if you can't face that: Packet of flannels for £1 and a bottle of micellar water.

Wipes are so unnecessary- none are good for the environment!!

Just use a face cloth!!

And as previous poster said how often are you using make up in lockdown? I’ve used none really for a year !

Someone mentioned Aldi above - they do a brilliant double length loo roll that works out at about 50p per roll.
Also - use a teapot rather than making tea in a mug. Makes two mugfuls rather than one.

There are certain products that I just won’t ‘downgrade’ because it’s a false economy. I end up buying the cheaper thing, hating it, and then buying the one I like anyway.

Make up wipes aren’t great for your skin, the environment or your pocket. I take my make up off with foaming cleanser and a soft facecloth. You can also double cleanse with an oil to break down the make up before washing it off. Your skin will thank you!

Face wipes are bad for your skin and the environment, they are an uneconomical option all round. Do try some of the suggestions given here. I use miscellar water when I'm feeling lazy and a hot cloth cleanser when I am not. Wipes are an expensive waste.

Annoying that your cat went off the food but that's unusual unless you gave her an alternative. Buy toilet rolls, bin liners and cleaning products in bulk as they don't go off.

You seen to have good intentions but your efforts a little misplaced.

Another one coming on to say don't use face wipes - expensive and terrible for the environment. Get a few make-up cleansing washable cloths, they're fantastic.

And this is so very typical of a cat, isn't it? Maybe if you store it for a while he/she will go off the other one and you can use it again!

Don't give up. You sound frustrated but I bet there you have just as many examples of things that HAVE worked for you?

I think any time you try and trade down a brand there will always be a risk. But if you never try then you won’t know, unless of course you can try things of other people. If I’m at someone’s house (remember when we could do that!) and they give me a biscuit I really like I always ask what it is. Otherwise it’s just a case of buying the smallest available amount to start until you know if you like it. I also try and use that product up even if it’s not my favourite and I won’t buy it again.
For cleaning products and toiletries I use home bargains. If I want high end make up I always ask for a sample to try at home before committing to a new product.