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?

Just used your code,thanks.This will feel like a treat after not being able to afford takeaways at the minute,thankyou very much.

My tip is if you have one, to try out your local community shop / pantry, you pay e.g. £5 a week for a family, for about £15-£20 of food.

I've had lots of things I wouldn't normally be buying right now and it is adding variety to our meals.

Things like kefir, quinoa, organic sourdough bread, unusual veg and fruit...it is interesting seeing what turns up as it is different each week and it is meaning we try out new things. And healthy things.

If you are absolutely desperate then your water cannot be cut off if you fall into certain groups, even if you have a CCJ against you.

Water companies also have some funds and charitable trusts. I know someone who had a bed provided by Severn Trent, I have also had my bill reduced by a payment from their fund.

You can also have your bill capped for certain medical conditions.

www.stwater.co.uk/my-account/help-when-you-need-it/help-with-paying-your-bill/?iid=hp:help_to_pay:link2

www.stwater.co.uk/my-account/help-when-you-need-it/help-with-paying-your-bill/watersure-scheme/

The biggest win for us was to avoid upgrading our lifestyle as our salaries increased. One car, used minimally. Eat veggie. One or two holidays, whether U.K. or overseas depending on the year, that we save and plan for and REALLY value. No upgrade in house or anything on HP, ever. Lots of hand me downs for kids and wearing clothes until they fall apart (I mended a top and dress yesterday to get a bit longer out of them).

the only thing we’ve done differently to life in our twenties is hire a cleaner (as we can earn more in that time then they cost) and get sports TV package (as we spent more watching footy in the pub than it costs!)

After going through DD’s etc the biggest item of expenditure to change is your food bill. Meal planning will save you a fortune, ensure that you don’t waste anything. Eat the same thing for a couple of days in a row or freeze things for next week.

The biggest win for us was to avoid upgrading our lifestyle as our salaries increased

This is a really good piece of advice. I wish I had thought about it when I was younger more, it would have made a big difference. I do now.

I have as few direct debits as possible, then have a standing order on pay day to my savings account

council tax
water
electric & gas
internet & phone
rent/mortgage

I have all my direct debits and standing orders going out from my account the day after I get paid,so once the bills are paid,i know exactly what I have left.I take the figure that is left,divide it into 4 amounts and that is what I try to spend,as cash,weekly.I am really trying not to use my card to pay for anything these days.

I know this seems super frugal but I buy the £1.93 toilet roll from Tesco 9 rolls, I buy every other week £50 a year in toilet roll! Literally flushing £50 down the toilet is madness. I’m cutting that in half and buying every 3.5 weeks that 2.5 rolls a week should be fine realistically, Saving £25 a year!

I know that is nothing to a lot of people but to other that’s a week shopping that you can buy just because they use less toilet roll, good on the planet good on your wallet 🧻🚽

I saw a tip on a previous thread where a poster was saying that they would do a week's food shop,but then try to make it last for 8 days instead of 7,week on week.The idea being that you were effectively getting a 'free' day each time.If you did it for weeks on end,lasting an extra day between shops,I suppose the savings could add up.

Me and my son have got into the habit of getting into our pjs/dressing gowns/onesies etc when we get in from school/work instead of putting the heating on straight away and within 10 minutes or so,we are really warm and haven't really had to have the heating on much so far whereas before we would have definitely had it on a fair bit by now.

We have pretty much stopped buying branded anything.Tescos own is perfectly fine across the board for 90% of what we get in our shop at the moment.

I have got back into the habit of doing a weekly shop,with cash.No dashes to the local shop for milk and bread which inevitably ends up costing near on £10 when treats are spotted.I have been getting what I need in for the week and just making do.

I spent some time yesterday reviewing all my bank accounts, credit cards and credit accounts, I closed two credit card accounts, three credit accounts and two savings accounts.

This was for two reasons,

1. I wanted to simplify my finances.
2. With the three credit accounts, it's just two easy to order things and think I'll pay next month, it encourages casual spending.

This isn't necessarily a good idea if you're trying to build up a credit score, reducing your available credit can reduce your score, but for me it's about not running up new debts now I've got things under control.

I also spent some time reviewing things like mobile phone contracts to remind myself when they're due to end and make sure I have a note in my diary for a month before.

In case this helps anyone, my bank is offering £125 to switch accounts to them. Co-op bank

www.co-operativebank.co.uk

pm me and I can give you my details for the form..

But secondhand whenever you can. Good for you, the seller and everyone else.

I love buying 2nd hand-ebay,car boots,table top sales etc.I like feeling that I am stopping more clothes go to landfill plus getting a bargain always feels good.

I realised we've done this.ans after the initial "not Kellogg bran flakes!" We had it fine.
We did it years ago though and just realisedwhen you made your post how looking around we have only a teeny percent branded now.like a couple of items.
But that does make it harder now as we are already swapped!

Just used your code.I love a good freebie,thankyou v much.

My thoughts aswell . A step too far .

Whenever I buy a new box of washing powder I also buy one of those smaller boxes of the cheapest washing powder and mix the two together. It makes the washing powder last longer and there's no discernable difference in the quality of the laundry

Whenever I’ve had a pay rise I’ve tried to save the “pay rise” part. If that makes sense.

Yes,we are getting a COL payment from work spread out over the next 4 months. I didn't know that we were getting this so will try as hard as I can to save the majority of the extra,as it was unexpected so will put to one side and save for as long as I can.

We have been taking money out of the cashpoint on a Friday,with the purpose of it lasting the weekend.We aren't using our debit cards,going on expensive day trips and sticking to our weekend cash budget.We have been going to the park,having long walks and cooking at home and really tried to have cheap but fun days.

Code still valid if anyone fancies a completely free box.