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What are you adjusting to save yourself money?

379 replies

flyingdream · 02/03/2022 14:57

I'm hoping we don't eat go out to eat as much as we do or order food in. It's just a really bad habit. But we can never stick with it it. Paying 8.50 for a pizza (12 inch from local takeaway) is a large amount and I'm ashamed it's taken recent price increases to make us think.

Also hoping we don't turn on the radiators as much as we do.

OP posts:
BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 03/03/2022 11:48

I've grown my hair to shoulder length so I don't have to keep getting cuts to maintain my previously short style. No hair colouring.

We don't have a tumble dryer or dishwasher anyway. We don't get takeaways or have meals out. We shop at Lidl.

No holidays. No phone upgrades. No new clothing or shoes and we only spend money on food, medicine and petcare items. Hot water thermostat is turned down to minimum for washing up, slightly higher for showers.

Can't cut back any further really 🤔

user1487194234 · 03/03/2022 12:13

It's really grim how many cuts it looks like we are going to have to make

BIWI · 03/03/2022 12:27

There's the rub @user1487194234. We don't actually have to make these cuts. This is a political and market issue.

It's obscene that while the likes of BP are making billions in profits, we have threads like this one where people are talking about going without. And it's not as if we're talking about going without fancy luxuries. Going without heating or cutting back on food is pretty basic stuff.

BP profits

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Nemorth · 03/03/2022 12:37

I've managed to train my fine hair to be washed every other day. Which is a saving on shampoo/conditioner and shower time every other day.

Stopped using our hairdryer

Bought an old fashioned carpet sweeper to tidy up between the weekly vacuum sessions

Make my tea at home in a travel mug. Stays hot longer, so it doesn't get wasted or drunk as fast. Meaning fewer cups of tea. Saving on tea bags and electricity

If I boil too much water by accident I'll do something useful with it rather than waste it. I'm always careful with how much I boil so not enough for a flask.

Then lots of things I do to be green are money saving. I've gradually swapped a lot of our disposable items over to reusable. Straws, napkins, period products, hankies.

Make my own laundry powder.

Never use half empty dishy or washing machine. Try and use the dishy as much as possible as cheaper and greener to wash in that than by hand.

Heating set to 16.5°c during day, rarely pop heating on as a first response. Warmer clothes first. Hearing on as last resort. DH always more likely to put it on. If people are cold they can turn the thermostat up to 18°c but this is rare.

Have gradually replace light bulbs to LEDs. Waiting for last few energy saving ones to go before swapping those.

Try and convince DC to only use one device at a time.

Lights off as much as possible.

Daily open windows to change air. Which keeps the air dryer and dry air is easier to heat. Also helps with damp for an PP. recommended minimum is 20 minutes a day. DH didn't like doing it until he had to sand all the window ledges and treat after some mould appeared. He's now team open windows for sure!

Have always meal planned. Never waste food.

TabithaHazel · 03/03/2022 13:10

@takethegirloutofwales

This was a response to the heated aired costing pennies to run by the way!
Oh thanks for that, I was thinking of getting one after reading the comment about them being pennies to run. I thought it sounded too good to be true!
HowIsItMarchAlready · 03/03/2022 13:18

We've stopped using central heating unless it's freezing. I work from home and currently in my office it's 13.9 degrees C. I have a heated blanket on my lap and three warm layers on. I'm honestly not cold. I used to have the thermostat at 21C. No idea why because I couldn't stand such a warm home now. I'm just pleased I'm quite happy in a cold home now!

000oooh · 03/03/2022 13:20

Honestly this thread is very sad. A haircut and a takeaway really shouldn't have to be some massive luxury. It shocks me how many people on here are stating they will go without basics such as heating.
"we'll cancel the golf club membership" is one thing but what do people actually do for fun if literally everything is stripped down to the absolute minimum?!
Why the hell should we be working 40 hour weeks to live on beans and toast and consider a haircut a luxury? It's the 5th richest country in the world it's absolutely disgusting. What sort of life is that?

000oooh · 03/03/2022 13:23

In France childcare is almost free and UC is approx 80% of your salary. Most people are eligible for housing benefit there unless on a very high income, I got it when I lived there and I worked full time on an average income. This country makes me sick

Laska2Meryls · 03/03/2022 13:26

I bought a Wonderbag for slow cooking things like chillis curries etc a few years ago and was originally intended for for use camping .. but I have found that I use it most at home.

They really work! I tend to start mine off the day before (mainly because I think casserole type things usually taste better the day after). You do have to start off on the cooker , but once meat if using is browned, and veggies added you just bring it up to temperature and , just put the pan in the bag and leave it .. Its amazing just how much heat they retain ..

I bought the large one, it does for everything I find..

www.wonderbagworld.com/wonderbag-shop-uk

(They also have a woman to woman scheme so you could if you wanted buy one for a little extra and they donate one to someone in need as well)

Clickbait21 · 03/03/2022 13:27

Only using the car for essential trips

AxolotlEars · 03/03/2022 13:35

@Dianaofthelakeofshiningwaters

Fair enough- I'm off - and I apologise for offending anyone. Please don't make assumptions about my life - fyi I have a disability and rarely leave the house so am well aware of challenges that this brings. Was just bringing an alternative viewpoint but was wrong to do so. Good luck to all struggling with their finances.
Don't go ...it didn't come across as condescending to me. I think it's good to challenge what is our own normal. In terms of heating I was brought up with tropical temperatures....not because I lived somewhere tropical but because my mum was totally trigger happy with the thermostat! You literally had to get dressed to go outGrin Get married... massive shock. Apparently it's normal to wear a few layers in doors! It comes down to how we want to use our resources. My husband explained...did I want to wear a jumper/cardi and then be able to go on holidays every year? Yes, I did 🙂 Slightly alarmed to find we are doing most people's suggestions already. I have just talked to the husband about putting up a ceiling airer
Turnitupto11 · 03/03/2022 13:44

I cut my own hair too, it's curly and long, so hides any number of mistakes.

I don't have a tumble dryer, I've no room for one and couldn't afford to run one anyway. I dry my clothes on an airer in the shower in winter and on the line in summer. They don't smell.

I don't have any insurance apart from car insurance and very recently pet insurance. I don't drive often, I only have the car to run my mum to appointments. I don't drink often, if I fancy a drink I'll buy a tiny bottle if wine, maybe 4 times a year. My clothes all come from Ebay, although I did buy a new pair is ankle boots this winter because my old ones leaked. I don't have any choice but to live this way. And I'm scared about increasing prices because I don't know where I can cut back now. I'm unable to work due to illness, which is unlikely to change.

Following for all the useful tips.

userxx · 03/03/2022 13:48

@000oooh

Honestly this thread is very sad. A haircut and a takeaway really shouldn't have to be some massive luxury. It shocks me how many people on here are stating they will go without basics such as heating. "we'll cancel the golf club membership" is one thing but what do people actually do for fun if literally everything is stripped down to the absolute minimum?! Why the hell should we be working 40 hour weeks to live on beans and toast and consider a haircut a luxury? It's the 5th richest country in the world it's absolutely disgusting. What sort of life is that?
Shocking isn't it.
NewYearNewMinty · 03/03/2022 13:51

What do people actually do for fun if literally everything is stripped down to the absolute minimum?!

That's just realistic at the moment unfortunately.

I'm actually having a day out on Saturday...have knocked £20 off the household shop this week to be able to afford it.

Currently clearing the garage and loft and selling as many bits and bobs as possible to fund the uni trips...some are old toys of DDs that I'd hoped to keep in case she has kids in the future, but have resigned myself to the fact that a) it might not happen b) it's years away and c) tastes will have changed by then anyway.

TabithaHazel · 03/03/2022 14:05

@Soffit

I did a wash load on 40 last week but then I remembered something about dust mites only being killed at 60 degrees plus? I use anti dustmite bedding protection but still... I'm hoping that somebody will come along and confirm that 40 degrees is fine for all laundry Confused
Do you have a known problem with dust mites - I'm only asking as we only ever use the 40 degree wash and I have no idea if we have dust mites. How would you know, are they like bed bugs and bite people?
ememem84 · 03/03/2022 14:09

@nameoftheday

Cancelled home contents insurance - have only buildings insurance
Don’t do that. I know it’s difficult because it’s something we seemingly pay out and then never need (fingers crossed).

But I know of two families who have lost everything in fires recently. And no contents insurance. Starting over without this was harder.

DogandMog · 03/03/2022 14:13

No toiletries except plain bar soap, shampoo bar, 30p toothpaste and bicarb. Just wash my face with cold water.

Have solar panels, so I try to run the dishwasher/washing machine in the early afternoon and cook dinner on the induction hob if it's something like chilli that can be warmed up later. Also try to charge up gadgets during daylight.

Try to never use the tumble drier, unless it's a bright sunny cold day... prefer to use the washing line or clothes horse + dehumidifier.

Sink washes, and warm up a large jug of water in the kettle rather than running the electric shower. I spray myself with a mister bottle, soap up, then rinse off with the jug of water. I wash my hair with cold water over the bath.

Prioritise really nutrient dense but cheap foods in my food budget, eg sardines, mackerel, eggs, liver, lambs heart, beef mince, cheddar cheese, greek yoghurt etc, and only buy really basic seasonal vegetables like onions, potatoes, cabbage, leeks & carrots. Fruit if it's on special offer in Aldi, and Aldi frozen berries. Cut out nearly all snack foods like crisps, chocolate and biscuits both for health and budget reasons... I'd rather target my money on nutrients.

Use good quality but no frills household products, eg Aldi laundry powder, 3 in 1 dishwasher tabs, Stardrops diluted in an old spray bottle for cleaning.

Only set the thermostat to 16 - 17 C. Sometimes we put it on for an hour's boost in the morning, then about 2 or 3 hours in the evening. I'll stick a woolly jumper, hat and socks on rather than crank up the heating. Also, having the laptop on me keeps my knees cosy.

If we're using the woodburner, I'll stick a kettle of water on there for my hot water bottle and evening cuppa, rather than use the electric kettle.

I darn holes in socks and jumpers etc. Most of my clothes are from charity shops/ebay/vinted, but I've cut down on that in the past few weeks.

RiverSkater · 03/03/2022 14:16

We've reduced as much as possible, our worst bill is electricity, I can't see what we can reduce on that! Any ideas welcome!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 03/03/2022 14:44

Our electric looks to be getting a hefty daily standing charge and the usage isn't really changing. So they are going to get you whether you have it on or not.

HudsonRiver · 03/03/2022 15:22

@Nemorth

I've managed to train my fine hair to be washed every other day. Which is a saving on shampoo/conditioner and shower time every other day.

Stopped using our hairdryer

Bought an old fashioned carpet sweeper to tidy up between the weekly vacuum sessions

Make my tea at home in a travel mug. Stays hot longer, so it doesn't get wasted or drunk as fast. Meaning fewer cups of tea. Saving on tea bags and electricity

If I boil too much water by accident I'll do something useful with it rather than waste it. I'm always careful with how much I boil so not enough for a flask.

Then lots of things I do to be green are money saving. I've gradually swapped a lot of our disposable items over to reusable. Straws, napkins, period products, hankies.

Make my own laundry powder.

Never use half empty dishy or washing machine. Try and use the dishy as much as possible as cheaper and greener to wash in that than by hand.

Heating set to 16.5°c during day, rarely pop heating on as a first response. Warmer clothes first. Hearing on as last resort. DH always more likely to put it on. If people are cold they can turn the thermostat up to 18°c but this is rare.

Have gradually replace light bulbs to LEDs. Waiting for last few energy saving ones to go before swapping those.

Try and convince DC to only use one device at a time.

Lights off as much as possible.

Daily open windows to change air. Which keeps the air dryer and dry air is easier to heat. Also helps with damp for an PP. recommended minimum is 20 minutes a day. DH didn't like doing it until he had to sand all the window ledges and treat after some mould appeared. He's now team open windows for sure!

Have always meal planned. Never waste food.

We do all of these things, actually since the last credit crunch 200/9 I think.

Not sure why Pp was getting flak for saying she has always lived frugally.
If you buy a warm jumper then you are warm for far longer than the same amount spent on fuel.
I hate hot, stuffy houses, far nicer to wear warmer clothes.
I am from another european country where you would be looked at as mad if you didnt wear thermals and warm clothes in the winter.

Airing the house is also a very big thing !

We have a heated airer and its brilliant,washing would take forever to dry without it.

Plantsandpuddlesuits · 03/03/2022 16:12

We have a ceiling airer @AxolotlEars it's fab. Ours is in the boot room and it holds alot we put things on hangers then hang the hangers from it. We also have a dehumidifier running in there and keep the door shut and washing dries quickly. Dehumidifier was around £100 from Aldi at least 5 years ago and is fab.

Nemorth · 03/03/2022 16:22

@HudsonRiver apart from washing the hair and the carpet sweeper (both newish within last 12-24 months) I've been doing all that for years too.

Not for frugal reasons, though that helps, but mainly for green reasons.

Haven't paid for a hair cut since July 2019. Don't colour my hair. Future appointments will be at the barganious training college.

Our gas bill is now around £30 pcm and our electricity is around £90 pcm. Family of 4, semi detached house. Cold, windy, rainy Scotland.

My DC are old enough now to be electricity users. Noticed that difference! Our electricity bill used to be £75pcm.

Our other money saver, though actually started in Covid due to a surplus of childcare vouchers, is after 15 years (and over £75,000) we no longer have to pay for any sort of childcare. Phew.

As to a PP who said how to dry clothes indoors. I just do it on an airer. Don't overload the airer. Clothes dry within 24 hours.

FluWorldOrder · 03/03/2022 16:35

@000oooh

Honestly this thread is very sad. A haircut and a takeaway really shouldn't have to be some massive luxury. It shocks me how many people on here are stating they will go without basics such as heating. "we'll cancel the golf club membership" is one thing but what do people actually do for fun if literally everything is stripped down to the absolute minimum?! Why the hell should we be working 40 hour weeks to live on beans and toast and consider a haircut a luxury? It's the 5th richest country in the world it's absolutely disgusting. What sort of life is that?
Agreed. Absolutely miserable and depressing!
HudsonRiver · 03/03/2022 17:57

@FluWorldOrder
Yes there are many people who simply cannot cut back any further.
Grim times ahead

LifesTooShortForYourNonsense · 03/03/2022 18:01

Re tumble dryers- we’ve swapped for a dehumidifier with a laundry mode, much cheaper to run. I know there is the initial outlay, but we needed one anyway to dry out the bathroom before having work done, and it stops mould and damp when drying inside.

I was skeptical but it works really well.

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