Is there anything else i can do to save cash?

[christmas_donkey]

Over the last few months i have invested a lot of time and effort straightening out my finances and i just want to check with you guys to see if i have missed anything out, in my quest to save money.

1. I own my own house, without a mortgage so dont need to hunt around for a cheaper deal.



2. I have sorted my gas/electric/telephone/mobile utilities so i have got the cheapest deal. It doesnt pay me to change to a water meter, but have looked into that too.



3. My small amount of debt i shoved on a 0% interest on balance transfers but i am aiming to pay off the £300-£400 that i still owe on it as soon as i can.



4. Food shopping (Tesco online, so that i can menu plan. I cant be trusted round a supermarket!!:-8) I dont think £70-80 a week is excessive for 4 adults and a little un and I dont go overboard with puddings/sweets.



5. I dont smoke (he does, but doesnt want to quit). We dont drink in the house either.

Now what else can i do to make/save money? At the moment, working is not an option as my mom is getting older and i need to be around if and when she needs me, also my son is playing up at school. So if i did anything i would have to be TOTALLY flexible. (tried to go to college more than once, and it didnt work out.)

[Aussie]

If Tesco online is your regular place to buy groceries, are you taking advantage of their clubcard? You can also get extra clubcard points for using their credit card. Great providing you can pay the bill IN FULL each month.
Try and use your ISA allowance and if you have any other savings put them into your name ( not other half's as presumably tax payer if he is earning) and make sure you complete an IR85 form from the Inland revenue. You will then get gross interest if you are not a tax payer.
Get rid of all your unwanted items at a carboot sale. It's amazing what people will buy!
If you are looking for a little extra, how about becoming an Avon rep or something similiar? You put in the hours to suit yourself/commitments.
Keep reading all the valuable info in here!!!!! You can put it to good use and ensure you secure the best deal next time you have an insurance that needs renewing.
Feel guilty for taking so much from this site and putting so little back. Hope I have helped you in some way.

[SuzieQ]

If your Mum is in receipt of Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance you may be able to claim a "carers allowance" for looking after her. She doesn't have to be living with you. If she isn't in receipt of either allowance but needs your assistance then perhaps she should contact her social work department or welfare benefits adviser for advice. I don't know a lot about this allowance but I'm sure someone on this site will be able to help you.

[Maryclaire]

I know what it s like to feel broke but you seem to be pretty sussed. Have you thought of selling stuff you no longer need or want on e-bay? You'd be surprised what people will buy. I recently sold a pair of shoes I'd bought on impulse in a sale years ago , for £55 . I was going to take them to the charity shop but reckoned sometimes charity does start at home. E-bay of course does charge and you do need to invest in a decent digital camera for photos. Anyway if you haven't already check it out.

[christmas_donkey]

Thanks for your replies,

aussie, as far as i know i use Tescos Clubcard to its full advantage. I save E vouchers and they send me vouchers quarterly so i can take it off my next shopping bill. An toying with the idea of using that money to transfer into a saving scheme.

Dunno about transfering our savings in my name though, maybe thats one for me to discuss with the hubby.

Suzie Q, yes have thought of that as Mum gets attendence allowance but to be honest, i am trying to wean her off me. She phones me for the silliest of reasons and moans at me and makes me feel bad for being so healthy when she isnt. If ever she found out i got a carers allowance that would be it - i wouldnt have a life of my own anymore. Again, thats one for the future, i am not ruling it out, but not just yet.

MaryClaire, yes i am a great believer in selling stuff on that i no longer use. I tend to put stuff in the local rag as for some reason since i resubmitted my new debit card into ebay - it wont accept the card so i cant use Ebay.

I think i will work on actually lowering my utility bills next i think.

[Galstonian]

Can you save money on any other regular bills?

If you have online banking it is easy to look at any direct debits and/or standing orders. If you pay by cheque you should be aware of them anyway.

It is worth checking insurances, mobile and landline phone bills, regular savings even council tax (are you in the right band or due a discount?) in fact any regular payment.

Do you utilise cashback credit cards (e.g. Capital One Circle card pays 1%). You can get an effective 1% reduction on your council tax bill by paying using the card - note you do not get the protection offered by the direct scheme if you use a credit card continuous payment.

Do you own a car? Can you save on servicing and repairs? There is a thread about using council or ambulance testing stations for MOTs.

[mini]

I saw Martin on tv once talking about when you are doing your shopping chose a slightly cheaper version if you buy a major name buy the stores own brand, if you usually buy the stores own try the value/smart price version, I didn't vow to do that with everything, mr mini would have been horrified :o but with a few things I have swopped to Asdas own, their version of Rice crispies, which is much better as they don't have 1 toy to fight over first thing in the morning.

Also do you throw out much food? I have reduced what fruit & veg i buy as alot was looking grotty before I could use it so I do a little shop for more fruit & veg & milk & bread at a mini Tesco so i don't see other things I didn't know I needed ::) in between the big shops

[vanoonoo]

at a mini Tesco

wow - a tesco named after you?!

excellent

one of the things that might reduce your bills is energy bulbs, not leaving things on standby, only heating enough water for what you actually need and making sure you use it.

is the house properly insulated too? sadly some of these things might cost money in order to save money which may not be feasible at hte moment

[SuzieQ]

Ok, take your point about your mum relying on you. Next option: Why not contact Social Services and see what support they can offer (sometimes even put you in touch with other services offering voluntary support - e.g. transport to day centre, shopping trips, etc.), that would maybe free you of some time. It's important that you take time out for yourself. Carers have a very tiring role and you are entitled to have a life of your own. I know this isn't a 'money saving tip' but maybe a 'sanity saving' one!

[jo_b]

Rather than getting E-vouchers from Tescos and getting money off shopping, you could exchange them for clothing vouchers through their 'Me-Time' scheme. For every £10 in vouchers you send off, you get a £15 Tesco clothing voucher back which is valid for 6 months. (Basically get an extra £5 for nothing!) I save my tokens up, exchange them and use the voucher to buy clothes for my toddler. Do a nice range of kids clothes.

See www.ivillage.co.uk/metime

[Sarahsaver]

something ive just started doing, have alternate spending and not spending months, that is for this month i am not getting any new clothes for me or the kids, and keeping everything to the bare minimum. Its coincided nicely with the fact that my sons birthday was at the beginning of the month, so the spending for that was last month, the other sons is beginning of may , so it has all fallen into place nicely.
Soup, make soup! I make soup with the leftovers from sunday dinner. Buy potatoes in a sack, its surprising how my kids think they are being spoilt when i give them a baked spud and let them choose toppings from a selection of tesco value tinned food.
Before any spend or purchase think do i need this, can i get it cheaper, will it wait...
My daughter had unisex clothes as a toddler so my youngest son age 2 still wears her coats, trousers and jumpers.
Are you getting any tax credit entitlement, do you qualify for council tax benefit? Be insured so if anything goes wrong you arent out of pocket. As for your ma, GET the benefit if u r entitled, you do not have to tell her. I know how as parents get older they become more melodromatic and attention seeking. Are there any local day centres she could attend? You deserve a break! Good luck ;)

[christmas_donkey]

Thanks for your further ideas folks, they are appreciated.

I wasnt aware i could exchange my tesco vouchers for clothing vouchers, pity i didnt know that a few weeks ago when i replaced all my sons undies and nightwear. Cost me a small fortune i must say. Am going to check that thread as soon as i finish this post.

I have checked that we are entitled to any benefits and as i thought, i am not. I presumed that if i applied for cash for looking after mum, that she would have to know ie would have to sign something or other. I just couldnt take the risk, she already moans that we dont take her on holiday with us (she picks on my husband and kids mercilessly, and critisises me constantly).

It does mean a small outlay in the beginning, but energy saving light bulbs can really cut your electricity bills. I have a 2 bedroomed flat with 2 adults living full time and one part time and I pay £6 a month for my electricity (and that includes my cooker though my heating is gas - and I'm on a 'green' tarrif which is slightly more expensive than the cheapest available).

The cheapest option I have found for energy saving lightbulbs is IKEA. Can't remember exact price but I think a bulb is a couple of quid, with savings if you buy a multi pack.

KG

Oh yeh - and some electricity companies / councils / green organisations sometimes give away free energy saving lightbulbs. Can't think of any off the top of my head but will try and do some investigation.

KG

[markedgar]

How do you all travel around? By car? How many vehicles per household do you contribute towards?

Cars can be very expensive (says I who owns an 'old' but very reliable car).

Apart from insurance and road fund licence, there's breakdown cover, any warranties that may exist, purchase repayments, fuel, routine and unexpected maintenance, etc.

If you have a vehicle, how do you use it? Short or medium journeys? Does the vehicle need to be used and does it need to be the (engine) size it is?

Can you save money by using certain appliances less or at other times (e.g. during the electricity economy 7 period), if this applies?

Do you know what item uses the most electricity in most homes?

There are lots of ways to spend less - many easily missed by all of us on a day-to-day basis (me included).

I didn't realise my PC monitor used as much energy as it does - even though I generally, but not always switch it off if I go to do something else.

There are loads of hidden things that we all miss at home every day that could help us save just that little bit more.

Got me thinking again now...

;)Mark E

[nh]

I always take advantage of supermarket offers when they are on eg. PG Tips two for one which Asda did recently, even if I don't actually need the item at that time. You will always use them eventually. And always buy the biggest size of washing powder etc, because it always works out cheaper to buy bigger. But beware! Never buy two for one biscuits - they just get eaten twice as quick!

[jg]

it always works out cheaper to buy bigger

Not Always! :o You have to do the maths and check the unit cost. Usually larger sizes are cheaper, but I've seen it the other way multiple times. It pays (or maybe I should say saves ;D) to check and see before buying.

[trafalgar]

Never buy two for one biscuits - they just get eaten twice as quick!


Isn't that the truth ;D ;D ;D

I agree you gotta be careful and do the maths jg I've pointed this out to my hubby while shopping
Check everything , or you could miss out :)

[student100]

Not Always! :o You have to do the maths and check the unit cost. Usually larger sizes are cheaper, but I've seen it the other way multiple times. It pays (or maybe I should say saves ;D) to check and see before buying.

Yes! Our local Asda has a habit of putting special offers on smaller packs/tins etc. which makes it cheaper to buy two small than one big pack. Silly but still...

If things like washing up liquid, shampoo, soap, toilet roll etc. are on a really good special offer (like BOGOF) and you have the storage space and can afford the initial outlay, then buy lots! They aren't going to go off! Just don't be tricked into buying something more expensive than you normally would just because it's on offer.

One of the best money saving investments could be a small calculator to take shopping. It probably makes you look really sad but it can help a lot in working out the best deals.

Sometimes you can save a lot of money just buy buying things in less "convenient" formats. Like loose vegetables are often (but not always) a heck of a lot cheaper than the prepacks. And forget laundry tablets and liqutabs and things - old fashioned powder (or sometimes liquid) cleans just as well but costs an awful lot less per wash.

[halloweenqueen]

Hi
I use tesco for their clothes mainly. I'm snapping up bargains in the clothes department at the moment for xmas presents for the numerous children in the extended family, I'm getting babies complete outfits for £4. They also have a bag sale, £8 to £2, theres always an auntie etc who you could get one for and they are good quality. Its a question of laying out a bit of money to save a lot.
I do the bulk of my shopping at Netto (yes I know!) they have improved a lot - they have a lot of customers so the fruit and veg has a quick turnover and is better quality than a lot of places. I was behind a family in there that had a trolley stacked full for £57. I get recipes from recipezarr.com brilliant budget meals also try the campbells soup website lots of quick easy and budget recipes. I watch moneyspinners on bbc they have a website on the bbc site which is full of money making tips/saving tips. Aldi i think are similar to Netto if you go armed with a list for your meal planner you can save a lot of money. The meat etc is good there as well. I have friends that turn their nose up at Netto but sit and eat at my house and enjoy the food!! I think it tastes better as its cheaper! Also a lot of the tinned stuff seems better than Asda's.
I buy the things I can't get in there from Morrisons, a lot of people who work in other supermarkets shop there. I also put a couple of quid on saver stamps each time for xmas, they are very good for cards, dvds etc.
Browse ebay for inspiration, you may have things in your garden, garage or home that people want, check the P+P of any big items before you list it, you don't always need a camera, if you can find a picture on the net of it you may be able to poach the piccy!! If you have a scanner sometimes you can use that.
I also have the elderly mother problem so I don't work either so I save money rather than earn it, I feed a family of four on around £30 a week, I make most meals from scratch and find the american recipe sites have the easiest recipes. Do you have a sweet/chocolate/veggie/food factory near you that sells to the public? I find once you start talking to people about where to get bargains and budgets they all look for the same thing- spending less cash!

[Judi]

Good points there raised Halloweenqueen, oh and by the way. Welcome to the forum.

[halloweenqueen]

Hi and thanks!! Feel at home here!

If you live in the Stockport area you can get 2 free energy saving light bulbs from the Councils free home security package.

The package is available to anyone over the age of 60. If you're under 60 you would need to be claiming a benefit.

You can get window locks, 5 lever mortice locks, mortice bolts, barrel bolts, door viewers, door intercoms, door chains, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms, patio door locks all for FREE!

Just phone 0161 474 2663 and ask for the Home Security Assistant.

[deronda]

Do you have a local Wilkinsons? !It is amazing how much cheaper some things are there. !They have their own brands but also do the more common brands at very good prices. !They have diy, household cleaning, lightbulbs etc(very cheap) curtains, lampshades etc etc.

Peacocks is also very good for clothes especially for children, they are hard wearing and you cannot fault the quality on most items. !My teenage stepdaughter likes the clothes there too. !They also do very reasonably priced shoes I recently purchased a pair of healed ankle boots for £12.

If you do lots of gardening recycle yog pots and food trays, they are excellent for growing seeds or sharing plants with friends and family much cheaper than flower pots.

Do you eat alot of marmalade? !It is much cheaper to make your own and very easy. !All you need to do is buy a tin of premix peel at roughly £1.50 and 2lbs sugar and this makes six jars for less than half the price!

Good luck - with twins I am always trying to find ways to cut down on the bills (role on potty training!).

[md123]

:D Just checked out the campbells condensed soup website as suggested by halloweenqueen. Must say it is a great site for someone who is not much of a cook (like me). The recipes are straight forward and look delicious. ::)

Can't wait to try them out. :) :)

[christmas_donkey]

Thanks for the replies, i am saving jars as we speak. I want to make my own pickles. I do get through marmalade and jam at an alarming rate, so maybe i will take you up on the tip about making my own.

I have also got tomato plants and lettuce growing at the moment, so i am well on the way to getting there.

[Pink-winged]

Good post Halloween.......Thankyou, will look into some of your ideas.

[16011996]

Some great ideas here, will try a few

Become an emysteryshopper...

www.emysteryshopper.co.uk

You can earn in your spare time, not a lot but every little helps!

[16011996]

i do mystery shopping, in shops not on computer, but make about £12.50 for an hours work, they pay your expenses and if you buy something, quite often they give you half towards or else you can return it for a full refund. (excellent when its kids clothes shops.)

Sorry Martin, don't know where to post this plea for help!

I've just come out of a brusing and overwhelmingly expensive divorce which has cost me about twice my annual salary and which I will be continuing to pay off for the next three years. Having fought to secure Residency of my two children and retain the house, I am being taken back to court again with another Residency battle and have taken a drastic step and dispensed with the service of my lawyer because mounting legal bills are crippling my ability to provide for my children. Does anyone know where I can get some free and good advice to counter the latest attack? I'm not eligible for legal aid because the house is worth more than £8K ( I should hope so in Bucks!) and I can't afford to continue paying £175 an hour plus VAT. It is breaking me.

[Edinburghlass]

Emma I am not sure which board would be the best for you to post your plea on apart from perhaps "Anything Else Questions and Answers" or maybe "Anyone Know a Way to".

I would suggest that the Citizen's Advice Bureau might be able to help as they have lawyers onboard.

[jo_b]

Rather than getting E-vouchers from Tescos and getting money off shopping, you could exchange them for clothing vouchers through their 'Me-Time' scheme. !


Tesco no longer do the Me Time vouchers. :( They have extended their Deal offers to everyone now though. :)