Money making & saving musts!

bud-miser

Yep - Wyndham had the best idea with his cumulative principle. Housebrick in your toilet cistern (assuming you're metered). One walk per week instead of drive. One tasty salad more per week versus burning hob gas. Etc etc. Hundreds of things you can do - you'll be amazed if you just sit down with a pencil and paper and do some creative thinking

Oh yes, and Lidl instead of Tesco... after all, as Mr Tesco himself keeps telling us, every Lidl helps...

margarete_2

A little one: if you use a sponge or similar to apply your showergel you need to use very little actual showergel so it lasts ages. - And it's better for your skin to use less too...(o:

bud-miser

A couple more 'cumulatives':

ALWAYS switch off gadgets completely - no 'stand-by' lights (good for the environment, too) - saves a trivial amount, even after decades.

Get her indoors to cut your hair! - saves a fortune, even after a year!

angelatgraceland

I always do money transfers the night before(if within the same organisiation). I always double-check the penalties of withrawing at short notice if I need to. I keep an emergency account with about £1000 pound in so that I can topup my current account in emergencies or to make a payment for anything in a hurry. The largest my "penalty" on this amount would be, is about £10. If I know I have to make a few withrawals in the next 3 months, for instance, its cheaper to make just one withdrawal on some accounts(those where you lose the months interest if you withdraw). Make sure you read all rules with regards to withdrawals before setting up accounts, as otherwise, those lovely interest rates fall dramatically if you make unplanned withrawals.

tawnyowls

margarete wrote:

A little one: if you use a sponge or similar to apply your showergel you need to use very little actual showergel so it lasts ages. - And it's better for your skin to use less too...(o:

Even better if you use those washing scrunchy net things (Poundland do a very good set: 1 scrunchie, 1 scrunchie on a long handle, and 1 long plaited back one) - not only do they make the shower gel foam up brilliantly, but because they dry out completely (whereas sponges/flannels often stay wet), they're practically bacteria-free 'cos the bugs can't survive on them.

ukbeccie

Dear GotAnySpareChange, good question. Well done in asking it. The answer depends on whether or not you are debt free. Looking back I cannot believe the ways I 'wasted' money - out of ignorance (debt free April 2006).
Check your spending so that you know where your money goes. Most ppl don't!
If you carry a balance on your credit cards - check the interest rates. Call the company and see if they will lower your rates. Otherwise do the 0% thing that Martin advocates on this site.
Find the best utility and telephone deals - depending on your usage. There are several sites that will help you do this.
Most importantly, make a plan and stick to it (review every 6 months). Hope this helps.

margarete_2

tawnyowls wrote:

Even better if you use those washing scrunchy net things (Poundland do a very good set: 1 scrunchie, 1 scrunchie on a long handle, and 1 long plaited back one) - not only do they make the shower gel foam up brilliantly, but because they dry out completely (whereas sponges/flannels often stay wet), they're practically bacteria-free 'cos the bugs can't survive on them.

I think you are right, tawnyowls.