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Original poster

Money-saving hints that aren't...

214 replies

TheFifthKey · 08/01/2019 12:45

I've been looking through momey saving blogs etc and the same things come up that annoy me every time because they're either not good hints or just unhelpful.

Firstly, the "if you stop buying lunch/coffees/magazines" tip - maybe there's the odd person who hasn't noticed that £5 a day at Costa adds up but it's irritating when you never really buy these things anyway - funnily enough if I had a £100/month black hole in my budget like that I'd notice!

And the second is "use lemons for cleaning" - they don't bloody work and a bottle of Flash is £1 and lasts aaaaaages for me - I don't use loads and it's fine. A net of lemons is at least 50p and would last one cleaning session - this is not a saving in any form!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheFifthKey · 21/01/2019 07:02

It’s worth at least looking at the library website - mine offers ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines without ever having to set foot in the place. Mine also does free reservations - I reserve stuff via the app, wait until there are four or so books in for me, and run in, pick them up and leave. It’s like having a book butler for free!

OP posts:
PlumpSyrianHamster · 21/01/2019 08:57

Wow, where is this library?

MeetJoeTurquoise · 21/01/2019 09:58

We couldn't save money by not having a car. The cost of public transport here in a very rural county is ridiculous. And cycling is not an option, there are no cycle routes between towns and villages so hopping on your bike to go school/work would mean risking your life unless you're a very confident cyclist.

We use the stretch a day shopping thing. Every week we try to go one or two days further before shopping, we go to Aldi, to make sure we are using everything up and wasting as little as humanely possible.

SciFiScream · 21/01/2019 11:26

Yes I do a lot with my library and never have to set a foot in the door (apart from opening account with them of course!) I forgot my library also has films you can stream from a website.

You can borrow a computer for as long as you need to...provided no one else is waiting.

I walk it cycle to the library if I need to go.

I can't believe the negativity against my suggestion! A library is a use or lose it type service and a real boon to individuals and the community. And most importantly a proper money saving tip. Sheesh!

SciFiScream · 21/01/2019 11:34

I'm a member of three different groups of libraries and I rarely set foot in any of them! I'm confident my library memberships have saved me (and the family) thousands over the years.

Our local libraries offer code clubs (scratch and python) Lego clubs, homework clubs and special community services

Children can borrow e-books and digital comics too.

The online streaming service is called IndieFlix.

There's full length concerts to be streamed as well

Don't sneer. Check your library out.

DarlingNikita · 21/01/2019 11:42

A library is a use or lose it type service and a real boon to individuals and the community
I couldn't agree more. They are seriously struggling, though, and the reduced hours/changing into coffee shops/libraries becoming fewer and farther between mentioned by pps here is a genuine issue. Of course it could be solved by proper resourcing and funding.
My library recently started charging for reservations. At 50p a go it mounts up quickly if you're quite a prolific reader. I'm lucky enough that I'm able to afford it, and I'm happy to pay; but I wouldn't be surprised if it's put off a lot of the people who had been using the service. I'm sure they haven't started charging for fun but because they're desperately short of money.

SciFiScream · 21/01/2019 11:56

Our libraries have reduced hours too but so much available online that it works plus the community all band together to prevent the further cutting of library services.
Incidentally my most local library is in the biggest town in the area but isn't fit for purpose! So it will be closed and relocated soon.
Reserving digital books is free - can be read on a smart phone. Don't necessarily need a tablet or kindle. Many people have smart phones.
50p to reserve a book is cheaper than our local charity shops and you'll get recently published books. I think we only pay 20p to reserve actual books. I'm not sure.

Come on people of Mumsnet! Use and love your local library (I'm not a librarian...honest! Blush)

crumbsinthecutlerydrawer · 21/01/2019 13:00

The library suggestion is a good one, depending on where you live, I know services are massively reduced/non existent in a lot of places. Ours has had it’s hours cut but not as much as was proposed. We’re lucky that it’s a nice little walk away and is in a lovely park so gives us a good morning/afternoon out. I used to regularly buy an interiors magazine then took out a subscription as it was cheaper, still wasteful I know, then I found it was available online through the library along with loads of others and don’t spend a penny on them anymore. DP has signed up and never stepped foot inside the building, he downloads his magazines through the library site too now.

DS gets audio books from the library using his tablet at home. If we do get books out I’m not great at getting them back on time but we get an email reminder two days before they’re due and then renew them online until I have time to get them back.

Admittedly it’s not massive savings but the audiobooks save DS spending his pocket money on a book he’d probably only read once and then pass on.

BackforGood · 21/01/2019 13:17

The thing is, most of these tips do work, for some people.
So - the library one would work for me if I needed to. I can sit in our library, which I can walk to, for most of the day, and save on heating, and use their computers (which tend to get busy only later, when the schools come out), if I want to. Obviously, if you don't live near a library - or at least one that is open when you are available, that particular tip won't work for you, but it doesn't mean it isn't a valid tip.

Same with a lot of the 'economising on food buying' ones. Yes, if you are already shopping frugally, then it might not save you anything, BUT - look at the regular threads on here where people spend £100 + for 2 people, it would work for them.

user1457017537 · 21/01/2019 13:40

And if you really have no money all the money saving tips in the world are not going to help

crumbsinthecutlerydrawer · 21/01/2019 13:42

That’s true, I was thinking this morning about the buying in bulk one. That’s one I can do now and it does save some money long term but a few years ago we were living week to week and quite often I’d get to the point where I’d have to get a couple of nights of dinners out of less than a fiver so had I been buying say pasta in a massive bag it would’ve taken a big chunk out of what I had available to spend and would’ve meant I had very little to put with it to make a half decent dinner out of. So it might have been more expensive per 100g to only buy a small bag at a time but as I was on a really strict budget I just couldn’t have afforded to be prepared and buy in bulk.

We’re still tight for money, not as bad now, but we make our savings where we can and I do like to have a few tins of things in the cupboard as back up and buy slightly larger pack sizes of meat etc to put whatever isn’t being used that night in the freezer so I don’t constantly have to nip out to the shops because this is where I trip up.

marymarkle · 21/01/2019 15:16

Yes you need to be slightly better off to take advantage of most money saving tips.

PlumpSyrianHamster · 21/01/2019 16:50

I can't believe the negativity against my suggestion! A library is a use or lose it type service and a real boon to individuals and the community. And most importantly a proper money saving tip. Sheesh!

Because it's extremely region dependent and in some areas, it's not a question of use or lose due to vast budget cuts. Nor is it possible in many areas to belong to 3 different groups of them or walk or cycle to any of them.

It's in no way a money saving tip for a lot of people unless they live in a region like yours.

Is it that hard to think outside the box?

SciFiScream · 21/01/2019 17:26

@PlumpSyrianHamster have you tried joining other libraries (ie not so region dependent) and using the resources online (so you don't have to physically go there?)

There's some London libraries (I forget which) I can join and I live in Scotland! (Disclaimer I wonder if my info might be out of date?)

Is it that hard to think outside of your box? (Said in a light hearted fashion) Grin

SciFiScream · 21/01/2019 17:39

It looks like all you need is a UK address to join this library www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives/start-using-our-libraries/Pages/Join-a-library.aspx

and you can join online???

National Library of Scotland I think is a Scottish address (perhaps a UK address?)

Have you checked the libraries of local colleges or Universities? They sometimes (emphasis on sometimes) let non-students borrow.

I think the British Library has online reader access (not very exciting collections though)

My three are county of work, county where I live and National Library of Scotland.

My county do a holiday borrowing card so there's always that for staycations.

Lolly86 · 21/01/2019 17:46

I have just done the save the change idea...thank you

DarlingNikita · 21/01/2019 19:18

Yes, I've started doing that too. 26p so far Grin

Bayleyf · 21/01/2019 22:36

Libraries are great. If they don't work for you, get cross with politicians who cut them not the people who suggest them.

The library near my house is fantastic. And I've joined one near work, too (different borough, but it doesn't matter) and I pop in at lunchtime.

Hedwigsradio · 22/01/2019 07:42

I love the save the change idea. I have no savings at all and this is a start. I've had an empty savings account for so long. As for things like buying in bulk it's ok if you can afford to. At the moment we are living on £40 a week to feed 4 of us which has to include other things like shampoo etc. I work but that covers rent and that's it I'm hoping this won't be forever as I split from ex so I'm locked into a high mobile contract for another year and I'm paying off other debts he left us with.

I think alot of money saving advice is aimed at people who waste money and isn't there for people who would love to even be able to have the option to waste money on coffees ect

VanGoghsDog · 22/01/2019 09:38

Libraries are great. If they don't work for you, get cross with politicians who cut them not the people who suggest them.

How would that make a difference? I live in a village that has never had a library. There is a mobile one but it comes when I am at work. Politicians can't move my village closer to the town, where the library is.

The one near work is a ten minute drive and the parking at work is so bad that I would not be able to park on my return, so not worth it. I'd also have to pay to park by the library I think.

No-one is 'getting cross' with people suggesting it though. Just pointing out that it's not money saving for everyone when they have to drive to them and pay to park, when books are so cheap anyway (many podcasts are free too).

If you have kids and can get to a library when it is open without going out of your way, or do some other chores at the same time, then of course, they are ideal. We went every weekend as kids.

7Days · 22/01/2019 09:53

The online services are worth it though. Specially audio books

VanGoghsDog · 22/01/2019 10:17

The online services are worth it though. Specially audio books

For SOME people. That is the point of this thread, isn't it? That not all tips work for all people.

I can't bear audio books myself and since I have never bought one, suddenly joining a library to get them free wouldn't actually save me any money, would it?

Want2bSupermum · 22/01/2019 13:32

crumbs I agree with bulk purchasing being unrealistic for someone on a tight weekly budget. If that's the case it's far better to be strict with portion sizes so you don't waste any of the food. I still use a teacup for measuring rice for the family. It's 2 cups instead of one now but I cook the perfect amount for dinner for everyone and lunch for 3 the next day. Zero waste of cooked food is just as important as watching what you buy.

Mojito8654 · 23/01/2019 00:27

Turn the heating down.

Always crap advice unless the temp is high 20s

marymarkle · 23/01/2019 08:24

High 20s? It is 19 in our house, perfectly fine. Of course turning the heating down is a useless tip if you already are sensible with fuel.

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