Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

Montmorencymon

Don't throw away meat bones until you have boiled them up to make stock, and/or soups, or stews from.

I say "boiled", but just bring to the boil and simmer.


Some people use slow cookers for this I believe. Personally I just used a covered pan, and don't usually simmer for more than 2-3 hours. Some schools of thought say the longer the better; others don't agree. I don't want to go into the pros and cons here; do your own research ont'interweb ... also into different methods, ways of using the stock/broth, etc.


Bones with gelatine in are best, but you will get some goodness (e.g. minerals) from any bone. Whole oxtails are great if you can get them. Ask your butcher to chop them up for you.


If you are lucky enough to have a friendly local butcher, then he might let you have bones cheap, or even free, and might be able to give advice about which are best.

angelaloveschocolate

A bit stingy.. but needs must!

A bought a small bottle of [EMAIL="F@nta"]F@nta[/EMAIL] a few weeks ago. I kept the bottle and have refilled it on 4 occasions with dilute orange. I have taken it for packed lunches and even to the cinema. So far I calculate I've saved around £4 but theres still a lot of use in it yet

I gonna keep on saving......

wik

Hi...
I am really lucky that my hot water tank is in a very big cupboard, my dad put up a hanging rail, We also have one of those tall hangers (that holds dresses) is like an x shape, and I have an old fashioned clothes horse, washing drys over night when the heating is on, so we dont have to use the dryer

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

babyshoes

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.

Aril

My latest little wheeze is to lower my ironing temp by just a notch in a bid to hopefully use less electricity.

Arilx

sparrer

When I made tea I pour a mug of water in the kettle, bring to the boil and switch off. The kettle goes on boiling for about 10 seconds so I wait til it's almost stopped then pour the water into the cup. It might only save me one or two cups worth of electricity a year but it's the little things that count

Quasar

babyshoes wrote: »

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.

To use a recipe book without it getting in the way, hang it open held in a trousers hanger - you know, those hangers with two clips. Works a treat and as the clips hold it safely open, you don't have to touch it until you no longer need it.

FrugalAnn

Hi,
Here are some of my penny saving ideas.
1,I do an online shop every 3 weeks on the cheapest delivery day spending £60 a time(pre MSE it was £60 a week).I tried 4 weeks but found I kept running out of things and 2 weeks I had stuff left over so decided to stretch it out to 3.By shopping 3 weeks instead of fortnightly I save £540 a year.I allow a small amount a week for yellow stickered bread(half in freezer)milk(watered down)stickered veg,meat etc.
2,Pre MSE I used to order photo birthday cards online for my close family.Now I buy a cheap pack of card blanks and print photos out.Cut out bits from old cards etc.Cost of card from M**np*g about £3.50,cost of homemade 15p.
Also I have a big roll of wall lining paper,when I need to wrap a present I cut a piece off and get the grandchildren to paint or crayon on it.
3,I've used up my stock of packets and jars sauce mixes,gravy powder,tinned soup and so on.Now my cupboard has 15p stock cubes,cornflour,gravy browning,herbs etc.Stuff I used to chuck in my trolley without thought I've realised I can make for a few pence.
4,When I'm making sandwiches I only ever butter one
piece of bread.
5,I buy odd balls of wool from charity shops to make toys for the grandkids.I've made sonic the hedgehog,angry birds,shaun the sheep doesn't have to be boring.I wash old pillows and use the inners for stuffing.
6,I make polish from olive oil and lemon juice,spray cleaners from white vinegar,zoflora,lemon juice and washin up liquid.
White vinegar for cleaning windows,rinse aid for dishwasher,instead of fab con and a good glug down the sinks and in the toilet.
7,I have a big tub under the sink containing sp washing powder and soda crystals.I put a small scoop in either the washing machine or dishwasher.Washing machine either gets put on a cold wash or a rinse and spin depending on how dirty the clothes are.Dishwasher gets put on a quick wash every other day and I wash up once a day.
8,I buy all my clothes second hand and try to get household things second hand or free if possible.When I think of the money I've wasted over the years buying new stuff on a whim and giving the old things away,I could cry and I couldn't understand how we were always overdrawn and never had a hope of saving.
9,Make do and mend is my new motto,socks are being darned,clothes are being repaired not binned.
10,Lastly I now shop from home if I want or need something I'll scour the house 1st to see if theirs something I can use instead.

Luisa1981

I have an electric shower.

Sooo...the heating and hot water are now OFF unless I want a bath (once a week ish) and I have a handy little 4 minute egg timer thing for the shower. I power hot water for a maximum of 10 minutes a day, and that's only if I'm washing my hair.

You CAN wash in 4 minutes people! Just don't shilly!

And I have blankets in my lounge. No need for heating.

x

Uniscots97

if money is tight then a cotton flannel dipped in hot water and wrung out will take off make-up/mascara and deep cleanse your face.

bands cut from an old pair of tights make great ponytail or hair bands.

if your other half does a dirty or grimy job (mechanic/steel etc) get them to soak their hands in hot water with a tsp of bicarbonate of soda for 2 mins, it'll lift all the grease from under their nails and hands.