Great 'Recession Survival Tips' Hunt

july73

Just some of the things I've done personally to cut back. Might be some money saving tips that someone could use? please be gentle I am a Newbie on here:D

1. I make up my own kitchen cleaner by putting dissenfectant mixed with water, pop in a old spray bottle for wiping down surfaces. Saves me a fortune on Mr Muscle and flash etc.

2. I love febreze, but to save I put some of my fabric softener and water in a spray bottle.

3. I pre plan meals and make sure I use any left overs. My fav cheap meal is tuna just mixed with hot pasta and sweetcorn.....No baking required! The leftovers are used next day cold in lunch boxes. My kids love it. Stews etc are made and frozen.

4. I make a roast once a week using sausages instead of expensive meats when moneys tight before pay day. healthier than sausage and chips.

5. We only have now a takeaway once a month if there is funds to buy it. We chuck in some chicken nuggets cook our own chips, But still buy sweet and sour sauce and egg fried rice. A cheaper alternative to buying the whole lot and tastes almost as good.............If only I could master the art of making my own egg fried rice!!!!!!!

6. I hunt for vouchers and spend time now working out the best deals even if it only saves me a few £ ............. every penny counts.

7. Most important is we have learnt to live within our means and the aim now is to pay off those horrible debts we raked up in the past. I always think Do I need it? Or do I want it? every time I shop.

So here's to no more borrowing:D Hope some ideas are helpful to some.

Sue-UU

july73 wrote: »

1. I make up my own kitchen cleaner by putting dissenfectant mixed with water, pop in a old spray bottle for wiping down surfaces. Saves me a fortune on Mr Muscle and flash etc.

2. I love febreze, but to save I put some of my fabric softener and water in a spray bottle.

5. If only I could master the art of making my own egg fried rice!!!!!!!

7. Most important is we have learnt to live within our means and the aim now is to pay off those horrible debts we raked up in the past. I always think Do I need it? Or do I want it? every time I shop.

So here's to no more borrowing:D Hope some ideas are helpful to some.

Excellent tips july73!!! :T Welcome to MSE and getting rid of your debts. One thing's for sure though, you're not on your own with the latter!

No 1 is a great one!

No 2 is a brilliant idea! I'd never use Febreze because of the chemicals, but sometimes you need 'something' and your idea is perfect, thank you!:T

Have you tried googling for home-made egg fried rice? Might be worth a shot.

No 7 I agree with but always ask myself Do I NEED it?!!!

Well done july73.

Sue

july73

Thanks Sue for the welcome and glad there was something useful:D

Here is a few others I remembered:-

Don't waste money on TV mags, Use their website.

If you have one of those chrome bins that cost a fortune in bin liners. Get value/Smart price black bags. OK they are rubbish for what they are originally meant for. But ample and big enough for these bins. 45p for around 40 liners instead of around £3 for 25 liners.

Ink cartridges are expensive and I have an Epson which requires 6 separate cartridges. So very expensive :eek: inkshop.co.uk which I have used now for over 2 years sell all 6 compatible ones for £7.49 (All six, not each!!!!) Bargin!!! and each time I've used them P&P was free. Never had any problems with them and there is loads to choose from, all cheap. The cheapest site I've found..............Unless someone knows of cheaper, then please let us know;)

If I remember anymore tips I will pass them on:D

july73

Have you tried googling for home-made egg fried rice? Might be worth a shot.

I have just searched and found loads. Think I might try adding chicken, peas etc. So easy when you know how:o Many Thanks Sue for idea and a lot cheaper than getting a take away. Maybe good for those who worry about ingredients used etc too.

Ebenezer_Screwj

happyinflorida wrote: »

The two things that I notice people spend too much money on is mobiles/landlines/internet connections and also cars. Everyone seems to think they cannot manage without a car nowadays - if you add up the monthly cost of a car you will be shocked - the fuel, insurance, car tax & servicing/MOT/tyres/repairs - not to mention if the car's on hire purchase! It's far too much. People need to think about reducing their outgoings as much as possible.

I agree. Cars are a complete waste of money, you might just as well be going out into the street every day and dropping cash down the drains. Try doing a bit of walking and live longer to enjoy the money you are saving. As for mobile phones, they are one of the curses of the modern age and probably inducing more illnesses than anything else.

Margaret54

Hi all, I can agree with the cheaper ink, at www.ink.co.uk as we have bought from them twice and it is so much cheaper. The quality is very good, so have saved a good amount of money there. We also bought batteries from them recently and they were brands which were much dearer in the shops, so saved on them too. We are very happy with this site. We heard about it from another poster months ago, and are so glad to find it. Great tips on here by the way. We can all save something when we shop around and think before we buy. Great website this and have passed it on to friends and family who think it is brilliant as well. Thank you everyone. Thank you Martin

Davesnave

Originally Posted by happyinflorida
The two things that I notice people spend too much money on is mobiles/landlines/internet connections and also cars. Everyone seems to think they cannot manage without a car nowadays - if you add up the monthly cost of a car you will be shocked - the fuel, insurance, car tax & servicing/MOT/tyres/repairs - not to mention if the car's on hire purchase! It's far too much. People need to think about reducing their outgoings as much as possible.

It's hard to do Internet banking without a connection and even more difficult to imagine how one would find all the info on the Internet by other means without spending inordinate amounts of time/money. In fact, it's a bit rich going on an Internet forum to complain about how much it all costs! If people can't save the monthly cost of an Internet connection through using one then, yes, they should get rid of it. The rest of us are more creative.

Cars: see the MSE thread entitled 'Bangernomics.' There are certainly people who waste money on cars, but for others they're essential, not a status symbol, or a substitute for weaknesses in the salami department.

nesssie1702

Check the OS (Old Style) Moneysaving section of the Forum - lots of very useful suggestions for saving money in the home, on cooking, cleaning and general advice on a host of other topics too.

A car is pretty much an essential when you live in a rural area where the public transport service isn't that good. But there are things that can be done to cut costs.

2009 is going to be an interesting year......

adl999

MichaelAP wrote: »

Loose change is not just for spending.....
Try to put away a small amount each time you empty your pockets.

I put away all my loose change (10p's and under) and every few months tot it all up - £60 was my maximum! But only do it when you get home - no point breaking in to a 20p when you have a few pennies available!!

If you can find a bank to take your small change (not many do), then that's a better bet than the Coinstar machines in supermarkets which take around 7% of the total.

shell1000

I clearly don't have all the answers but here's a few i can think of that help me:

1. online banking, so i always know where im upto
2. savings accounts linked to my current account - for years I have paid 50 a month into two different accounts, one for yearly bills and one for holidays so i have a back up to juggle money around and don't miss out on holidays or festivals.
3. I save 30 a month in a seperate account for christmas
4. set bills up as monthly direct debits, you often get discounts from energy suppliers for this
5. Buy the most economical white goods. ie a star rated appliances
6. low energy lightbulbs and switch lights off when you're not in the room!
7.switch things off at the mains.. no standby
8. A slow cooker is heaven sent
9. plan your shopping/journeys a bit more
10. stay in more, have friends round
11. drive on a night out, your friends may give you petrol money that pays for your night out
12. rent your spare room out.. you will need to pay more council tax, clear it with the mortgage company and house insurance people but it is possible.. im gaining 400 a month and the girl is no trouble at all
13. keep a spreadsheet of all your finances so you can keep upto date with what you owe each month
14. buy christmas cards/wrapping paper etc in the sales for next year
15. use the freezer more
16. brita water filter is amazing