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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what small cheeky things you do to save money?

803 replies

monroeagogo · 05/03/2022 19:17

DH routinely reuses stamps. His excitement when an envelope arrives and the stamp isn't marked is a wonder to behold.

Franking is the enemy.

What cheeky things do you do to save the pennies?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Shell4429 · 07/03/2022 12:32

@ParalysisByAnalysis

I mean the handheld scanner that you take round the shop. Not the self service tills.
Oh so you’re a posh shopper.That explains it.
WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 07/03/2022 12:37

If they use uv detectors at the sorting office why do they sometimes put big biro crosses over unfranked stamps?

I'm guessing it's very time-consuming and expensive for them to go through all the processes when somebody has fraudulently re-used a stamp, but if people don't realise that they won't get away with it, they'll still try it on anyway. It must be easier to scrawl a cross over it to deter them from trying it on in the first place.

What's wrong with reusing unfranked stamps- especially with them putting the price up? I.also.buy cheap.and reduced price food.

The price of the stamp is for a single journey for your item of mail, so it isn't reusable. It's the same principle as if you collect your dry cleaning but they don't take your ticket from you: the ticket has now done its job and is used up and expired - you can't just go back in, give it to a different assistant and expect to claim another coat.

The price of the service is irrelevant, although it's still much cheaper than postal costs in other countries. If you need/want a physical letter/card to be delivered to a specific address, rather than using email or another electronic method, it's actually a huge bargain, if you stop to think about everything it includes; but you have every right to object to the price and decline to use the service. That said, do you not think that widespread fraudulent re-use of stamps might just play a part in prices going up?

Buying reduced-price food IS a sensible, honest and frugal thing to do (as long as you can use it or freeze it) - that's wise and hurts nobody.

The OP is the stealer of rolls! Not sure about good intentions.

It makes me think of that scene in the League of Gentlemen, in the Local Shop, where they have an 'intruder' (unknown customer!):
Tubbs: "We could burn him!"
Edward: "You're good-hearted, Tubbs!"

Suspect that this has already been mentioned but never let your insurance auto-renew- always shop around. Takes 5 minutes on a comparison site and you can save hundreds.

Hasn't the law now been changed, to stop insurers from continually ripping off their inert loyal customers and giving discounts to attract new customers?

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 07/03/2022 12:46

You have to be careful with that. From what I can gather the staff member could get into trouble for reducing stuff on demand. I believe it’s because you could be a friend or relative they are doing a ‘favour’ for.

Does it make a difference, though, if it's on the trolley of stuff to be reduced? Asking them if they could kindly sticker up this one next rather than the 40 items in front of it, so you don't have to stand around waiting is slightly cheeky, but I can't think anybody would really object.

TheOccupier · 07/03/2022 13:03

I'm sure the staff members are appropriately trained, @Sparklingbrook. Generally they are about to do it anyway, otherwise they wouldn't be out on the shop floor with the sticker gun!

Sparklingbrook · 07/03/2022 13:06

I hope so @TheOccupier DS used to work in a supermarket and said it could get a bit awkward but they had to refuse or they could be in trouble. Everything had to go into the reductions bit and was done in a certain order and definitely no requests.

Carpediem15 · 07/03/2022 13:42

@Sparklingbrook

I hope so *@TheOccupier* DS used to work in a supermarket and said it could get a bit awkward but they had to refuse or they could be in trouble. Everything had to go into the reductions bit and was done in a certain order and definitely no requests.
In M & S you are not allowed to take it off the trolley when it has been reduced, you have to wait until it goes on the shelf.
axolotlfloof · 07/03/2022 13:47

@monroeagogo

I've also been known to add extra rolls or cakes at the self checkout scale. Quite often, actually.

I'm like a big time thief. Grin

Yes, that is actual theft. You know stealing is wrong, don't you?
Sparklingbrook · 07/03/2022 15:10

In M & S you are not allowed to take it off the trolley when it has been reduced, you have to wait until it goes on the shelf

I think that’s a good rule. Not interfering with whoever is reducing. Once it’s in the reduced shelf it’s ready to buy.

buddylicious · 07/03/2022 15:50

I refill my Molton Brown soap dispensers with cheap supermarket hand wash.

A couple of times people have said how nice it is as they think it's the real thing (or maybe they are just being polite)!

buddylicious · 07/03/2022 15:54

@ButtercupOfFlorin

Just popping on to remind folks that meanness is a very unattractive quality

Yes, it's VERY unattractive

buddylicious · 07/03/2022 15:57

Why would you wash face masks in the bath? Wouldn't you just put them in the washing machine?

Sparklingbrook · 07/03/2022 16:09

@buddylicious

Why would you wash face masks in the bath? Wouldn't you just put them in the washing machine?
The poster said theirs were hand wash only. Mine are machine washable.
buddylicious · 07/03/2022 16:10

A friend went out for a Sunday lunch with her husband and kids recently (six of them).

The roast was a carvery where you can pile your plate high.

She told the kids that there was no need for a slice of cheesecake afterwards as they should be full up on the main course. (The restaurant were charging £6 for a small slice).

If they wanted cheesecake she said she would buy a whole one in the supermarket nearby for £3 which they could eat at home (rather than spend £36 on six tiny slices in the restaurant)!

Initially I thought it was mean but I suppose she had a valid point!

LottyD32 · 07/03/2022 16:20

@buddylicious

A friend went out for a Sunday lunch with her husband and kids recently (six of them).

The roast was a carvery where you can pile your plate high.

She told the kids that there was no need for a slice of cheesecake afterwards as they should be full up on the main course. (The restaurant were charging £6 for a small slice).

If they wanted cheesecake she said she would buy a whole one in the supermarket nearby for £3 which they could eat at home (rather than spend £36 on six tiny slices in the restaurant)!

Initially I thought it was mean but I suppose she had a valid point!

That's not cheeky, that's common sense! 😂
NotAJammyDodger · 07/03/2022 16:29

Don’t reuse stamps.
They know!

One of relatives does this to me.
You get a note to go to the distribution office to pay for it.
Plus a surcharge.

Right pain, as have to go to pick it up AND then pay for it!

Sparklingbrook · 07/03/2022 16:30

Our local carvery does two courses for £10. So starter and main or main and dessert. The carvery on it's own is £8, I would love to eat a £2 dessert but I think they must make a bit of money when the hungry people go for main and dessert but are still too full to order the dessert. Grin

NotAJammyDodger · 07/03/2022 16:31

To add is cos people cut the stamp of the original envelope, stick on the new which is blinding obvious, or the ‘dots’ are missing….

Angelil · 07/03/2022 16:37

@MincePieandBaileys just old flannels/towels/muslins are fine for babies’ bottoms…not to mention cheaper and better for the environment…

MincePieandBaileys · 07/03/2022 16:50

@Angelil I don't have a baby, I have a little dog and don't think flannels and towels would be useful for picking up his poo!

Tigofigo · 07/03/2022 16:52

[quote OldTinHat]@Cluelessbeetroot I can confirm it's real! I have two friends who always ask for a mug of boiling water in cafes (free when muggins here has paid for a cuppa). They then magic a teabag or coffee sachet from their pocket! I have to say I admire them for it.[/quote]
Meanwhile the cafe, probably on its knees after Covid, has to pay for someone to serve them and clean up after as well as take up space in the cafe where paying customers could be

Angelil · 07/03/2022 17:02

@MincePieandBaileys sorry but I still don’t get how wipes are useful for that. Again plastic gloves would be cheaper for instance…

MincePieandBaileys · 07/03/2022 17:40

@Angelil Thanks for your comments, I use half a wipe to wipe my hands after picking up mess left by my dog on our walks.

I realise that in the scheme of things, plastic gloves might be cheaper in the long run, but by the time I've put on my coat, hat, scarf, boots, gloves, stuffed pockets with keys, tissue, various items for picking up dog poo, caught the dog, put on his harness and got out of the house - phew! even the Green Party would forgive me for using half a wipe.

marktayloruk · 07/03/2022 17:55

Must admit-when Covid started I saved up newspapers. didn't need them fortunately.

Kite22 · 07/03/2022 18:49

@buddylicious

A friend went out for a Sunday lunch with her husband and kids recently (six of them).

The roast was a carvery where you can pile your plate high.

She told the kids that there was no need for a slice of cheesecake afterwards as they should be full up on the main course. (The restaurant were charging £6 for a small slice).

If they wanted cheesecake she said she would buy a whole one in the supermarket nearby for £3 which they could eat at home (rather than spend £36 on six tiny slices in the restaurant)!

Initially I thought it was mean but I suppose she had a valid point!

That's not cheeky, that's just sensible, normal behaviour. That, or get McFlurries on the way home.

If your letting it auto renew then you are paying it monthly?

No, I presume the pp means 'just pay the new amount your current company sends you'. You don't have to be a monthly payer - they auto renew an annual policy using your credit card details of you let them.

Gwenhwyfar · 07/03/2022 18:56

"If I'm passing through Heathrow I take a clear plastic bag for next time I travel as my local airport doesn't given then for free, it's £1 to get one from a vending machine or a take freezer bag from home."

When I saw that I had to pay for one of those I just turned up at security and said I didn't have one and they gave me one for free.