What are you adjusting to save yourself money?

[flyingdream]

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.

Not much left to cut here. Haircuts, cleaner, waxes and nails, nights out, days out, kids clubs, Indian takeaway, cinema, new clothes, gym - all gone. The things that are left are things I seriously value, and not exactly spendy! A hot bath, an audiobook and homemade brownies is my idea of extravagance, and coffee at a friends house is a day out. Maybe fish and chips on payday. Netflix for DD (shared with my mum) and she only goes to free clubs, now. If I can avoid selling my little campervan (even if I can’t afford to go anywhere in it atm) I’ll be happy. I’ve moved my shopping to Aldi, given up meat, swapped coffee pods for a mocha pot (that hurts, and is the first thing I’m bringing back if I can!) and don’t drive anywhere (except Aldi, and DDs free clubs). I need to lose weight, so I’m thinking of fasting (I’ve don’t keto before, and it works, but that’s not happening on £20 a week)

I need to not leave things on standby, like mobile chargers, and I reckon the loft insulation could do with topping up. I’ve done all the boiler flow rates, draughtproofing etc etc.

I need to make my hobbies work better. I’ve always had productive hobbies, but they don’t save money. It isn’t cheaper to sew your own clothes than buy cheap ones (although you get better clothes once you get the hand of it), but as I acquired a lot of fabric in happier times, I could definitely make things I need out of materials I have. I don’t think the allotment usually saves me money, either, but I could use what I already have better to harvest more produce and grow fewer weeds, especially if I got organised enough to have salad every week, rather than just mountains of the stuff in June and not any other time.

I’m really considering how I could make some more money. I work part time, and it used to be enough for comfort and little luxuries. Ok, holidays were camping and nights out were movie nights with home made pizza, but we had holidays and weren’t stretched. I could work more hours, but DD only has me, so feel like I need to be around. So I’m looking at ways of earning flexibly or passive income. I’ve done a couple focus groups and they paid well (£70). I’m going to open a first direct account (£150) and I got Amazon vouchers for moving broadband and pet insurance on ‘recommend a friend’ thingies. Only £50 altogether, but I can get something for DDs birthday. That’s a bit extra. I sell things DDs outgrown, which isn’t a lot but helps a bit at Christmas. I might try doing surveys, but they seem a bit scammy - has anyone actually got money for them?! (Not ‘points’). I’m also looking at cash back on bills (I think Santander do it) and maybe a cash back credit card. It wouldn’t be a lot, but it takes no time and maybe it would pay for fish and chips once a month. I have a clucard credit card at the moment. I get about £3.50 a quarter - it’s rubbish, but then I don’t use it much.

I’m going to look at renting out the camper on camplify. It won’t be a lot, because we use it as a car, but a couple of weekends a month over the summer would make a big difference. We do have a spare room I was thinking of renting, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable having someone in the house with just me and DD here. I even had an idea for a YouTube channel, but I’d feel utterly stupid and don’t know if I could not trip over my words enough.

I need to fix the mortgage, too. I’m worried about interest rates. I was thinking of maybe taking some equity out to put solar panels up. Surely that would be sensible.

Following to get some ideas! I’ve cut back quite a lot at the moment.

Heating rarely turned on - maybe for an hour some days - using a heated throw in the evenings.

Have just got a freezer, so have been batch cooking, buying frozen veg etc. Shopping at Aldi rather than Ocado/M&S.
I live on my own, so it’s already easier to use the washing machine less. Can’t remember the last time I used the drier function.
Although I don’t like the sight of it, am letting the washing-up pile up and doing it every two or three days.
Have been saving small amounts here and there, plus was lucky enough to receive a bit of cash for birthday/Xmas. Have just ordered a new TV. Mine is 14 years old and is a plasma tv. Am hoping that new LED tv will cost less to run.
Not upgrading mobile, am on sim-only plan.
Although I obviously save on not needing to feed/clothe anyone else, it can still feel like a struggle when there’s no one to share the costs of running a home (heating, cooking, lighting etc etc).
I NEED to stop/cut down on smoking - that is definitely the biggest change I can make.
Things I definitely won’t give up on are home/contents insurance and pet insurance. Plus takeaway once a month with a friend who comes to visit.
I’m very lucky in that my prescriptions are free.
For various health reasons, I’m not out and about much. So I’m not having to give up on socialising and I’m not using petrol too much.

@shakeitoffshakeacocktail - why are you hoping that’s bullshit?

I am one of the older Mums. Never had a dishwasher or tumble dryer in my life, so don't miss them. Our plates are cleanm as are our clothes. Haven't had a cleaner since started WFH 5 years ago and somehow manage to keep the house clean and tidy (ish)... With fuel bills going up, have started turning off the heating in the middle of the day and rediscovered the cardigan. Between 10 and 4 there still seems to be residual heat in the house, and it is not really an effort to put on a woolly layer. The heating goes off again at 9.30pm. As a child we did not have central heating and there was no heating upstairs at all! I can even remember the inside of my bedroom window icing up on a few occasions. The kids now have colourful blankets over their duvets, As long as they are in bed by 10 they don't really notice the heating going off. Takeaways are a no no. We have one streaming service and that is mainly for my SN DS. Also got a family deal for the phones and everyone has a 0 limit above the contract. None of these things are a hardship.

Following on I’m doing more batch cooking and freeze soup in pouches.

@Furries

Following to get some ideas! I’ve cut back quite a lot at the moment.

Heating rarely turned on - maybe for an hour some days - using a heated throw in the evenings.

Have just got a freezer, so have been batch cooking, buying frozen veg etc. Shopping at Aldi rather than Ocado/M&S.
I live on my own, so it’s already easier to use the washing machine less. Can’t remember the last time I used the drier function.
Although I don’t like the sight of it, am letting the washing-up pile up and doing it every two or three days.
Have been saving small amounts here and there, plus was lucky enough to receive a bit of cash for birthday/Xmas. Have just ordered a new TV. Mine is 14 years old and is a plasma tv. Am hoping that new LED tv will cost less to run.
Not upgrading mobile, am on sim-only plan.
Although I obviously save on not needing to feed/clothe anyone else, it can still feel like a struggle when there’s no one to share the costs of running a home (heating, cooking, lighting etc etc).
I NEED to stop/cut down on smoking - that is definitely the biggest change I can make.
Things I definitely won’t give up on are home/contents insurance and pet insurance. Plus takeaway once a month with a friend who comes to visit.
I’m very lucky in that my prescriptions are free.
For various health reasons, I’m not out and about much. So I’m not having to give up on socialising and I’m not using petrol too much.

@Furries - have you tried Alan Carr plan for stopping smoking? Friends have tried and that worked.

I now save the money I would’ve put on a pet insurance plan into a separate savings account for that every month. Last cat was prone to getting ill or fights so lots of his treatments were under the amount insurance would pay out (for antibiotics). New cat is a tabby/moggy but seems far more robust and adopted me and not even had her booster yet!

@Furries my prescriptions are free too!

I do sometimes buy coffee out but have been taking it out on walks far more complete with snacks. Also if I do get coffee out try to get from a place where you can use your cup or free Waitrose.

Turning lights off
Selling more on Vinted when usually I would just charity shop stuff or give the kids clothes to friends
Looking on Vinted first if I want to buy something (just got something for £10 instead of £60)
Big shop at Aldi rather than sainsburys
We did have the fire on the other night but I turned it off after half an hour rather than leaving it running
Turned off the hot tub as that's heated all the time (I know...first world problem)
Not just randomly buying things that are 'bargains'

We've been lucky for many years so these feel like small steps. Hopefully things will improve soon.

Increasingly doing more shopping in Lidl/Aldi - tended to use Sainsburys before.

Using the car less to save on petrol.

Fewer lunches out.

Recently had to replace my trainers and bought an 'as new' pair on Vinted for a third of normal price.

Also trying to develop a second-income stream. I have a few hours spare in the week so looking at some freelancing to bring in extra cash.

We've stopped short of turning off heating so far. Our energy tariff is capped until April. I'm sure it will come though...

@Gonnagetgoing

I do sometimes buy coffee out but have been taking it out on walks far more complete with snacks. Also if I do get coffee out try to get from a place where you can use your cup or free Waitrose.

Waitrose stopped doing free coffee 2 years ago ! Just stopped the free papers which is annoying as I used them for pets.

Apologies for the silly question but is it generally cheaper to run the dishwasher/washing machine at night?
Don't think we have Economy 7

And meanwhile MPs have just had a £2k pay rise, and everyone's NI payments are about to increase. No-one should have to be cutting back like this in the world's 5th largest economy as previous posters have said. How have things come to this? DH and I are now on a decent joint income, which 5 years ago would have meant we could spend without really thinking about it, now we are keeping track of all our spending which is definitely not frivolous to see where we can cut back.

Already doing lots of this. We are going to walk more and really think about whether to take the car

@CIaireFraser

We've got absolutely nothing we can cut down on. We have one takeaway a month which costs £15 and don't want to do away with it as it's our only treat, but if we have to we will.

We don't drive, I cut my own hair and DH's, DH is wfh so no fares, we've never been on holiday so no travel to give up, we only have the heating on for an hour a day if it's really cold (despite this our bill is estimated to go up by £510pa). I can't work because I'm disabled so we're living on DH's salary which is just under £25k.

I have absolutely no clue how we're going to manage. Things like going to the dentist are going to have to stop, possibly some prescriptions too.

Please check to see whether you are entitled to any benefits due to your disability. Also, if you have regular prescriptions - more than one a month - it's cheaper to pay for a prescription prepayment certificate by monthly direct debit. It's just under £11 per month for as many prescriptions as you need.

@ForAFriend123 If you don't have Economy 7 it's no cheaper, I'm afraid.

I am going to retire as worked out that will save money!! No car parking to pay at £100pm, no buying lunches, no bits from shops at lunchtimes, no collections to put into, less petrol to buy, more time at home where I can spend time cooking 'proper' meals rather than resorting to M&S or Gusto boxes, no need for dog walker on a daily basis.

Yes I will no longer get salary but when I work out drawing from pension pot and only having to pay tax but no NI or pension contributions plus the above savings we will not be any worse off.

[quote mamabear715]@ForAFriend123 If you don't have Economy 7 it's no cheaper, I'm afraid.[/quote]
Ah ok thanks.
Wishful thinking then!

I'm making sure I use up any left over veg for soup 2/3 times a week and take to work at the charity shop I volunteer at and making my own sandwiches rather than buying ready made.
I have gone with BT on their Home Essentials plan which is £20 per month for BB & landline you have to be on Pension Credit to be eligible.
Cut down on heating to 18degrees and on 2 hours morning & 3 hours evening batch cooking then freezing for meals & making sure I don't get tempted to buy non essentials makes life just about affordable.

It sounds a bit counter intuitive but we have started doing Gousto for weeknight meals. I've always tried to meal plan but invariably got to the night and found I'm missing some vital ingredient for whatever it is which has necessitated a dash to Tesco and while we are there we always end up picking up stuff that we don't really need. this way dinner is set in advance for Mon - Thurs and there's less temptation to go oh fuck it let's have a takeaway like we often do. Also trying to only put the heating on when necessary, use tumbler less etc.

All those PP saying they will hand wash rather than use dishwasher. It all depends HOW you hand wash. You may be cheaper waiting till the dishwasher is full and then running it.

You certainly use less water.

Public transport where possible, especially long journeys when there are special deals for kids.
Eating less meat - not that we ate a lot, but even less now
Not buying new clothes unless I really need them - I'm wearing a sweater I was given when I was 16 today (wfh!)
Turned the heating down and reduced the time it's on
lights & sockets off when not in use; use timers on dishwasher/washing machine to use cheaper elec rate (also charge devices at night and using a USB as that reduces the elec use)

We get far too many takeaways. I work 10+ hour days and prepare a lot of food as part of my job.
By the time I've finished work I just can't be bothered to cook again!
We've started buying things that are easy cook like.ready prepared veg, potatoes, salads etc and things that can be popped straight in the oven like chicken kievs or a posh ready meal. We spend a bit more on grocery shopping doing this but it reduces what we spend on takeaways so it's costing less overall.

Thermostat set to 16 degrees heating coming on 2x daily, going to reduce the amount of time it's on in the evenings too. Luckily our toddler naturally runs warm, if I put a couple of extra layers on him he seems quite happy and his hands and feet are toasty.
No more eating out/takeaways
No toddler activities costing more than £2/session
SIM only mobile plan £4.95/month
Getting rid of home phone line as don't use it and reducing spend on internet
No new clothes - second hand only
Eating less meat and more pulses (I already own an instant pot which cooks things quickly, so no need to simmer for ages)
No cooking things that require long periods of time in the oven or on the hob
Student loan will be paid off in September so any extra money can be put towards additional energy price rises from October, we're also going to up our direct debit to try and build up a small buffer over summer
Minimising tumble drier use, although on cold damp days it's still worth it as clothes just don't dry indoors (if it's sunny I put the airer in front of a south facing window and they dry nicely)
Haircut once every six months
Minimising dentist visits

If things get worse we will look at getting rid of one of the cars (would require changing working hourse/childcare drop off/pick up arrangements), working additional hours (but again that would mean more childcare costs), and possibly switching off the hot water, this would mainly affect washing up as we have an electric shower anyway.

Have scrolled through thread...was it this one where someone suggested that if you're using the oven anyway then put a bowl of water in it?
The hot water can then be used for washing up etc.

Genius!!