Can we have a 'best money saving tip' thread please?

[PlateSpinningAtAllTimes]

Myself and DH have decided that we really need to have a frugal couple of years to start properly saving some money. I think the MSE website is good but can be a little overwhelming- so much info! What are your best tips for curbing spending?

My tip: meal plan, cook in bulk, freeze individual portions. Lasagne and pasta bake seem to freeze well and are cheap to make.

[ImNotBloody14]

oh! one tip i haven't seen mentioned.

if you have an open fire- save your toilet roll tubes and stuff them (not tightly) with light kindling to save on fire lighters. the dryer lint from your tumble drier is especially good as it ignites well. or you could use shredded paper, ripped up newspaper, fine twigs etc.

[LittleMissSnowShine]

imnotbloody - Agree with you about the wash! I wash most stuff at 40 but I do find it leaves whites a bit grey and if DS has been smearing himself with dinner and / or mud, I either need to use separate stain remover or wash on a higher temp. Maybe something to do with our washing machines?

Just realised DS managed to get his hands on the shampoo while he was in the bath. There was only a half bottle left but now it is... gone :( Keeping next bottle in cupboard!!!

[ImNotBloody14]

my ds1 does that with the shampoo too!! infuriating- but also i kick myself for being so silly to leave it on the side.

my washer is a bosch logixx8 and is about 3/4 years old. it's a cold water fill- i wonder if maybe that is something to do with it?

[MinimalistMommi]

im just asked DH he said £125 per year. Hope that helps. It is truely a fantastic roomy car, we're very happy with it.

[ImNotBloody14]

thanks minimalist- that's great. I've been looking at them on autotrader and they are a good bit pricier than i can afford but it's good to know incase circumstances (miraculously) change at some point.

[LittleMissSnowShine]

imnot - Not sure! We are renting at the min & landlord put in a brand new machine when we moved in last year but it's not as good as the 4 year old one we had in our last place. Luck of the draw!

[MinimalistMommi]

Im have you thought about getting some sort of Kia? It's a great deal with seven years free warranty...don't know how they run on petrol though etc

We bought out Note new and it was expensive

[ImNotBloody14]

no hadn't- thanks for that minimalist- i will check them out.

[ineedalcohol]

just wanted to add, I have a DD still in nappies and have recently tried sainsburys own brand nappies (£1.41 for 20) and I must say they aren't too bad either! Don't think I will use them at night though, I aint that brave!

[RowanMumsnet]

@Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme

MNHQ!!! this would make a great email.

Instead of that stuff you keep sending about money off expensive furniture or clothes or holidays that we can't afford anyway, how about a weekly money saving email about every day things that we all actually do need?

Hello

Thanks for this.

You ARE all signed up to our Mumsnet Money Saver regular email, aren't you?? (The latest edition actually features a link to this thread )

But we'll pass this idea on to our newsletter team to see whether there's anything in there for them to think about.

Thanks
MNHQ

[cleoowen]

I ve started buying presents and clothes for ds in the sale so buy summer stuff for next year now whilst it's all reduced.

[LittleMissSnowShine]

ineedalcohol - I used pampers with DS1 when he was really tiny and im using them with DS2 too but i started using tesco own brand with DS1 when he was 6 months and i have honestly found them just as good, even at nights

[AllTwerkNoPlay]

Oh, this is interesting!

[giraffeseatpineapples]

On dingey whites - we have always used liquid non bio. I read a couple of things suggesting that using liquid detergent clogs the washing machine and should be rotated with ariel (specifically that was the brand reccomended) powder. Happy so far with the powder - whites are coming out well and the clothes smell nice. I am still using liquid/ sensitive detergent for colours and darks. Ariel is on offer at waitrose so good time to try it. PS I don't work for ariel!

[confusedofengland]

Just a small tip I have discovered since ds1 started school. Use freebie prepaid envelopes from junk mail for dinner money, saving a little on the real thing Plus, it's recycling.

[YoureBeingADick]

one I've started doing the past few weeks. I have tried to get away with no fabric softener and using asda smartprice wash powder. poweder is fine but no lovely smell so I got a 5ltr bottle of fabric softener in poundstretcher. I poured a capful into a washed out 3ltr milk carton and topped with water. I use about half a cupful in the wash and you still get a lovely smell but not overwhelming and it uses a minimal amount of FS.

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

Birthday cards 10 for £1 in Card Factory now! Certain range only but perfect for kids.

[IamMummyhearmeROAR]

And planning ahead I bought my daughters' teachers a beautiful bracelet each in Accessorize . The bracelets were 70% off and gorgeous gift boxes were 22p each. So two lovely end of year gifts for under £6

[Whereisegg]

marking place to read later...

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

Fab thread!

• cut face wash-type containers in half when you think they're finished. I usually get another 2 weeks use that way.

[OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly]

If you are paying your utilities on one of those deals where they average out the cost over the year, check your balance and if you've been overpaying, ask for a refund, rather than a lower payment for the rest of the year. I got my iPad out of that last year!

Plus I took the secateurs to the Christmas tree a couple of weeks ago and now have 3 plastic boxes of dried out pine needles and logs from the trunk. Gives a great boost to the fire, and no trip to the dump with a tree dropping needles all over the car.

[Orangeisthenewbanana]

I joined a couple of online survey companies. I just do them as and when I get the time but have so far earned 5000ish Nectar points, £30 Amazon vouchers, £30 Sainsbury's vouchers and £10 John Lewis voucher. Takes a bit of time sometimes to build your totals up but it's nice to just have that little bit extra for something I can sit & do on my laptop when I have a spare 20 minutes.

[Solo]

Use cash, not cards. If you take a list and an appropriate amount of cash, you can't go over.