Am stoney broke! Top money saving tips please!

[dandycandyjellybean]

Was just saying to dh that really since I got pregnant (ds now 22 months) we have been heamorraging (sp) money. Initially it was about getting (some) diy jobs in the house finished before the baby (dh disabled and can't do a lot - I usually do most of it!) But then somehow, since ds arrived I've completely lost touch with the budget, and just seem to keep spending, spending, spending. Bought an 03 car last year (need something roomy and reliable for dh/ds) and although didn't get a loan (don't believe in 'em) did use up all money in our slush fund. Have been attempting to put it back ever since with no success. Every time I managed a couple of hundred something would crop up and I had to spend it. Anyway, sorry for the longwinded intro, but suffice to say that I've spent the last 2 days having a real serious look at our finances, and I want to save money everywhere I can, and immediately thought 'I'll bet m'netters can help!' So, please pass on the things you find really successful, I'll try anything! TIA

.

any more ideas out there???

Haven't had a chance to read all the suggestions so apologies if these have been said already:

• put energy saving bulbs in your lights. a slow saving but worth it all the same.
• try using ecoballs for washing clothes. we've used them for about 2 yrs now.
• make birthday cards. cut nice details out of the ones you get yourself and stick them on new cards with foam pads and a bit ribbon or something!
• if you're feeling a bit chilly in the evening, put a blanket over your feet when watching telly rather than sticking the heating on (student habits die hard)
• freecycle is great for things.

Have not had a chance to read through so forgive me if I repeat anything - I do (or try to do) the following:

1. Monthly meal planner, then a monthly online shop for store cupboard, non perishables and weekly shops for the veg/meat. Make sure you have a budget i.e. £50 for the monthly shop and £30 for the weekly. You can pretty much always get a free delivery code for tescos if you search the net/magazines etc.

2. Certain own brand stuff is just as good as more expensive brands i.e. tesco value butter v nice and half the price.

3. Just have wine/beer as a treat at weekend.

4. v boring but a jacket potato night or something like macoroni cheese once a week saves money.

5. one meal to do two nights also helps i.e. a big batch of bolognaise or similar (or freeze batches).

6. pay all bills by direct debit so you don't get big bills land on your doormat.

7. have a fund for stuff like car maintenance and tax - only works out as £20 or £30 a month and saves having to find big sums of money at short notice.

8. try to have no spend days - its so easy to fritter money away on stuff like magazines or choccy bars.

9. some stuff you can always buy on bogof such as shampoo and conditioner or baby wipes.

Probably a good idea to write down everything you spend on for a few weeks or a month and decide whats important to you and what you could do without.

Most important thing is not to be too hard on yourselves as you will end up thinking sod it and spend loads on a meal out or a takeaway and bottle of wine (if your anything like me).

Highly recommend moneysavingexpert.com.