What are your best money saving tips on a single income?

[Lookatmeimsandradeeee]

No, not a reporter and no, I’m not writing an article for the Daily Fail (or any other publication)....

A change in circumstance means I’ve been reviewing our family budget. I’m a SAHM and DH works away earning our sole source of income (no additional income from tax credits/benefits etc.).

I feel like I have a good grip on the well-known stuff like always shop around for Insurance at renewal, manage payments by Direct Debits on payday etc... but I’d love to know/hear of anyone’s ‘must-do’ tips that have helped them save cash/lessen spending etc?

Only one I can think of (that I’m doing) is now making a list (also attempting to meal plan) and doing my weekly shop online to avoid buying stuff I don’t need...an trying to make do and mend as much as I can as and when but does anyone have any gems??

Have an easy "avoid the takeaway" meal in the freezer, even if it is a pricey readymeal it will save you money.

Ooh nice one tinkly. We do love a trip to the local chippy of a weekend.... thanks x

Buy your loo rolls from groupon
Buy your soap powder from amazon

We will be in a similar situation soon. DH does not work away though. I think the biggest things we need to cut back on is getting lunch out at weekends. I find online shopping helps me stick to a budget.

Well I try not to buy any store cupboard items unless they are on a decent offer. I use mysupermarket.co.uk to check prices of more expensive items. If you have the time buying reductions late in the day can be an amazing way to save. I only buy stuff I can freeze and know I will use.

Check you are paying the correct council tax by checking your banding against other similar properties around you. Its easy to do and apply to get it looked at if you think you are being/have been incorrectly assessed. Be aware though it could go up, though unlikely.

We buy tesco value dishwasher tablets. And use tesco own washing tablets, most washes only need one tablet.

Yes, having nice food in at home can save money on eating out and takeaways.

We try to use Tesco voucher deals to eat out. If we do eat out, for a birthday or something, we go for lunch instead of dinner.

If you don't already and if you have them in your vicinity, then do shop in Aldi and Lidl.
Big box of washing powder, 100 washes, 8.99 for example.

Take out family membership for the National trust. A few pounds a month, extremely well spent. Pack up the car with a picnic and have some glorious days out. Take your own snacks and drinks out always, you will save a fortune.

I save £2 coins - you don't get many of them so you don't miss them and they add up quickly. I also save 50ps which has really upped my small savings pot!

Don't buy anything online until you've checked the cashback sites and if that fails, nectar.

Loyalty cards for everything, even shops you don't go to often. The pennies are ultimately better in your pocket than anyone else's!

Slow cooker meals.

Don't buy any clothes unless they are in a sale. School uniform in M&S is on sale every year before school's break up (usually about 20%). Assuming your children are average size, shop now in summer sales for next summer etc.

If you have union membership, check deals. I get 4% off in Sainsbury's through mine by buying a gift card that is then free to top up online (so I put on £100, but I only pay £96 for it). I have gift cards along the same lines for another of other shops I use regularly.

I would second using Aldi. Way cheaper than Tescos et al. But I would also say that I often have time to go shopping in the evening whilst DS is at cadets. I've found that at around 7pm onwards is when the reduced stuff gets put out. I tend to buy reduced veg. 12p for a cauliflower and 30p for Asparagus the other day. Bakery goods also go at similar prices and are great for a treat. I also look for meat products and pop them in the freezer if we're not eating them the next day. For instance I got a joint of beef reduced from £7.95 to £2.02 last week at Tescos. Aldi put half price strips over their things and got some lovely fish the other day. I also save by using groupon, itison, and woucher for trips out, meals and other events. I use Tesco vouchers for holidays. Have used them for ferries, the tunnel and chalet hire in the past.
The other thing I do is sell unwanted stuff on eBay. You'd be surprised how every little bit adds up.

Make meals with cheap cuts of meat. Chicken thighs for example, a lot cheaper than breast, great for shoving in the slow cooker. For cheap meat the slow cooker is your friend

Thanks all, I really love our local Lidl but to be honest I find the same thing happens whereby I end up spending way more than I should as I get distracted with things in front of me. I actually save money doing an online shop at a larger reatailer because I only buy what I need - I wish Lidl delivered!! Uniforms is a good one, not got kids at school yet but will plan ahead on that one x

Buy cleaning stuff in bulk from LIDL/ALDI.

Plan meals for the week in advance, and only buy as much meat/veg as you actually need. Remember to include lunches for you and DC in the plan!

Cancel any subscriptions to things you don't need or don't really use (we ditched Sky Sports, Amazon Prime and Apple Music).

Get most clothes from Tu when there's 25% off (usually in school hols).

Shop around for bills/insurance etc.

No takeaways. This one sucks.

Do an online shop on a Friday. This really helps me not get takeaways/go out for brunch lunch ect over the weekend if I have nice things in the fridge.

• PAYG mobile if poss (mine is £10 a month, but I am not a ‘phone’ person anyway!)
• Visit supermarkets just before closing, buy everything you can get your hands on and pop in freezer
• Be veggie for at least part of week (again, I find this so much cheaper but I’d be veggie anyway!)
• Make full use of library for kids and do reading days
• Same as above for local, free museums
• Do reading, writing and drawing challenges/competitions with your kids
• Ring around any companies you haven’t yet, and ask if they can ‘do any deals’ for you

Make full use of Waitrose card, buy 3p items and get your ‘free’ coffee. I know people who sign their kids up to the same card and get further free hot drinks.

• Online surveys

Have you transferred the proportion of your tax allowance to your husband?

How does this work Doubletrouble99?

www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance

I used to go to Model nights at my local Toni And Guy. Saved me a fortune in haircuts and colours over the years.
I also bought Sainsburys basics washing powder (well the liquid actually), it worked just aswell as the branded ones but saved me money.

Always go through cashback sites (e.g Quidco) when buying anything online!

Buying from Facebook selling groups has saved me a fortune. It's incredibly prevalent in my area. I use this mainly for children's presents (but they are currently smal). I ask for things that I need on Facebook and have got some bargains. We also have a free cycle Facebook group. I also up cycle things. I buy clothes mostly second hand on eBay (but good quality and long lasting brands). Anything I can't get on eBay I buy from good brands in the sales and use voucher codes where possible. I've just bought dd her winter coat for example and instead of it costing £89 it was £39. I bought it 2 sizes up so it will last a couple of winters. Her younger sister will also use it. It's a good brand so it will last - just like her last one did.

I meal plan but factor in nice food too. I had stripped our budget right back and we were eating a lot of lentils etc but then I realised we were getting quite a few takeaways which was obviously counterproductive. So now we have a better balance and we stick to it.

In Lidl, impose a rule on yourself to only go round the perimeters of the store, avoid the centre aisles with non food stuff. Take cash only into Lidl with you so that you have no choice but to stick to your limit.

I buy loo rolls and washing powder in Farmfoods (just pop in those those items alone) as the loo rolls are such nice quality and only about £3.99 for 18, often 3 packs for £10. Cheaper than anywhere else I’ve found for the same quality.

Weekends we have frozen pizzas in stock for weekends instead of takeaways.

When your DCs start school, check whether the school sells second hand uniform. Ours does, at 50p per item so I’ve bought loads of decent school logo jumpers and cardigans in larger sizes for my kids. It saves loads so I can’t understand why more parents don’t take advantage of it.

At weekends we seek out lots of different playgrounds and parks In our local area rather than just the same few over and over, so it feels a bit new and different for them but still being free.

The biggest savings will be any reduction you can make to your biggest outgoings - which probably starts with rent/mortgage. If you rent, do you need the size of house you currently live in? Would you be better off moving or applying for council/housing association accommodation? If you're paying a mortgage, are you on the best deal possible? A small percentage change in accommodation costs will make a huge difference to your overall budget.

Cut your own and familys hair (plenty of videos on youtube showing how)
I think it's better to shop in person than online, because that way you can pick up more reductions. You do have to be self disciplined though.
Don't buy clothes or shoes for the sake of it, make sure you really need it, try mending clothes instead of throwing away.
If you haven't already pop onto moneysavingexpert.com. If you want you can post a statement of affairs (all your incoming/outgoings) and people will go through it with a fine tooth comb.
Walk/cycle as much as possible. It saves money and will keep you fit.
Don't buy snacks and drinks when you're out, unless you've actually budgeted it as part of the entertainment. Either take something out with you, or wait until you get home.