Tips on how to become an OS Moneysaver

Rebob

whichever brand you buy try buying a level lower eg, heinz to store own or stores own to value.

Cost out each meal and make sure you do not have too many expensive ones.

bulk out curries etc so you have left overs to freeze.

FrugalJo

jcr, had me stumped for a while
We had roast chicken yesterday, son had it in his sandwiches for two days, one curry for lunch and cold chicken last night, possibility off the dog getting the last few morsels before it becomes soup (fingers crossed I get it right this time
Julieboo - can I finf the potato bread recipe ? No !
However loads of ideas here..
Cooking and Recipes
Jo

thriftlady_2

Hi Mad,
One of the things you might try doing is working out how much your job was actually costing you.

Things like; travel to and from work, clothes for work, child care costs, convenience foods, incidentals like whip rounds for colleagues, cakes when it's your b'day, buying opportunities at work like book clubs etc, expensive coffees and snacks you might buy at work, guilt presents for the kids because you've been at work late too many times etc etc. Not all of these will be relevant but do the maths and you may find it's cheaper to stay at home or at least you may not be as badly off as you think.

If you do some of these frugal things such as; cooking from scratch, packing lunches for the kids, making presents, preserving, growing your own veg, raiding the hedges for blackberries, shopping around, mending, recycling, reusing - in short being creative with your resources you may find (as I do)that you not only save money but you enjoy saving money and find it an immensly satisfying and rewarding way of life

Pink.

jcr16 wrote:

what is rubber chicken please ?

i've heard it talked about but always been to shy to ask

Hi jcr16,

Rubber chicken is usually a roast chicken that is used as a meal but then the leftovers are made to stretch for another couple of meals....I think this was the first thread on OS about rubber chicken.

Pink

Bambywamby

My tip would be to sit down with a note pad (prefably one you already have in the house rather than buying a new one) write all the different catergories where you can save money e.g Utilities, Grocery Shopping, Credit Cards, Personal Shopping, Presents, gifts, petrol, leisure time shopping etc
And then go over each category one at a time noting downs ways you can save money.

This site is been the most obvious place for insperation.

Good luck and have fun,

I love being a MSE.

Bams x.x

Madaboutmoney_3

Thanks Moggins, what is the flylady challenge, has a thread started for this yet?

I will put pen to paper thriftlady and see how much it was costing to work, I know with just childcare and diesel it was about 70% of my take home pay. So that is a big chunk so far. Thanks for the frugal suggestions, great start.

jellycat40

OMG can't do the rubber chicken thing they don't make chickens that big. 3 adults, one child, 2 dogs and 2 cats = nothing left at the end of the roast.

For those of you who have seen me post before, we have 4 adults but i have become veggie. Can't stand the thought of meat! Came on all of a sudden but have not had any for 4 weeks!

Louise

Eels100

I learned OS from my Mum without realising it - I didn't identify it as such until I found this forum. I greatly admire her, because she taught herself all this stuff out of necessity. She managed to eke out what was a meagre family income so that 3 hungry kids were brought up without wanting for anything, so well we didn't even realise we were on a shoestring.

I really got into OS when we bought our first home this spring, as necessity is a great motivator! My tips as a relatively recent board user would be:
# learn the rubber chicken tricks ASAP (I got that one from Mum!)
# scan through as many housekeeping/cleaning threads as possible because you will absorb so many little tricks which will make your life so much easier, and nicer!
# try getting into batch cooking, but use recipes you are already familiar with to start with.
# Visit Lidl - OMG, it's AMAZING!
# ask questions - everyone's always happy to throw in answers or experiences, and often I read threads where people are asking about things I have never really considered myself, which inspires you!

I echo the sentiments of thriftlady - I really enjoy making these little changes. They help me feel more in control of my life, my diet and my home. And I know when we have a family I'll be ready for the challenge!

dlb

I buy 2 chickens for a fiver, this then cooks for 4 kids and 2 adults plus cat! A roast dinner, enough chicken mayo sarnie filler for a week, chicken and veg pie, and a stir fry!!

Iv not been doing the os very long about a month and wow is it worth it!!!
Good luckxx

dlb

The bread maker is saving me a fourtune!! And the slow cooker was a gift from god!!!!