Money saving ideas /Energy prices

[Smelly32]

Does anyone have any ideas about money saving they could share?

Maybe switch to a cheaper brand/shop when grocery shopping. Money saved could go towards the cost of energy bills.

Any others ?

I steam my veg as it’s all getting cooked in one.

Forgot to say, look at your broadband and mobile phone costs - are there cheaper options?

I much prefer supermarket shopping in person ... you can see all the bargains and yellow sticker items.

@ItsDisneyBitch

Today 21:46 FloralsForSpring

@ItsDisneyBitch try washing at 30

Thanks! I have a dd with ASD who doesn’t handle periods very well. Do you think that would still work with the knickers?

Cold water rinse gets rid of blood better than hot water. Pop them in the sink asap then wash later at 30.

@BookkeeperBobby

Yes, i lost a lot of goodwill at work on the days I biked in and got punctures and had to wheel the fucking thing to the nearest bike shop. And then lost money when I was late picking my son up due to detouring via said bike shop on foot after work to pick him up. It was shit and v stressful. Maybe is an ok life choice if you're middle class and in charge of your own time and can pootle around for fun. Or if your colleagues don't care if you smell. Pretty niche really.

Not that niche if you don’t drive and can’t afford public transport. I did this for years- just always carried a spare chain and tube if something went and happily worked out how to use them. Came off in the ice- got back on. Some people don’t have a choice! Tbh. Taking your bike to a repair shop to fix a puncture and then being late for work is the most middle class thing I have heard for a while

I read one on another thread to check the temp of your hot water tank and usually it's higher than needed so it can be reduced to save energy.

I have a dyson fan heater that I love. I think electric heaters in one or 2 must be cheaper than central heating in the whole house. Use microwave instead of stove where possible eg to heat milk or make porridge. Likewise air fryer can be used in place of oven.

I should say I haven't actually worked out the energy difference. I am just assuming cheaper to help electric and a lot faster eg 2 mins in microwave v 5 mins in job. Also less washing up as no pans.

Taking your bike to a repair shop to fix a puncture and then being late for work is the most middle class thing I have heard for a while grin

I was a single parent on £13k a year. I can still feel the trapped panicky feeling now I used to get. I did try to fix the bike myself but never could get the tyre levers to work. It was a desperate miserable time. Supercilious smug grin right back at you.

I bought 3 pairs of period knickers from Primark and I’ve been able to massively reduce the amount of san pro I buy.
Plus when I’m on a light day and at home, I fold a pair of knickers up into a pad shape and use that instead of a pad.

Ffs there are lots and lots of people for whom cycling is just not doable

FFS this thread is not about you.

Thank you for all your tips and suggestions.

I don't drive . There is no way I could use a bike. I have not had my central heating on at all this winter. I just had an oil filled radiator in the living room. If I have the heating on it gets to hot upstairs but it's still very cold down stairs due to no double glazing and windows that don't close properly.

We don't have a shower only bath.

The thing I do use and can't do without is a tumble dryer . There are 6 of us jn the house there's no where to put a clothes airer. The house is so cold it would take days to dry. My garden is not suitable for a washing line there's to many trees and crap that fall of them.

I'm moving in a few weeks time. The new house should have better insulation. It has a proper garden so I can hang washing to dry. It also has solar panels. Will solar panels make a big difference?

I cycle my 6 mile commute, and love it, and it saves loads of money. I think a PP is right saying lots of people do have it as an option, but don't realise it.

I don't really get why some PP have got angry at the suggestion. Of course it might not be an option for you, it doesn't mean you need to get offended at the mere thought of it

Plus a cool stat I found the other day: commuting to work by bike is associated with a 40% decrease in the risk of premature death! roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/n-a-5704/

I've only had one puncture in 4 years, but I know it can be an issue for others, and do things like kevlar inner tubes or carrying spare inner tubes. But honestly, I find the reliability compared to other transport is amazing. I've only been late for picking up kids twice, and the eldest is 5. Once was a puncture, and once I forgot to leave work on time!

Water down the milk. I add some water to the milk to make it last longer and nobody notices.
Also water down washing up liquid, hand soap.

@KleineDracheKokosnuss

I was actually hoping you’d be able to tell me a magic puncture solution. The Lycra-clad men on a Sunday seem to manage, but I’ve no idea how.

Puncture proof tyres or Slime inner tubes.

My BIL has an electric bike - he got it under a scheme at work where they pay a percentage towards it. His family had many years where to be honest I didn't think it was worth the cost of having fridge on, as all they had in it was milk, sometimes spread or a couple of tomatoes! Things are easier now, but he still loves his bike and uses it come rain or shine for work. Might not work for some, but it's an option. For those that can afford a car, they can still break down and will cost a lot more to bend a punctured tyre.

Hang out your washing, dont use a tumble dryer.

'Ffs there are lots and lots of people for whom cycling is just not doable': Mumsnet, specialist subject, the bleeding obvious. It's not going to made obligatory, it was just a suggestion. If it's not suitable to you, you don't need to have a tantrum about it. Just as not using my shower but a bucket and a beaker will not be something I am doing. And now cycling to work is another thing to add to the endless, obsessive list of class indicators.

@midsomermurderess

'Ffs there are lots and lots of people for whom cycling is just not doable': Mumsnet, specialist subject, the bleeding obvious. It's not going to made obligatory, it was just a suggestion. If it's not suitable to you, you don't need to have a tantrum about it. Just as not using my shower but a bucket and a beaker will not be something I am doing. And now cycling to work is another thing to add to the endless, obsessive list of class indicators.

I think possibly the person who wrote that saw several bike posts . I must admit i did think its not meant to be a cycling thread when I saw several cycling posts

OP if you don’t have double glazing you can get film to put over your windows, or tape cling film over them - it stops the drafts. I wfh with a hot water bottle rather than putting the heating on. You might be better (if you can afford it) getting a heater airer rather than using the tumble drier, Lakeland sell them and they are sometimes Aldi special buys.

Agree with steaming veg - just one pot needed.

Turn off the oven 5-10 mins before scheduled end of cooking time - for most things (except perhaps delicate cakes and souffles) there will be enough heat to finish cooking.

Rubbing or soaking with salt and cold water will remove blood stains. As well as the chemical reaction, the salt is slightly abrasive. Then wash at 30.

White vinegar - buy cheap in bulk - is a very good general cleaner. No need for lots of branded expensive products. No need for most branded household products - supermarket own basic brands often half the price and just as good.

Save last little bits of soap in a jam jar or similar. Dissolve in a little bit of hot water to make very good gel for washing hands or handwashing delicate clothes.

Dehumidifier and clothes airer in a room with a closed door will dry clothes very well and much more cheaply than a tumble dryer, if outdoor drying is not possible. the dehumidifier also takes the chill out of the room.

Most things don't need to be ironed - an iron uses a lot of power. Fold neatly and stack instead.

This chart is extremely informative; it's based on electricity prices in Jan 2022 (so out of date as from today) , but still shows comparative cost of different electrical devices:
www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/how-much-electricity-am-i-using
The article that accompanies it is also very helpful.

Why all the anger about the cycling suggestion? As with any suggestion you need to decide if it is workable for you in your situation. No-one has said ' FFS I would have to BUY a slow cooker and if I had the money for that I would not be looking for money saving tips would I? FFS'

I used to be able to cycle to work every day. I loved it - was free, kept me fit, got me outside and just made me feel good each day. I really miss it. And my arse has completely collapsed since I stopped.
I used to have a great ass, thanks to cycling everyday.

@CharSiu

Look at your consumption of absolutely everything and ask do I need this?

It also depends on what you as an individual gain pleasure from and how to cut back if you can on small pleasures unfortunately. I will always love walking in the countryside and can walk to open fields only 15 minutes from my house.

It’s like trying new brands of stuff, sometimes I see something like a hair conditioner and would love to try it but I am allergic to loads of soaps, shampoos and cosmetics so never worth the risk.

I think one area is be a bit grubbier, I’m not suggesting going back to one bath a week on a Sunday night which is how I was raised but I spot clean clothes often.

I'd email the manufacturer, explain you'd love to try it but are allergic to many, and ask if they have any samples you can try to see if you're allergic.

@SnoozeAllDay

Wear clothes a few times before washing

Air Dry towels a few times before washing

Clothes horse or washing line instead of tumble dryer

Watch tv with the lights off
Better still read a book

Turn off heating and wear your dressing gown on top of clothes and thick socks

Have less cups of tea

Shower every other day

Don’t use a hair dryer just stand outside

If you’re cold do 100 star jumps and squats

Watch tv with the lights off Better still read a book

Reading a book in the dark is a step too far for me

@KleineDracheKokosnuss

I was actually hoping you’d be able to tell me a magic puncture solution. The Lycra-clad men on a Sunday seem to manage, but I’ve no idea how.

Carry a spare tube and some canisters to quickly inflate. Change to a new tube rather than trying to patch the puncture. It's still a crappy job though. You can get tougher tyres to reduce punctures too, but not eliminate :(

@KleineDracheKokosnuss

I was actually hoping you’d be able to tell me a magic puncture solution. The Lycra-clad men on a Sunday seem to manage, but I’ve no idea how.

Or possibly tubeless tyres with a sealant gunk in it which magically seals if you get a small puncture.

I looked at the energy saving trust earlier as DH was wondering out loud about leaving things on standby. It looks like it depends on the age of the item but the trust estimate that on average it accounts for 9-16% of energy use.

I've done jacket potatoes in the slow cooker this week. Just don't wrap them in foil as they go soggy. Instead, turn them over half way through cooking and slightly wedge the lid to allow steam to escape.

We are also not fixing the power shower and making do with the pathetic dribble for now.