Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

CraftyLittleLisa

Another money saving tip I remembered at the weekend. I was cooking potatoes and veg for dinner on Sunday so I got the hob steamer and saucepan out. I boiled the potatoes in the pan and put the broccoli and carrots in the steamer and placed on the top of it.  You use less energy and water this way than using two different saucepans on two different rings.

PipneyJane

CraftyLittleLisa said:

Another money saving tip I remembered at the weekend. I was cooking potatoes and veg for dinner on Sunday so I got the hob steamer and saucepan out. I boiled the potatoes in the pan and put the broccoli and carrots in the steamer and placed on the top of it.  You use less energy and water this way than using two different saucepans on two different rings.

Always worth remembering.  Thanks Lisa.  Ditto cooking a cake or pudding in the oven, while you’re cooking a roast dinner.  It’s on, so you might as well utilise the spare capacity and save money in the process.

I can’t remember if I’ve shared my next tip before.  I decant my shampoo, hair conditioner (always watered down a bit), body lotion, facial cleanser and body wash into recycled, pump-action soap dispensers.  (Mine were all Value handwash.). Even without watering down, it’s amazing how much longer things last because you’re getting a consistent dose.  For example, facial cleanser used to last 3 months; now it lasts 6.

(I use 1 pump for facial cleanser and body wash, 2 for body lotion, 3 for shampoo and 6 for hair conditioner for my long hair.)

- Pip

ToastLady

Thanks for the tips Lisa and Jane. I keep forgetting that I have an electric steamer, I must start using it again as the veg is always so tasty, and I think it's cheaper to run than the hob. 
I put shower gel into pump dispenser, but hadn't thought of shampoo and conditioner. Will be doing that from now on.
I used to have a pump dispenser which made handwash foamy, it was really good, but it broke with overuse, and not been able to replace it. Must try to remember to have a look when back in UK later this year.

Eenymeeny

I use a pump dispenser for washing up liquid and find that it lasts for ages. It's surprising how much less you use when you put it on to a dishwashing sponge rather than just squirting from the bottle into the water

PipneyJane

Eenymeeny said:

I use a pump dispenser for washing up liquid and find that it lasts for ages. It's surprising how much less you use when you put it on to a dishwashing sponge rather than just squirting from the bottle into the water

I do that too, although I water mine 50:50 with vinegar - world's hardest water here - and put 3 squirts into the sink before running the hot tap. 

I get my washing up liquid from a large Chinese superstore.  £2.65 for 4.5 litres and it lasts over 2 years.  Ditto the vinegar.

- Pip

Elisheba

babyshoes said:

wik wrote: »

Also when buying clothes , when they say do you want the hangers I always say yes! especially the clippy trouser hangers. They are great for not only trousers but also smaller things like flannels, pair of socks - one pair on each clip
wik x

And for hanging recipes / recipe books in the kitchen! Keeps them off the counter where they get in the way and get stuff spilled on them.

I'm aware this was from 7 years ago!  I'm just working my way through the thread though, and  with the new system is easy to quote and comment on things.  I am trying to imagine how I could hang recipe books from trouser hangers in my kitchen...  Where would you hang the hangers : ? 

nanto3girls

I thought you could hang them from cupboard knobs/handles.
Unless you have cupboards without handles.

horsechestnut

Eenymeeny said:

I use a pump dispenser for washing up liquid and find that it lasts for ages. It's surprising how much less you use when you put it on to a dishwashing sponge rather than just squirting from the bottle into the water

I have done this for over 30 years; from when Boots used to sell big containers of Washing-up liquid.  You can get 1 litre pump dispensers from hairdressing supply shops for about £4 or £5 ( or if you go to the hairdressers they might give you an old branded one; if you don't mind people thinking that you wash your dishes in shampoo!  I did this for 20 years (that is how long the container lasted) until I finally treated myself to the new one without the branding. 
I used Body shop pump dispensers for my shampoo and hand wash until they stopped working ; again after 25 years. I bought the VERY expensive washing up liquid (it is usually £3 but got it on sale for £2 at Tesco) Sorry I can't remember the make. That is expensive for washing up liquid but very cheap for a tough pump dispenser on it's own and very good value when you take the washing up liquid into account. The plastic label comes off very easily and you are left with a plain dispenser, so people don't think that you are washing your hair in washing up liquid!
Again it is amazing how much longer the shampoo lasts and of course as it is in a dispenser it doesn't spill if you knock it over in the shower.

tboo

PipneyJane said:

Eenymeeny said:

I use a pump dispenser for washing up liquid and find that it lasts for ages. It's surprising how much less you use when you put it on to a dishwashing sponge rather than just squirting from the bottle into the water

I do that too, although I water mine 50:50 with vinegar - world's hardest water here - and put 3 squirts into the sink before running the hot tap. 
- Pip

+ 1 for using a pump for decanting washing up liquid into, it's so much easier and you definitely use so much less

Unfortunately if hubby gets his hands on a new bottle before it's decanted he is rather heavy handed with them so I try to decant asap

I also decant my shampoos and conditioners into pump bottles, this saves the old paws that are arthritic and are unable to lift,squeeze and pour at the same time

I will try the 50:50 vinegar tip for the washing up pump

Siebrie

I made a list

- I finish the toothpaste my dds don't like. I bought children's toothpaste, but it has a rather weird taste. I brush my teeth with this every morning, and use the expensive one I like in the evening.

- I do similar with soap or shower gel I don't like: I use it on my feet or legs.

- early in this thread, someone mentioned using a washing machine glass door as a salad dish. My Aunt uses it for flower arranging. She makes the arrangement, gives it as a gift, and asks for the bowl back.

- I don't use sandwich bags, foil, or wax paper for my daily lunch. I use a sturdy plastic lunch box, which was a gift (free with buying 3 tubs of butter, if I remember correctly. My sister bought the butter and gave me the box). DDs also use sturdy plastic lunch boxes, which were birthday gifts. They are both in primary school, and we are currently heavily using the princess themed boxes, so that they get worn out before the neutral ones.

- DD2 (8) helps me pick up abandoned supermarket receipts, so I can collect the loyalty points off them. It's 'cute' when she 'helps clean up the environment'.

- there has been a time when I made my own envelopes from large business envelopes. These often have very nice prints on the inside, so I would carefully open up the envelope, put the cardboard envelope template I made earlier on the piece of paper, draw around it, cut it out, and glue it together print-side-out. Very nice for giving/sending homemade cards (and/or cash).