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

Margaret54

Thanks highland fling, for that xx

josie

highland_fling wrote: »

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:

some suppliers provide those large toilet rolls on one gigantic roll, where it's behind a metal casing and can be locked. I guess people could pull a load out to use, but maybe more unlikely than nicking a whole roll?

mandyclaire

Thanks for so many useful tips! I had never thought of topping up my mobile at Boots instead of Tesco, or of making the most of the Boots triple points days. :T

Sharp_Eyes wrote: »

I live in a flat where all of the bills are included in my rent so that's a massive money saver for me right there. It even includes wireless internet access! :j

Most of my money saving comes from the shops. I tend to:

1. Check 2 sites before I go shopping - http://www.madaboutbargains.co.uk/offers/Off_Your_Trolley.htm and http://supermarketspecialoffers.com/DiscountOffers.aspx
2. Stock up on BOGOF offers of the things I use most and that have a longish shelf life i.e. various brands of cereal, loo roll, tinned stuff etc.
3. Look for the 'reduced price' sticker on fruit and veg and salads. Because they don't tend to last that long, if you time it just right and you see the guys walking around with the pricing gun there are massive savings to be had.
4. Plan my meals around my BOGOF and reduced price items.
5. I use a PAYG phone because I rarely make calls. I mostly use it as a point of contact. I only top up on Boots triple point weekends :money:
6. I've recently found that some special offers in supermarkets can also be found at the same price at Boots. If so, I buy at Boots first - 4 points per pound, then Sainsbury's - 2 points per pound, then Tesco - 1 point per pound rewards. Not close enough to an Asda or a Lidl to get there regularly enough but Lidl and Morrisons is always good for great fruit and veg as well. You get heaps more than the standard supermarket fare too!
7. Saving old batteries for clocks is an old one of mine. I now use rechargeables because it ends up being cheaper in the long run and better for the environment.
8. As well as using carrier bags for trash. I use a bag for life as well...carrier bags only when new bin bags are needed.
9. Unplugging electrical items after use is a good one because of the 'phantom' electricity it draws but might be a bit time consuming considering the fact that we have an enormous number of them now that we take for granted!
10. Finally, I buy my first bottle of water. Thereafter I boil tap water in the kettle and once it has cooled, refill the original bottle time and time again. Clean, fresh water without the cost of bottled!

There are probably more but I do take such stuff for granted now that I'll have to think a bit harder.

tealady

Hi all. If you have a problem with your drains or with pests (I'm talking things like rats, mice and 'roaches here) then ring your local Council 1st as they may provide services for free or cheaply.

Joannag_2

Our local Chinese serves take aways in the plastic microwaveable containers. A big take away on special occasions say 3 or 4 times a year provides containers for.....
*my seeds in the greenhouse
*Half a tin of something to keep in fridge - saving on cling film
*sandwiches for packed lunches (as above)
*stacking boxes for DD's beads/trinkets
*baby mushed up food in freezer - write contents on with marker pen

Also j cloths from pound shops for floor spills etc can work out cheaper than floor wipes etc even if you throw them away after one use (though obviously throwing into washing machine preferred option. Oh and cut them in half too for general use)

Corks are good for drainage in bottom of flower pots

oh and slightly off topic a free game I have invented for my children this hols if you have a digital camera and some pegs. Clip 6 pegs around the garden on branches, garden toys etc and take a close up photo of them. Give camera to child who locates peg through looking on camera, collects them all. Delete and start again..hours of fun...except when roles are reversed and I can't find the bloomin' things!!!

Jo

Camie

Tesco points are worth 4p for every pound if a 'Deal' is something you really want! We cross the Irish Sea frequently and have done so with a car twice this year at NO cost, thanks to Tesco points. I already have the eqivalent of £360 for the next crossing too! That's because I use my Tesco credit card (paid off in full each month of course) for everything possible, so doubling my points on my Tesco spending, and collecting points for petrol and other purchases.

--Tony--

kid_free_mum wrote: »

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.

I will pass on your tea with 4 day old milk yuk.......

aloiseb

gillette147 wrote: »

Thanks,
But I want to use an old sock or drill holes into a pingpong ball or summat really OS. I'm not paying $5.
LOL

As I once read in Viz Top Tips:

Why pay for expensive tea bags? Simply take an old After Eight wrapper and perforate it 2000 times with a pin. Put in some tea, seal the top with sellotape and voila! A free tea bag!

(Sorry, not really in the spirit ...)

aloiseb

My own money saving favourites:

I've got a small 1/3 or 1/2 pint flask which I fill with coffee and put in my handbag whenever we go out. It's especially good in the car, where it fits in the door pocket and, as it's small enough to hand-hold, can be drunk gradually as I drive. Only time this misfired was when my Mum filled the flask and used boiled milk....Argggggh! thanks Mum for the scalded lap.

I also cut off the tops from broken stockings or popsocks, into octopus-like rings; they make excellent elastic bands for holding paperwork such as old letters together (they don't perish and ruin the archives like elastic bands will, either)
Or for holding bigger things (like overfilled storage boxes!) together, I tie a single stocking into a loop to make a giant elastic band.

WEEGIE

points values Tesco 1 point per pound
Boots 4 point per pound
Sainsburys 2 points per pound unless you are in Scotland only
1 point per pound up to a £50 spend. :mad: :mad: :eek: