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What are you doing to save money / offset the cost of living increase?

53 replies

Planetmarss · 13/03/2022 20:38

I’m so anxious about the rising costs in living. Everything is getting so expensive and continuing to rise. I’ve just bought my first house and don’t know where we stand in terms of bills etc until the letter comes through the door….

What are your tips for saving money?

I’ve stopped getting my hair cut, I’ve bought more thermal pyjamas to cope with the heating being off, I’m investing in pipe insulation and radiator heat reflectors. We will invest in more insulation for the attic. Im looking to buy clear window film that insulates too.

OP posts:
Needanewadventure2021 · 13/03/2022 20:46

Following.

I've been mortgaged for 11 years but I don't think anyone was expecting this right now. I'm terrified so will be looking for useful tips too

pinky938482 · 13/03/2022 20:56

Also following.

We have recently remortgaged (6 months ago when the rates were much lower) and I'm very happy we made the decision to lengthen the term/get a better rate so that our monthly payments are lower. We did it as DH was made redundant the year before and it made us realise how little UC covers.

I will limit the heating being on. We have a smart meter so I can keep an eye on how much we spend. I won't have it on at all when the kids are out.

More home cooking less takeaways. Which is probably a good thing anyway.

Only have one car.

FantasticFebruary · 13/03/2022 21:00

If it's an older house, a heavy curtain across the front & back doors can make a big difference.

It depends how far you want to go really!

There have been quite a few threads already, so there are plenty of tips on them! A few I can remember, but I don't (yet) do myself

Save the water (while it's running to get to temperature) to mop floors/water plants etc.

Put a timer on while you shower, try to beat your time them make that the limit,see what you can get it down to.

Think more carefully about what clothes actually need washing & be more careful about how you load your machine.

Line Dry everything you can (I do do this but because I'm weird & love hanging the washing outside!!)

Only boil what you need to in the kettle (& some are filling Themos flasks)

One I've remembered from my childhood, keep the freezer full!! Use bread or polystyrene if you don't /can't have a lot of food you need to freeze.

Stop snacking or at least make your own! Popcorn kernels are dirt cheap and only take a small amount of energy.

Batch cook.

Batch cook several things while the oven is on anyway.

Use bench top grills/halogens/etc that use less energy than a full size oven.

Think about your transport options. Can you save money on the bus fare by walking to a different bus stop?

If you have to drive to work can you lift share? Or you just be the driver & get a paid passenger?

But enjoy having your first property!

Planetmarss · 13/03/2022 21:01

Thanks for your answers already.

I am also looking into more home-cooked meals etc, has anyone ever done the math on slow cookers? I’d love to make a huge casserole or chicken soup in the slow cooker on sundays to maximise use of all veg we have etc proper hearty and filling lunches/dinners…but does having it cook all day sort of offset the money saving?

OP posts:
geniusindisguise · 13/03/2022 21:03

Another following here.

Cooking 2 three meals oven at once, and batch cooking is always cheaper too.

I've switched my heating off today to see how we managed as the weather has improved.

No dryer.....I haven't used it for the last year and have managed fine.

Heatless curls so no hair straighteners, hairdryers tongs etc

If you have a family use lentils to bulk out meals such as spag bol, chilli, soups

I'm sure I have more....

Haveyoubrushedyourteeth · 13/03/2022 21:23

I'm sure I've read that slow cookers are one of the most economical ways of cooking, even though they are on for hours OP. I often pop a whole chicken, in mine (with no liquid) and get so much more meat off it as it literally just falls away from the bone. It might look a bit grim, but it's definitely the best way to get the most from it.

catscatscatseverywhere · 14/03/2022 13:32

Vegetarian meals are cheaper than meat, that's for sure. If I fancy something sweet, I'd rather buy it on my weekly shopping in Lidl/Asda, rather than driving to Tesco Express. Eco driving to save pennies on petrol. Also I set the lower temperature by 1 degree. And trying to be really careful with spending on clothes, make up etc. I am terrified that the worst is yet to come :(

GoinSouth · 14/03/2022 18:09

Great thread - here's my contribution for a 2-person home and we are already very low energy users:-

No heating on - just fleece blankets and dressing gowns
Turning down the thermo for the hot water
Showering just twice a week - water on, wet, water off, soap, water on, rinse.
Only washing-up once a day, in cold water
Washing clothes once a week and putting on line to dry
On pay/go mobile so cutting back on 1st April from £10 to £5 per month
Using slow cooker for stews rather than gas hob
Not keeping mobiles plugged in when battery full
Turning power off at sockets
Bulk buying/cooking to stock up freezer - soups, curries, stews, cakes
Go to supermarkets late and get reduced items
Remove your artificial grass, remove your decking and dig for victory!!

Just make do until, god willing, times get better.

Can't think of anything else - we already don't do takeaways, buy new clothes except when essential, stopped buying birthday/christmas presents etc., and gawd knows when we'll go abroad again - that was the one treat for our sacrifices but with trying to buy a house now, the house must be the priority.

Hope it's not going to be a hot summer as I have the fan on all night long :-( Might need to invest now in some more chillow pillows!!

withiceplease · 14/03/2022 18:25

I don't think I've read this on MN on threads such as these but I think that microwaving veg (either in a microwave steamer or in a loosely covered bowl with a splash of water) is probably more energy efficient than using the hob
I'm happy to be shouted down if I'm wrong though

Billandben444 · 14/03/2022 19:02

I'm not sure washing greasy pans in cold water works?

GoinSouth · 14/03/2022 19:19

@Billandben444

I'm not sure washing greasy pans in cold water works?
You can use the water you've used to steam your veg, or, the water you've got saved in your thermos :-) I would simply use plenty of lather and elbow grease.
sleepismyhobby · 14/03/2022 19:28

I got an instant pot for my Christmas it's meant to be a lot cheaper than using cooker, I do all the tips you've
already suggested, trying My best to do very low spend months. And growing my own veg

TheNoonBell · 14/03/2022 20:40

We have done the following:

Batch cook - anything remaining after 48 hours gets frozen in individual portions (spag bol, curry, stew). Slow cookers get used about half the time or we use gas an make a huge stewpot which does about 10 big portions.

Air frier, much cheaper than an oven.

Using the local butchers and grocers more as they both do discounts for big buys so we can freeze most of it or just batch cook and freeze it.

Planted garden, DP got 2 polytunnels cheap at the end of last summer they are going up this week. Got a dozen spud bags to plant later. Also cleared out the herb garden and will do some window box salads (lettice in window boxes which works really well). We tried one polytunnel in lockdown and it grew loads of tomato, peppers, chilli, and salad so ate very well without going to the supermarket.

Pre purchased all the loo roll, pasta and rice we will need for the year. Same for cleaning stuff as the inflation is only going up.

Pre bought stamps before the recent rise.

Thinking of going down to one car and mothball the old one as new (used) cars are stupidly expensive so having a spare might be a lifesaver just tax and insure it when needed.

Now is the time to buy forward, if you think you will need something this year, buy it now and save a few percent, maybe 5-10% more by year end is my guess.

ThreeRingCircus · 14/03/2022 21:19

Things we have done/are doing so far:

Cancelled Sky TV

Swapped to eating more vegetarian meals and meat only a couple of times a week

Make at least two evening meals a week really simple/cheap. This week we are having soup and garlic bread one night then beans on toast another. This combined with eating less meat has made a huge difference to our supermarket spending.

Really limit eating out/takeaways. If I want a treat on a Friday night I'm now buying supermarket pizzas rather than Domino's for example.

If you cook something in the oven always leave the oven door open once you've switched it off so the heat is in the house and doesn't get wasted.

Fake Oodie for wearing around the house and blankets on beds instead of heating on.

Using the car a lot less, if my journey is under a mile/mile and a half I now always walk there and back.

worriedatthistime · 14/03/2022 23:36

Im not happy to turn my heating totally off as i don't want a damp house either

D0lphine · 14/03/2022 23:42

Getting a new job with a higher salary!

Whattochoosenow · 14/03/2022 23:57

Atomic shrimp on YouTube has some videos on surviving on £1 a day for food and £5 for a week. It’s not sustainable long term and some of the dishes are a bit odd, BUT once in a while might be ok to claw back some cash.

Holothane · 14/03/2022 23:59

Bulk buying some good others will be own label,

FindingMeno · 15/03/2022 07:01

I'm continuing to heat and ventilate as there is a damp problem otherwise.
I'm taking on extra work.

Whattochoosenow · 15/03/2022 07:09

We’re thinking of buying a pressure cooker. They scare me a bit though!

FourChimneys · 15/03/2022 08:14

I'm trying to persuade DH not to put the kettle on so often. He is a tea addict and has up to 12 mugs a day.

We have turned off all radiators except for the bathroom, wear layers and plan our meals to reduce the use of the oven or gas rings.

We already walk and cycle locally, the car is only for journeys of over 5 miles.

ThreeRingCircus · 15/03/2022 13:49

@Whattochoosenow I'd recommend an Instant Pot. The old style pressure cookers scare me but the Instant Pot is really easy to use. I love mine!

We're not turning the heating off completely as I also don't want damp issues but it's only been on for a few hours a day and not on at all overnight. We'll shortly be turning it off completely as the weather is getting warmer.

pastypirate · 15/03/2022 14:41

Get electric blankets. Honestly best £12 I ever spent. They run 12 hours for about 9p

R2G · 15/03/2022 17:04

It's only a small thing but I read somewhere that the fuel increase is around 2 pounds a day so I am doing surveys while I watch TV. If you wanted to use this link you get 40p to start off
I'm inviting you to join AttaPoll. Get paid to take surveys. Download the app here: attapoll.app/join/skawm

The other think is cashback site quidco. I do all my Xmas shopping on there this year and all food shopping. I have 90 quid in there cleared and another 200 waiting to clear which I will save for Christmas, as uou can cash out and get up to 20 per cent more on vouchers so that will be another 80 pounds, swapping it for Nike to buy all DC tracksuit and the rest for amazon voucher. Again, referral link gives you a fiver bonus when your first cashback clears, it does take a while so not an instant thing.
app.quidco.com/raf/1qnW

Both these things are really helping me mentally not worry as I've been proactive in covering fuel rise and Christmas

Holothane · 15/03/2022 17:06

Christmas can do onethis year I hope not to be here.