Great 'Embarrassing MoneySaving tips' Hunt

smithyjules

lanavdt wrote: »

I work in a nursery and have been known to go into travel agents and ask for brochures for the role play area, we also reuse toy and craft catalogs we receive in the paper drawers for the children to cut up/ to be inspired by.

I used to go a few steps further than this...I've asked a train stations for blank/used tickets and timetables, opticians have given us bags full of used kids/adult display frames, even had those big carpet squares from a carpet shop for mats for the children to sit and read books on.

NualaBuala

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

I sold some books & stuff on Amazon & Ebay, I often use a plastic carrier bag to pack items in with the appropriate padding. I have received really lousey feed back from people about this.
Hester

What a shame Hester, can't believe they are complaining about that! I think it's great when people reuse packing they've already got.

OrkneyStar

novo wrote: »

I think that's called stealing, actually. And it's not for free anyway, we all pay for it through the price of their products.

Even by putting loose produce in a bag you can get a few at a time, maybe op means this, not taking piles with nothing in ?

southerly

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

I sold some books & stuff on Amazon & Ebay, I often use a plastic carrier bag to pack items in with the appropriate padding. I have received really lousey feed back from people about this.
Hester

I reuse jiffy bags when selling on ebay, I have noticed when I buy that most other people seem to be using new packaging, so unless your p&p charges are very low, that may be why people are leaving bad comments.

I think you will find that Amazon rules for sellers tell you to use new packaging materials, so I always do this, although they didn't used to specify that a few years ago when I started.

hamzramz

I am another person who reuses envelopes, especially bubble lined ones, from ebay purchases or even freebies!

Now to take it to the next level, you know those paper bags which retailers like Primark use instead of carrier bags, I use them to post goods on eBay, I just cut them to size, and wrap things up before posting, they're stronger than normal parcel wrapping!

whiteguineapig

i have saved all my christmas card envelopes, i have a big pile to re- use

Mad_Mum_2

kippers wrote: »

It's great for your compost, but i must say i think it must be easier for the 'boys' at the allotment to use this.....i choose to use my comfrey tea as a compost activator instead LOL:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Just a quick point - be careful if you are on any medication - I take some pretty strong drugs for arthritis - I put my wee on my compost and killed all the lovely worms living in it :eek:

Won't make that mistake again

Primrose

whiteguineapig wrote: »

i have saved all my christmas card envelopes, i have a big pile to re- use

How do you re-use them? Put a clean label over your own address, add a new stamp and re-use as an envelope, or simply use them as scrap paper for shopping lists, notes, etc.?

For security reasons we shred the front of all envelopes showing our address. Any A4 or A5 ones which have a plain back to them are cut up into small squares to use as refills for the note-block containers we have dotted around the house.

tillyvision

Just_Plain_Jane wrote: »

How draconian. She's re-used a few stamps, not robbed a post office at gunpoint. Lighten up.

Totally agreed!

I have howled with laughter at this thread! It has made me relive some of the embaressment of being a kid/teenager and having to 'deal with' my mum, who did/does stuff like this, but has also made me feel amused that I have, perhaps, at least a little, become my mother! I think things like these are funny, embaressing, but let's keep doing them.:T

As for me, I also am guilty of not washing my clothes as often as my friends. Jeans get better the longer you leave them, the only things I won't keep wearing are knickers, or anything that is downright smelly or stained.
I also save my bacon fat, because it is excellent for cooking things in, and makes things super delicious, and people always wonder how you do it. Bacon fat should be illegal, it is a sneaky way of making everything taste fantastic, and making everyone think you are a wonderful cook. Don;t think I'd make an 'aromatherapy' candle out of them though!:eek:
Hmm, and with all my knackered tights I just cut one leg off, and stuff it with other old tights or rags, tie the end, and then I have a draft excluder. Friends think them weird and ugly, but I think they are quite good.
And the mooncup is the one of the best investments I've ever made. Better for the planet, better for the body, better for the wallet. And I like that I am not locked in to yet another part of the society that feeds on women's insecurities and consumer desires (women need fancy deodorants, lots of make up, hair products, various strange sanitary products, weird unnecessary 'feminine' products etc). I like knowing that each time I have a period it isn't costing me. I saved the money it cost (less than 20 quid) in the first few months. It is kind of embaressing though. I'm not really embaressed, no I am proud of it, but people do give you a look when you 'admit' to using one, like you're some sort of weirdo hippy (fine by me) or in someway kinky or otherwise strange. Which isn't helped by the fact that I evangelise about it at any opportunity (case in point?!).

I also don't think it's disgusting to reuse the KFC bones (although buying KFC is in itself a bit gross! And expensive!). I know that Nigella Lawson admitted to picking up everyone's gnawed bones and leftovers after dinner parties and I bet no one accused her of being 'disgusting'!

Keep up the good work, and telling us all about it, everyone!

p.s. I always email the ebay recipient about being green/eco and having sent them recylced packaging, and I always get great feedback about it. Being open but also a bit (dare I say it!) holier than thou about the eco side (rather than the MSE side) seems to work, Hardup Hester!

tillyvision

Oh and I also reuse jiffy bags or ebay, but like others I thought this was just 'good practice'. Can't be dealing with the reusing teabags though, I like my tea STRONG! And I had to stop my mother from 'bubble glazing' my entire flat when she came for a pre Xmas visit! (sorry if I'm not quoting and stuff, I'm new and really don;t know what I'm doing! Aargh!)