Life on a budget

[Myfamily46]

Since alot of people are struggling with the cost of living. I was thinking maybe we could share some money saving ideas. Meal ideas ect.

The biggest energy consumption is from heating and water heating.

Turn the thermostat down on heating and water heating. A lot of people forget about turning down the temperature for their water heating. You could save about 1% of your water heating costs for every 1 degree C you turn it down.

Use cold water for washing your hands. It's just as hygienic and even for one person, it will save heating thousands of litres of water in a year.

Save the heavy towels that take ages to dry for summer when you can dry them outside. In winter,use thin Hammam type towels that dry quickly.

We've become very blithe about getting clothes dirty and chucking them in the machine. In the past people used layers. Thin,easy to wash and dry next to the skin with pinafores,smocks,aprons and napkins kept the outer layer clean.

The one shopping tip I always give is meal plan for 7 days and stretch your weekly shop to every 8 days. Day 8 use up all your bits and pieces a do a fridge/cupboard sweep. That way you gain an extra 6 weeks housekeeping a year which I use for xmas. It has worked so well for us I am now trying to really budget and stretch a weekly shop to every 9 days. Less meat etc. That would gain 12 weeks extra housekeeping a year. 365 ÷ 9 == 40

If you want to batch cook but freezer space is an issue, try using ziplock bags. Doesn't work for dishes with big chunks, but for stuff like dal, mince or anything with that texture that can be flattened, you can fit two or three of the bags in the space that one takeaway sized plastic container would take up.

There is the initial outlay for the bags but if you can spare a few pounds, they last pretty well too. Just wash them in the same way you would a container, except turn them inside out.

Cook double for the next evening’s dinner
Turn the thermostat down if you have one / only heat the rooms you use.
Wash clothes less often.
Use a top sheet on beds so duvet covers need washed less often.
Timer for showers. Share bath water??
Buy potatoes in half cwt bags from a local butcher/ farmer. Potatoes are very versatile and a cheap filler.
Buy seasonal- no strawberries/ raspberries etc in winter.
Grow your own berries if you have a garden.
Plant some fruit trees.
Keep chickens
Don’t go into shops like B and M , The range etc as they sell so much absolute crap! I’ve already seen people fawning over their Halloween tat on Facebook. Just don’t!
Don’t use the car if you can walk. If you must drive try to make the journey worthwhile so eg food shop plus uniform shop plus bank .

Children don’t need a lot of clothes or shoes when they have a school uniform.
Buy school bags which will last more than one year, pass things like coats around friends and family.
Buy clothes and footwear out of season in the sales in the next size.
Take turns driving with other parents if your children attend Cubs, brownies etc

Buy a slow cooker!

I'm not sure that buying a second freezer is a good way of making a saving . Aside from the initial cost, I think they are quite expensive to run . Probably better to use the freezer you have for raw ingredients - eg frozen fish and vegetables are often cheaper . If you are trying to meal plan then plan for meals like a stir fry which are cooked quickly on the hob or using a slow cooker .

I've stopped using the oven and use only the air fryer. Has saved an absolute fortune. I also use cold washes where possible.

Or home bargains

Meal planning and keeping a close eye on what's in my cupboards/freezer saves me a fortune.

Batch cooking is also one of my go to's.

A big one is the water thermostat. I used to have it hot hot, but when dd was old enough to reach taps I turned it down to 40 so she wouldn't burn herself. It's inadvertently saved me loads.

Think about it... If you have a bath or shower and your water is hot hot, you pay to heat it up only to then cool it down again with cold water. I have hot water only showers, so only heat water to the temp that's right (40 for me and dd now she's older) and I don't use additional water either mixing in the cold tap. If I need hotter water in the kitchen (soaking stubborn pots for example) I turn it up, draw what I need, and turn it back down.

when any bill is up for annual renewal, be it car insurance or wifi or mobile, anything, always always contact the company, say you've got lower quotes and get a better deal. or change companies.

Or Wilko...

Dishwashers are supposed to be cheaper than hand washing dishes. Idk if that's true though. Dishwasher tabs can be cut in half and also far less laundry detergent is needed for clothes than we are advised to use.
I buy garlic powder in bulk packs from asian shops. It used to go solid on me (as does onion powder) but a twistie tie round the bag and into an airtight plastic box with lid stops this. It peps up most dishes if you don't mind the garlic breath.
Going to look into an air fryer.
I grow most of my own herbs & wrap in bubble wrap over winter to protect them.

I think most people don't have the space for chickens, fruit trees or to grow berries in the garden. 40 degrees is too cold for most people for a shower. For me what makes a difference is not wasting any food at all - meal planning and thinking about how to use leftovers is a big saver. And not buying stuff I don't really need and pretty much always taking sandwiches rather than buying lunch.

Some people don’t but lots of people do!

Turn the thermostat down on heating and water heating. A lot of people forget about turning down the temperature for their water heating. You could save about 1% of your water heating costs for every 1 degree C you turn it down

Just a word of caution in respect of this bit of advice. Your water tank if you have an immersion should not be set below 70° otherwise you can get bacteria in the water

Sorry I think it’s 60 to 65°

As you were

I notice that people throw a lot of veg away. When you cut broccoli, leeks, long stem broccoli etc. don’t throw away the stalk. It’s really nutritious. Cut a bit off the end, then slide thinly and stir fry, or chuck in stews. It’s a total waste of good veg.

Also, don’t bin leftover veg from meals. Leave it in the middle for everyone to take what they want, then reheat next night or chuck in stock and blend for veggie soup.

Tips to make the house as warm as possible - Thermal curtains over externals doors, draft excluders on internal doors. drafts sealed around windows, reflective foil behind radiators on external walls.

Electric blankets on beds with timers on and fleecy thick bedding. Invest in decent slippers or slipper socks to keep your feet warm and thick throws for the sofas.

Turn everything off at the socket that isn’t in use and swap bulbs to led energy saving bulbs.

My changes have been:

Don't use the tumble dryer anymore. Have actually been pleasantly surprised by how much it isn't needed. I live in a top floor tenement with no lift

Got rid of the dishwasher. Again, wasn't needed anywhere near as much as I thought

About 90% of my washing is put on a 30° quick wash (bar towels and underwear)

Use the air fryer more than the oven

Don't drive

I've recently downloaded the Asda rewards app, so yet to use it. But I do order my groceries from there often, so hoping I will be able to save a few pennies

Bulk buy house supplies. Cherryz is good. Buy my washing powder, anti bac spray, washing up sponges, washing up liquid etc from there frequently. And a free delivery pass unlimited is £12 a year

Bulk buy loo roll from Amazon. Cheapest I've found is 60 rolls for £20

Ive no space for bulk buying, the house is squeezed in as it is. Great for anyone who does have room though.

Here's another tip, if you have older teens at home, get them to get a part time job in a supermarket or co-op..even a 4 hour a week contract gives them and you 10% off shopping at sainsburys/ tesco/ morrissons/asda/co-op.....as well as places linked to certain stores like argos etc....and if they work at waitrose they get 20% off shopping and 25% off john lewis.....

Get them out working!!

Iceland do free delivery over £40 and they often have decent prices, i got 32 comfort loo rolls for £11 in my order and delivered free

Bulk buy loo roll from Amazon. Cheapest I've found is 60 rolls for £20

54 good quality rolls for about £14 in Farm Foods. Sometimes 72 when they have offers on.

For those that don't have storage, we sometimes split that with a relative who lives nearby. Same with their washing powder offers - they often have a good deal on the large boxes, but to get the vfm, you tend to need to bulk buy - so talk to your sister / son / Dad / mate and split the bulk buy deals and both make the savings without storage issues.

Got rid of the dishwasher. Again, wasn't needed anywhere near as much as I thought

it’s been found using a dishwasher is cheaper than washing up by hand, less energy etc