To ask how you are economising

[contentedsoul]

We’re all going to be affected either personally or close friends/relatives

Just wondered if you’ve all started cutting back and how extreme

Heating not been on for 2 days
Still have hot water
All lights not needed switched off
Hallway, lamps etc
Airport flask filled first thing (holds 2 full kettles) lasted all day
I’m on a mission to cut back to the bones - not spending anything except bare essentials.

Thank god winter is almost over - had it been before Xmas... what with Xmas shopping, heating etc etc

**Airport flask filled first thing, what is that? I keep lights off a lot. Heating hasn’t been on since Sunday, never throw away leftovers. Interested in this thread

Yes I’m very glad we’re not facing this in November and it’s a lot more comfortable to have no heating.

We’re having smaller portions and unfortunately I’ve turned into a “clear your plate” advocate when I wasn’t before. Dc don’t seem to be complaining too much. No one is allowed any snacks without asking.

Already barking at DC about turning lights off. Keeping tv off during the day. Will go round tomorrow and turn off all the lamps on timers.

OH I’ve also portioned all meat into the right amount for each meal and frozen it all with labels.

@kittie01
Basically a giant flask with ump action - holds 2-3 kettle fills of hot water
We had a meter fitted about a year ago, every time the kettle is switched on it flies straight into the red. I’m sure I read it consumes as much power as a tv on all day - sod that

Airport flask - brilliant

We've managed to eke out the end of the tube of toothpaste for 5 more days than we would normally have bothered with!

Just being extra careful with food and general supplies. Just shows you how having such easy access to everything all the time makes you complacent!

Ump > pump

I have no plans on cutting back. There is no need for it

There is no need for it

For some of us whose entire income has disappeared- there is.

“**have no plans on cutting back. There is no need for it”

Famous last words

I'm being a lot more careful around food, more from an avoiding waste POV than saving money but it all ends up being the same thing. I usually go out 2 - 4 times a week so that's a big saving there. We'll save on petrol as DH now working from home and I reckon that and going out spends will balance extra heating etc. Though I am going to turn the thermostat down a degree tomorrow, it's still very cold here.

I'm due to look at utilities anyway (been putting it off). DS's main expensive activity has been cancelled too. So we're doing OK just as a consequence of what's going on. (I've lost all my work before anyone mentions being smug though!)

I have been portioning out meals. Planning in advance, checking dates of food and making sure meals are planned accordingly. Usually i am very bad and tend to throw left overs. Last night me, dh n LO had an entire meal using 3 different left over meals. I felt humbled and guilty for all the waste i have done in the past. I hope the virus teaches me how lucky i am and implements lessons that will last a lifetime... shud i survive of course.

Using less meats in meals, bulking up with other ingredients like lentils, will prob water down jar sauces to make them go further as we usually use two per meal for curry etc
Have filled car up and plan to only use for essential travel/emergencies from Friday.
Am ringing bank to get payment holiday for loan, that’s all I can think of for now.

There is cutbacks needed for many, plenty have lost jobs or are at imminent risk, dp included. Also our supermarkets have not had essential items since the beginning of the week and delivery’s are not being sent from distribution centres so no restocking and whole aisles are bare, the freezers are empty etc

I've been a bit more thoughtful of the toilet roll I'm using, purely because I went to three fucking shops today and could find no more than a 2-roll pack.

We were being pretty frugal already as DH isn't working (between contracts) and I'm off sick long term. His chances of finding something now are much lower I should think.

We're already trying to take a mortgage break where we pay interest and I have started a claim on the mortgage insurance for my share.

Have already got rid of Netflix and drastically cut TV package.

We're in France so shops have been closed since Monday, so no browsing type shopping, though we'd pretty much stopped already. No eating out as restaurants closed. Petrol bills will be low as we'll only drive to the supermarket (rural, no buses) and doctors. No hair appointments for me - hoping the grey straggly look will be in soon.

Apparently there is a government scheme for reduction in utility bills - not sure if its for everyone yet.

Was always pretty good with food but no ready meals or steak in our future! Though it looks like pasta is becoming a treat food as even the French are stockpiling it. Will make a few soups before it's not soup weather anymore.

We normally grow stuff in the garden but I don't know if we'll be able to buy what we need as the garden centres are closed.

Oh and the cats are catching their own dinner

I'm finding wfh already so much cheaper than going to the office. No Costa, bought lunch, less petrol.
Future savings on wraparound care of around £100 per week & less eating out/fewer activities at the weekend.
Definitely being more careful with food waste. Roughly meal planning etc...
Job is relatively secure but yet to see how having the kids at home exponentially will work out.

@contentedsoul I'm very fortunate to know that my income is secured and will always be secured. I also know how to live well below my means and have always done so. We grow most of our own food. We only really have to buy fruit every week. That doesn't mean I don't have empathy for those that do. You posted a question and I answered it honestly. In fact I increased our expenses for this year by meeting with organizations to donate monthly to the people who need it most. That doesn't make me bad person. I grew up in extreme poverty to the point we didn't have indoor plumbing until the mid-eighties. I know what its like to be poor and would never wish that on anyone. Stop being so judgemental and classist.

Gutted that we had already placed orders for garden furniture, bbq, lawnmower etc for our new house. Arrives this week.
Could have done with having the money spare had we known what was round the corner they seem such frivolous purchases now.
Going to try and enjoy them anyway and are trying to be very mindful of electricity usage and very resourceful with food so we don’t have any waste at all.
Also being more mindful of snacking etc it’s easy to get into bad habits when you don’t really need to eat and soon we might not have the choice once the chocolate cupboard is bare!

All lights not needed switched off
Hallway, lamps etc

Tbh this should just be a normal thing and not only cutting back

Re the heating. You might want to keep warm and fit...

Not had any bought coffee or lunches as in lock down.

Been Eeeking out food more - sliced 2 stale croissants, layered with ham and cheese, baked in oven for lunch, tasted good. Had with lentil and veggie soup.

Easy, never go out
No cinema
No restaurant
No shopping centres
No stockpiling
No social life.
Being NHS front line when I'm not at work I'm sitting at home watching tv or sleeping. I've saved a fortune.

I have finished my supply chocolate and am not replacing. Same will be for non essential food items e.g tea/coffee/bread/dairy/fruit

Petrol bought but it is rationed for essential journeys only

Meals are from my supply:
1)fresh fruit and veg first until runs out then
2)eggs will be 1 at a time (instead of usual 2 or 3) twice a week
3)frozen food - meat protein 100g per dayfrozen veg 100g per day
4) tinned/cupboard food cut into slices / spoon portions eg corned beef or tuna or sardines will be 1fish per day (instead of the whole can of 3fish). I have some packets of seeds too 1 tbsn per day.
5) multivitamins with either tablespoonful of oil/dripping per day when food has run out

intermittent fasting and may well move into extended fasting which is easier without chocolate anyway!

Toilet paper sparingly

Rubbish - use up newspapers around the house to wrap rubbish in when bin liners run out

Use torn up t-shirts for cleaning, then boil to sterilise and re-use.

Thank God I had my glasses prescription done last month and have already bought a coat.

I have shopped for the foodbank and donated, helped my older neighbours and friends my family with their shopping and errands. So, except getting my prescription I am ready to stay in. It will do me good to stay out of shops and cafes or using petrol which are all areas I could really do with economising in.

Every cloud...

We are not eating out as social distancing as both asthmatics and at weekend will be self isolating for 12 weeks. We usually have one breakfast out on Saturday, eat dinner out on Wednesdays and Sunday lunchtime. Not expensive meals out jystmpub meals but will save over £50 per week. We will have to shop online now so I won't get flowers or impulse buys. That will save £20 each week. No swimming club twice each week, karate lessons or cricket nets x 2 for child or trip to cinema or ice skating. That will save over £60 per week. I won't buy coffees out, neither will dh. That will save another £20. That will be £150 a week saving. However heating on if dh wfh and I suspect he and child will snack more. I am always careful with turning off lights and don't have heating up high. I will use more gas if having to cook more. If this goes on we won't be going on holiday at end of May to France.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3837177-To-never-ever-put-the-heating-on?pg=1&order=

This thread was posted not even that long ago and everyone bashed me for my penny pinching. Who's laughing now?!
How great is the thermos op?

Awayawaywe I like your style. How do you cope when it is damp outside though? Doesn't the house feel damp? Otherwise I am totally with you on this!

Contentedsouls - I am seriously interested so if one person goes down with it here they can isolate in their room, fill hot water bottles and make hot drinks. (especially the most vulnerable)