How would you save money if you needed to?

[HungryHippo11]

With news of food price increases, higher taxes and bills etc. I was wondering how other people are planning to cut back, if they need to?

I was already planning to cut back on car use for environmental reasons but also would save fuel costs.

We could cancel Netflix and Prime subscriptions and could probably save a bit on groceries by cutting out luxuries such as soft fruit and alcohol.

Any other suggestions? What is your backup plan?

@MistyMorningSong

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Thanks for this. I’ve been wanting to watch Point Break again.

As most others have said already mine would be (in order of preference)

-Drop/reduce cleaners

• Drop to a cheaper supermarket (currently do Sainsbury’s/M&S mix, so there’s a decent sized drop to make)
• Drop DS’s expensive gymnastics class

-Drop/reduce DS’s nursery (I’m on mat leave with number 2 so he doesn’t need to go)

• Drop netflix/prime/Disney
• Drop the rest of DS’s toddler classes (total last resort)

^ most of these would already greatly reduce car use but couldn’t reduce further as we live very rurally.

We are cutting back on Christmas, not just to save money but to cut out the waste it causes.

We could cut back on the food shop, buy less luxury items.

Buy less clothes, I spend way too much on clothes so I plan on selling some of the clothes I no longer wear and using the money to buy 3 outfits that I will wear a lot.

Less eating out, less take aways (we don't do this a lot anyway).

One thing that would work for me personally is to unsubscribe to emails form various shops to stop them sending me deals that I can’t resist but definitely don’t need.

Spend less on candles/wax melts and wine.

And leave my purse at work when i go to home bargains at lunchtime

I'd cancel magazine and art museum subscriptions if I had to. I'd take over the food shopping. DH enjoys it so I leave it to him but he spends way more than I used to and is a total sucker for branded things which are identical to non branded.

If money was really tight I'd cancel my fitness classes and workout for free online at home. But I adore them and I'd rather sell most of my belongings first.

Has anyone had any success negotiating with BT? We have internet and the TV package with them including BT sport but it’s just gone up to £67.71 a month. DP did try telling them we were thinking of leaving but they didn’t seem interested in offering us a lower price. I admit he’s not great on the phone though so wondering if I should have a go.

I am in a very fortunate position of having quite a bit of disposable income but as dds approach the teen years we are seeing a real increase in their costs so I have been looking at this.

Food plan/go back to a cheaper supermarket/use offers smarter

Look at using points etc - the kids phones are on Tesco mobile and last year I didn't have to pay a bill for 4 months because of club card. Not looked this year but if that can help, may make sense to use tesco more. Currently using Waitrose the most so see point above!

Stop buying random crap on Amazon. DH is shocking for this and prime facilitates this.

Stop picking up drinks and snacks when out and about. We got out of the habit in lockdown buts it's creeping up again

We are trying to be clear with dds that their generous allowance is for everything except school supplies/basic clothing. Hopefully this ring fences the frittering.

Controversially maybe but paying more for adult clothing. Better quality means should last longer. Annoyingly DH manages this better than me as clothing for men seems generally a bit more robust and less likely to date.

Possibly revisit utilities/insurances/phone contracts. However last time I looked we were fairly ok here and no big savings to be made.

Last resort would be kids activities and Netflix. We are home bodies and don't socialise loads so this is our leisure spend and I'd be disinclined to reduce unless I have to.

This thread makes me feel quite depressed. So many of us are having to look to cut out almost everything surplus to basics. People having to take on another job etc. And we’re the ones lucky enough to not have to resort to things like food banks. Everyone I know (including me) is getting poorer due to prices increasing, and now the NI thing etc. I already budget carefully, don’t drive etc. So there isn’t really much to cut. Gaining an extra £2 a week by cancelling Netflix really isn’t going to change much!

@Meruem

This thread makes me feel quite depressed. So many of us are having to look to cut out almost everything surplus to basics. People having to take on another job etc. And we’re the ones lucky enough to not have to resort to things like food banks. Everyone I know (including me) is getting poorer due to prices increasing, and now the NI thing etc. I already budget carefully, don’t drive etc. So there isn’t really much to cut. Gaining an extra £2 a week by cancelling Netflix really isn’t going to change much!

It is awful really isn't it

We have enough money to live. We have a nice enough house, a car (albeit an old one) kids each do an after school activity, we can pay our bills. The kids have the odd treat/day out. However, for myself I don't get anything...no haircuts, no beauty treatments, I don't go out, I don't drink, I don't buy myself clothes, I don't have a gym membership. If I am tempted to get any of these things, I think, wow, that money could pay for a new coat or shoes for my DC.

@FizzyPink

Has anyone had any success negotiating with BT? We have internet and the TV package with them including BT sport but it’s just gone up to £67.71 a month. DP did try telling them we were thinking of leaving but they didn’t seem interested in offering us a lower price. I admit he’s not great on the phone though so wondering if I should have a go.

We moved to talk talk, BT didn’t even attempt to offer us anything better.

We got rid of sky and Netflix a couple years ago, we rarely watch tv, kids spend more time online or gaming.

I agree that most people are already being really careful with money and had to cut back a long time ago so things are only going to get harder.

Holiday budget is 20k so vastly reduce that
Half the food bill, we spend £300 per week.
Stop eating out twice a week
Cancel the new Audi we have on order
I’d keep gym memberships, house (utilities are so low an jo mortgage), and Sky/Netflix etc.

Cancel Amazon Prime
Stop buying lunch at work
Stop getting takeaways
Stop getting my nails done
Cancel the cleaner (absolute last resort!)