advice needed :-)

ailsajayne29

Hi Im not sure im on the right forum but here goes!

Im about to move into my own place for the first time and I would really appreciate any tips on keeping my costs down!!

As Ive always lived in shared houses Ive never really had to worry about keeping energy bills low and finding furniture and cleaning supplies and all sorts of other random things you need to think about when you have your own place! So if anyone has any hints or tips they would like to share with me Id be really happy! :-D

Thanks!!

Zazen999

Put the kettle on and spend time browsing this forum, with a cuppa in your hand. You can't do it all at once but best to read up on what you want to read up on and take it from there.

ailsajayne29

thanks! Ive just been having a bit of a look and already seen some things I would never have thought of!like white vinegar for fabric conditioner! never thought of that! and freezing veg thats about to go off! all simple obvious things that I just never think about! :-D

Penelope_Penguin

ailsajayne29 wrote: »

Im about to move into my own place for the first time and I would really appreciate any tips on keeping my costs down!!

So if anyone has any hints or tips they would like to share with me Id be really happy!

This thread on how to start out Old Style was designed just for you

Take a look at that (I'll add this thread to that one later) and then if you have more specific questions, we'll be able to help

Penny. x

blueberrypie

Energy and other utility bills: use what you need and no more. Turn your heating down a degree - if you're still comfortable, turn it down another degree. Turn stuff off when you're finished with it. It's fairly simple.

Close the curtains when it gets dark, and line them if they're not already lined - cheap fleece blankets from the likes of Ikea or Asda are very good for this purpose (and no sewing is required).

Furniture - since you're starting from scratch, this could be a big expense. Find your local freegle/freecycle email list and keep an eye on it - lots of perfectly-good second-hand furniture gets passed on through those, especially things like tables/chairs and sofas. Mention to family and friends that you're moving and need such-and-such - it's surprising how many people will say "oh we were thinking of turning the spare bedroom into a study - do you want the bed?" If you're tempted to buy something, consider whether you need it or just want it - and how you'll pay for it. Credit card? Don't. Savings? Will you still have enough saved to see you through any emergencies? If not, don't spend it.

Cleaning supplies - there is no need for lots of different products! Lots of people on this forum are fans of Stardrops, which can be diluted and used for cleaning almost any hard surface - countertops, glass, dishes... it's much cheaper to have one all-purpose product (and possibly one or two specialty cleaners) than to have a cupboard full of things that only do one thing.

Food - plan your meals. It doesn't have to be complicated - just write down a list of the things you eat and decide which seven (if you're shopping weekly) you'll have this week, then make your grocery-list. Don't be tempted by special offers - they're often not so special! But do watch for reduced items - as long as you'll either use them up before they go off or can freeze them. If you have a freezer, use it sensibly - don't fill it up with frozen chips and ice-cream ;-) If you're cooking just for yourself, don't make a tiny amount - make enough for four servings and freeze three.

That lot ought to get you started anyway - there are lots of others too, but it all starts from the basic philosophy of buying and using only what you need - you don't need to deny yourself every luxury, but luxuries feel so much better when you're not worried about paying for them when the credit-card bill arrives :-)

ailsajayne29

Thanks, have just started reading some more fo the threads, Ive already asked for lots of kitchen things for christmas, I have most bits of furniture already but have got my mam on the loook out on freecycle for freezer, wardrobe etc! and have got friends and family rooting out things they dont use and the first thing Im going to get is a slow cooker :-D I used to be really good with cooking a meal plans but the house I live in now is tiny and my housemates arent the friendliest so being able to spend time cooking is harder lol! so Im going to put that all back into action as soon as i get a freezer sorted and get moved in :-D Im also going to get my mam to help me line my curtains! its exciting trying to think of ways to save myself money :-D

flutterbyuk25

I was in a similar situation to you 3 months ago. I moved into my first place on my own in August. I spent a good few weeks reading through the OS (and other) threads for advice, as has already been mentioned, which really helped.

The complete cooking collection here has been a brilliant help. It has sections which tell you how to tell if food past it's date is still ok to eat, how to use up leftovers, has recipes, and has a guide to what can be frozen.

I find the forums in the Bargain Buys, Sassy Shopping & Fantastic Freebies bit are really useful to find out where the bargains are for food shopping. I have all major supermarkets within a 10min drive so I'll visit them all to get bargains.

I did a massive food shop the weekend I moved in to get all the storecupboard basics and now do a fortnightly shop to top up. I don't meal plan as such but I decide what to eat based on what fresh stuff I have in fridge that needs eating. I batch cook, as I find it so easy and it's great to have a homemade ready meal in freezer for when I can't be bothered to cook. I buy things when they are on offer but only if I know they will get used. Things like Aldi's fruit&veg offers are great but if I'm not going to use up 6 peppers before they go off, and have no room in freezer then they aren't a bargain!

Energy wise, get into habit of turning of everything as the socket when it's not in use. Invest in a big fleezy blanket to snuggle under on sofa, rather than put heating on. Mine was £10 from Primark, and I use it ontop of bed too if it's really cold. If you use the oven to cook something small, try to fit in something else too (part baked bread, jacket pots, cake etc) so that you are not wasting electricity by just cooking one thing in an oven. I'm on Economy7 electricity so I try to put washing machine, breadmaker etc on at night during the cheaper hours to save money.

HTH and good luck

x

ailsajayne29

how do you get on econ7 elec? Im not sure about all this stuff yet as its a rented flat im moving into! Ive already decided that as the flat was so warm when i went to look round im going to try and do without the heating where ever possible! use next doors heating lol!! plus it really isnt that cold up here in the north west at the min... very wet but not cold enough for heating!

flutterbyuk25

ailsajayne29 wrote: »

how do you get on econ7 elec? Im not sure about all this stuff yet as its a rented flat im moving into! Ive already decided that as the flat was so warm when i went to look round im going to try and do without the heating where ever possible! use next doors heating lol!! plus it really isnt that cold up here in the north west at the min... very wet but not cold enough for heating!

No idea how you get onto E7, but I think it comes as standard in some properties (like mine). I have storage heaters rather than radiators which is a standard feature of E7.

Like you I find it warm in my flat. I'm top floor so get everyones heat from the 3 flats below. I only put the heating on at beginning of Nov, and I tend to only use it on weekends as I'm out all day in the week and just use a blanket in the evenings.

x

InfamyInfamy

Take a look at https://www.moveme.com for all sorts of advice. They also used to do a free box of goodies for when you move in (see Freebies no spend forum).
:beer:

ailsajayne29

thanks, just registered on the move me site, see what i advice i can get from that!

I think the flat im moving into has got storage heaters.... I know it doesnt have central heating so im sure i saw them! to be honest most of the shared houses ive lived in and the flat i shared with a couple of friends a few years ago didnt have any kind of heating so we had to use fan heaters.... soon get used to the house not being toasty warm at all times lol! I would always rather be a bit chilly and stick on a jumper/blanket than be too hot in the house! Hate it when its too hot, makes me not sleep... Ive been sleeping with my window open recently as everyone in my shared house of 8 think ts cold! Im just glad we pay a flat fee on this place per room, and dont need to share bills, i hate to think what the elec and heating bills are!