Small money saving tips

[emmie847]

Just that

Don’t buy

Put any and all loose change into a piggy bank it really does add up quickly or I guess the digital alternative is to have to amount round up and put into the savings account online - essentially the same thing.

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Avoid buying sandwiches - make your own

Do you really need that takeaway coffee?

Avoid short car journies - cycle or walk

Swap branded foods for own brands

Buy fruit and veg in the market

www.which.co.uk/reviews/supermarkets/article/how-to-spend-less-at-the-supermarket-ak1KX1f4HCve?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=bl_brand_cost_of_living_2022_consideration_twitter&utm_term=tw_home_family&utm_content=supermarket_savings_long_copy&twclid=2-69cgbw7k1lx1lsuqho85v4z4

Think twice before deciding to buy anything.

Dry clothes outside or on airer. Never tumble dryer.
Use the 20 degree cycle on washing machine.
Wear clothes for longer, don’t wash every day if they’re not dirty.

Find several cheap meals your family like and have them several times a week.
The trick is not to share with the family that these are cheap meals.

baked potatoes plus toppings.
Spanish omelette

soup with bread and stuff to sprinkle
biryanis/fried rice
kedgeree

large portion of chips split and fried eggs

Switch your broadband deal when the term is up
Use cashback websites when buying online
Use a sim only deal
Don’t buy kids lots of clothes or shoes- do buy good quality and buy in the sales/ out of season
Don’t make shopping a day out
Save up lots of things to do in town for one outing
Don’t buy magazines or books . Use the library and/or buy books in charity shops
Don’t pay for expensive hair cuts, nails or eyebrows.
Expensive make up isn’t worth it
Clean your own windows and wash your own car

Save money when you get paid.

72 hour basket - when buying online, put it in the basket but don't complete the transaction. 3 days will make you think about if you really want the thing.
This helps stop impulse buying.

Eat vegetarian. It’s cheaper

find employment where perks which suit you are provided (eg. work feed me on days I’m there and I receive tip money each week - i think of this as pocket money: can’t rely on it for any bills, but nice to have, to boost my food shop budget on a tight week for example)

And sign up to OLIO if you haven’t already! If you’re in a busy area it’s such a help

Cut open tubes of toothpaste etc. You'll get at least another couple of days out of them. Same for nuud deodorant if you use it.

Use soap instead of shower gel.

Use shampoo bars, they last for ages and I found i needed to wash my hair less using them - once a week instead of one every two days.

If you use handwash rather than soap then a) water it down a bit - one pump will still do the job (just be careful though, too much water and it won't do the job any more).

Also, buy big bottle of cheap bubble bath and refill your handwash bottle from that (with some water). In my local Tesco the cheapest handwash is 60p for 500ml. The cheapest bubble bath is 90p for a litre, and it's thicker so you can add a bit more water to it.

I won't be too surprised to see a tabloid jump all over this btw, seeing as how they seem to struggle to come up with their own stories.

Following because I struggle with this. So very much. 🤦‍♀️

The other one I’ve discovered recently (not all that relevant if you don’t drink fizzy drinks) but 2 litres of co-ops own brand lemonade is 60p! I wanted a quick drink but couldn’t bring myself to part with nearly 2 quid for a little bottle, or one quid for a can!! Checked to see offers on the large bottles, but right up high (and in supermarkets - look very high, or very low for the cheapest products: the more expensive that they want you to buy are at eye-level!!) there were a few bottles left. And 60p was the full price :) I just decant from the 2 litre into my bottle and I’ve got a nice drink on the go for 15p.

Don't buy birthday cards or presents for anyone in your family other than your own children. Or if you are close to siblings, their children only.

Always sign up to the newsletters of your fave brands to get regular discounts and offers sent to you.

bulk cook and freeze meals.

check sites like www.yourofferskidsoffers.com and www.moneysavingexpert.com for the latest offers for families and parents.

set yourself a budget for food each week and online shop so you’re not tempted to buy more at the shops!

I use airtime rewards and NatWest rewards. I basically get money back on purchases with my debit cards that I would have bought anyway and don't even have to think about it. So on a £100 food shop I get £1 back. Buy toiletries £50 in boots I get 2.50 back etc. At the same time I'm also collecting Tesco clubcard points and boots points so it's a double bonus. All these add up.