Great Isn’t it Obvious MoneySaving Hunt: Tell us the secrets you didn't know you had

karendb

Sharp_Eyes wrote: »

I'll tell you this....with the savings I've made from the 'little' things, I've been able to travel all over the world!!! My friends might laugh at me for the quirky things I do, but they don't laugh long when I'm off to Egypt or Paris!!! :cool:

Completely agree - they all add up. We've been able to take 2-3 holidays a year by budgeting and shopping around for deals all the time, plus we've paid off substantial debts and now carry on saving money every month. Most people we know on similar incomes can just about manage one holiday a year if that and they're always running behind financially with no contingency funds for emergencies.

JimmyTheWig

Ooh, I've got one.
Reduce the term of your mortgage by paying slightly more each month.

I often think 18 years is the ideal.

Whoosher

oojeyboojey wrote: »

*Cut out the hanging tags from skirts, shirts, trousers and dresses - you get a few inches of ribbon that are perfect for sticking to home-made birthday cards.

How do you hang up your clothes??

gillette147

I want a way of using all the bits of soap bars once they get too small to use. Like a soap masher.

strumpet

sixtyplus wrote: »

When cooking vegetables or making soups/stews on a hob, use boiling water from the kettle, as it boils a lot quicker from cold than either gas or electric hobs, thereby saving energy.

I'm not sure that this is logically sound - a given amount of water requires a given amount of energy to raise it by a given number of degrees centigrade, hence it shouldn't matter what method is used to provide the energy required. A kettle may boil more quickly than a pan of water on a hob, but will be working harder for less time.;)

Having said that, boiling a kettle is less likely to waste energy as all the energy goes into heating the water, whereas some of the energy from the hob will heat the air around the pan and not the pan.

So perhaps you are right and I am just waffling on in a pedantic way......

Ok, I'm going now!

Strumpet

Whoosher

sixtyplus wrote: »

We are currently experimenting by leaving gas boiler for hot water switched off and heating water through an immersion heater. The switch is in our kitchen so whenever I turn the immersion on I also put on a timer. Half an hour early evening is sufficient for 2 showers, with residual hot water for Sir to have a wash and shave next morning.

I'm also doing this over the summer - I ran out of oil & couldn't afford to buy any more for a couple of months (although who knows what the price will be next month!). I only use hot water for cleaning & washing up as we have an electric shower, so really don't need very much. I measured how many units were used up on the electricity meter when I'd left the immersion on for an hour - it was 3.3 which works out to 33p approx. That works out to £120 a year, which is a lot less than the £7-800 that I pay for oil every year. Unfortunately it won't heat up the radiators, so once the cooler weather starts, it'll be back to oil. At least we're saving over the summer though.

winkasgirl

What a great thread .... and some interesting ideas

No one has mentioned wine boxes. When you've drunk all the wine from the box (and tipped it on its edge at 45 degrees and shook it open the box and you will find a silver bag with the tap on the end. Get some scissors and cut open in an angle the opposite end to the tap ........ another glass or two will come out!!

Also if not steaming veg, I usually cook cauliflower first, then drain and use that water for carrots, then drain and use the same water for cabbage or brocolli, then use that water for the gravy. The water retains the vitamins and is tastier than plain water.

Don't throw gravy away, freeze and then when you need it defrost and re-heat in the microwave with a little bit of added water.

Chilli leftovers, freeze two table spoons in a plastic bag and you have a topping for a jacket potato for lunch.

Keep those money saving ideas coming peeps

strumpet

Whenever I make a bolognese or a stew, I substitute some of the mince / meat with cans of cheap beans (barlotti, flagelot etc) from Mr T's. You can buy 440g tins for 31p and they really bulk out the meal, adding two or three extra portions which can be frozen or taken to work as lunch for the next day. Because beans are full of protein, they are good for you and help to make up for the protein lost by only using half the meat.:D

On the darker side of money saving, they also help to heat the house but I'm not telling you how! I'm sure you can work it out!!!:rotfl:

Another tip for the guys:
Buy some hair clippers and do your own haircuts (saves me £15/month = £180/year). You're gonna go bald sooner or later anyway so might as well start now!

Until we meet....
Strumpet
xxx

PS...Inflation is when you pay £15:eek: for a £10 haircut that used to cost £5.:mad:

Whoosher

I disregard manufacturer's instructions on things like shampoo, conditioner, washing-up liquid, washing powder & fabric conditioner, and only use half of what they recommend. Everything's just as clean, but the item lasts twice as long.

If fruit looks a little bit past its best & you know the kids will turn their noses up at it, just chuck it into a smoothie.

When driving, keep your speed down, don't accelerate or brake hard and keep your car in good condition.

Gorwel

Never buy Wipes. I take a damp flannel (or 2) in a polybag whenever we go out. When the kids were babies I still used flannels. I colour-coded them red for faces, blue for bodies and brown for bums!!!!!! Saved a fortune!