Have you got any tips for saving money other than the ones below:

[2015mom]

Saving on expenses:

MORTGAGE:
• Change mortgage before the fixed term expires by using a comparison site

• See if you can get cashback using Topcashback/Quidco to search via a comparison website
• Check whether paying fees you are getting a cheaper deal
• Once you have a quote then check Topcashback/Quidco to see if the company offers cashback if so, purchase mortgage bundle via the cashback website
• Put a diary date to remind you a few weeks before the fixed term of mortgage will expire to shop around again

GAS & ELECTRICITY:
• Change your tariff when it expires by using a comparison website
• See if you can get cashback using Topcashback/Quidco to search via a comparison website
• Once you have a quote then check Topcashback/Quidco to see if the company offers cashback if so, purchase gas & electricity bundle via the cashback website
• Put a diary date to remind you a few weeks before the tariff will expire to shop around again
• Switch lights off when not in use
• Use low energy lightbulbs
• Switch TV off rather than put it on standby
• Don't charge your mobile or any devices at night because you are paying to charge when not required
• Switch off plug sockets if not in use
• Don't leave gas running
• Put boiler on timer
• Bulk cook and freeze
• Put diswasher on when full
• Put washing load on when full
• Dry clothes outside rather than using tumble dryer

WATER:
• Look at whether a water metre will save you money
• Don't leave taps running when you don't require water
• Keep a jug of water in the fridge rather than let cold tap run
• Get children to have bath together
• Don't use a power shower as it uses more water
• Put diswasher on when full
• Put washing load on when full

HOME INSURANCE:
• Shop around for cheaper home insurance before it expires
• See if you can get cashback using Topcashback/Quidco to search via a comparison website
• Check you renewal quote and call them to see if they can do insurance for cheaper
• Once you have a quote then check Topcashback/Quidco to see if the company offers cashback if so, purchase insurance via the cashback website
• Make sure the quote includes emergency breakdown
• Put a diary date to remind you a few weeks before the insurance will expire to shop around again

TELEPHONE & BROADBAND:
• Change your telephone & broadband when it expires by using a comparison website or check renewal quote
• See if you can get cashback using Topcashback/Quidco to search via a comparison website
• Once you have a quote then check Topcashback/Quidco to see if the company offers cashback if so, purchase bundle via the cashback website
• Put a diary date to remind you a few weeks before the tariff will expire to shop around
• No need for Netflix subscription

TV LICENCE:
• Pay by direct debit instalments to ease the pressure of payment

COUNCIL TAX:
• Challenge Council tax band if you think it is incorrect
• Pay by direct debit instalments to ease the pressure of paying

GROCERY SHOPPING:
• Shop late at night for reduction
• Don't go shopping whilst you are hungry
• Do a meal plan before you go shopping so you know what to buy however, be flexible of anything is on offer
• Do a shopping list
• Bulk cook and freeze
• Take tea or coffee from home whilst travelling to work or out and about
• Take soft drinks in a bottle
• Take snacks when out of house to avoid spending money
• Make sandwiches for work
• Check out website www.approvedfood.com for snacks that are close to their sell by date
• Check out prices per 100 ml via mysupermarket.co.uk for branded products including cleaning products
• Only buy toiletries when you are nearly finishing old product, don't bulk buy
• Finish old toiletry products before you buy stuff you don't need
• Try and find voucher codes if shopping online
• Use coupons if you have any

CAR:
• Check petrol prices website for the cheapest petrol/diesel
• Don't use car if you are going less than a mile up the road
• Let the car cruise and don't put your foot on the gas pedal a lot to optimise mpg
• Don't brake much, let the car coast instead
• Don't fill the boot with stuff because this will make you burn more fuel
• Don't open the windows when driving because it uses more fuel
• Try not to use air com because it uses fuel
• Do get a car which is efficient and has high mpg
• Shop around for cheaper car insurance before it expires
• Check you renewal quote and call them to see if they can do insurance for cheaper
• See if you can get cashback using Topcashback/Quidco to search via a comparison website
• Once you have a quote then check Topcashback/Quidco to see if the company offers cashback if so, purchase car insurance via the cashback website
• Put a diary date to remind you a few weeks before the insurance will expire to shop around again
• Get MOT/Service done from a reputable garage or a Council garage because they will not fail your MOT and they don't make profit from doing work
• Clean car outside and inside yourself

CHILDREN:
• Borrow second hand things
• Buy second hand things I.e. Mum2mum market
• If family want to help with childcare let them as it will save you money
• Sell clothes that have gone small
• Sell old toys
• Breastfeed rather than formula feed
• Use reusable nappies if possible instead of disposable
• Use cotton buds and water instead of wipes
• Batch cook baby food and freeze

LIFE INSURANCE:
• Shop around for cheaper car insurance before it expires
• See if you can get cashback using Topcashback/Quidco to search via a comparison website
• Once you have a quote then check Topcashback/Quidco to see if the company offers cashback if so, purchase insurance via the cashback website

MOBILE:
• Shop around for cheaper mobile tariffs before it expires
• See if you can get cashback using Topcashback/Quidco to search via a comparison website
• Call your current provider to see if they can do a tariff for cheaper than what you have found via the comparison site
• Once you have a quote then check Topcashback/Quidco to see if the company offers cashback if so, purchase mobile tariff via the cashback website
• any other incentives to join I.e. Voucher card, gadgets etc

BANK ACCOUNTS:
• Can you change your account to get some money from the bank
• Make sure you don't go into your overdraft causing you to be charged
• Check your direct debits to make sure you don't have any unnecessary expenses
• Does the current account offer any incentives i.e. Breakdown cover, mobile/gadget insurance, extended warranty, travel insurance
• Put a diary reminder before a savings account expires
• Compare savings accounts using comparison websites
• Check Topcashback/quidco if you can get cashback for opening the account

TRAVEL INSURANCE:
• Is it included in your bank account
• Shop around using a comparison site
• Check Topcashback/Quidco if you can get some cashback

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:
• Shop around using a comparison site
• Check Topcashback/Quidco if you can get some cashback

BEAUTY:
• Do threading yourself
• use Groupon of Wahanda for cheap haircuts and colour
• Use Groupon or Wahanda for pampering

GIFTS:
• Re-gift unwanted presents
• Always purchase via Topcashback or Quidco
• Look at voucher codes online

OTHER:
• Don't buy newspapers/magazines
• Record all expenses to see if there is anything you can reduce
• Try not to eat out at restaurants too much

Have you got anymore?

Out of curiosity, how much do you get out if topcashback / quidco? I've never tried so is it worth it?

My top tips: Don't own a car. Don't buy anything you really don't need.

If you do need stuff, sign up to your local Freegle group, everything there is free, and you can get all sorts of things people don't want any longer. I've had furniture, fabrics, toys, plants, surplus fruit - it is worth giving stuff on there too, as you get yourself a good name.
ilovefreegle.org
check out martin Lewis moneysaving site - that has some half decent advice, too.
Go down a level or so with your purchases - from branded items to store own brand - esp Lidl and Aldi.

YY to Freegle and Freecycle - I have given and gotten fab things on there.

"Cut out the wide variety of cleaning and toiletry items and just use two or three basics"

How does that save money? You'll just use more of the ones you do buy?

" Switch TV off rather than put it on standby
• Don't charge your mobile or any devices at night because you are paying to charge when not required
• Switch off plug sockets if not in use"

The savings here would be tiny. How is a socket even using electricity if there's nothing in it?

" I think the fire service recommend that you don't put washing or tumble drying on overnight "

Very selfish of people living in flats to do this.

Not entirely so, Gwen.

Have a look at some of the 'Tips' on this site.

They're branded products but it's perfectly possible to buy generic versions of them for e.g. Household cleaning. You would be surprised at the number of people who buy stuff - some of it with a massive markup - when they could do the task equally well with just a few regular and basic items. If most people added up the cost of all the unused potions under their sink, they'd receive a serious shock.

And I haven't even touched on toiletries.

I was just popping back to explain exactly that cosietoesie so thank you!

Of course you will still spend some money Gwen but not as much. What are your own money saving tips Gwen?

Allan, why would I not spend as much. Imagine I now have a spray for cleaning the bathroom and a spray for cleaning the kitchen. If I only had one spray I would need to buy a second bottle sooner. In what way would I be saving money?

As for your other question, I don't have any tips that haven't already been covered. I presume I am allowed to comment without bringing tips of my own.

It's a question of initial cost and variation, Gwen. The markup on many branded products is large indeed and people often buy a new bottle of 'Splodgo' - using less than half of it in the end - for something that could easily be tackled using basic products that they already have to hand. (Rather than buying something that promises to deal with one little specific issue that they have and ends up not being fully used anyway.)

PS - please tell me you don't buy branded eg water and medication such as aspirin?

"It's a question of initial cost and variation, Gwen. The markup on many branded products is large indeed "

Yes, so the advice is not to buy branded. Everyone knows that. I didn't know that people buy cleaning products and don't use them. I've never heard of that. They don't go off do they? Makes no difference how many cleaning products you have in your cupboard as long as you use them eventually.

I'm not what sure what you mean about branded water - it comes out of the tap. If I need paracetamol/ibuprofen (I don't buy aspirin) I will buy own brand if available, but if it's urgent I'll buy whatever's in the shop, I live far away from the really big supermarkets.

Well that's a relief. The markup on e.g. bottled water doesn't bear thinking about - and branded bottled water is even worse.

Yes. A tremendous number of people have 'beneath the sink' collections of 'Splodgo' variants which have been bought in a hurry to deal with minor issues and are rarely, if ever, used fully or again. (It doesn't sound like much, always, but £2.95 here and £4.95 there soon add up.)

If you go to the Housekeeping Board, you'll likely find people who run their houses on e.g. white vinegar, lemon juice, soda salts etc etc and wouldn't be bothered by a need to buy 'Splodgo' because they'd already sorted the problem with a basic set of chemicals. (That's the 'variation' bit. You often only need a few simple things to tackle household problems and not a whole range of products touted as specific to the issue.)

If you or close family work for an organisation with its origins in the civil service, check out the Civil Service Motoring Association for reduced car insurance. Also - join the Civil Service Social Club - heavily reduced sporting events, free English Heritage entry, reduced cinema tickets (those are what I use, there are many other benefits) -£4/month for family membership. The English Heritage thing has given us lots of free days out this year.

svarte I've earnt over £600 on Quidco in the past few years. I always check on there before I buy any internet purchase but also on insurance too (pet,house,car etc). I also check hotukdeals most days for good bargains too.

I found this thread very useful when I had a change to my circumstances, hope it helps
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legalmoneyy_matters/2760320-Have-you-got-any-tips-for-saving-money-other-than-the-ones-below

Don't wash everything after one wear, towels after one use (within reason!)

Children- look into flexible working with your employer, so you could start late/finish early if you have a partner/family to complement the hours.

Use supermarket loyalty vouchers, @sda price guarantee etc. Try the shopping and scanning apps. Look at Martin Lewis website for "grabbits" and voucher codes

Enjoy the free things in life- a stroll in the woods/along the beach can be just as fun as an expensive day at softplay etc

Thank you for your input everybody. Your comments are very helpful

Not having a car has saved me loads, but I do live in London. I walk whenever possible.

Yes not having a car saves a lot of money but public transport is getting expensive.

We had two cars and one ended up being a write off and we didn't get a replacement until 14 months later. We survived with one car because our new house was by a railway station and I was due to go on maternity leave so we juggled with one car which saved us loads and was not even tiresome or a struggle

Enter every free competition going

Made my dc enter a colouring comp at our local garden centre and they managed to win a Tractor Ted DVD and book - worth £15 (sadly DS2 loves TT so they couldn't go in gift box but I instead have another DVD to get 20mins peace from a 3 year old)

I have an email account I use specifically for entering competitions (I should really get a specific instagram one too)
There is a whole forum for competitions onMSE - I do them while the kids eat or are watching CBeebies (or DH is watching some rubbish)

In truth I'm nowhere near as good as you at saving money but -
Vouchers
Drink water not fizz or cordial
Batch cook and freeze
Walk more, drive less
Own brands - Boots own shampoo and conditioner is as good as the Aussie stuff my girls used to insist on.
Reduce alcohol consumption to minimum

Turn the oven off a few minutes before the end of the cooking time. As long as you don't open the door, it will stay hot. Once you have finished cooking, leave the oven open (with the oven OFF) to heat your kitchen.

Plan meals. e.g. Friday night you use the oven, and Saturday you want to make roasted butternut soup. When you have taken the food out of the oven on Friday, keep it running and put the butternut in to roast. You will save having to pre-heat the oven the next day.

Make one pot meals that only require one ring on the hob.

Invest in a slow cooker. You can cook cheaper cuts of meat and the electricity usage is small.

Grow your own herbs, and salads too if you have the space.

Before doing all that I would first have spreadsheet of all bills every month and costs. Then from what's left over divide into separate area eg holidays, saving Christmas, general weekly spending, kids activities etc. Then when you start to reduce your bills doing all above you have nice clear ideas of where to funnel the saved cash. It also stops you paying Peter and robbing Paul. Because it's all separate and clear. In my view no point doing all of above if it's not strictly clear where all money is going to be go. Also it's extra incentive to do above so you can divert money appropriately and use case.