Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

Siebrie

Now that we have no access to normal shops, yet the school expects dds to print their weekly tasks, we have run out of white A4 paper. DDs have been instructed to not fold any paper that was printed single sided, and are now going through their crafts drawers looking for more white sheets with a blank backside.

PipneyJane

Siebrie said:

Now that we have no access to normal shops, yet the school expects dds to print their weekly tasks, we have run out of white A4 paper. DDs have been instructed to not fold any paper that was printed single sided, and are now going through their crafts drawers looking for more white sheets with a blank backside.

That must be really annoying @Siebrie, having to print out everything!

- Pip

Siebrie

It's lists of things they have to do for the week. For dd2 it's just 3 pages, but right now, I have to stop work, reopen outlook, find the email, open the attachment, find the right date, and tell dd what to do next. It's easier to print the pages. For dd1 we try to print anyway, as she has more, and is learning to plan her own work, before going to secondary school this summer.
The teachers offer to print and bring to pupils' houses, but then the papers would have to be quarantined for 3 days, so that won't work for us.

Archergirl

I put a big black bag in my wheelie bin but I no longer buy bin liners for the kitchen bin, I put a plastic bag (from inside cereal box or something I would normaly just throw away) and just tip bin into wheelie bin and rinse it out.....Just like mum used to do before there was such a thing as bin liners....

QueenJess

Use loose dishwasher powder instead of the tablets.  It costs much less and then you can put in much less each time too.  Apparently per a guy who fixes dishwashers, it is better for them anyway and there is no need to use the tablets if you already use rinse aid and salt.

Archergirl

QueenJess said:

Use loose dishwasher powder instead of the tablets.  It costs much less and then you can put in much less each time too.  Apparently per a guy who fixes dishwashers, it is better for them anyway and there is no need to use the tablets if you already use rinse aid and salt.

Not moneysaving for me, I would have to buy a dishwasher.......

caroc

I just discovered the string on a sack of potatoes is 12 feet long,free, clean and made of cotton. 
The paper from the bag can be used for composting, wrapping peelings or soaking up unwanted fat
Update: There is string at the bottom of the sack as well and the plastic handle makes a handy bobbin to wrap it round. I have just used some to hold up my raspberry canes

RobM99

For cold drinks - half fill a plastic bottle with whatever drink (juice for example) and freeze it.   Top it up with cool juice before you go out - bingo! Cold drink all day - and it stops you drinking it all in the first 5 minutes!

SeaVixen

carolinerunner said:

And if you live with anyone who insists on squeezy bottles eg honey instead of jars, a 900ml jar of honey is under £3 and fills up 3 bottles of honey which cost about £2 each. I use a funnel to minimise the mess. I know, they could use the jar but can you imagine the mess when they add honey to a smoothie?!

Has anyone ever tried this with condiments? Thinking about mayo specifically.
Trying to cut down on plastic as well as cost. We use mayo to go on top of salads etc so being able to drizzle it from a squeezy bottle works better than a dollop from a jar. 

missychrissy

I use the charity bags that get put through the door as bin liners. It’s better for the charities if you take your stuff to the charity shops anyway as they only get a small percentage of what the goods make in those bags.
I bought my hamster (my grandchildren’s) a jar of dried fruit treats from Amazon that cost £4.49 for 200g. I now make up my own more nutritious treats with banana chips, sultanas and almonds that I buy in 1kg bags. Much cheaper and my grandchildren like them too.  I have just decanted them into some pretty containers that came with fruit in from Aldi’s.
I have 9 grandchildren so presents can get expensive. I give them all £50 for birthday and Christmas and a small gift. My 5 granddaughters like a pretty dress so I have just ordered them from the Cath Kidston sale and some pyjamas etc for the boys. They will keep nicely til birthdays and Christmas. I also have a few gifts from the John Lewis sale earlier this year.
I have a roll of lining paper I bought earlier this year. I use it for wrapping gifts and decorate it myself with for example ribbon and buttons. I buy assorted bags of buttons and save any bows, decorations etc. from things like Christmas crackers. I have a cash and carry card from Country Baskets so I can buy ribbons, tissue paper etc at very reasonable prices.