The latte factor - pah! What if you've run out of small expenses to make?

[nkf]

Been trying to think of ways to save money. So called latte factor. The idea being that you cut out small expenses such as a daily Starbucks and it all adds up. What if you don't buy Starbucks? Or buy lunch at work? Or get your hair cut? Or anything. When you've cut everything to the bone and sitll you don't have enough. Maybe I could sell a finger. Just letting of steam really.

I hear you! No helpful advice tho...

I've been doing this recently - absolutely no non-essential purchases - all coffees/lunch out stopped, no buying books on a whim, no bits and bobs and I'm cycling to work so no train fares - it does all make a difference and after 2 months I'm starting to notice it. The overdraft is reducing - but only just in time to start spending it again for Christmas! It's really hard when everything's cut back and the surplus is nice but not enough.

It is hard and I know I could make more cuts. We went to the beach the other day and had fish and chips. And we could stay home every day of the summer holiday and eat in the back garden. But somehow a day trip makes all the difference. No holiday this year. Anyway, I know I'm luckier than most so I shouldn't really complain.

I wish I could find a cheaper way to get to work. Too scared to cycle.

I've set up a Christmas savings account by the way. That makes me feel a bit less panicky. And I'm going to use the Tesco and Nectar points to buy food nearer the time.

Yes I've been at home this week with ds's and wanted to do a day trip to Liverpool, but it would have cost at least £50 once I'd factored in petrol, the duck tour I'd want to do and bits and bobs, so decided not to. We've had a really nice week doing not very much but I've found not spending much quite challenging!

Back at work on Monday and hoping for another cheap week - payday in two weeks..!

I don't know, and if you find out please share!

over the last 10 years i have given up:
Newspapers
Magazines
Takeaway coffee
Chocolate and crisps
Branded clothes
Clothes not bought in the sale unless using supermarket points (Sainsburys v good for work wear)
Books
Books from charity shops
Puddings including yoghurt and exotic fruit (unless reduced)
Branded food products
Branded cleaning products (scrub harder!!)

Anything on my list useful to you?

Payday! Yay. But - then it's kitting them out for the new term.

Interesting list. I still buy yoghurt and fruit. Have stopped buying juice. Not sure what you mean by branded clothes. I buy from H&M, Primark, Gap in the sale and sometimes Tesco. Also, the local market. I sometimes buy a book in a charity shop but usually I use the library.

Don't feel guilty about the fish and chips - I find the constant thriftiness much more bearable with the occasional small treat.

For me the best way to make my money stretch further is to make cheap dinners. Looking at my bank statement I realised that so much money was spent in Tesco that it seemed the most effective place to cut back. Pasta and sauce and eggs and beans on toast are regular meals for us now. The days when I used to chuck whatever I fancied into my trolley are long gone.

Thank you, Happyhorse. Sometimes when you are cutting cutting cutting, it can feel as if you are cutting your life away. What will be left? Bit overdramatic I know.

I also remember the days of chucking things in the trolley. A Waitrose trolley. Can't believe how well off I was. And the food that got wasted. Immoral really. I don't throw any food out now.

Eek yes! Books from charity shops aren't on my list yet - I love a good charity shop rummage... I'm not great at this because now I've started cycling to work I've always got the £20 a week train fare in my head that I'm saving - therefore it feels 'ok' to spend some of it... (possibly why the overdraft never disappears..!).

By the way I wasn't at all a confident cyclist and I'm deeply unfit and overweight but once I took the plunge I love it - very good for feeling good and I love the time I have to sort my thoughts out as I'm cycling along, so if you're within a few miles of where you work it's worth thinking about.

Ooh and switching to Aldi had started saving us a fortune and their chocolate and wine is cheap and lovely

No Aldi near here. I've tried Lidl. Not that impressed to be honest. I like to use the market and freeze vegetables. And I've found hitting the butcher's counter late at night means I can pick up some good quality meat at a reduced price.

Don't know if you've got a mortgage but it might be worth looking at your current deal if you have? We're hopefully switching to a new deal (if the house valuation goes ok!) which will save me £90 a month on the mortgage for the next two years. Fingers crossed...

Mortgage is enormous and currently interest only. I am paying off debts incurred by divorce. I figure two more years of this pain and then things will start to ease. Finding the credit crunch board very helpful for meal ideas. And there is lots of good advice out there. It's being consistent that is so hard.

Brands like Next, Sparks, Topshop, River Island etc. Stuff most people see as cheap Matalan, Primark, supermarkets and sales are cheapest. Also, stuff that can be layered - slightly saggy plain tops under tunics for example. Wash the top loads, keep the tunic nice!

We can get through most of the summer by eating our own potatoes grown in pots (big terrace, no garden), dp's birthday present from my folks thus year was a load of veg plants - at his request! We've been stuffing ourselves with free strawberries and raspberries :o

No. Next would be too expensive for me. Likewise Monsoon and Oasis. As for the lovely shops like Cos and Toast - I can only dream. Even M&S seems pricey these days.

Aww - I hope the next couple of years go by as quickly as possible then. Yes we cook and freeze everything - no take always or ready meals. Leftovers in the fridge for lunch the next day. Lots of cheap but tasty meals to be made, plus homemade puds which don't cost too much.

Will keep thinking of other things to cut back on but it sounds like you've got all the bases covered... Do you eBay stuff? I find it a real pain but ds1 makes me sell his old stuff so he can have some of the profits..! I think it's free to list this weekend - I'm going to be selling his old pool table and a few other bits and bobs.

I sympathise so much! I think it's always harder to cut back. Weirdly, because I had a period of such absolute skintness 17-25, it's easier for us to cut back, because it's still better than then? Does that make sense?

Stuff I do: don't have car, telly/dvd/console, tumble dryer, iron, bath, mobile, hair makeup etc, new clothes except undies. Buy and sell on ebay primarily. Never ever go shopping--only shop online. Save by standing order on payday so I don't see the money. Meal plan. Buy the computers on clearance every year and sell on the upgrade cycle. Switch utilities regularly and always get cashback. Only draw out cash for a specific purpose, not just for my pocket. Spend on a credit card that gives me points and vouchers and pay it off in full every month. If forced to buy new, buy on credit card via a cashback site like Quidco and using the Invisible Hand. Make my own washing powder. Freeze veg and microwave instead of cooking on hob (energy and time saving).

None of this stuff feels like a deprivation to us because we never had it in the first place, so we live very well. I don't mind not having a car, if you see, because I remember not having a bike (love my bike!).

But stuff we had to give up, that really has been hard. Holidays--I spent at least 2 months on holiday every year as a child and have never had as an adult, and I do miss that sometimes. And even when we were very skint we used to save up and go out for a curry at this really cheap place about once a fortnight and I miss low conversation and giggling and candles and Indian beer.

I think it's just hard sometimes!

really interesting ideas here!
i plan a menu each week and shop religously to it. this saves LOADS which I then spend on wine and saves me having to think about what to feed the kids each day.
I also draw out cash at beginning of week for food/fuel/spends. ideally, once it's gone, it's gone, but invariably life gets in the way!

acumens what's your washing powder recipe?

Just mix equal amounts plain grated soap, borax substitute, and soda crystals. 1-2 tbsp per wash. Costs out at less than a penny a wash. For softening, distilled white vinegar. This can all be bought in bulk from online places like the Carbolic Soap Company, Summer Naturals, eBay, Wing Yip Chinese Supermarket, or in shops like Wilkinsons.

Bar soap is 13p for 6 at Asda.

Oh you can also cheap it more by using 1:2:4 ratio of soap:borax:soda . It's not an exact science.

Also some people make liquid detergent from the same ingredients, but I can't be arsed.

Agree about switching utilities regularly, and, if your credit rating will allow it, (and you're sufficiently organised) putting everything on a cash back credit card - one percent cash back on your supermarket shopping/petrol won't solve your financial problems but it is worth having over the year.

Try Freecycle if you have an active local branch.

I found a top tip on MN a few months ago that I never knew about! The boiler has a thermostat setting for water and radiators, both of mine were set as high as they could go! Have since put both on a third of the dial, and we've noticed no difference whatsoever! Until that is I contacted provider, who has put my DD down by £20 per month!! Woohoo

Too scared to cycle! We didn't build an empire with values like that. Get on the bike.

Secondly I only drink tap water. Try that - cheaper than anything else you can drink. Never buy fish and chips when out -take the food with you from home.

Get a second and if necessary a third job. If you have to travel to London each week to get it and sleep in a tent whilst a friend minds the children do that too. There are plenty of ways to skin a cat.