If you're trying to save some money....

[JamSandle]

Tell me your tips. I've decided this winter I want to save as much as I can.

Any advice on how to keep going? I've already decided to limit social media so I dont get jealous if I see people doing things im not. There are things I've planned so my winter isn't without its fun. I just want to prioritise saving a much as I can this winter.

Anyone else doing the same and want to encourage each other?

For clarity - I also only use the flannel if I have a wee...

Some cultures use their hands or a bucket of water to kinda splash themselves with. They tend to have rules around which hand they shake hands with and which they do that with too.

Yes get on it!

Yea I think you need to find out which your specific library uses?

@kateandme I can't see your reply again but I'm grateful for your advice!

@WahineToa that's awesome; would love to have had a rescue! All our animals are from rescues but still... I wonder if cafes etc would be prepared to let you have their prep waste?

about the hands/flannel thing; I have heard that, i suppose it's best to keep hands separate if you've not got good access to soap! And it's just what we all did before toilet paper, surely! Alternatively you can pop them in the big wash and have a few. Just like reusable nappies...

Do you wash it in warm water? I think that would cost more than loo roll tbh. I assume its wee only as well?

Although some people rinse rather than wipe then dry with a flannel which seems more sensible. A plastic bottle with a sports cap will do it.

A lot of budget supermarket
Own brands such as cakes and biscuits are actually top brand rejects the ones that didn't quite make the grade . For example Jaffa cakes .

Yup only eat with your right hand too as left hand is for washing bottoms. I remember being a bit 🤔when I encountered first squat toilet complete with a short bit of garden hose for rinsing off. Apparently it’s a much better for you than sitting toilets though.

As pp have said use things like Top Cash Bag, Olio, Too Good To Go for food. Try cheaper versions of food. Lots of things like the supermarket wheat biscuits instead of Weetabix are good. Cook batch meals and cut down things like meat options.

For example if you like chilli/bolognaise then use lots of veg/lentils/oats and less meat.

I watched Nadiya Hussein on TV today. She did a huge pot of lamb curry with not much lamb. Can’t remember the quantities but it was a tin of green lentils and oats. Once cooked it was thick and creamy. She said that’s standard in Bangladesh for large families.

So, do that kind of thing, whatever spices you like for flavour, freeze in portions and reheat in the microwave.

Unsubscribe from all marketing emails.

Borrow from library books. Magazines and newspapers available online from most library accounts too.

Enter competitions for things you would love.

All the usual energy saving, meal planning ideas etc.

Do a benefit check up.

Review all standing orders and direct debits.

If you join your local library, ebooks are free to read. I can also access most magazines and newspapers and read them online. I’ve stopped buying magazines except as gifts for other people.

I agree. Toilet roll isn't really this expensive comparing to other items... With 2 people at home 24 pack should last a month and it's 7 quid in lidl/aldi. Wiping your butt with flannel cloth, rinsing it and reusing is beyond gross.

These are such great tips and really nice to have gotten so many responses!

This feels wrong on so many levels...

Save the Change, I'm with Halifax but I'm sure other banks have similar. Rounded up change is put into nominated savings account at the end of everyday.
Most that has gone in is just under £2, least 3p, I really don't notice it and £100 has accumulated since April.
Might be nothing to some but a really handy emergency fund for me.

I want to have a low key Christmas and then save in January and February by having now spend days - hopefully 31 in January.

I want to still live though and so just do different things

I am meal planning, but reducing the different meals we eat, so Monday-Friday I will cook 3 meals for supper and we have two twice, they reduces cooking and electric

So Next week we will have Chilli con carne slow cooked and then reheated Wednesday, Tuesday beef and broccoli taming twins recipe and then reheated Friday. Thursday will be a pasta dish.

Saturday and Sunday will be fish and chips, both from the freezer section and a chicken slow cooker dish with roast potatoes and vegetables.

Will buy ingredients to make banana loaf and biscotti biscuits and take them on a long walk through the autumn leaves on Saturday with a flask of coffee for back at the end afterwards. Coffee is my weakness but it can add up to £12/13 for a couple of coffees and cake for two.

The library is wonderful for not only free books, but free subscription newspaper, audio books, ebooks and emagazines such as good housekeeping and hello magazine.

My bank gives me 6 visits to the cinema each year so using those to see some films.

Looking at what mobile phone offers come through for freebies, costa coffee etc

Yes,Lloyds does Save the change too.Its really handy,sometimes I spend £5.01 or £3.02 etc on purpose as I know the 98/99p will get swept into my savings without me really noticing at all.

I use Quidco for every online purchase. If I see something in boots while out shopping I will click onto Quidco, then go through boots and do click and collect

I have the Libby app it links up to your local library you can borrow ebooks, audiobooks and magazines free the app is also free

vm.tiktok.com/ZMFr71c6d/ Winter picnics in the park

I'm on maternity leave (baby due in 7 weeks) and have decided to utilise my time off to declutter and sell whatever we don't need/use!

Use a cash back site.

See if you are entitled to any sort of discount card, work for the NHS, police or ambulance - blue light card.

Student ID.

Army or ex army ID.

etc etc.

Look for voucher codes.

If you have a kindle use bookbub.com, you put your interests in and you are sent a daily email with discounted / free books.

Meal plan.

Use Olio and other apps for freebies.

Check out any community kitchen/larder/shop.

Anything you have not used / worn for 12 months, do you really need it? Can you sell it?

If you wear glasses check the cost of new lenses vs new glasses.

Get shoes repaired rather than throw them.

If you are cooking for a family then serve an extra portion so if you are cooking for 4 then make 5 portions and freeze one.

Don't use as much meat, you don't need a whole chicken breast per person, half is fine.

Use your local shops, the butcher near me still does a 'Christmas club' so you put your order in now and pay towards it every week.