Small money saving habits...petty even

[Buddy80]

Hi,

I was just thinking of some of the small habits i've gotten into from habit and though i'd share...

I know some of them have probably been mentioned before

Always break a dishwasher tab in half
Water down fabric conditioner to get 2 bottles instead of 1
Freeze unwanted bananas for cakes
Chop up apple cores for the birds
Save pumkin seeds for planting
Save envelopes for seeds from old calendars
Use old envelopes for shopping lists if not reused
This one is stingy [embarrassed]...intead of buying a calendar, I just print off monthly from on-line planner. It gets amended anyhow and easier just to put on pinboard
Save old flyers to make paper chains.
Add handful of porridge oats to make crumble go further

Fab thread, thanks.
Shop at Lidl - food, toiletries, cleaning stuff, clothes, shoes, craft stuff all really cheap.
I don't buy any expensive 'snack' foods for the kids lunch boxes like fruit Strings, Kellogs cereal bars - they are shockingly bad value for money.
Bread maker used every day for bread and often pizza dough.
Shop at boot sales and charity shops - haven't bought any new clothes for myself for years.
Heating on low 16 or 17 (everyone makes sarcastic comments about how cold our house is!) and wrap up in thick socks and fleeces.
Solar panels to heat water - even work on a cloudy day!
Agree with closing curtains and keeping doors shut.
Use a dehumidifier to help dry washing rather than tumble dryer.
Try not to use car and if I do do several journeys combined. Cycle to work even in the rain!
Never do expensive days out with kids like Legoland etc. Just can't afford it.
Holidays always camping in Britain.
Never impulse buy!

Sock pixie, that's fab !

"That way, you can just buy one set of tags and just tuck and sew the initail end which is not being used."

Ooh, that's cunning!

How much is basic rate income support?

Buddy80 - the Boots sale almost always starts on a Wednesday morning. It's usually the third Wednesday in January, but it could possibly be the second Wednesday. I hope Boots don't read this and change it now.

mum2 When I was on IS it was £110 a fortnight.

Jeezy peeps! Id no idea, fortunately have never had to claim benefits. Great idea though, think Id struggle...currently have £100pw for DP, DS who is 3 and myself which pays for everything except household/car bills and expenses.

I have a few money saving beauty tips too (which may already be common knowledge!)

When lipstick is down to the flat, instead of chucking out, apply with a lip brush or finger instead. Same idea for stick foundation/concealer.

If you have an eyeshadow that's crushed, empty into a small pot (that has a lid) and blend with a bit of vaseline, instant cream eyeshadow.

I make my own face mask using 2 egg whites and a couple of tablespoons of natural yoghurt. Mix together, apply and leave on face for a few minutes then rinse with warm water & moisturise. There's some really good recipes for egg yolk hair treatments too, so none of the egg is wasted!

Talc works great instead of expensive dry shampoo, absorbs grease, but rub into roots well or it'll look like a Halloween wig!

One I've not tried yet but will be, is using 'no more tears' baby shampoo as make-up remover (especially good for eye make-up for obvious reasons!)

Value shampoo is about 48p in Tesco (it used to be 18p, until about six months ago )
It works perfectly well and actually is quite gentle on your hair. And it is just going to get washed away, anyway.

My washing machine broke about two years ago and does not heat the water. We now wash everything in cold water. Only a couple of stains have been impossible to remove, but I suspect hey would have been impossible anyway.

Soup is my friend for all little bits and bobs of food.

I buy all birthday cards in a great big lump from Oxfam. They are 99p each, have a good selection, AND I am doing my bit for a charity. I can't believe that some cards are £2.50 in Supermarkets

You should see the clintons cards, £5 plus each.

No wonder it's not as busy as it was in there.

Not sure if this has been said before but with regard to saving small coins, you can now use these in the self service checkout, just chuck them in the coins bit and pay for whatever you've bought.

Also while Poundland is good for some things, be careful. Recently I went for around 5 things, luckily I checked Superdrug which was next door and every single thing was cheaper in Superdrug!

AGeeksWife too true re: Poundland. It's normally great but, for example, I was able to buy 300 cotton ear buds in Wilkinsons for 30p instead of 100 for £1

Which follows on to my next tip ... Do check the baby toiletries isle in supermarkets, things are often cheaper than the same in the main toiletries isle.

Happy thanks for that, will def check that out

For cards I either get the kids to make their own or buy a mixed box from eBay. Works out ,£2.00 for about 100. Plus postage of a couple of quid, but even still the cards I have got have been lovely.

Marking place - these are some great ideas!

I know so glad I started this thread. If anything it's also remotivated me to keep on being frugal. X

Does everyone know about Nisbets? It's a restaurant supply firm that sells everything - glassware, china, linen, clothes, appliances - at much lower prices than anywhere High Street, and with a better range.

Ooh bookmarked

Another habit of mine is to ask, ask, ask.

For instance, I asked the local school if they had any desks for sale. Turns out they were getting rid of a load for free and I was welcome to collect.

I asked my local childrens Centre if they ever lent out equipment for parties over the weekend. I needed a couple of small tables and chairs for my sons party. Although no one had ever asked, they were only too happy that it was going to get used. I made a donation of a couple of £'s and it was a win win.

mmmerangue - what is 'save the change' - never heard of it before but what a good idea. How do you set it up?

Some great ideas on here, I always go to training salons to get my hair cut, or sometimes you can be a model in your local hairdresser. I've never had a disaster (but I am not at all vain ).

Ppeat I had no idea I could grow the ginger root, might have to give that a go - but it means I'll have to go and buy more ginger as I still have a jar full!

I always water down fruit juice. When I first tried it I thought it might be horrid, like when you make squash too weak, but it's not! Apple juice works especially well, in fact I sometimes find it a bit harsh if I don't dilute it. You can make it pretty much half and half and it's still good.

Oh, and I'm on the vinegar bandwagon here too, but am new to it. Have always had problems with the dogs' beds smelling even when they are fresh out of the washing machine, but this week I washed with detergent (half the amount, as always) and filled up the softener compartment with white vinegar. The beds smell like they've never even been near a dog, it is AMAZING. I've been telling everyone about it, I'm so sad thrilled!

Marshmallow you don't even need the rice steamer as suggested. For perfect rice, put in twice the amount of water to rice (in volume - so one cup rice for two cups water). Microwave in BIG bowl for a while (I find a couple of small cups of rice takes 13 mins) = perfect rice

Tiredof Another idea for yr.plants is collect rainwater (if you can of course) its a win win 'cos it means you don't use the possibly metered mains water and its much better for the plants.

It's interesting about smells; we use those microfibre cloths which are expensive to buy BUT you can use them dry or with a little vinegar for computers,windows ,cars ,T.V.s etc., they last forever, wash beautifully (it has to be a boil wash with vinegar and bicarb) and as you say it totally neutralises the smell

We do have a waterbutt outside, and my indoor plants only get watered with dishwater :)

I just thought of something else which may or may not be of interest, I only started doing this this week: DP puts the hot water on when he gets up, it's on for an hour, so when he goes to work I run the kitchen sink full of hot water, as if I was going to wash up. Then whatever pots I use through the morning I can wash up immediately, without running any extra hot water. It's surprising, I did it at 8.30 this morning and it's only just now getting a bit too cold to use. It's maybe not a huge money saver, but if I didn't do this I'd just put the pots next to the sink, and then end up with a load of pots to do later.