This year I'm saving £468... can you do it too?

[milk]

I used to buy Walkers crisps, which cost £3 for 2 packs of 6. I now buy Tesco Value (12) ready salted crisps for 66p.

I used to drink squash with my water. I used to spend £3 on three bottles a week.

I used to buy milk for £1.29 at Tesco. I now buy milk for £1 at Lidl.

I used to buy Pampers nappies at 18p each, I now use Tesco Value at 7p each.

Before I spent= £708.24 per year
Now I spend= £240.24 per year

Which is a saving of £468 per year just from making 4 small changes

But Tesco value nappies are the plasticky ones yes? They always make my children really sore.

Saying that I never buy pampers. I did buy some huggies yesterday as they had none of the shop's own ones in a 3, and I thought, hey, they are a tenner, maybe they won't leak! Ha. They leak.

But that is still really good overall, Milk. Sorry, didn't mean to be negative - I didn't realise you could save so much by just doing that.

I was thinking about downgrading our crisps. The economy ones come in tiny packets which would suit the dc's more. No point spending money on naice crisps if they end up with just as much fat + salt from a normal size packet.

If you leave the crisps out, then you save even more. Just saying.

And I found asda's nappies leak. But maybe tesco's are better.

But yes its impressive to save nearly £500 with just 4 changes, isn't it?

Lidl nappies are the same price as value but quality is as good as pampers

we use cloth nappies, so we won't be spending any money buying nappies this year

We buy salt and shake because DD can eat them without salt
which means we don't really have a choice.

and we've just given up milk and soya to test DD's eczema, so that's making life more expensive.

i would love to find out ways of saving money.
actually, i just need ways of making money...

It is impressive, well done op

I would add buying stuff like dishwasher tablets and washing liquid in bulk when they're on special offer (I have limited space, but can manage 6 months supply) - I recently got 6 months of nice Fairy ones for the same price as Tesco Daisy (and I hate to say it, but the difference really is noticable).

Plus it bulks out my shop, so I can use the vouchers that Tesco send me which give me a few quid off if I spend just slightly more than I usually would (the tempting buggers), so I basically get 6 months of whatever for free...

Well done.

Unique- Aldi do own fantastic salt shaker crisps which taste very like the original.

I use Tesco value (not daisy) dishwasher tabs - dishes always sparkly, so don't see that I would notice any significant improvement using branded ones.
Also use Tesco value washing powder - and much less than the recommended amount.

Tesco value weetabix (but only kellogg cornflakes & rice krispies).

Tesco baked beans (but only heinz ketchup!).

Try the cheaper option, if you don't like it go back, if you don't notice the difference then great - money saving.

This thread couldn't have come at a better time - just had a text from hubby, he's not able to do some of the part time work we'd planned for, so we're down this year to the tune of £1100.

Our challenge is to try to save another £100 a month from somewhere.

I'm a SAHM with 2 at school, toddler at home so we're already on a budget and think we're pretty savvy (reusable nappies/packed lunches etc), but I know there are still ways to make further savings.

Any suggestions welcome....

ooh, thank you staryeyed

Well done op I think that is brilliant, you have shown how small changes really add up. It is one of the main points on MSE, that a habit can be costing quite a lot and when you look with fresh eyes it is quite shocking.

luca Can you post any details about what you currently spend? No point listing the things you can't change, but after bills how much do you have and where does it go? It is usually food shopping, phone bills, tv, petrol, clubs, etc that have to be reviewed as well as all utilities. I bet people can think of loads of ways.

Milk OMG until I read what you wrote I had no clue what a difference small changes can make to a budget in a year. You've opened my eyes. Thank you.

Well done.
Giving up crisps which do nothing but damage the health of children and adults would be even better and cheaper.

I have just discovered Lidl washing powder. Someone at works raves about Lidl or Aldi nappies.

We like indian food plus the odd chilli, fajita etc and found we were spending a bomb on jars of sauces/mixes etc (the price has risen to piss-taking levels - 80p for a chilli mix and two quid for a jar of curry sauce!!). So we got some spices from our local asian grocer and made our own. A fivers worth of spices lasts six months so saves loads.
You could do a similar thing with pasta sauces etc.

Ooh I love this thread!

I switched from ordinary sliced bread for sandwiches to Sainsbury's basic wholemeal which tastes nicer, stays fresh for longer, and it's a saving of £40 per year.

Switched from fresh garlic to garlic paste - no waste - save about £24 pa.

DC really complain about value crisps so can't make that switch - but I only ever buy crisps on offer or at pound store. And packed lunches - even extravagant healthy ones with Innocent smoothies in them - are still far cheaper than school dinners.

Wish we had an Aldi nearby. I've yet to try it.

I used to find Sainburys nappies really good.

Giving up magazine and newspapers saved us about £30 a month - £360 a year.

If you haven't got an aldi write to them suggesting local sites that would be suitable.

These stores don't just happen, someone needs to say "that disused car dealerships ideal for a new store".