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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Frugaility changed your life?

126 replies

Buddy80 · 31/07/2009 08:39

Dramatic title, but love to hear from all of us who are frugal. I adopted being frugal about 5-years ago, firstly just for fun and then when I saw how much I was saving, it just took off from there. Started as a set budget for housekeeping, baking own bread, thinking of a re-use for most things, looking at cheap or free days out. From there, it's really kind of expanded and the savings have been massive. I've kinda got lazy over the last few months, but still trying!

It is funny that your lifestyle does improve and you find yourself taking better care of yourself. As you have leftover cash, you are less likely to spend, as it's your savings! Also having more cash, you are in a position to pay for things up front, like car tax ? saving 10 odd quid a year. Another thing I noticed, which was shocking, is that I have been really careful with the electric usage (heat is by gas). I started turning things off at the plug socket when not in use, etc. As you may know, some appliances use a lot even when switched off. Anyway, I got my electric bill the other day and we had saved £150.00 last winter.

But, it's not all about buying the cheapest. As a rule of thumb, I tend to buy cheaper where it is a disposable item, like value shaving foam, but will spend more on better quality meat.

Any others?

OP posts:
Horton · 06/08/2009 22:34

Horrible, Mousey. Vinegar stinks. I'm still recovering from making chutney a couple of years ago!

fivecandles · 07/08/2009 11:23

Buy a lovely soap dispenser then you can get away with buying the very cheapest liquid soap from the supermarket and dispensing it. Nobody will know it's the value brand because it looks so nice.

marenmj · 07/08/2009 11:36

lol, fivecandles! I do that. Bought a few sturdy nice ones from Muji and all the soaps around the house get decanted. The best bit is you can stock up on 2-for/multi-buy offers. Then when they are put in the dispenser they have a lovely multi-layer coloured effect

I also put handsoaps, baby wash, my face lotion, and just about anything else that is liquid in those dispensers. I can put crumbs of hard handsoap in the bottom of a dispenser and top it up with water.

I also find I use less soap/wash/lotion etc overall when I can dispense it from a little pump.

Chrysanthamum · 07/08/2009 11:43

I'm a big vinegar fan. we buy a big canister at Costco and use it on floors, kitchen and bathroom and as a fabric softener, also to get rid off mould/mildew/grout.

I pick up loads of 2nd hand bargains on Ebay and charity shops, and swap loads of clothes kids stuff with sisters and friends.
I'm thinking of selling stuff on Ebay but am not sure if its worth the hassle.

Last year we got into house swapping and managed a 2week holiday swap in Normandy with a two night stay in DL Paris for 2 adults 1 child and a baby for less than £1000(including EasyJet flights).

This summer we booked a holiday park one day in advance for 4 nights for £200. If you're flexible you can save a lot of money by last minute bookings.

We borrow books/cds from the library now too.

BelleWatling · 07/08/2009 12:54

Regarding handwash - it really will take a lot of watering down. And so I suspect will other stuff... eg shower gel.

I never buy wrapping paper but find lovely pictures from magazines or free posters or paper shopping bags work well. I also used to make cards but with a 9mo do not have time.

Second moneysavingexpert.com - he's cheesy as hell but I was £150 richer after changing credit cards on his recommendation (to a cashback one) - also got the tip that Amazon will refund you the difference if the item you buy gets price-reduced within 30 days - great if you buy Xmas presents from there and they then go into Jan sale.

Cuth · 07/08/2009 14:31

I dont know if anyone has posted this but to decrease limescale in your kettle to almost nothing (especially londoners) put 2 glass marbles in. I havent had to descale since. Unfortunately cant remember when I put them in ...but must have been some time ago.

Horton · 07/08/2009 14:45

Really, Cuth? Wow. I will definitely try that.

The Financial Times makes lovely wrapping paper with some silver ribbon. Or normal newspaper with brightly coloured ribbon. I also let DD go mad with chalks and pastels on lining paper and then set it with hairspray for cheap wrapping paper.

ButtercupWafflehead · 07/08/2009 14:52

Haven't read the whole thread, but never ever dial an 0870 number.

Go to say no to 0870 and search for their usual landline number.

mumblecrumble · 07/08/2009 19:35

Love ideas for wrapping paper! For DHs 30 birthday I got chap brown paper but let DD cover it with shiney stars that I wrote '30' on. ALso found some left over riobbon a put it round somke of the little parcels. DH said they had the wow factor....

We also:

Dilut washing up liquid with lemon juice.

Have a present drawer that I put things in for birthdays and Christmas. I look for little bargains that I think people might like then pop together for presents. Some times tricky to think in advance but I am constantly looking out for Mum in Laws favourite scent and bits for DD.

Use old clothes as dusters, baby wipes and hankies.

Tell people what we'd like for xmas /birthday.... this seems rude and it was maybe a bit awkward and first but now the whole extended family do it.... and we all are in the same boat that if we want a mega treat it will only be at birthday and xmas.... [do I sound terrible?!]

Invest in good tupaware that can be frozen and used in the microwave so that every left over can be used.

Sure start are amazing for cheap swimming, cheap activities. Ours has a toy library and a tool library [borring wallpaper stripper for £2 this weekend]

am enjoying reading others' tips!!

Horton · 08/08/2009 19:08

Brown paper is fab for wrapping paper. I've done similar things before, mumble.

Embuggerance · 08/08/2009 19:20

well I am marking this thread. Had a huge huge fiancial shock yesterday (thread elsewhere) and so I am girding my loins for a really hard year or so

Having said that, we have been to river today with a pinic (all from stuff in house) and had a lovely day. We took a small portable stove and made tea to drink.

Then came home and had a lovely bbq - coleslaw, (made from alloment produce) salad leaves (allotment) Potato, onion and pea salad (ditto) tomato and chili and coriander salsa (ditto)
You seeing a pattern?

Home made burgers and home made bread.

we did treat ourselves to a giant bottle of Smartprice cider though (£1.21p)

Buddy80 · 08/08/2009 21:37

As the OP, wanted to post a few tips...

Education: depending on the university, do look at thier continuing education programmes. Possible to take courses and get a CertHE or other qualification through credit accumilation. One of the positives is that you can choose the modules at your own pace, and I found my uni did evening as well as day modules.

Vouchers: Tesco's allow you to use money-off vouchers regardless whether you are purchasing the item. My local Tescos will take up to 10 vouchers per shop (me thinks). So, the vouchers you may get for baby food, that you are not planning on buying can go towards your general shopping bill. Don't know whether this applies to all stores, but worth asking. I save quite a few pounds, esp as you can use vouchers from magazines...but you wouldn't would you? As the really frugal hire magazines from the library .

Seeds: Not just Freecycle, but some online forums do plant and veg seed swap. You just need to send an SAE (btw, old calendars can be made into fab seed packets!)

Wasing liquid: as per my previous post. Make your own very simply, costs about 35p for two litres. Lots of recipies on the internet. Use it myself and it's great.

Lots of good books on Frugality out there, let me know if anyone wants any recommendations...

OP posts:
Embuggerance · 09/08/2009 09:34

Buddy - can you post your recipe for washing up liquid please? Just googled and there are hundreds....!

notcitrus · 09/08/2009 10:17

I'm frugal in many ways - spend almost nothing on clothes or makeup, and never bought any new clothes or toys for ds, use cloth nappies all from Freecycle or second-hand, cook mainly from scratch, buy lots of reduced good stuff in the supermarket and freeze it, etc.

I try to calculate the value of my time versus amount saved - eg I could save £5 a week off food with a lot of effort and shopping around, so £260/year. However I recently got the car insurance renewal quote, squeaked, went back to moneysupermarket.com and didn't have to type details in as it had them all from last year, and got a quote £260 lower. One phone call to current insurer and they've matched it. Same saving, much less effort.

Shopping around for buildings and contents insurance and life cover is similarly productive. And of course arranging a new mortgage before your deals run out. All a lot harder if you're renting.

I use a John Lewis credit card and both MrNC and I put everything on it, paid off every month even if we have to raid savings. This results in about £300 a year back in vouchers, which covers all of Christmas.

Currently trying hard to declutter as there's no point in having stuff if you can't find it when you want. Just had big wardrobe clearout and found I don't need new pants or socks after all. I redyed a lot of black clothes with Dylon so they look new again, and about to go to a clothes swap party with a dozen friends, so hopefully will come away with one new outfit.

About to return to work part-time, but on days off will still go to supermarket at 4pm when good stuff gets reduced. And get tickets daily and walk from train station rather than get a Travelcard as that should be a lot cheaper for me (again, small bit of research = lots of money).

I don't really meal plan as I have inbuilt talent in looking at the fridge, seeing what needs eating, and making a tasty meal. Helps that MrNC will eat any leftovers if you mix it with rice and soy sauce and call it a stir-fry!

Currently being frugal enables me to have luxuries like theatre tickets, but also means if I or MrNC lost our jobs we could manage. Which is a great comfort as we recently spent all our savings on a loft conversion (which will lead to huge savings thanks to the insulation, eventually).

expatinscotland · 09/08/2009 10:22

Embugger another way is to use half the normal amount of washing powder or liquid you use and add in a couple of scoops of washing soda crystals.

Embuggerance · 09/08/2009 10:31

ta expat

McDreamy · 09/08/2009 10:46

Brilliant thread!

Yes please to book recommendations!

expatinscotland · 09/08/2009 11:16

We use bar soap instead of gels.

Take the wee leftover bits and put them in an old coffee or hot drinking chocolate jar.

Add just enough water to cover.

Soap will go sort of melty and then you put it in handwash dispensers and use as handwash.

Or used it to treat stains on clothing.

Buddy80 · 09/08/2009 12:52

Washing Liquid Recipe

Couldn't find my original recipe, but this one is very similar. I also add a quarter sachet of Borax, but that's just personal choice.

www.gaia-exchange.sunmaia.net/laundrygloop.htm

Here is also the thread for further info and tips:

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=35756&highlight=gloop

I decant the mixture into old 2-litre fabric conditioner bottles. It does turn to hard gloop, so if you do keep it in bottles (as opposed to an old ice-cream tub for instance) you may need to add water, shake to make more liquid. Bonus is that it goes further. I put the mixture straight in the machine as opposed to the drawer. Once you've made your first few batches you can really tweak the recipe to how you like.

OP posts:
Buddy80 · 09/08/2009 13:00

Books:

The Complete Tightwad Gazette - by Amy Dacyczyn (from the US, some great tips and has a lot of hints on how to re-use old household items) I enjoyed this book, also suitable for the very frugal.

Frugal Living for Dummies (again, from the US, but a good starting guide)

1001 SuperSavers by Pamela Donald - title says it all, good book and some really good household tips as well.

Thrifty Living - Barty Philips (haven't had time to read this one, but had a quick flick through and looks good).

Does anyone else have any recommendations?

OP posts:
Buddy80 · 09/08/2009 13:09

Websites (some housekeeping/some frugal):

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3634053/50-ways-to-be-more-frugal.html

http: //www.frugal.org.uk/

www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/home.html

www.budgetspex.com/frames.asp

www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/HomeSpa.htm (haven't got round to trying any of these, but they sound great)

OP posts:
Embuggerance · 09/08/2009 13:15

sorry just put these into proper links for you Buddy

50 ways to be more frugal

frugal

moneymadeclear

budgetspex

(haven't got round to trying any of these, but they sound great)

Buddy80 · 09/08/2009 13:20

Thank you very much - so much better!

OP posts:
clemette · 13/11/2009 05:57

Just got round to reading this thread and I will be freezing cheese today!
Any more tips anyone?

stuffitllllama · 13/11/2009 06:03

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