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

karendb

Chawkee wrote: »

We carry tea and coffee etc in the car and then take a flask of hot water rather than tea or coffee with us wherever we go. If we don't use it we take it home for the next cuppa at home.

Good idea! On similar lines, I recently treated myself to a travel kettle. When we do our ferry/drive holidays in France etc. we often stay overnight in a budget motel & I can now make myself some tea, coffee etc. rather than buy it from the machine.

I've just thought of another one as well! We buy croissants & orange juice, jam & butter from the local hypermarche for our breakfast. We keep these in the cool box which we always take on holiday with us. Ah, the wonders of saving money! Great fun, isn't it?

karendb

jb5 wrote: »

Junk mail envelopes are also useful for lists etc.

Also if you slice open the sides of the envelope, as well as the top, it is possible to write/draw on the inside surface as well.

Yes! Forgot about that one

Lantana

A few years back I spotted 2 generous sized, rather sumptuous looking rolls of wallpaper being sold for a pittance in a bin end outside a diy shop . I bought them both and have had years of wrapping paper out of them!
No one ever seems to remember what paper I have used before (or if they do they have been too polite to mention!) so I have carried on using it for 5 years or so now. Bargain!

I also save Christmas paper, ribbon and bows from gifts I have been given -and reuse.

In the January sales I grab the odd roll of reduced Xmas paper if I am runnning low. I also buy Christmas cards and any on sale decorations at this time. Then I pack them all away in a large 'Xmas box' and pull it all out in early December ready for the Xmas onslaught. Why pay full price for Xmas stuff when its all half price or less in January?

If you are a competition enterer - or just want the odd card to put with a gift or to send as a postcard - make sure you always grab a handful of those free ones you see in racks in restaurants,pubs or wine bars ! Some are really great to send and are blank ( ie don't have advertorial) on the back.

Ebay - if a new book comes out in paperback that I fancy reading - I let everyone else rush to the shops to buy it - many ebayers read them and put them straight on ebay afterwards at a fraction of the price. (same applies to DVDs and CDs ...) Yes I know the library is cheaper - but you can always resell the book or DVD/CD afterwards too!

Just afew of my cost cutting 'habits!'

perine

When you think a plastic container is empty, always cut it open. Do this to sun cream, hand cream, in fact any sort of cream, paste or gel, you will be amazed how much is left inside. If you cut across, half way down the tube etc, you can then slot one cut part into the other after you have taken what you need, this keeps the contents ok until next time. You can continue to use until every last drop has gone. If the container is glass, stand it on its head for a while to access the last of the product. I am sure manufacturers rely on us throwing their packaging away with loads left in, to boost their profits.:D

Perine

karendb

Lantana wrote: »

A few years back I spotted 2 generous sized, rather sumptuous looking rolls of wallpaper being sold for a pittance in a bin end outside a diy shop . I bought them both and have had years of wrapping paper out of them!
No one ever seems to remember what paper I have used before (or if they do they have been too polite to mention!) so I have carried on using it for 5 years or so now. Bargain!

I also save Christmas paper, ribbon and bows from gifts I have been given -and reuse.

In the January sales I grab the odd roll of reduced Xmas paper if I am runnning low. I also buy Christmas cards and any on sale decorations at this time. Then I pack them all away in a large 'Xmas box' and pull it all out in early December ready for the Xmas onslaught. Why pay full price for Xmas stuff when its all half price or less in January?

If you are a competition enterer - or just want the odd card to put with a gift or to send as a postcard - make sure you always grab a handful of those free ones you see in racks in restaurants,pubs or wine bars ! Some are really great to send and are blank ( ie don't have advertorial) on the back.

Ebay - if a new book comes out in paperback that I fancy reading - I let everyone else rush to the shops to buy it - many ebayers read them and put them straight on ebay afterwards at a fraction of the price. (same applies to DVDs and CDs ...) Yes I know the library is cheaper - but you can always resell the book or DVD/CD afterwards too!

Just afew of my cost cutting 'habits!'

I love the wallpaper idea! I do all the rest and even my mum now saves me her Christmas present wrapping paper. My kids always open their Xmas & BD presents very tentatively, knowing I'm hovering over them waiting to fold up the wrapping paper to reuse another time

karendb

I've got to get off this thread & get a life - it's too addictive!

coinchaser

Here's a few tips, this is a great thread!

Don't have a printer - especially if you have keyboard happy kids!
Instead email anything you need printing to work and do it there. Also use the work's photocopier...

Make your kids swap/trade in their console games if they want a new one. (If they can't borrow it from a friend)

Only ever have £10 in your purse (for emergencies) unless you have something you specifically want - that way it doesn't get frittered away.

Teach your kids to cook basic dishes from scratch so that way they will learn to appreciate home cooking and won't be nagging for fast food or take aways.

sixtyplus

We are currently experimenting by leaving gas boiler for hot water switched off and heating water through an immersion heater. The switch is in our kitchen so whenever I turn the immersion on I also put on a timer. Half an hour early evening is sufficient for 2 showers, with residual hot water for Sir to have a wash and shave next morning.

At Martin's insistence I have also swapped energy supplier to a capped rate through moneysupermarket. It is capped until end August 2009. After £30 cashback from moneysupermarket it will cost us £37.00 more approx, but the aforementioned experiment may also have a reducing effect on the bills. We shall see.

sixtyplus

When cooking vegetables or making soups/stews on a hob, use boiling water from the kettle, as it boils a lot quicker from cold than either gas or electric hobs, thereby saving energy.

Enilu

MadMac wrote: »

Also, I use all spare fabric - old bedding, end-of-life towels and turn it in to shopping bags, pet beds, whatever I can come up with at the time!

You may find this website useful/interesting....


http://www.morsbags.com/


I didn't realise how many money saving tips I already use! Some of these are GREAT!!!!!

Have fun, everyone, saving money!