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

kid_free_mum_2 · 16 August 2008 at 1:06AM

I always buy 6 pint cartons of milk then split it into pint bottles (saved from previous purchases) and freeze it immediately. 1 pint lasts me 4 days so I know when to take the next pint out to defrost. As long as you do it on day of purchase it's a winner every time.

Cornishpixie_2 · 16 August 2008 at 8:21AM

I prepare lunch for kid and myself (4 kids), continental style. I put everything in bowls on the dining table, then a bowl of bread and butter on the table and supervise the kids helping themselves. They think its because their more grown up, but its really so I can use up what I have. Like yesterday, they had last 3 eggs boiled, tub of cottage cheese, cut up avocado, ditto oranges. 2 pkts hola hoops in a bowl and olives. I also do lots of home baking an freeze some. I also buy 2 smaller tubs of better quality ice cream and give them less saying "As its so rich they need less of it":rotfl:

Princess_Jane · 16 August 2008 at 9:07AM

I keep a pair of strong scissors in the bathroom, and when I think shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, face creams etc are empty, I cut them in half.

It's amazing how much longer you can get out of them - often a couple of weeks.

glosman555 · 16 August 2008 at 9:13AM

Most washing machines are cold fill only, if you put a couple of pan fulls from the hot water tap into your machine it will not only reduce the wash time cycle it will save energy by not using the heating element as much.

njb286 · 16 August 2008 at 2:10PM

originalkat wrote: »

Also am I the only person who finds the idea of BUYING blackberries to be very strange? I have seen a small box of probably only 150g for nearly £2 .Don't weed your garden too much and I can virtually guarantee a fine crop of blackberries will appear for free!! Alternatively go blackberry picking, it's good fun and children love doing it.

I totally agree - no-one should buy blackberries - especially at the prices they charge. I'm looking after two extra children today for a friend so there are 4 boys in the house - just about to go for a walk and we'll be blackberrying on the way. We'll be making apple (tree in garden) and blackberry crumble for tea when we get back!

moanymoany · 16 August 2008 at 2:29PM

Soap - using soap for showering and bathing. One bar lasts far longer than shower and bath creams and gels.

highland_fling_2 · 16 August 2008 at 4:01PM

Knonie wrote: »

I would hope that members here have enough principles that they would ensure that their managers are aware of what they do rather than blatently taking what clearly isn't their's...

I for one know the consequences of these actions as a very dear friend of mine had the view that resources at work were for her to take and sadly ended up not only being sacked but being prosecuted for theft. She was employed by a smaller business which could not afford the loss. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!

I work in a school and nearly everyday the toilet roll in the adult (not staff) toilet goes missing, sometimes twice a day!! The air freshener also disappeared frequently so we bought a wall mounted one. The money to buy these items comes out of our school budget. I know to some people this might sound trivial but over a year it can mount up to a tidy sum.:(
We are now discussing locking the toilet and using the janitor as a key holder. This will be inconvenient for both the janitor and the parents and all because some people were dishonest. So I would ask people who take items or services without asking to remember every action causes a reaction. Such actions cannot come under the banner of 'money saving' or 'thrift'. Don't kid yourselves. It is THEFT.:mad:

Margaret54 · 16 August 2008 at 4:58PM

I totally agree with you, highland. It is theft. It is not fair for others to take things and someone has to pay for the items, at the end of the day.

Bungarm2001 · 16 August 2008 at 7:57PM

glosman555 wrote: »

Most washing machines are cold fill only, if you put a couple of pan fulls from the hot water tap into your machine it will not only reduce the wash time cycle it will save energy by not using the heating element as much.

My OH plumbed both the washing machine and dishwasher into the hot water system for the same reason. We switch to cold fill for rinsing after the initial fill up for washing. All we have to do is actually remember to do it! He hasn't worked out way to get it to switch from hot to cold automatically...yet.

Seems ridiculous to have both these appliances heating water from cold when we have a super-efficient gas boiler heating water for less. I remember not so long ago that washers certainly had hot and cold fill. When did all that change and why? Probly some daft Euro directive....

sillyvixen · 16 August 2008 at 9:39PM

having been in glos when the floods and water shortages were happening - i came across the idea of using dirty washing up water (with bits in) and veggie and rice water to water my potted veggies - i used the water that i was not sure about putting through my cistern!! i awoke one morning and on opening my curtains thought i had a maggot attack on my potted vegies:eek: ... untill i realised i had watered them with the cooled water from the colander from rice the night before!!:rotfl::rotfl:as a result i had the best veggie crop ever and no aphids from the washing deturgent .. i am not on a meter but the inforced water saving worked very much to my advantage:j:j now if it is not raining i cool washing up and cooking water for my veggies in the hope i will get more from them.