In these tough times how are you saving money, please share your tips.

[livvylouis]

I will start.

We have cancelled our sky TV package

Switched our phone and broadband provider

Switched our energy provider

Halved our weekly shopping bill

We have decided to sell DH car as we can manage with only one.

Even doing all of this we are still struggling and need to save more money, anyone got any other tips?

Make soup rather than turning on heating on cold days, Meal plan, put rugs on sofas.

Trade skills? Or to make extra, use the ones you have. I'm planning on exam tuition this year, but equally my mum does bookkeeping (£12/hr) and cleaning (£8/hr)

Keep your ears to the ground for independent mechanics / IT types who can do excellent repairs at 1/3 of the price.

I've cut our weekly grocery shopping down to £40. I'm trying to get this even lower if possible! I've just this minute made up a simple excel spreadsheet with all of the basic essentials we need, e.g:

Bathroom - toilet rolls, soap, shampoo etc.
Cleaning - Bleach, washing powder, bin bags etc.
Fridge - Blue milk, green milk, eggs etc
Cupboard - Bread, Baked beans, cereal etc.

I know everyone probably does this already, but I'm going to stick this up in the kitchen and tick off things when they are running out/have run out. I will then use the list to see what needs to be bought at the supermarket that week.
At the moment I am buying these basics every week without thinking about it, we can end up with 2 or 3 of each thing where it hasn't been used the previous week. Things like milk/eggs etc sometimes have to be thrown away because of the sell by date.

I know it may only save me pennies but it all helps!

I'm also going to try some of the tips from one of the previous threads on this board, like sewing lightweight thermal blankets onto our curtains this winter and having the heating on a low temperature constantly.

I also search for discount codes anytime I do shopping online, I very rarely pay full price for anything! I am also completing surveys online for money, it takes a very long time to build up to the threshold where they pay out (£40 minimum, 5 - 20p per survey); but individually the surveys don't take much time at all, and if you check it every day you can make up the money within a few months.

No Spend Days - not even milk (obv this needs a little planning, and transport to work doesnt count, buut leisure travel does). Staying out of shops, and off shopping sites - even browsing - stops you seeing something you didnt realise you needed til just then.

I keep a list of all the storecupboard things that I buy and then before shopping I check the prices online and through MSE forums for "price glitches". I buy in bulk when things are on a very good offer (less than half price)

Check for discount stores in your area - poundland etc, and independant ones - we have a charity one nearby, and while you need to watch the dates, Ive got stuff for 90% less than its selling in the Tesco 5 mins walk away. Its helpful to know the prices of stuff before going to poundland, as some things are actually slightly dearer there than in supermarkets.

Also, we switched to Quorn as part of my weight loss plan, and as well as liking it as much as some meats, its cheaper. (3 packs for £5 at tesco atm, and one does a meal for 4. since theres only two of us, its a bargain!)

Plan ahead and be aware of sales. I think that now is a good time to get oil, since demand, and therefore price, will rise from October. I bought mine this morning £510 for 900l, but hope to not turn on heating til end of october.

If you want your child to have a trampoline or particular outdoor toy, look now during the sales and put it away til next year.

In last week I signed up to MusicMagpie.co.uk and sold off a load of dvds and cds. While I didnt get much for each, when I factored in ebay costs and the fact they might not sell there, I went with the magpie site and got just under a tenner.

Also, signed up for shop and scan panel, but was on waiting list for 2 years or so. Only done first scan so not sure how itll all work out.

Valued Opinions is a good survey site, but many wont be bothered Id imagine.

TopCashback.co.uk for all online purchases (but also check nectar site)

Home based entertainment, or when meeting with friends, going for a walk or for coffee instead of dinner and a movie.

Here are my tips:

Have changed from Tesco/Morrisons to Aldi for weekly shop, complemented by trips to Homes & Bargain and local farm shops

Use Quidco (cash back website) for online purchases

Generally shop around for insurance, energy, savings accounts

Changed to pay as you go mobile

Use discount vouchers/codes when available

Am on good terms with the local library and charity shops (mainly for books for DS)

Am on very good terms with my freezer

I know where I can find free fruit in the area in autumn (without trespassing!)

Always plan meals ahead and take packed lunches to work and when going on days out

Virtually no ready made food - most made from scratch and left overs are freezed

Car share when possible

I only use the dryer setting on my washer/dryer for fluffing up towels - everything else dries naturally

I try to keep my foot off the gas when I'm in the car, driving at a steady pace, and keeping the car boot empty

I drill all my money saving ideas into my DS (he's only 4 bless) but he'll be a rich man if he knows now what I have only recently put into practice!

Should have added the following:

• I always draw the curtains early in the winter months to help keep the house warm
• I try to buy versatile classic clothes in neutral colours
• Always wash at 30 degrees or soak first if necessary
• I use Stardrops for most household cleaning

I know it's obvious but cost cutting is one half of the solution. The other half is increasing your earnings. Look at how you might do this - do some additional study, taking on additional responsibilities at work etc etc

I'm so glad that other people are doing this too. My OH makes me feel like I'm nagging and being obsessive.

1. We have created a meal planner - planning to use all food bought rather than wasting (we're in our trial week of this)
2. I now buy bread, chicken slices and coldslaw for lunch at work - I have gone from spending £10+ on dinners at work to less than £3 per week (saving £266+ a year)
3. I have changed all my lights in my house to energy saving bulbs.
4. I have put up a washing line in the garden which I use whenever I can rather than the dryer.
5. Have an electricity monitor so that I know how much is being wasted. This has really shown my OH who was being rather wasteful.
6. Use the economy wash on the washer - encourage OH not to do half loads.
7. Have plenty of blankets around the living room for when the house starts getting chilly in the evening rather than using the heating.

Only little things but as I keep saying to the OH - the pennies add up.

I use left overs a lot more and freeze any full portions.
I've been doing a bit of bartering this year with chooks eggs.
I've stopped using stain removers and use washing soda instead,plus I use no fabric conditioner.
I use washing powder instead of tablets.
I've cut right back on expensive kids foods (for example we no longer have thinks like cookies and lunchables.)
I've put curtains up at the doors.
I get DVD's from library.
I've cut down on unnecessary cleaning products - eg use chamois instead of window spray.
I try to pop to shops later in day to get good bargains.
I've been doing some foraging.
Always check aisle ends and offer brochures.
Love charity shops and bazaars/fetes.

Get planning for Christmas, lots of places (like Boots & Sainbury's) are doing 3 for 2, which is great if you match gifts with family members to take advantage of the offers. Spread the cost over as many months as you can by buying early. Get stocking fillers from pound shops, charity shops, eBay or similar. Or fill with stuff you'd buy anyway (shampoo, socks etc)

Buy loose veg and fruit so you only pay for what you need and will use. Check out pick-your-own places locally. Cheap and a good afternoon out too. I made two huge apple crumbles for about £2. Fresh, homemade and cheap!

My dad saves 20p and 50p coins. It quickly adds up.

I buy both mine & DD's clothes from eBay. Enables me to buy better brands at a cheap price. You need to be disciplined not to over bid or indeed buy things you don't really need, but I've got some great bargains.

Buy spuds which still have their dirt on - they're often half the price of the ones that have been washed.

If you have a microwave, use that for as much cooking as possible. It uses much less energy than electric or gas hobs and ovens.

Erm, Alison, you might want the media requests thread! Also check out our money saving thread on the Credit Crunch topic. Like Weightwatchers, only for spending.

How can you say this is free just went onto the site and it costs £115 a year! Please stop giving false hope to people that actually have very little money that this was free!

Sorry thought this would go next to the person I was talking to, I am actually talking to the person who says they had a house swap. Went onto the site to be told it costs £115 a year and this really shocked me!

I've made a shopping list that I print out and stick on the fridge. I tick off things we need when we use the last one. Stops me buying things we already have (less wasted money and takes up less space in my tiny kitchen!).

We also have a Macro card and buy business sized laundry detergent and washing up liquid etc when they're on special offer. Works out significantly cheaper.

I buy almost all my clothes (and also DDs) from eBay and try to sell on things we no longer use. I also keep an eye on charity shops as I've picked up a few bargains for DD's birthday etc that I've stored away. Hand-me-down clothes for DD are also gratefully received.

It doesn't seem like it makes a massive difference but it balances the books so I guess that's okay.

Oops... old thread

One word........ALDI

I buy almost all my clothes from charidee, all the DC toys, books etc too. I've put a load of books up for sale on Amazon and sold off some of my fabric stash. I try to make presents and cards and never buy new books any more. Amazon second hand deals are good esp when you resell later. No more waxing or primping and I get my shoes mended properly rather than replace.

Car Boot sales are even cheaper than ebay or charity shops and if you only buy off nice mums having a clearout you can get some lovely stuff for pence. Since I got made redundant in 2008 I have bought all our clothes (except shoes and undies of course) all toys all baby items and other stuff as well from boot sales - people have so much that if you look well you can get unworn or hardly worn stuff from Next, Gap, Boden and even designer makes for 50p an item. I also am always on the lookout for new stuff for stocking fillers or the pressie cupboard.