The recession - how do you plan to economise?

[JaneLumley]

Just curious to know what others are doing. A few very random things: the dog now gets dog food and not homecooked meals. Economy light bulbs. Have stopped buying wipes and am using manky dishtowels. Am getting 4-5 meals out of all meat purchaes except sausages. Still haven't activated any heating and will try to hold on till end October (brrr).

Changed from Watrose to Lidl - great biscuits, xmas food, German sausages and nappies. Lots of layers instead of heating. Asked for wood on Freeycle for woodburner and lots of offers inc small furniture recycling charity so heating with old hair legs, toys from charity shops or the tip, left-overs heated in mirowave at work instead of lunhes ...

Also not getting new laptop when keyboard is giiving out - see 'hair legs' above

it sounds terrible but I've found my finger hovering over the cancel direct debit button with regard to some of my charity donations but i feel so mean. How are you all feeling about charity during this difficult time?

Not particularly because of the "credit cruch" just skint anyway.

More own brand stuff.
Online shopping so I can see what I am spending clearly and easier to stick to budget.
Actually have a budget.
Draw money from cashline for the week and stick to it rather than just using Switch without thinking.
Less coffees and cakes when out and waiting for DC at activities.

Less booze.

Me and DD spent 1.5 hours in Tesco amusing ourselves while DS at activity and only spent £1.70. Looked at all the mags, then lots of books, then moved on to the shoes, DD has big feet so like to try on adult high heels, can amuse her for hours, then looked at christmas special chocs and sweets.

Oh yes forgot big one menu planning for month so less wastage and buying of crap.

Make loads of soup freeze it in portions and take flask of lovely soup that everyone is jealous of to work. Saves a fortune as food cost a fortune where I work and no time to go elsewhere. Could easly spend £5 a go on crap at work.

Instead of giving money to charity I gave my time. I organised a local appeal that raised $3300. I would obviously have never been able to make such a large donation, but coordinating other's giving this much took about 40 hours of my time.

Now whenever I am approached I can honestly say that I have already given.

I buy a lot of books from charity shops and a few other things I look at that as my donation. Plus I hand in a lot of this to sell, plus I donate my time and buy a few craft things for the brownies.