Extreme penny pinching tips

[PennyPincher64]

Hello,

I need to reduce my outgoings and save as much as possible over the next 12 months or so I'm looking for every possible way to save money, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. I've looked at money saving expert and know about meal planning etc. and will be trying to buy second hand if we need anything but I'm really looking for the less obvious ways of making savings. Even if I won't be saving a massive amount I'd still be interested. Some of the less obvious ways I've come up with so far are unplugging all electrical appliances from the wall when not in use, shower with cold water and use the toilet before leaving work so I don't need it when I get home.

Also willing to hear about anything with a bit of an inital outlay that will save money longer term.

i used dishwasher powder, when i can find it

Save half cat food pouch by sealing with a clip for next use and add only a little water to the bowl. Did this at start of lockdown to make the pouches last a bit longer when couldn’t find the cat’s favourite food. She never noticed the difference.

I love threads like these.

we usually do the sleeping between two duvets. Its something i used to do when i was a student and my accommodation was COLD!

For winter, also buy brushed cotton bedding. We don't live anywhere that gets too cold, but i like to sleep with the window open a teeny bit. So this helps keep us warmy.

hot water on a timer - always

our water board had an online test thingy on how to save water. one of the suggestions was to turn the tap off when cleaning teeth. I never realised i didnt do this, but since making a conscious effort to do it i guess its saved water.

taking advantage of being in lockdown and home 24/7 and using my washing line as much as i can

weve started growing our own veggies - not necessarily cheap to begin with, but will save us a few quid once they actually grow

i use cloth wipes to remove my make up. i originally bought them to use as wet wipes for the kids for nappy changes, but just couldn't do it. so i use them on my face instead. i used to go through packs of face wipes and these are so much kinder to the environment and my face

we have started really trying not to waste any food. dh does the majority of the cooking, and is way more creative than me. we freeze everything we can, and when im in the mood try and batch cook as much as possible. I'm planning on throwing a spag bol in the slow cooker tomorrow - with reduced beef and pork mince, and lentils and a whole load of veggies. it should do us for dinner, and then make at least 5 portions for the freezer.

we tend to cook once eat twice - so always have something for leftovers. and always try where poss to use the oven to the max if its turned on. the other day i was baking bread, and also threw jacket potatoes in the oven to cook too. then these were left to cool and put in the fridge fro the next days lunch - once skins are crispy from the oven they can they be reheated in microwave

For market research we only want your date of birth so we can calculate your age. Within a few months is fine. In fact we'd rather not have your PII at all as it's a pain to handle! Just ensure if you've given a date, that you're consistent with it because there are checks to ensure the data you give is accurate.

Following as i need to save as much as possible to. We used to water down fresh juice as kids then go without all together and just drink water. Im going to be using a lot of these tips for the environment and money saving.

Ive started taking a backpack to the supermarket as i can fit more in than normal shopping bags and is easier to carry home saving money on bags and the bus/taxi when stuffs too heavy. I also have a safety razor as it works out cheaper longterm. And cloth pads.

I've been thinking to myself - when it's gone, it's gone. My outdoor broom has just broken, I'm going to fix it with gorilla glue.

I've just run out of glass cleaner, I'm not buying any, I'll make some.

I've put my wedding dress up for sale (long divorced). I have a couple of bikes that I can resurrect and when the car dies I'm not buying another.

I've said to the kids, if you break it, forget it.

I can't believe how quick I was to shop previously rather than try to mend something.

White vinegar is great for cleaning windows glass and mirrors. Plus its about 40p a bottle and a little goes a long way.

Ryan it's just one mirror, I thought I'd pop it neat on a cloth.

Another tip, I don't use face cleanser, I just use a cloth a warm then cold water. And supermarket moisturiser.

Also it's good to have a frugal buddy so you can swap and borrow rather than buy. I gave Mum a duvet, she gave me a pan.

Someone said the big roll industrial sized toilet roll lasts forever.

Ooh whats the industrial size toilet roll?

I wash my face with bar soap although i have splurged this week on a serum and exoensive moisturiser as a treat as i havent treated myself in months ive only bought for other people.

I always buy christmas presents in the january sales but ive missed it this year. I have 3 gift sets i am regifting as i will never use then i will be looking at sales or obscure gifts ive already written my long list of mine and dps family. Last year it cost me £30 for 8 children.

I've been thinking to myself - when it's gone, it's gone.

Yes this is a good mantra! I will use this.

ryan I’m sure I read somewhere that doing mirrors with newspaper instead of a cloth works...

Dm puts washing up liquid on the mirrors in her bathroom and downstairs loo. Apparently it stops them steaming up. But I’ve never tried it myself.

Yes i read the newspaper thing to! Apparently thats how everyone used to do it because it leaves no smudges. Although i dont get newspapers so havent tried it.

Industrial sized loo roll is the type that's locked up in those enormous dispensers in McDonald's etc. Someone was saying he bought it by accident and will never go back now.

Something I do is put cleaning stuff on the cloth rather than the thing to be cleaned, I think you use less. I'm so tight though that would only be vinegar or washing up liquid anyway 😅

I sold gifts I wouldn't use this year rather than regifting.

Ohh thats a good idea re massive toilet rolls. Dp uses about a roll a day and its costly. I sometimes put vinegar on a cloth as well to clean skirting boards mostly..
Thats a good idea about selling unwanted gifts. Although i tend to get cheap gift sets with no resale value so i never bother.

I use a couple of freebie pages on facebook where people in the local area give stuff away for free. Its fantastic. I also used someone off there to take away scrap metal for free.

It's really odd correcting your brain isn't it? I was doing a mental shopping list thinking, outdoor broom, garden furniture, new shower curtain.

Then you think - No! Repair it, wash it, stitch it

Yes! I wrote a list of a weeks worth of groceries today then dp asked me to go to the shop with him and we got a few bits not on the list... Literally an hour after i had written a list vowing not to buy stuff we dont need. Facepalm moment right there. Although we are having a few drinks so thats my excuse

I hope you're drinking tap water! Drink from the tap so you don't waste a glass!

Do body shots count as not using a glass?

Don't buy anything online without checking first if the website is on Top Cashback. Also look for voucher codes.

Body shots is ultimate penny pinching. I shall eat porridge off my arm tomorrow and use the residue as sunscreen.

WTF