Today I saved a bit of money by...

[Dilidali]

Arranging coffee with a friend at my house, as opposed to our usual coffee shop.

Bringing my own packed lunch.

Remembering to renew my library books on line.

Shopping with a list, the challenge was not to stray from it.

I have saved money on Azera and Millicano coffee thanks to another thread... didn't know you could get catering packs - still didn't get a catering pack, but google showed that Amazon did 6 packs of Millicano for £12, and 6 of Azera for £18 - half price, woo hoo!

Plus free delivery, between of Amazon Prime trial (which is now cancelled, thanks to the reminder on here too!).

Happy caffeine overload coming up

by banking online and obsessively regularly checking my balance. I can see exactly how much money is left and so I can avoid going overdrawn.

I used an avantage points booster coupon in Boots, was buying nappies, deodorant etc so not stuff I didn't need.

Took biscuits and a drink out for DS and came back home for lunch instead of visiting cafe nerro or similar.

Practiced icing cupcakes so I can make them for DS, DD and DN's birthdays in the next few weeks and not pay someone else to do it like I normally do! Fairly impressed with the result.

Bought some plain flour from local corner shop. It probably cost more than a supermarket, but I didn't have to drive there, and I didn't spend my money on extras which I didn't really need.

Making playdoh. Two massive batches, cost about 97p for the lot. That's including glitter and fragrance.

I ran into town and used myJohnlewis vouchers for a healthy nutritious free lunch of cappucino and chocolate cake - although I did end up buying DH a joke present for Valentines so it wasn't that frugal.

Also my foundation is about to run out and Clinique are doing a free 5 day trial on their range - I couldn't decide which one was right so the lady gave me two samples to try.

By organising a book swap with several friends. I now have quite a pile and it didn't cost a penny.

switching Broadband providers. Saved myself around £36 a month (although that is on a fixed rate deal, so it WILL go up in a year's time, but I've calculated it all and it will still be a saving).
I went via Quidco and have got £90 cashback

Made a huge pot of soup for my lunches at work. Right now I'm sitting freezing in my car instead of perusing the retail park and drinking coffee while my daughters are at dancing. This makes me feel grumpy though rather than virtuous.

Realised I have saved a considerable amount of cash by now buying multi-packs of Coke / Sprite..

I never used to buy them in the weekly shop, but always gave the DC £1 each time for the vending machine as a treat after football etc.

Now I can get 6-8 cans for around £2, and give them one of them to take...

Honestly - I don't know why I didn't catch on to this planning lark years ago...

BBCessex - we're the same at the cinema, used to get pick and mix there for DS and whatever friend he brought along, total cost min of 5, now have bags of Haribo at 50p from Asda ready for the occasion.

Tootired - well done on your mortgage investigations.

Tootired that is fantastic!

Today I have changed broadband supplier and paid for annual bt line rental.
I was meant to go to soft play this afternoon with ds to meet friends but couldn't be bothered but didn't go so saved money on lunch/coffee/cake.
Got pg again so no alcohol for me or DH
I have however got myself a little addicted to eBay. But I'm going to go through our wardrobes etc see what I can start selling to.

Using read it swap it website - yes I had to pay to post my book off but I got a vgc copy of a much desired book for less than shops and DH is happy because my book supply is dwindling

Just looked at quotes for car insurance and with Quidco cashback I'll be paying £193 a year. Sweet!

Took pack lunch to work
Walked to and from work to save on bus fair
Avoided the shopping centre on the way home

Having lunch and coffee at home before going out instead of on the way to work.

I used 15 of my Tescos clubcard points to boost to a national rail family card. It would have cost 30 if I didn't use mt clubcard boost points.

The weather being so miserable that I had no inclination to step outside my front door!

By sitting down with all the bills and combing with a fine tooth.
Turns out I've been paying £5 every month to BT for Their cloud option, never knew existed, never asked for it. It's set up in my DH's name, the bills went to his emails, I just saw that instead of £17 the bill was never under 25. So we cancelled that and got a 6 months refund as well.

And the water bill, they wrote to me back in september to say theat they will increase the bill to £60. Out of the blue with no justification. From £18. I called back then straight away, they amended their decision, I was happy.... but guess what, they continued to take £60!!!!! I called back yesterday, oh, sorry, our bad, you only need to pay £15 a month, but why didn't you check, he goes, it's your money!!!! errrrmmm, because I did, we had a discution, we're all grown ups, I'm paying you for water, not baby sitting!

So quite a hefty refund coming back.

So, the moral of the story is: take 6 minutes and check your bills. I do it every 6 months, looks like I need to check every other month.

I saved money by cancelling a magazine subscription I no longer need.

Took DCs out to the wildlife park today. We found a 10 discount voucher on Facebook so 19 instead of 29 for three of us.
And we took a picnic instead of using their cafe.

for bbcessex - "Amazon did 6 packs of Millicano for £12"

Asda near me (Merseyside) regularly has the 85g refills at £2, and can I recommend *> Hot UK deals.com