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

A_fiend_for_life

So what are you using instead? Strictly water? I'll go three or four days without washing my hair and it gets quite manky and I give up. I appreciate we went without shampoo for millions of years but the thought of getting fired for manky hair is too much. At the same time anything to save some money.:)

I had a couple of friend that used to do this, or not as the case may be.

A_fiend_for_life

BigMummaF wrote: »

Soz guys:o ..didn't mean to sound scanky, but it's the way me muvva always did it at home. Obviously, it will only apply if the sleepee is not of the excessive leaking variety..

It's not scanky though, my parents used to do the same back in the days when we had those itchy woollen blankets.

I hated them at the time but have since bought some as they don't degrade like duvets. Which incidentally are supposed to be replaced every five years - more dubious marketing? Duvets are notorious for the microfibres clumping up inside and reducing their effective tog. Just hold them up to the light - especially one that's a couple of years old.

madmum33

I can't wash clothes without using fabric conditioner, but instead of buying the concentrated version which I find you use just as much of anyway, I buy the standard large bottles of own brand fabric softener, and pour half into the previous empty bottle then top both up with water. Each full bottle lasts weeks and I have nicely scented washing.

Cameron

and certainly not conditioner - Ok - only occasionally for certain cloths.
You'll find theirs usually that much old det/cond bunging up your washing machine, your cloths still come out clean and conditioned, and your machine gets a chance to unbung all that excess you've been putting in.

Lets face it most cloths that are washed arnt that dirty!

Oh yes - without reading the whole thread, i'm sure its been mentioned - http://www.sodacrystals.co.uk/

Cameron

Radiosmurf

If your electricity is on Economy 7 fit a time switch to your freezer to switch it OFF at about 9 pm and ON again when the cheap electricity starts at 12.30 am. Nothing will thaw in that time, even if you open it late in the evening, and it will happily freeze down again all night on cheap juice!

hongkong

I find the best way to save money is to have no shame. I don't care if people know that I cut the toothpaste tube in half to squeeze out the last bit. Or arrange to meet friends at a restaurant where we can get 2-4-1 on main meals. Or use free cinema tickets that I got from 2 week free DVD home delivery trial. Or join a bank for six months just to get the £100 joining bonus then go back to my old bank.

I used to be embarassed, now I'm proud and it's great when I get people to join me on the money saving trip!

So have no shame, fellow moneysavers!

The_artful_dodger_2

I cook for one but always by bulk chicken etc and just freeze it in single serves.

I also hate cooking so cook maybe a couple of times a week and freeze complete meals or leftovers in individual serves. Much nicer than frozen dinners from supermarkets. And great when you get home late and haven't shopped in a week.

Also, when my veges are starting to look a little the worse for wear I make huge pots of soup and then freeze individually. I take them to work for lunch and just ding in the microwave there. It also means that as it is frozen there is no risk of the soup running in my bag on the way to work.

I always carry vouchers in my bag in their own zip bag for shops or restaurants so that I never have to pay full price when out with friends.:beer:
(this is a bit extreme but...)I have moved flat so that I am closer to work and friends. I can now walk to and from work (1/2 hour each way) and bought a huge umbrella (£1.95) so I don't have to catch the bus when it rains. I now only spend maximum of £10/week in transport costs and pay the same as I previously did in rent and I no longer need to go to the gym.
:A

If that's a bit too much of a change, you live in london and like me you are a bit scared to ride a bike in the capital, see if there is a bus service or overland service around you. HEAPS less than the tube and doesn't always take longer.

estherg69

While some people say sticking to your shopping list is a way to save money, I think NOT doing it is better. Most supermarkets have different offers every week - say this week is pork next week may be beef. Are you going to buy the beef just because it is in your list? Buy what is on offer! You can still plan different menus, like pork caserole, noodles with pork, pork fillets with potatoes...It doesn't need to be boring and then next week you will have something else!

The key here is control. While I don't plan my meals, I know how much I need to buy for the week. Stick to what you need and don't buy extras or treats - that is where the money goes, whether it is in your list or not, and supermarkets know it.

thebigbosh

I see most of these tips are quite physical related and haven't read through all of them, but one thing I tend to do is transfer all of my paycheck into e-savings at the start of the month. Normally, I spend very little on cash, mostly everything on the credit card, and I know exactly how much I have on direct debit so transfer back to my current account on the specific days.

Once I get to the end of the month, where I normally have some kind of surplas, the remaining money gets moved into a savings account with a bit of a longer deadline for withdrawing. Happy to say that this way savings add up nicely towards the points where you need to spend more than your regular incomings- holidays, gifts, car, etc.

A_fiend_for_life

Judith_Proctor wrote: »

About ten years ago, I was getting problems with an itchy scalp - even though I was using a hypoallergenic shampoo.

I was spending a week at a folk festival where no one expects you to look your best while camping in a field, so I took a chance and started washing my hair in clean water only. The first week was a bit oily, but I decided to stick with it. It took a couple of months for it to settle down completely (your scalp works overtime to replace all the oils you keep shampooing out of it, so it takes a while for it to realise that it doesn't need to do this any more)

I'm still doing this ten years later - my hair looks and feels great. (Having talked to my friends, I've been surprised by how many other people do this as well)

I've probably saved a small fortune in shampoo and conditioner. (and as I'm not forcing my scalp to work overtime to replace lost oils, I actually have to wash my hair less often than most people, so I save on hot water as well)

@ Judith Proctor,

I love your tip about not using shampoo but check out your Thank you's!

gillette147 (Today), :eek:JimmyTheWig (Today):eek:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

That's made my day thanks!