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

TheFionut

Great ideas here,
Here's one thing that I do.
I don't do the 'add water' thing to bottles of liquid -washing up liquid, ketchup etc, I just take the cap off the new bottle and prop the old bottle up on it over night. The last of the old bottle flows into the new one and I'm left with a perfectly clean and empty old bottle!

Primrose

Saving soap bits. If you use those little plastic drink Benecol tubs, they are ideal for saving the end of soap bars. Just place a piece of old nylon tights in first (leaving a reasonable overlap so that you can pull it out afterwards,) put in the soap bits and press down with a dash of water. When the container is full, you can pull out a tubular bar of new soap via the nylon stocking "tag"without the need to put a knife round the edges of the container to try and remove it. Those white bendy plastic containers for hot drinks can also be used. Because they are pliable, you can cut them away from the newly formed soap with a pair of scissors.

BP56134

Anyone with children - never use shop bought play dough. Make your own in the microwave from flour, salt, water, oil and food colouring. Not only much cheaper, but it's softer and easier for smaller ones to use, and it's an extra activity making it! Lasts for ages too.

SystemFan

Don't forget to cut your dishwasher tablets in half, works just as well as a whole one, and they go twice as far.:D

mppmicros

If you eat out a lot and don't take sugar in tea ...take it home with you. I haven't bought sugar for my house for years.
Also take home any sauces, pepper, salt etc, supplied with meal.;)

JimmyTheWig

mppmicros wrote: »

If you eat out a lot and don't take sugar in tea ...take it home with you. I haven't bought sugar for my house for years.
Also take home any sauces, pepper, salt etc, supplied with meal.;)

Alternatively, don't eat out so often and buy your own sugar and sauce. I have a feeling which would work out cheaper.

(But I also have a feeling which category we would fit into!)

pcla007

We have not used a hose pipe to water the garden / vegetable patch in 22 years. Two 220 litre butts have provided all we need, even during droughts, and it is not a small garden either. Currently, they are staying a little too full!!

While I hardly drive anymore as I work from home, when I do, I have dropped my speed down and on a large car, I get over 50mpg (even the dealership was surprised), which gives me about a 40% improved fuel consumption. I also try and make sure that I don't have to brake suddenly and then speed up. Basically driving smoothly saves pounds very quickly nowadays.

strumpet

BigMummaF wrote: »

RE: the haircuts---& other associated bits.....check out local colleges to see if they have things like
a salon for hair/massage/ manicure/pedicure

This is a great idea - when I was a kid, we used to live up the road from the Technical College and they had a hair salon for training new stylists etc. My mum used to take me and my sister there for all our haircuts. We must have saved £££ and to be honest, it was much nicer (and safer) than going to Norman, our local demon barber!
My sister and I used to snigger loads though because the salon was run by a lady called Miss Crapper:D which, as kids aged 11 and 8, we found highly amusing!!!

Strumpet
(PS NOT doing very well on my £310 challenge for July, thanks to Diesel being VERY expensive!!!):eek:

BP56134

strumpet wrote: »

My sister and I used to snigger loads though because the salon was run by a lady called Miss Crapper:D which, as kids aged 11 and 8, we found highly amusing!!!

Is it wrong that I still find that amusing???

mattb_3

I've just read through this thread. Some great tips. I was just wondering about some of the tips.

1. the charging things at work one.

Does anyone realise how little energy / cost is involved? By my calculations to fully charge an average phone it would cost maybe 0.05p of electricity. Still, you may as well do it as people will have their phones with them anyway, but I just don't think it's saving very much. Maybe 5p/year. Just thought it was worth mentioning.

2. Opening the oven door after cooking has finished.

I've often wondered about this. But unless the oven backs onto an external wall then the heat has to go back into the house somehow doesn't it? Someone with a Physics degree help me out!

3. leaving the bath water in the bath in winter to heat the house.

Another one I've thought about but wouldn't this increase humidity and dampness around the house?