To ask how you pay less

[Favouritethings]

I'm trying to spend less. I've just discovered sainsburys basic dishwasher tablets are as good as finish, for a fraction of the price. Morrisons orchid hand wash is lovely, for just 67p. Fabric conditioner is apparently not needed, so I now just use own brand washing powder. I now smuggle sweets/drinks into the cinema and take picnics out instead of getting lunch whilst out with the children for the day. Does anyone else have any tips on spending less, without feeling like you're going without as such?

[BarbaraofSeville]

Never eat at a chain restaurant without checking for a voucher - there's nearly always one available. Independents are also often cheaper, especially on drinks and even better if you can find a BYO restaurant and take your own booze.

Never pay full price for all those branded goods that are always on offer somewhere. Instead of big supermarkets, try Aldi, Lidl, Wilkinsons, Home Bargains, Pound Shops etc.

Always check for a discount code or quidco/top cashback if shopping online.

Shop around annually for insurance, gas and electric, broadband, tv etc. You never need to pay full price for any of these. Don't have expensive pay TV if you can help it - Now TV, Amazon Prime or Netflix plus freeview gives you most of the channels for less than a third of the cost.

Watch how much you spend on food out of the house, this can be loads. Coffee at McDonalds is at least as good as Costa/Starbucks and about half the cost.

Sign up to the Moneysavingexpert weekly newsletter and read it's budgeting guide - loads of tips. I don't try particularly hard but this week I've had a free £35 in M&S vouchers by signing up to it's credit card.

Eat less meat and eat cheaper cuts of meat - pork shoulder, chicken thighs, ham hock. Much cheaper and tastier than chicken breasts. If you eat a lot of chicken, buy a whole carcass and cut it up yourself. A whole chicken doesn't cost much more than 2 plain breasts and you get about twice as much meat.

Make meat the flavouring of a meal, not the main focus. Lots of vegetables and pulses is also healthier too.

[Ineedmorelemonpledge]

Make the most of the freezer - when they sell loaves of bread at the end of the night for 50p buy bulk and freeze them.

I also make sure my freezer has milk stocked so I'm not tempted to buy from the local shop when I run out (and pay extra and buy loads of crap while I'm there)

I batch cook on Weekends and freeze portions of lasagne, chili etc for the week. Good for economising on oven time too.

Soups are very easy, nutritious and cheap. And you can freeze portions in old pickle jars!