Can I have your best frugal living tips please?

[MushroomTree]

I'm nearly back on my feet after leaving an abusive relationship and I'm looking to move into my own flat with DD (13 months).

I can afford it but money is going to be tight so could I please have your best frugal living tips? TIA

Icu cube???? Oxo!!!!

Cheap recipes - you might be able to get some ideas here.
Cookingonabootstrap.com
Onepoundperday.wordpress.com
ThriftyLesley.com
Budgetbytes.com
Also, look on youtube. Try budget recipes, budget vegan, etc

Surely it would be cheaper to not have a dishwasher than use half a tablet?!
I've read that a modern dishwasher uses less water and energy for a full load than hand washing the same amount of dishes. So, a dishwasher is cheaper in the long run, however, I have no idea after how many years you break even considering the cost of the dishwasher itself.

I use dishwasher powder instead of tabs, it's much cheaper and you can use the amount you want.

Don't know why none of my links worked. Lets try again
cookingonabootstrap.com
www.thriftylesley.com
onepoundperday.wordpress.com
www.budgetbytes.com

The discount section in supermarkets.
Batch cook and plan your meals take lunch to work everyday.
Go walking/ running / cycling as a weekend activity.

I now live on half the budget I used to (got screwed whilst on may leave and now earning much less!) and here are some things that I find helpful -

• shop in Lidl/Aldi but also check the prices of the regular things you buy to make sure you're getting the best value. When you move, explore your area and discover what shops you have available in walking distance. I'm lucky in that I've got Lidl/Aldi//Wilko etc writhing a 20 min walk. Eg Willis dishwasher tabs are decent and cheaper than Lidl, as are some of their laundry products.
• Use half the recommended dose of laundry products. I still wash most things on a minimum of 40 with towels and 60 and bedding at 90 - I know people who do more 30 washes who have regular issues with their machine, plus I feel things aren't as clean as I'm used to with 30 washes.
• walk everywhere you can! Save money on transport and get fresh air at the same time. See what parks you have near you - if any duck ponds get a 75p bag of oats and feed them!
• meal plan and base things around what's on offer.
• drop brands on everything - I use Lidl Apple or raspberry 49p shampoo, moisturiser etc and it's all fine! They do 49p bubble bath which j like for my DDs bath.
• for toddler fruit snacks I find bananas and grapes good value. Check each week what Lidl/Aldi have on special. Also Lidl nappies but Aldi wipes. (All this only relevant if you have these stores close enough to you! ) I also think tesco has become more competitive recently.
• find cheap recipes you like and also think about how you can make your faves more cheaply.
• join Facebook local selling/Mum's&dads groups and look for well priced bundles in your kids next size. I find it's often better to travel further once or twice to collect a bundle than paying for smaller bits closer. Often lots of free things available too if you're prepared to collect quickly!
• if you are able to, go to a sim only phone contract, so much cheaper!
• ivejust started doing surveys etc to collect a few extra £ but I'm not sure yet if it's worth it!

Will think of more and am really interested to read everyone else's tips too. Well done for getting free x

Also, if you work, consider cycling to work if you have/can get hold of a bike. Saves a fortune and you get fit at the same time!

Dishwashers recycle water for rinse so more economical.
My area has v hard water though so can't use cheap tablets need lots of rinse aid and decent liquitabs.
I'd rather miss a meal than my dishwasher, put it on every night and saves me time and my hands don't get sore.

Where are the good survey sites as valued opinions not taking on and want a quick payback?
Also where to do comps.
And petrol, where is cheapest?

Use your freezer, if you don’t finish loaves of bread freeze half when you buy it.
I freeze lots of bits of pasta sauces and save them up until enough for a meal.
Meal plan everything.
Don’t go into shops ever if you don’t need to. Children need fewer clothes/toys than you think. We always have lots of paper and pens though.
I still save all my pennies in a big pot and cash them in once a year for a treat!

Some more great tips!

The area I'm moving to will put me in walking distance of work so that will save fuel. Plus they're about to build a Lidl around the corner from work so I can go there rather than a 30 minute drive away.

Thanks for the recipe links. I love to cook but get stuck in a rut so it's good to have some things to try.

White spirit vinegar in every wash: you can then just do a short wash and wash with much less detergent.
Batch cook.
Mobile coffee cups so you don’t buy any unnecessarily.
2nd hand kids books.
Wash hair in baby shampoo: it is sulphate free often and much cheaper than the same adult formulation.
Dye you own hair: you tube videos for this.
I also only switch on the heating for an hour or two each day..... and use blankets to be cosy in front the tv.

Personally I don't rate charity shops for children's clothes. Primark is cheaper imo. I got some kids leggings in there for £2 and t shirts for £1.80...

All bread based food I buy goes straight into the freezer so bagels/pitta breads/rolls etc...stops it going mouldy and being chucked out. I stick it on defrost in the microwave for a few seconds when I need it.

Also a freezer is cheaper to run the fuller it is.

Fill up empty freezer space with scrap card or old newspapers.
Why?

^presumably to cheapen the cost of running it.
That's a step too far for me, alongside washing my hair with washing up liquid. But I get some need to do so.
I am on prepayment meters which work out more but I put on what I can and when I did try bills I swear they just charged me what they wanted as it worked out a fortune compared to prepay.

formerbabe agree with you about Primark. My daughter is 18 and wears skinny jeans from the kids section at £6/a pair. A tip for slim adults, (she's probably an adult size 8, 5'3" tall) and fits into the 12/13 size.
I like the adult size leggings from Primark, at £2.80 a pair.

I must have brilliant luck with charity shops then. In the last month I’ve had

-2 pairs of Next unworn leggings (99p a pair) for my DD (she’s 1) as well as some beautiful grey M&S dungarees for her for £1.95
-a Hilfiger t-shirt for DS who is 3 (£1.95), some Next trousers for him (£1.95), and a Polarn o Pyret hoodie at £3 in an age 6, so I’ve put that away for when he’s bigger

I like Primark as well and I agree there’s a lot of stuff in charity shops not worth bothering with, but I have had some utter bargains there.

DD’s winter snowsuit last year was a John Lewis one that I got for £1.

BestBeforeYesterday, the fuller the freezer, the less electricity it uses. They are made to run at full capacity, which makes them more energy efficient.

OP, I don't know what your diet is like, but open your thinking to "World Foods", your DD is th eperfect age to get her eating everything.

I make Curries, Pasta Dishes and Meat-Free Shepherds Pie, using Veg and Lentils/Chick peas. One Green Planet has good practical recipes. I cook recipes from all around the World. I changed my thinking on what should be eaten for Breakfast etc.

Eliminate food waste by freezing even a small amount of Veg left over. It can go into the Pasta Sauce/Soup.

I freeze bread and take out what I want, daily.

My children got used to wrapping up over Winter, I thought about the environmental benefits, rather than needing to save money.

Likewise, my consumerism and processed food consumption went down. So put a positive spin on it.

It's easier to start off the age your DD is. She won't question taking food out with you, or not being bought sweets etc every time you go out. Fizzy drinks and the like should only be a treat for everyone. You'll be miles healthier.

Take on board PP abour fleece blankets on the sofa etc but when the heating really needs to come on, turn off/down the radiators in rooms you dont need to be toasty like kitchens and hallways

Farmfoods is amazing for cheap food. They do bags of frozen veg, 5 for £4. Mixed veg, casserole/stew veg, butternut squash, peas, peppers, sweetcorn, broad beans, cauli corn on the cob.....and their frozen chicken is 3kg for £10. You can also find money off vouchers in the local paper that give you 10% off. They do pouches of butter chicken for £1. The nicky toilet rolls are great , 18 for £4 and they do bulk washing stuff that works out dirt cheap too.

My kids favourite meal is butter chicken casserole. I fry onions, mixed peppers, chicken, tinned tomatoes, butternut squash and add the pouch of sauce. Simmer it and then ladle it over rice/cauliflower/lentils noodles. Costs about £5 for a massive pan full and it feeds 6 with leftovers that microwave beautifully.

Facebook market place and local selling groups are great for picking up bargain furniture. I got a 3 x 2 couch set for my sister for £60 and it was immaculate and lasted her 4 years.

As for carpets and flooring, ebay is great, then ask on your local sites for a carpet fitter and it will save you a fortune. I moved into a 5 bed townhouse and was quoted £1800 for all the house as cheap as possible. I got much better quality carpet and got a free lance fitter and it came in at £1100. If you can't afford carpet, Ikea do rugs for £11 that fit in the washing machine and last forever. Ikea do issue vouchers such as £10 off £60 spend if you join the family club.

Don't skimp on cheap pans and knives as you will only end up replacing them. Home bargains do a wonderful range of ceramic lined pans by the hairy bikers, I totally love mine and they are amazing quality. You do not really need a full knife set, just a veg peeler, paring, carving and bread knife.

Good luck OP :grin:

Have you got a B and M anywhere near to you, OP? very good bargain shop, seem to sell a bit of everything, similar to the old woolworths.

If you have got space you can grow your own fruit and veg. Things like lettuce, radishes, cress, onions, peas etc are easy to grow, it's cheap to buy a packet of seeds and they save you money and are fresh too! If you have time to spare you could get an allotment and grow loads of lovely fresh produce. It's a nice hobby that doesn't have to cost much and the other plot holders tend to be generous with advice and surplus stock!

Charity shops
Meal plan

Batch cook
Free days out
Always take food/snack/drinks out with you

Excellent tips.

To the poster that asked, I eat just about everything, as does DD so I'll eat whatever is cheapest.

I am planning on cutting down my meat consumption as I am a bit of a carnivore but meat is expensive.