Small everyday savings. What am I missing?

[OhioOhioOhio]

Bars of soap instead of hand-wash.
Jumpers instead of heating.
Packed snacks/lunches instead of cafes.

Refillable water bottle and thermal travel mug so you can take you own drinks with you (good for the environment as well as saving money)

Set a budget for grocery shopping and draw that amount out in cash. Don't spend more than the cash you have.

Use TopCashback and Quidco for online purchases. I even use them for Amazon buys, w

Write down (or use an app, or excel spreadsheet) all your income and outgoings. Mark the things that you can’t change, but look at the ones you can, eg electricity, cheaper tariff etc. For me the one thing that I could make small savings on is food. So meal plan, only buy what you need for that week. Finally when you’ve worked out from your chart what you can save, put it into savings on payday. It’s harder then to take some back out when you see it building. Some banks have apps that move the pennies into savings, so if you had £200.59 in your account they’d move 59p into savings. That adds up too. Mine doesn’t do it though (HSBC).

I also save for birthdays and Christmas every month. So on my bank excel spreadsheet I have a list of family and friends birthdays and Christmas - and divide the cost by 12. So when it’s a birthday I move the money over. I also add a bit more to that account and use it for car things, MOT etc. I also save for holidays too in another account. I think I have 4/5 current accounts with same bank and a few savings! I also work out when direct debits go out, and the only that are from 10th-31st I put that money into another account and move it over when the bills go out. This is handy as I forget about them so can move the money over when it goes out

Batch cook.

Use half a dishwasher tablet per load. Use below the recommended amount of washing powder - much cheaper than liquid or gel.

Budget. For. Everything. Have a spreadsheet. Work out the cost of annual bills and work out how much you need to save each month for them. This hopefully will prevent you from relying on credit cards.

Have friends over more often rather than going out. Saves an absolute fortune and on rainy nights everyone is relieved!

Also good for the environment tips:

Try to combine travel to save on fuel, e.g do your shopping, pick-ups etc. on the way home from work
Reuse teabags (my cousin gets 4 cuppas out of 1 teabag, but he likes weak tea!)
Reuse food / sandwich bags the next day
No need to wear once then wash - be less pristine but still clean (doesn't usually apply to underwear!)
Go to the cheaper supermarkets / bargain shops for generic stuff - you will save a lot of cash.
If you can afford it, stock up on birthday cards in one go. It will save a dash to the shop in the future.

Walk instead of car or public transport
Eat leftovers rather than throwing away
Shop around rather than buy everything in same supermarket
Shop at markets
Sell things on eBay
If water metered turn taps off, reduce shower time etc
Turn heating down a degree

You need to write down everything you spend or use (including hidden things like electricity) and look at that.

For example, two obvious ones people often say are: don’t buy takeaway coffee, only book a kettle with one cup amount for tea. Neither of these apply to me.

However, as someone who only ever uses milk to make hot drinks for visitors, having powdered milk have saved me money in not wasting a full 250ml long life carton on a single cup of tea.

So where do YOU spend money?

Pick up Christmas wrapping paper etc in the new year. Wilko were selling rolls for 5p the other week.

Charity shops for clothes

Use your library! Free books, graphic novels, audio books etc our library even has things like 3D printers to use, and have just now introduced a bank if tablets for loan at an hour a time.

Find free/cheap activities, we have kids stuff going on for free/a few £ per family from our family centres, library, local museum etc

Start cycling!

Set a weekly budget for food, travel etc If the budget is £100 only take £90 out, it is amazing how you learn to watch every single penny when it is cash you are spending.

Get good at using up leftovers and cooking with cheap ingredients like veg in season, lentils etc.

These are great ideas. After years of financial abuse I'm so looking forward to get my money sorted. I just need to get some savings again and remember that every penny counts.

Before you buy things online, look for a discount code, even if it's just for free delivery or 10% off. It all adds up.

Also look at deals on loyalty cards such as nectar and boots, install the apps and check regularly for bonus points. Save these for Christmas or use when they have double up events 🙂

Oh yes, reduce the amount of meat you eat.

only book a kettle with one cup amount for tea

Stop renting kettles - you can buy your own for under a fiver.

Travel mug with a hot drink to go when you leave the house.
Packed lunches (keep them simple).
Meal prep and plan for the week ahead.
Freeze a portion of everything suitable before you plate up and sit to eat.
Annual passes (on a monthly dd are cheaper) e.g. National Trust or a local attraction with lots to do.
Buy less. You don't need 5 coats or 8 pairs of boots

Oh and check out Fun Cheap or Free with Jordan Page on YouTube. Loads of tips.

Download an app called “Overdrive” to borrow audio books from the library for free .
Always search online for a discount code . Use topcashback and Quidco for all online purchases .
Buy the best quality clothes you can afford but buy in the sales. Stick to classic styles . One pair of good quality boots or shoes which can be reheeled will save money in the long term .
If you have children buy them the more desirable brands of clothing in the sales and resell on Facebook pages when they’ve outgrown them . Works well for Boden , frugi etc
If your children are still at school , buy them a good quality school bag in black or navy which will last a few years . Buy navy or black lunchboxes too . Same for pencil cases . Anything light in colour will need dumped after a few months . My son has had a Boden fox lunchbox for about 4 years and it’s still useable . Children don’t need many clothes when they start school . Pass clothes around friends and relatives if possible ? Don’t be afraid to buy second hand from Facebook selling pages or charity shops .

If you buy from amazon there’s a website called camel camel camel which tracks the prices of items . They will send you an email if said item drops to your desired price .

Share a Netflix account with a friend ?

But good quality food to eat at home instead of mediocre food from a cafe / restaurant.

Buy

Shop for groceries at more than one place.

Kid start is good for buying on amazon. The cashback can be moved to a child’s isa/saving account . Anyone you know can use it and save for your children too . You can refer friends and you both get something.