What are the biggest false economies?

[toptramp]

So I can stop being a mug and start saving.

Having an allotment. By the time you've bought seeds, caterpillar netting, slug pellets, plantlings, etc etc etc, and all the time you spend, it would be far cheaper to buy veg at the supermarket. Still fun though.

But I disagree about the cheap chocolate. Next time you're in ASDA, pick up a bar of their value chocolate, and pick up a bar of Dairy Milk or Bournville, and see which one has a larger percentage of cocoa solids listed on the back. You may be surprised....

I know I'm in the minority on this thread, but I have only ever heard bad things about BGHC from the heating engineers I know.

something to think about

AA I pay £31 for an old car to cover membership AND insurance for breakdowns: has saved us £500 this year so one of those things that you ahve to assess on a needs basis.

YY to savers choc; often tends to be dairy free if the dark type and so much cheraper than proper df brands.

I don't buy cheap washing detergent as simply clothes where the stains don't shift are useless: however I have 4 boys so a pretty demanding load!

I do buy a lot of quality stuff second hand or look hard for discounts. And I buy basic where basic is need- my mobile does not need to be internet savvy, I have access to a PC anyway, so I pay £9 PCM on that on contract, thus bumping my credit rating too. I'd never gamble on a costly contract though and if neeeded a fancy phone then would have bought on PAYG.

The notion that home made = cheap is often optimistic LOL. You just won't make Christmas cake for what they sell them for in Asda, and ditto a lot of home amde stuff (especially cards etc if like me you tend to get a bit obsessed and dev ekop a hobby...)

I have to say that not all cheap wine is nasty! The popular types of wine (Chardonnay/Pinot etc) cheap tends to be nasty, but I have found that the lesser known types of wine can be rather nice.

But have to agree with the Loo roll, Cling film and Kitchen Roll, it is my pet hate if I allow DH does the shopping and gets the cheap stuff as its sometimes less than useless.

Disagree that baking is more expensive. I have a recipe for the big cookies that you buy five of in a bag for a minimum of £1(!!) and make 16 for about £1 - £1.20

My dh (who has a small business selling wine) has a motto, "Why buy three bad wines when you can buy two good ones"

Has the added bonus of reducing your intake of units of alcohol

Cheap wine to me means £3 or less, think nearly 2 pound of that is duty?

However, the good stuff for me is Waitrose 'Cat on Egg' at £5.

It's brilliant for everyday drinking. If you ain't posh (like me)

our boiler has brocken down three times in the past 3 years it cost £300 to fix each time so yes it is very exspensive!! sorry Schroeder

cheap nappies. I used some once on ds2 and they leaked at night. Which meant more laundry/energy to use washer.

Melted it depends on what you make.

I can make scones etc really cheaply but anything needing more than one 'special' ingredient and it adds up fast. Especially when you factor in energy costs.

Aren't Lidl nappies supposed to be good?

H look

A look

I disagree re supermarket clothes - or at least, those from Sainsbury. I bought several linen things this summer - dresses and tunic tops, and they have been fabulous. Washed really well and will definitely last.

I still don't get it. (H and A)

I love Chat en oeuf :)

Btw Waitrose (and Ocado, natch) has 25% off when you buy 6 bottles of wine at the moment, and their cava is very nce (not exactly credit crunch but good to stock up for Christmas)

Cheap wrapping paper
Cheap sellotape
Cheap irons

Anything from Ikea.

Cheap wrapping paper I disagree - it's only going to be ripped off so why spend £££? You just have to be careful not to do the ripping when you are wrapping.

cheap tampons, they are like bullets.
cheap loo rolls,
cheap meat,
cheap economy bread.
i use cheap nappies for when ds is running around the house and when we are out or at night he uses pampers. it saves us a fortune.

Trills thats why I think its false economy! Particularly if you need to transport presents(parties) or put in stockings as unless you use double the amount it rips and exposes the contents!

Maybe I will come around to your way of thinking if I am wrapping for children who have to take something to a party and are likely to rip it on the way.

Pull up nappies, the little bleeders just think they are wearing a nappy and use it as a nappy, best off wearing pants.

Cheap shops such as Poundland - I go in for 'a look' and spend a tenner on guff. That might just be me, though.

And, Farmfoods is as expensive as Waitrose for the good brands such as birds eye petits pois and sometimes dearer (but they do have good cheap fish).
I always stock up when my favourite brands are on offer such as Iams cat food, Heinz ketchup, Scottish Blend tea, Fairy liquid, decent bog roll and this saves me a packet. However, I never buy 3 for 2 deals on things that aren't staples as I will never use them. I learned this the hard way.

I don't get the A and H looks either.

I agree about cheap wine, beds , heating and insurance.

Ionce read a saying that went something like this.
"Never buy cheap shoes or a cheap bed because if you aren't in one you are in the other"