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

JimmyTheWig

Amontylado wrote: »

Make the most of the library:
- take out guide books and maps before going on holiday;
- borrow toys and games from the toy library (great for the summer time);
- on request you can extend the borrowing time to 6 weeks before renewal;
- take out DVDs on 24 hour loan on a Saturday - our library is closed on Sunday and Monday so you don't have to return them until Tuesday;
- borrow framed pictures;
- internet access is usually free at UK libraries - useful if you're away from home.

Great post, with great advice.
Not convinced about borrowing framed pictures - have never heard of this in a library - but sounds like an interesting idea for a change, if nothing else.

Note about internet access when away from home.
Obviously you won't be a member of the library away from home. Still ask to use the machines. In Milton Keynes, for example, they let us use the library computers by showing a bank card and they just took a note of my name.

And the mention of toy libraries reminded me that our toy library is in our local "children's centre". These centres are great value for money. Most activities cost £1.50 per adult (handy for those of us with 3 kids to be charged per adult!) and last a couple of hours. You don't get "childcare" - i.e. you have to stay and be responsible for your own kids - but there's plenty to keep under 5s, especially, amused.

hollydays

podiluska wrote: »

But condensing dryers use more energy than normal dryers.

Some people can't have anything else.
I have a condensor dryer which senses when the clothes are dry.That saves some energy at least.

Aero2007

Something which I realised when returning goods which werent suitable - the coupon for 5p off a litre of petrol at Tesco's was still valid, I got the voucher for nothing - as I returned everything I had bought (you need to spend 50 pounds in one transaction)

Charis

hollydays wrote: »

I have a condensor dryer which senses when the clothes are dry.That saves some energy at least.

So have I. I chose it specifically for that reason as my last drier used to cook my washing to a crisp if I overestimated the time it needed. Its just a great shame that the sensor in the machine - a Hotpoint Aquarius CTD 40 has never worked :mad: The washing is still damp when it turns off.

jb5

!! Tip for me - {Do not get distracted/go off to make breakfast/coffee midway through composing a reply.
Someone may well have posted replies in the intervening period! [See posts #164-#167] LOL }

Anyhow....:)

Fridges/Freezers:-
If they're easy to get to, vacuum the heat exchangers on the back of the fridge.
Dust will make the fridge work overtime, as will not defrosting regularly!
Never site a fridge next to a cooker!

Re-Use/Recycle:-
The plastic bags that subscription magazines or newspaper supplements are delivered in make good liners for SMALL pedal bins, [NB - Not a good idea if the bag has your name and address printed on it!] or for storing home made wet-wipes [post #113] etc.

Water:-
Slightly higher on the 'icky scale' perhaps, but after someone posted the idea of "poo at work", I'm surprised no-one has yet mentioned the old saying.... "If it's yellow - let it mellow. If it's brown - flush it down!" Something to do when NOT entertaining guests perhaps!

In the spirit of the travel wallet.

Passport
Make a couple of photocopies of your passport. Exchange one copy with your travelling partner and store separately. If the passports are stolen you should still be able to find a copy of the passport number/s when filing a report.

Create an emergency CD (Encrypted):-
Take digital photographs of the contents of your home. Should the need arise you will have pictures of all your possessions to help with an insurance claim. Include photo's of the serial numbers of your high ticket items.
Scan (or photograph) important documents; passport, Birth certificate, insurance policy etc.
Add a list of bank account numbers, credit card numbers, utility account numbers, etc..
Put all of this info on an _encrypted_ CD or flash drive. Store off-site, at work or with a relative maybe.
Truecrypt is a very good encryption program (& it's free).
[NB - Even though the infomation is encrypted, DO NOT store bank account numbers and PINs in the same place!]

Repairing / fixing:-
When dismantling gadgets/equipment take digital photos of the various stages. That way you can see how it should go back together.
Put the screws etc. in a pill box (one with several small compartments for each day), that way it is easy to know what screw goes where, when rebuilding. An egg box is just as good.

gillette147

- Sainsbury's bath soap 3 for 14p.
- I might start keeping deodrants in the fridge....the cheaper ones (which I buy) I think have worse fitting balls and so I suspect they evaporate.
- I've switched back to drinking tea and am getting 2 cups per bag.
- I'm looking to cap my gas/elec.
- I'm mid way through using First Direct for 6 months...netting me £200.
- I've restarted matched betting (not advisable for everyone).
- Get a haircut. I'm using far less shampoo now my hair is short.
- Make sure you have savings in ISAs and then any more used to pay your mortgage off.
- I've started driving at 65 on motorway. I don't like it but we'll see what my MPG looks like.

Charis

gillette147

I've switched back to drinking tea and am getting 2 cups per bag.

I agree. If you buy a two cup tea pot and actually allow the tea time to brew, I've found it has a better taste than when someone makes me a cup with a bag of its own but is too hasty in throwing out the bag. 50% of the tea flavour ends up in the compost!

- Get a haircut. I'm using far less shampoo now my hair is short.

Women's haircuts vary from £7ish for a dry cut to £20+ for a 'cut and blow dry'. Since shorter styles need trimming every six weeks or less, you could buy a lot of shampoo for the cost of a trim. Maybe we should all learn to trim each other's hair?

Tazness

Some people are still paying for condoms, lube and femidoms :cool:
they are not cheap. If you look around they are out there.

You can get them free from loads of places. Department of Sexual health, GUM clinics family planning clinics, some night clubs and pubs (more available if gay men fequent) Teenage pregnancy offices, Alot of places and groups that young people attend.
If you are over 25 you can say they are for your teenager. :rotfl:

Dont be embarrassed. Be clever

If you cant be good be careful.
Kids cost a fortune

Tazness

Charis wrote: »

Women's haircuts vary from £7ish for a dry cut to £20+ for a 'cut and blow dry'. Since shorter styles need trimming every six weeks or less, you could buy a lot of shampoo for the cost of a trim. Maybe we should all learn to trim each other's hair?

My last hair cut cost me £60.00 ...£130 when I get the grey hidden :mad:

I think I need a cheaper hairdresser ... saving me hundreds of pounds...

ElizzyM

gillette147 wrote: »

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

If you have an old pair of tights simply cut off one of the feet and put all the little bars of soap in there, tying a knot in the open end. You can now use all the saved bits of soap. Ideal for using when hands are really dirty, and can be hung up, or added to as well. Hope that helps.