Uncommon money saving tips

[Clarelita]

I'm wondering if anyone has any not so common money saving tips that you don't hear about that often. Things have always been tight for us and since COVID I must have read a hundred different articles and threads about saving money but it just seems to be the same tips that get brought out over and over again.

Here are a couple of mine:

I haven't had a haircut in years. When it gets too long I just cut it myself following videos on YouTube. And I always wear my hair up now so if it's a bit wonky no one will notice. Got some ideas for easy up Dos off YouTube too.

I turned down the boiler temperature and keep the showers as cold as I can tolerate to reduce the gas bill. My showers aren't cold but are warm rather than hot and I noticed a significant drop in gas consumption.

Don't book hotels through booking sites. Get prices from bookings sites, find the best price, then ring the hotel direct and ask if they can beat it ... they usually will, and by quite a lot.

If I'm putting the oven on you can bet I am microwaving jacket potatoes for 10 mins first and putting them in the oven to bake! The oven costs loads to run and if I'm cooking something else anyway I might as well add a tray of potatoes as it's basically free heat and works well for lunch or dinner the next day.

I also learnt that you will always want something. Once you get the item you've been fantasising about, shortly after there is a new obsession. Once I accepted that it made it easier to ignore the urge to buy.

You can do the same through the library but the apps are totally free to use

That's very interesting that you will always want something! I feel that I have changed my mindset in that regard. Putting things away and 'shopping' from things already in the house meets that impulse so putting away surplus shampoos and lipsticks for instance and getting out the next after running out rather than having 5 half used ones kicking around.

Our water company wrote to our tiny village asking all homeowners to refrain from using any type of wipes, as they were blocking a system.
Saying they would investigate any household not adhering to this and charge them for any repair costs.

If you have a big cast iron pot you don’t need a bread maker to make delicious bread. I use a version of this recipe Dutch oven bread, have given my bread maker away now.

Dd has sold things for pennies on Vinted and I had to drive her round all the different drop-off points. Is there a way to limit to one drop-off?

Being able to wash your hair without conditioner is very much dependent on your type of hair, if I didn't use conditioner I wouldn't be able to get a comb through it (very thick, curly hair!)

I have found following the curly girl method saved me money as although the hair products I buy are a bit more expensive I only wash my hair weekly now!

A few drops of water on old bread or pastry then heat it in the air fryer/oven perks it up.. that said, you’re using the oven which costs..

I got a lovely Kenwood mixer for Christmas which was very expensive so I wanted to find something that I could make regularly to get my money’s worth. I now make my own bread a couple of times a week.. an organic loaf costs c68p + oven time and a non organic c38p + oven time. I work full time and have my Mum on a Saturday so I’m busy, but the mixer takes all the hard work out of bread making. It tastes fabulous too.. although my waistline is not appreciating it.

Foraging. Everybody knows about blackberries, but this time of year there are nettles for soups and dandelions for salad. Also wild garlic, if you know where to look.

you will always want something. Once you get the item you've been fantasising about, shortly after there is a new obsession. Once I accepted that it made it easier to ignore the urge to buy.
This.

If you think you want something, ask yourself why do you want it.
I tell myself that if I still want it tomorrow I can have it, and I usually forget about it.

This is a solid tip about the 🥔 thank you I'm taking this forward

Please don't do this, they're so bad for the sewage systems, they don't actually biodegrade 😭

I tend to list everything I want and wait before purchasing, often when I revisit the list I no longer want whatever it is.

Partly due to this thread, I’ve just returned some clothes I ordered (sorry clothes shop). I’ve just got my summer clothes out and realise I have enough. Just need the summer weather now!

I work from home and was putting the tv on low in the background. I have stopped using it daytime s now and it is saving me a tenner a month in electri city.

Slow cook a bag of yellow split peas in water until a mash like consistency.
use half for pea and ham soup by adding stock, a little ham fried up. The other half add spices and use as dal. If you have any left over , please pudding and crisp sandwiches! Yellow split peas are cheap, and cook very quickly.
Check out your local library not just for books, but for their digital offerings. Mine has a free subscription to pressreader, and loads of audiobooks.
Make your own bone broth instead of paying for pricey collagen supplements. You’ll see an immediate difference in your hair / skin / gut health.
Book late morning premier inn/ kids eat free type eat as much as you can breakfasts if you’re solo parenting on a day out to a city/seaside. It works as a hearty value brunch/lunch if food isn’t the main focus of the day and you just need to keep everyone fed and watered between activities.

@Bluebellbasher , which yellow split peas are these? I bought some and boiled them for ages and they never softened. I usually use mung beans as they are quick.
Natco Mung Dal Yellow 1Kg - Tesco Groceries
(other brands and retailers are available)

@WrongSortOfPoster that can happen . I always buy suma, they’re great.

@WrongSortOfPoster i tell a lie, just checked, infinity foods.

Thanks @Bluebellbasher . I usually use green or brown lentils (Natco/ East End type brands) for adding protein and density to veg stews. They work out quite cheaply if I buy a big bag, and they are not as 'pulse-y' as red lentils.

I don't suppose you know a way of toning down cumin in a dish? I don't want to add sweetness (coconut milk) or sourness (vinegar). Would coriander seeds or cardamom work?

@WrongSortOfPoster they say lemon juice don’t they but that’s deffo sour!

How does that add up?

Their wipes are 76 p per 100 wipes
Loo roll us 11p for 100 sheets

So unless, every time you use 7+ sheets of loo roll and only 1 wipe each time..they aren't cheaper.?

Plus you can't flush the wipes, so what do you do with them?

Yes to the bar soap, and if you keep it unwrapped for some weeks or preferably months before you use it, it will harden and last much longer.

You are right. They are all awf 🤮

I bought a double air fryer two weeks ago and haven’t used the oven since! Been cooking potatoes and chicken and roast veg in it after watching Jamie Oliver’s air fryer meals. So my cooking is now basically in air fryer, microwave and hob. Hoping it saves money too after the initial outlay.