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

JimmyTheWig

gillette147 wrote: »

> Buy with cash rather than plastic.
Sorry but this is wrong!!!
Always buy ONLY what you need......with a cashback credit card.

Neither right or wrong, really.
If you are extremely disciplined and _can_ only buy what you need and can afford when using a cashback credit card then this is definitely the way to go.

But we have done much better money-wise when we stopped using the credit card for everything and went to weekly cash. Now we know exactly where we are with money at any point in the week.

When I use a credit card (e.g. petrol) it's a cashback one. But most of the time we spend cash, or sometimes, at the start of the week, even debit card from the "cash" account.

The "pure" moneysaving of a cashback credit card needs to be balanced with the psychological element of handing over cash.

shed35

karendb wrote: »

Great thread! I've a couple of things to add that I think haven't been mentioned already:

Buy a roll of greaseproof paper instead of sheets of tracing paper if your kids use them for Art etc. - MUCH cheaper.

My kids do hundreds of drawings each week - I save all the junk mail that has a blank side to it and they draw on that. They think it's a real luxury if I give them a clean sheet of printing paper LOL because it's so very rare!

I make my kids use disclosing tablets once a week but I cut them in half and give them half each instead of a whole one - they're just as effective. Also, they're cheaper to buy from the orthodontist/dentist than from the chemist.

Up till a few months ago, I sorted out my laundry according to the temp of the wash/light colours/dark colours etc. - normally washing at either 40 or 50 degrees. However, I now wash ALL the clothes at 40 and I can honestly say they're just as clean. And, of course, all the clothes washing and dishwashing is done overnight on Economy 7.

We use Tesco's cheapest printing paper for almost all our needs - perfectly fine for school letters etc. However, we also keep a ream of better quality paper at hand to use when necessary (Photo printing, School projects etc.) - we just don't keep it in the printer for everyday use.

We use continuous ink for our printer as well which is so much cheaper than even the compatible cartridges. If you're looking to replace your printer, focus in on the ones that can use a continuous ink system.

Hope this helps

Karen

That brings back happy memory of my childhood. My mum used to work in a chip shop and she use to bring home the wrapping paper that you wrap chips (not used of course) for us to draw.

I use to work for an engineering company and there were always really big sheets of drawings/plans which were no longer used and I use to give them to my friend for her playgroup.

BigMummaF

My mum is a widow & still lives independantly. If there's a deal on something--like BOGOF or 2-4-£x--we often share. Chances are it will be something that only I will eat anyway so wouldn't buy it for myself, so we both win.

My father-in-law used to pinch M-I-L's GOOD tights to wear under his trousers in the winter cuz he worked outside. He refused the ones with even the smallest holes, for fear of falling off his ladder & having to go to hospital Added a whole new slant to wearing clean underwear in case you got hit by a bus:rotfl:

karendb

BigMummaF wrote: »

My mum is a widow & still lives independantly. If there's a deal on something--like BOGOF or 2-4-£x--we often share. Chances are it will be something that only I will eat anyway so wouldn't buy it for myself, so we both win.

My father-in-law used to pinch M-I-L's GOOD tights to wear under his trousers in the winter cuz he worked outside. He refused the ones with even the smallest holes, for fear of falling off his ladder & having to go to hospital Added a whole new slant to wearing clean underwear in case you got hit by a bus:rotfl:

Love this story - I often think, when I've resorted to wearing my oldest (but nevertheless clean) knickers because I've not kept up with the washing etc., this is bound to be the day when I have an accident! The key, of course, is like your FIL always to wear your best stuff, just in case

gillette147

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Neither right or wrong, really.
If you are extremely disciplined and _can_ only buy what you need and can afford when using a cashback credit card then this is definitely the way to go.

But we have done much better money-wise when we stopped using the credit card for everything and went to weekly cash. Now we know exactly where we are with money at any point in the week.

When I use a credit card (e.g. petrol) it's a cashback one. But most of the time we spend cash, or sometimes, at the start of the week, even debit card from the "cash" account.

The "pure" moneysaving of a cashback credit card needs to be balanced with the psychological element of handing over cash.

Ok then,
If someone can't be disiplined why not carry a small notepad and write down the amount each time they use the credit card....and don't go over the allowed weekly total?

I guess I'm lucky because I agonise before spending....cash or credit card is the same to me. I can't get my head around people who think a credit card is a magic wand.

But I over eat - so I guess we all have our weaknesses.

PS.......put water bottles in toilet cistern tonite.

karendb

andrew-b wrote: »

On the wrapping of presents .... as well as keeping wrapping paper and reusing, i discovered a cheaper wrapping paper that is more durable and can be reused for more times and also looks classy...brown parcel paper. I discovered this when I'd forgotten to buy wrapping paper once and it was the only thing i had available. Then i got comments of how classy it looked and how my presents always looked nicer than presents wrapped in standard wrapping paper - so i carried on doing it.

If you buy a big roll it will last you for years and is suitable for any occasion so no need for spending money on multiple rolls of paper for different occasions or finding a place to stash them all. Of course you can always use if for it's intended purpose too or also it is good for covering books.

Usually you would wrap parcels for posting with shiny side of the paper outwards...but if you wrap it inwards it looks far better. With a bit of practice you don't need to use sellotape and can wrap the presents with ribbon or even just parcel string which can also be reused. If you do use sellotape it comes off easier too.

On a similar note, don't bother with buying gift tags. Instead make your own gift tags out of old birthday and christmas cards when you take them down...either plain gift tags can be made or things like small christmas trees, stars etc. You can always get at least one decent tag out of each card...but usually more.

OMG - I'm here again! Can't resist taking a peek in case I miss something I'm not yet doing...

Agree with the above - brown wrapping paper does look classy but if you want to make it look more fun for kids, use some "stampers" with paint, felt tips etc. on it to create some nice patterns. You can always make your own with cut pototoes if you don't have any.

karendb

Just wanted to add (I'm completely mellow now and love everybody - have had a nice glass of red wine brought home from our last hol. in France) that these posts have been really entertaining and useful. There are obviously some really creative people out there which is fantastic.

However, I do think it's important to note that you shouldn't get too caught up in the little expenses that may save you pennies and forget to keep an eye on the more major expenses. And for others (like my brother, who's just tapped me for £400) sometimes, it's the small things that add up without you noticing!

Right, I'm off - got to go and get a life.....

gillette147

karendb wrote: »

However, I do think it's important to note that you shouldn't get too caught up in the little expenses that may save you pennies and forget to keep an eye on the more major expenses

VERY TRUE.....and get me a life while you're there.

Sharp_Eyes

gillette147 wrote: »

Someone said use a PAYG mobile.

But by getting your contract through say Quidco AND taking up e.g. e2save etc type cashback deals you can get big contracts for free.

For example last year I had a 12mth contract with cashback equalling the 12mths charges (so free). I also went through quidco and got £37. Then coz I already had a perfectly good handset I sold the one they gave me on ebay for £25.

This year my contract will cost £2 a month. But got £30 odd pounds from Quidco AND i'm putting another phone on ebay for about £20.

I have been getting 400 mins and 500 txts a month for the last 3 years and it's making me money.

The only issue is that you have to jump through hoops to get the phone people to pay. But write the key dates on your calander and a bit of hastling them (on work phone - oops) and I have always got the money.

I was the one that mentioned that I use a PAYG phone but I also said that I rarely use it to make calls. I mostly use it as a point of contact. I prefer to meet people in person to chat rather than gab for hours on the phone. The above would work for you because you probably use your phone to talk a lot - either via calls or text messages. I could NEVER use 400 mins on a phone so it would be a waste of money for me. I go through 4 or 5 months with a 20 quid top up and its MUCH less hassle than doing all the contract shenanigans. It all depends on what works for the individual.

Sharp_Eyes

gillette147 wrote: »

Sorry but this is wrong!!!
Always buy ONLY what you need......with a cashback credit card.

I think the point of the post was that some people just can't help themselves when they have a card in hand so it pays for them to actually physically SEE the money that they have instead of it all being rather "surprising" once the bill comes!

Aside from not getting cashback on the spending, there is another drawback to carrying cash...I usually walk around the supermarket with my phone and use the calculator to input the prices of all goods so I can tell if I've been overcharged at the till on the final total. There is nothing more satisfying than having your bill work out to 10.38 when you have EXACTLY 10.38 in your pocket. However, sometimes when something swipes incorrectly and your bill ends up being more than what you have in cash, taking something off and sorting it out at CS can be a pain! Not to mention how terribly skint it makes you look! *LOL*