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Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Sneaky money saving tips

42 replies

Bonbon27 · 04/12/2020 06:43

Trying to think of sneaky ways to save the pennies. Apart from the obvious like meal plan, grow your own veg, turn heating down etc. What tips do people have?

OP posts:
OneRingToRuleThemAll · 04/12/2020 06:45

Save first. Allocate a set amount to savings and pay that on payday like you would any other bill.

Toomanycats99 · 04/12/2020 06:45

Use cash back sites for stuff you buy online. Also depending what network your phone is on try airtime rewards that gives cash bank.

FippertyGibbett · 04/12/2020 06:49

I get my shopping delivered so that I don’t pick stuff up that I don’t need in the supermarket.
I also look through the deals to sometimes choose cheaper stuff than I’d normally buy.
I pay monthly for my deliveries so it’s cheaper than paying for individual deliveries.

Original poster
Bonbon27 · 04/12/2020 07:18

Thanks I already do this with quidco and top cashback 🙂

OP posts:
SkeletorAttack · 04/12/2020 07:25

For things you really do want to buy (but can afford to wait for), use the Shoptagr app.

It links to various websites, allowing you to add the items you want (eg a particular dress). The app sends you an email and notification when the price changes or the product goes on sale, so you can get in there quickly at a reduced price.

I do appreciate that this could inadvertently lead to more spending though, so please be aware!

SkeletorAttack · 04/12/2020 07:36

Also, for Amazon, the CamelCamelCamel website does the same as Shoptagr and will alert you via email if and when an items falls to your pre-set "desired price". If it doesn't fall in price of course, you won't get notified but it's handy for gifts or wishlist items.

larrythelizard · 04/12/2020 07:45

I set up a plum account and I'm pretty impressed, no idea how it works but it steals money from my account to a saving account on a weekly basis, using some sort of algorithm.

RedskyAtnight · 04/12/2020 08:01

Don't spend money? That sounds totally flippant but if you want to buy something, first of all decide if it is really essential. If it isn't, then don't buy it. If it's essential but not urgent, leave it a week and reassess. If you still think it's essential, then shop around to find the cheapest price.

SkeletorAttack · 04/12/2020 13:08

@RedskyAtnight

Don't spend money? That sounds totally flippant but if you want to buy something, first of all decide if it is really essential. If it isn't, then don't buy it. If it's essential but not urgent, leave it a week and reassess. If you still think it's essential, then shop around to find the cheapest price.
Totally agree. Try to take each day at a time and aim for 'No Spend Days' where you do not spend a penny.
Original poster
Bonbon27 · 04/12/2020 15:43

Just thought of online surveys and playing games, don't get a lot but every bit helps 🙂

OP posts:
Dinosauraddict · 04/12/2020 22:53

I recommend Barclays blue rewards - they take £4 per month and immediately top it up to £7 per month. And that's without using the extra features like cashback etc. Easy not to notice it coming out your salary and it builds up nicely. It's also instance access to get back, and you can use for anything.

Cheesypea · 04/12/2020 22:58

Are you working from home. Apply to change you tax code and get up to £6 per week back from hmrc.

HerPennyPotential · 04/12/2020 23:02

Couple of odd ones for Christmas but waiting till after Xmas to buy pressies for people i wont see till after xmas day (those sales!), encouraging secret santa with ALL my family & friend groups, and of course making my own pressies/ using Etsy pressies where i can!!

im5050 · 04/12/2020 23:17

Not really money saving but basically free money 😂
On my dog insurance I got a referral link that if anyone uses the link it gets both of a £20 amazon voucher
I’m on a several Facebook pages for my dogs breed where every day people people ask advice about pet insurance and which ones to buy
So I post a funny story about my dog add my link for them to use if they want to buy this particular insurance
Since Oct I’ve got £420 in amazon vouchers and If the ones that I have used my referal link come through by the end of Dec I will have made another £360
I’m now on first term names with my amazon delivery guy 😂
Only pain is that you have to use the voucher within 30 days but hey it’s amazon I can always find something to buy and it’s been brilliant for my Xmas shopping this year

prettymess · 05/12/2020 11:27

If you get 2 or more prescriptions month getting an nhs prepay card is worth it. I pay £10.40 a month direct debit which saves a lot as I have 6 prescriptions a month!

Airtime rewards is good. I linked my debit card and have twice had £10 off my mobile bill for transactions I was making anyway.

I utilise loyalty card such as Nectar and Boots Advantage card as much as possible. Check the apps once a week and load offers.

Smallsteps88 · 05/12/2020 11:32

@RedskyAtnight

Don't spend money? That sounds totally flippant but if you want to buy something, first of all decide if it is really essential. If it isn't, then don't buy it. If it's essential but not urgent, leave it a week and reassess. If you still think it's essential, then shop around to find the cheapest price.
Yep. Retrain yourself to just not buy things. It’s very natural for us to think “of I need to get a new [whatever]” but I’ve realised most of the time I don’t need, I can do without and only when I can’t do without, then do I buy. We don’t need half as much as we think we do.

I aim for 6 no spend days a week and I plan out exactly what I do need to buy on my spending days. If I need something during the week, it waits until spending day and I decide if I really do need it.

prettymess · 05/12/2020 11:39

I scrutinise every spend. I was going to the Coop on my way to work on a Monday morning and buying lactofree milk for 1.70. The same thing in Aldi is 85p. So I get an extra one from Aldi on our weekly Saturday shop and taking that into work instead. If you track your spends for a while you do notice these things and save you in the long run. In case off the milk it saves me £44 a year Shock

Smallsteps88 · 05/12/2020 11:44

It really does add up, even the tiniest savings.

prettymess · 06/12/2020 09:04

Check what your bank or other services offer as rewards. Lloyds do cashback offers. My current ones have Coop (5%) and Costa (10%) and the rest of the list are places I likely won’t go to. Worth checking though. When I was with Npower, they did rewards and perks for customers.

drumst1ck · 07/12/2020 17:26

I'm looking into Monzo the banking app. It has very good reviews and is a very detailed way of tracking your spending. You can also set it up to round up your card spends and put the extra pennies into a savings account. You barely notice the extra money but it adds up!

Also I've found changing what we eat as a family makes a difference, less meat, pad out meals with more veg/lentils etc and go for cheaper cuts of meat like chicken thighs rather than breast (and tastier in my opinion as well!)

SweatyBetty20 · 11/12/2020 15:58

Don’t go shopping as a past-time. Don’t do internet shopping unless you need something specific.
Unsubscribe from marketing emails or direct them into junk.
For the two months of the year you don’t pay council tax (if you’re on a 10 month payment schedule) - either put it straight into savings, buy your non-perishable items for the year; laundry, dental, shampoo, shower gel, cleaning products, service your boiler, or stock up your random present and card drawer if you have one. Don’t just let it disappear.

Smallsteps88 · 11/12/2020 16:24

This might not be what you mean but Asda do a Xmas savings card where they add a bonus to it in November. You can put up to £485 on it but the bonus only applies to £280 (so no benefit in saving beyond that for the bonus) if you save £280 they give you an extra £15. (Which is over 5% so beats any savings account in a bank!) It’s less if you save less. And you can spend it online and in store throughout the year. Not sure if other supermarkets have similar options.

Daisy829 · 11/12/2020 16:29

If you buy online use TopCashback or Quidco to try to get some money back.

FizzyPink · 11/12/2020 16:30

I second doing an online shop. It’s also easier to browse the offers this way. I’ve gone from spending about £100 a week wandering around Tesco to £45 online. I have no idea what I was spending the other £55 on!

user1471523870 · 11/12/2020 16:46

I am trying hard to suggest something that is not obvious or being already said here. Here's my little saving tips:

  • I always take a refillable bottle of water with me, or now that it's cold a coffee or a tea in a travel mug. Saves me a lot of money in buying them in coffee shops.
  • I keep a collapsible coffee mug in my bag for when I can't/forget to bring my own coffee, as the big coffee shops chains give you a discount if you don't use their mugs (and it's better for the environment).
  • I always have a reusable bag with me (plus a couple in the car).
  • I use reusable make up removal wipes, reusable nail polish removal wipes, reusable sanitary products, reusable wipes for my baby and had a go a reusable nappies. In the long term it's an investment that pays off.
  • When I shop for food online I sort the products by 'price per' and if I can I buy larger portions of what I need and divide up/freeze at home
  • I never buy plastic bags to store food, but I reuse the plastic bags from frozen peas, bread etc for the freezer. Or other prettier but reusable containers for bringing food with me outside the house.
  • I buy used items as much as I can, provided the serve the purpose, they are in good conditions or clean etc. For instance, I needed an extra pushchair to bring on holiday and didn't want to spend a fortune knowing it would be used twice a year for maybe only another year. I found it used, spent £50 on it, gave it a good clean, used it, then re-sold on the same channel for the same amount of money. Done the same for many other items (garden gadgets, baby carrier, technology bits).
  • I have an Amazon Prime subscription and there is a good selection of magazines. I never been a lot into them but I used to buy the odd one if bored. Not anymore.
  • I bought a shellac kit to do my nails at home and I got very good at it. No more nails done at salons.
  • I buy Christmas stuff every year after boxing day: pajamas for the following year, decorations, wrapping paper...