Little ways to save

I LOVE the flask idea, Calley.

Nothing so impressive as you but:

We reuse envelopes and cut up cardboard boxes to pack up things to post.
If I'm not washing my hair I can be in and out of the shower in less than a minute.
We reuse towels at least once more before washing them.
I often use a hand towel to dry myself to cut down on laundry.
We always take out a pack up and if there's an uneaten sandwich I toast it the next day.
I changed from liquid soap to value soap blocks.
I'm sure there are lots of other 'small' ones but they significantly add up.

i have clothes for around the house specifically so when i've gone out to work or shop etc when i come home i put my clothes back on the hanger and let them air out (assuming no stains or dirt etc) then back into the wardrobe. i put my 'round the house clothes' and these get worn several times before washing... saves a lot on washing clothing and i smell and look just fine!

i save and reuse almost all packaging that comes through this house. i have a special bookshelf set aside for bubblewrap, small boxes, envelopes etc junk mail that is nice and crisp and blank on one side gets used for a lot of our printing needs (i work based from home so i print a LOT) not so perfect junk mail gets used to cover over the marking on envelopes (for people who insist on covering the entire thing :mad: ) i get plenty of free labels so i use those for smaller areas to cover. any other paper gets used for artwork or put in recycling. any jiffy bags that are to spent to post get used as packing material in boxes. i quite specifically mention in all my ebay sales that i recycle as much as possible and that if they want to pay for a new envelope they can let me know and i'll charge them that extra, no one has so far!

i also save and use all the weird little plastic trays and inserts you get with food for sorting lego as that is what i specialise in selling on ebay! i wouldn't dream of paying for that kind of thing!

i wash all my scrubby sponges or scrubby (not steel wool) pads in the washing machine (do NOT put them in the dryer) and they can be reused many times before they die completely, when they are pretty much gone they go behind the loo, when i next clean the toilet bowl i use them for this purpose so i can just throw them away...same thing goes for old toothbrushes

j-rags get washed over and over until they are worn thin or very small, then they can be used in artwork, as backing for embroidery or quilting and/or as packaging material

whenever we move rather than buying packaging material we use any clothes that are ok to get scrunched up as packing materials. we save aside our basic clothes then everything else goes into a big box and when we need packing material we grab something from the box. knickers are great for plates as you put a plate on the bottom of the box, slide a plate in the knickers set that on the bottom plate, then put a plate on top and start again... that extra padding keeps them from chipping. socks are great for glasses or breakables. pillows make good packing materials for computers!
this of course saves on the amount of boxes we need as well since we don't have to pack our clothing!

i save all bones, skin, fat, tops and tails from carrots etc, skins from veg, beetroot juice, pickle juice, onion skins, broccoli stems, you name it in bags in the freezer. when i get enough to fill up a slowcooker i toss them in, add water and allow to cook on low for about 3 hours. simply drain solids and save the liquid for stock, super nutrious and delicious!


i make my own veg seasoning mix by using my dehydrator (you can use an oven on it's lowest setting) to dry peppers, onions, beetroot, garlic, and various other veg. once dry i grind in my coffee grinder then add a pinch or two of salt and some pepper. this makes a gorgeous seasoning for meat, mash, soups etc and is very nutrious too!

i use up limp or not so nice textured but not yet rotten fruit in chutney. i sometimes make savoury chutneys as well with veg that is not at it's best for eating as is. it's a great way to save the items plus we love condiments in our house and homemade chutney on a sandwich beats salad cream or mayo any day!

i'm sure i'll think of more as i read other people's responses!

Oh I now feel so extravagant I don't do anything like that but you have all made me think. Could not give up liquid soap as my sons tend to leave a bar of soap in sink or bath and it ends up like sludge YUK.

I save a lot on energy/heating. First and foremost, very warm houseclothing is a must before considering turning the heating on.

Hot water bottle between my feet and a thick insulating layer of cardboard on the floor. Keeps me warm. The water in it stays warm for longer when I put in a small sachet of salt (the ones I find when out and about).

I keep a small, old fashioned whistling kettle full of water on one of the heaters, so when I need hot water for cooking or a drink, it will boil in no time.

I no longer buy newspapers. As I am always out and about here in London, there's plenty to be found on buses and trains. Then we have the free Metro.

I stock up on BOGOFs, but only stuff I would normally buy.

I listen to radio and CDs more rather than have the TV on when there's nothing I like watching.

My work requires me to eat out frequently and my company gives me an allowance for this, and whenever I get paper napkins, I take them home where they can be used in many ways. I also take the extra salt sachet (see above), pepper sachet etc. Not too greedily, but it does make a difference.

Since I like walking a lot, in particularly cold weather I go for a walk for an hour or so, and if I walk very briskly I soon break into a sweat and become quite warm, and stay like that for quite a while after I get home. Very healthy also!

I do not skimp on food, meaning that I don't automatically look for the cheaper option, but for the healthiest. Organic and free range are a must because I believe health has no price. Eating a little less but healthier needn't be expensive and might just save money in medicines and the misery of poor health.

When I have time to read a bit in the winter, I pop over to the library taking my book with me and sit there in the warmth. Not very often, but an idea to bear in mind.

I have two wind-up torches, so no battery needed there.

Cut all dusters and floor/dish cloths in four. Each section is quite adequate for the task and saves you loads in the long run.

Then there are the famous uses of vinegar, ammonia, bicarbonate of soda... Dear o dear, I'm writing a book here!!!