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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU in thinking superscrimpers aren't really that scrimpy?

37 replies

CombineBananaFister · 05/06/2013 20:51

Now, I'm on a very tight budget so welcome any tips on how to save pennies with household expenses. It is not my normal t.v viewing (am more of a Dexter/Breaking Bad kind of person) but thought I'd have a nosy at their scrimping suggestions.

Having watched a couple of episodes I've come to the conclusion that:
a) I live near a lot of VERY cheap shops
b) They don't really understand what items people have lying around their homes
c) I must be completely missing the point

I don't have spare Cath kidston material in my linen cupboard, or essential oils, wax, geletin, random bags of sunflower seeds, spare glass vases or whatever else they think you can 'scrimp' candles/bird feeders/laptop covers out of.

A lot of the stuff is in my local pound shop for MUCH cheaper. I understand the recycle/upcycle/ethical aspect of it but its about saving money isn't it?

The food budget part of it was quite good, although my local butchers don't serve 'cheap' cuts of meat any more once it becomes popular (oxtail/pig cheeks? Angry)

So am I missing the point, or they aren't that scrimpy or am I just used to being REALLY scrimpy :) (meant to be a bit light-hearted)

OP posts:
Pumpkinette · 05/06/2013 23:52

I've used approved foods before as they had out of date slimm shakes for very cheap (silmm was the old name for the celebrity slim diet). It was a massive saving (something like £1.99 for £20 worth of stuff) I ordered a good 4 months worth of shakes and saved a small fortune.

I do agree that the food stuff isn't that great and is about the same price and range of stuff you get in B&M. Only by the time you add on p&p it actually works out more expensive.

redwellybluewelly · 05/06/2013 23:53

DH and I watched a few episodes of this - no idea why as it annoyed me so much and we now have a veto option on new series!

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 05/06/2013 23:55

I compare the programme to the 'Top Tips' in Take a Break magazine and the like. You know, make an interesting peg basket out of an old welly boot. No thanks.

Crikeyblimey · 05/06/2013 23:56

Reminds me of the Top Tips in Viz. dh's favourite was the one about "if you are absent minded and prone to forget things. Don't buy the economy sized washing powder and leave it on the bus, buy the smaller box and leave that instead". Or something like that.

Maryz · 05/06/2013 23:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ouryve · 06/06/2013 00:04

YANBU. It's pretty shite. [pretending to be articulate and incisive at midnight emoticon]

meddie · 06/06/2013 00:49

Ah the VIZ top tips were superb. I remember one about.
Sellotape rice crispies to the wheels of your car for that authentic crunchy gravel drive sound

CombineBananaFister · 06/06/2013 07:50

The viz top tips sound MUCH more entertaining as a program. Glad it's not just me then :)

The episode i watched was showing you how to make birdseed balls from all those expensive nuts and seeds you have lying around as opposed to buying a bag of x20 from your pound shop Confused and make your own scented candles using a crystal vase you pick up for a few pence at a car boot Hmm

Scratched off the planner, will put it down to misadventure and carrying on with my usual viewing. Nice to know there's so many Dexter/Breaking Bad fans too - can't wait for All Hail the King, Walts looking seriously dark.

loved the 'meth and death' descriptor Smile

OP posts:
ProfYaffle · 06/06/2013 07:58

The best thing about Economy Gastronomy is enjoying the irony of a lush hardback book of the series at £20 Grin I got it in a charity shop for £1 and haven't opened it since I brought it home Hmm

foolmouse · 06/06/2013 08:05

Yanbu.

I hate the food budget part. They give them £50 for the week but that only seems to cover evening meals, not breakfast, lunch, snacks, basics such as bread and milk or toiletries so actually there are no good tips there at all. Also the ones who make really daft things like bracelets out of old bottle tops get my goat. Oh and the woman who is all like 'make your own perfume/candles' but you have to buy a billion items, some of which I wouldn't have a clue where to buy.

OwlinaTree · 06/06/2013 08:07

Lolling at this thread. You are right, the tips are crap. Make a sink cleaner with vinegar and bicarb. Err actually Mr muscle is cheaper! I like when they show the people spending loads and help them cut back - sometimes misses the point spectacularly!

Am also enjoying breaking bad. Just watched first episode of season 5. End of season 4 was AMAZING!

foolmouse · 06/06/2013 08:08

Oh yeah and there was a bloke a few weeks ago wasting money on electrical items. He was spending thousands on like 4 laptops, 5 iPads, 6 iPhones and 10 cameras. Instead of telling him to just stop being an idiot and buying a few of everything when he only needed one they gave him tips on how to get them cheaper Hmm.

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