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

A_fiend_for_life

Starting University? Buy all your kitchen stuff at a local charity shop it'll save a small fortune.

Also advertise on notice boards for all the books that are 'Wanted' you'll pick them up at less than half the price. Check the charity shops too.

A_fiend_for_life

I just thought I never did this in my university days but advertise for just about anything.

Even if your not at university there's nothing to stop you posting at the end of term as there is a lot of stuff thrown away.

When I was at university it was common to see TV's, furniture and kitchen stuff thrown away.

Maybe universities should have open jumble / charity sales at the end of term.

madam_mim

I call myself a 'frugue' because I have to be frugal and my top tips are> When cooking pasta I boil it for about a minute then put pan lid on and turn off the heat for about 5 mins and test. If not quite ready, bring back to the boil and repeat for a shorter time. I always turn off the electric kettle the second it starts to boil because it takes quite a time to turn off automatically. As you have to always have a minimum quantity of water in the kettle I often have some hot water left, so I put it in a vacuum flask. When cleaning silver, use 1 tsp. salt + 1 tsp. washing soda and about 1 pint hot water in a bowl lined with aluminium foil. When disolved, add silver......it takes only seconds to clean.

madam_mim

just remembered this one. I make things for a charity and have asked in furnishing fabric shops for their out of date samples swatches which I use to make patchwork cushion covers.

tireeandcoll

Just water it down a bit. Once you've created a bit of space in the bottle, add water to top it up. I find it works just as well for most products.

tireeandcoll

keep in a bag in the freezer and when you roast a chicken, use them [with garlic cloves and herbs] to stuff the cavity

Borneogirl

sillyvixen wrote: »

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.

I agree with this tip! I'm on a water meter and they've just put up my monthly payments from £20 to £46 - ridiculous as I live alone and work during the day, and take showers. Anyway, my mum told me about using dirty washing up water on my pot plants and that the detergent actually deters (no pun intended) the bugs. Good tip!

A_fiend_for_life

howardtog wrote: »

In winter after boiling vegetables drain and keep the hot drained water in the pan with the lid on. Stays hot for a long time and means your central heating will be used slightly less.It feels good not to pour the expensive heat down the drain.
When walking in the country keep your eyes peeled for useful things.Perhaps a log or mushrooms.Spotted a self seeded gooseberry bush deep in a wood a couple of years back and have collected the gooseberries ever since.

If your not making stock drink the pea water :eek: - it's full of folic acid and vitamin C as they dissolve in water very easily. Adding a bit of black pepper is also good for stimulating adipose tissue so you burn off a bit more fat.

Added: PS I am not suggesting anything

LucyTheDwarf

Dudess wrote: »

If you're shopping in La Senza or Lush in the first place, how can you be fussed about saving money in the first place! Gah - Primark and Savers is how you save your cash, and your clothes smell nice once they've been washed!

When Primark sell DD/E cups in small band sizes I'll happily shop there! They only seem to cater for 36Bs! Besides, La Senza and Debenhams do fantastic underwear sales, if you're willing to spend a few hours rummaging. Bought 3 underwear sets in LS for £18 a few weeks back, saving over £50.

jessegee

Free Fruit! Its blackberry season, dont pay £1.99 for a punnet, they are everywhere, free for the picking!

jessegee