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.

Porridge can be made with water anyway as it’s creaminess comes from the oats.

When I started reading this I thought you were walking the bunnies on a lead. I was going to ask for a picture.

I get an email from bookbub everyday telling me what books are 99p or free on kindle. You can customise the type of books so if you follow the link you will see my choices.

https://www.bookbub.com/ebook-deals/daily-deals?date=20240503

@Bluebellbasher , thanks, I might try it.
@greengreyblue , porridge IMO should only be made with water.

I agree @WrongSortOfPoster .

Thanks @greengreyblue . Porridge made with milk is vile.

I made fabric gift bags out of some of our old clothes and bedlinen that were not fit to go to the charity shop. I started with some for Christmas and moved on to ones for birthdays etc. Cost nothing except the thread, kept stuff out of landfill and means I don't have to buy wrapping paper any more.

@sashh holy fuck shit no!!! I mean when I am walking my DOG I collect forage for the other pets. The DOG which is a normal thing to walk in public. Unlike the rabbits and Guinea pigs.

This is a very disappointing update.

Thought this was you.

I try to make every penny I spend work really hard, cashback sites, discount codes, loyalty cards. I sign up for loyalty cards for every shop that has them and kepp them on apps (Googlepay and Stocard)so they don't clog up my purse. I use comparison sites/ apps like price runner if there's something specific I want to track the price up and down. I use camelcamelcamel to check the validity of discounts on Amazon.

Become a student, I love my Totum student discount card. Granted there's fewer discounts these days but the 10% off everything in boots has been great and the Samsung store discounts are decent.

I try to get cashback for every expenditure, so I use Amex for 0.75% or 1.25% for most purchases or Aqua for 0.5% or Chase for 1%. I prefer to use Credit cards as I keep every penny in an interest bearing savings account until needed. I refuse to pay for credit interest but I'm happy to use 0% credit so I can earn 5.2% interest on those funds until repayment is required. So I'll use PayPal credit, 0% payment credit cards.

Then I scan the receipts or forward the email confirmations to Zipzero, Storewards and Shoppix. The last 2 give me Amazon or PayPal vouchers, Zipzero makes payments to Utilities or Council tax.

I rarely do the lottery and know I can't just browse shops like home bargains, the Range or B&M without it costing a fortune, so don't go shopping for fun.

We use a lot of TV services, (no TV licence) but happily cancel them for a few months until there's something worth watching.

I'm also a fan of bar soap too. I pick up naice ones from TK Maxx. With a cheap exfoliating sponge, my skin feels soft. I squish the old sliver to the new bar, it's gone fairly quickly, rather than save all the slivers for a frankensoap.

For the split pea and ham fans (I'm not) or quiches etc Lidl sell ham scraps, cut up bits but often really good quality (it's random though) you could use for sandwiches too of course.

My biggest tip though is dal, so cheap so delicious, I make a big batch each week as i like it for breakfast with homemade chapattis, (literally flour and water)

@Limth I mean I would walk my bunnies on the lead but I need both arms to push the dog in his pushchair......🤣

If you want to catch up with friends at a restaurant meet for brunch instead of lunch or dinner. It's a bargain in comparison.

@Goldenphoenix only on weekdays. All the restaurants and pubs near me only have main meals and menu at lunchtime at weekends. It’s a swizz.

Some great tips and TwoLeftSocksWithHoles...your post made me laugh so hard I nearly split my tea...see...cheap entertainment!