Changes you've made in 2009?

dandy-candy

Since the year began I have started making a few changes to help me save money this year.
I have always cooked meals from scratch and made biscuits/cakes, but now that money is getting tighter I am trying out new recipes with cheaper cuts of meat and visiting a wholesaler to get my baking ingredients in bulk - it's a big saving!
I also have decided to try growing tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers at home this year because the shop prices are crazy and the veg is pretty tasteless from supermarkets anyway.
My bills were a real shock this quarter so I am being much stricter about turning off plugs and light switches!
Are any of you doing things differently since the recession kicked in?

laineyc_2

I have increased my hours at work, so I am working 3 days a week. Therefore, I am using all the tips here to get myself organised. I am shopping locally for fruit and veg. I am baking a lot more. I have cut down on waste and I am making my own stock. We are financially OK but I want to make sure we save more money so this board has been invaluable for me.

mudgekin

I'm making sure that I cook more meals from scratch and also meal planning more. I find that this is saving me huge amounts as I now only buy what's on my shopping list instead of impulse shopping.

I would love to try one of those portable greenhouse things for things like tomatoes and small things as I don't have a garden.

newlywed

I have changed my supermarket for my main shop (used to be mainly Tesco but swapped to Sainsbugs as OH prefers more of their value range stuff). Will still be popping to Aldi/Lidl from time to time.

I have also reduced my shopping to once or twice a week instead of 4 times a week :rolleyes: from trying to go to all the different shops for all the bits we prefer. OH will have to learn to live without for about a week if he doesn't tell me what he needs

Have also done a recipe book swap with mum (borrowing even easier than the library ) to get new ideas for the slow cooker etc. Been feeling very uninspired recently about our meal plans. Planning on using the slow cooker a bit more too.

And I'm trying to always keep a few portions of HM soup in the freezer as I have them for lunch at work - stops me buying sarnies

Olliebeak

Looking forward to growing my own salad stuff again this year - really enjoyed the sense of achievement last year with my first attempts. Also learned not to sow too many seeds all at the same time :rolleyes: - succession is the key to success lol!

Will also do herbs again - this time on the window sill to keep them handier to use.

anniemf2508

Have started meal planning and writing a shopping list, so now i only need to shop once a week rather than popping to the shops every other day.
I've started making cakes/biscuits/scones which is saving money on packed lunches/snacks.

staceydaisy

ive started meal planning
taking a list to the supermarket
making home made gravy with juices from chicken
cooking more fresh meals not freezer junk
attempting at least 1 nsd a week
buying more value stuff

salster

I've started to never take more than £1 to work unless I have to buy something specific or go to the bank for a specified reason. In my work purse there is only a £1 and my driving licence - This is working really well up to now and I'm very impressed with myself.

I've also started only buying what's on my shopping list and again not taking my bank/credit cards with me - Again, this is working really well.

Starting to use some of the stuff that is cryogenically frozen in order that I can have a good and defrost and restock in a month or so.

Asking myself - Do I want it or do I need it?

I have a good feeling about this year up to now.

luxor4t

- Better meal planning
- Growing my hair rather than 3-monthly trims (I always cut the front myself)
- Far stricter with electricity/gas
- I'm determined to spend less on clothes
- Container garden planned for the spring

FairyElephant_2

Made a vow to never buy bread again (unless on holiday) after my lovely DH gave in and bought me a BM for Xmas! Succeeded so far!

Gone back to meal-planning and listing the contents of my cupboards/fridge/freezer to help with this.

Signed back up to do the Grocery Challenge today...I know it makes sense!

staceydaisy

this is a really good thread to help people see where other ppl have changed