Great 'Embarrassing MoneySaving tips' Hunt

furndire

Caltha wrote: »

I use old toothbrushes for cleaning my walking boots.

I've stopped putting washing powder in the drawer, it goes straight in the back of the drum. Stops the detergent building up in the drawer, cos I can never seem to get it clean!

That's what I have done for years - I try and remember and put it in before the clothes - doesn't always happen. My son who lives in France has a washer which doesn't have a drawer - seems a silly idea to me having a drawer at all

lil-bit-skint

ceridwen wrote: »

Quite agree - and I've certainly noticed a couple of people "buying" clothing they have no intention of keeping, wearing it once and then getting a refund on it. That is one that particularly annoys me - as it potentially affects me (ie that I might pay a new price for clothing - only for it to turn out to be secondhand because of this practice). I don't think some shops DO check returned clothing adequately to ensure this hasnt happened. I've bought a jumper before now - and as soon as I went to put it on I could smell cheap perfume on it. Quite clearly it was secondhand - so I had to take it back to the shop and point this fact out and get a refund. I didnt bother buying a new version of this jumper from the shop - I was too annoyed with them for letting another customer pull this stunt on me.

These days - I check that clothing IS new myself before I buy it.

In days gone by I used to work in a clothes shop and have had customers return things on a Monday that have quite clearly been worn on a Friday/Saturday night. In fact I had one gentleman to whom I sold an entire outfit, complain bitterly to me that now he "wouldn't be able to bring his clothes back would he?" I told him that it was best he didn't try!

x

lostinrates

re the unpleasantness of tap water THANK YOU to those who suggested drawing water then leaving it. I've just had some that I put in a jug earlier and it is perfectly drinkable, and indeed rather nice!

I'm so grateful! Giving up bottled water was an eco and MSE decision but I've been struggling so much drinking enough horrid water to stay hydrated and this tip will, in a significant way, improve my daily life.

victoriaplum1

I re-use empty milk cartons (4 pint ones) by cutting in half, makes a useful place to put your used teabags and less trips to the green bin....once it gets full tip in green bin, and if carton is too messed up just replace with another newly cut one. I buy reduced bread and freeze it, you can make toast using bread straight from the freezer - seems to make the fresh loaf last alot longer. Also always cut tops off cleansing lotion/foundation tubes etc when you think they are empty - you will get at least another 5 applications out of them and usually alot more as the lotion etc collects around the edges and in the nooks and crannies. I keep packaging and padded envelopes and re-use for book swaps, ebay etc - only if they are in good condition though as think first impressions are important and am never happy when I have had very dog earred padded envelope through with an ebay purchase inside when I have paid good money for P&P! Also I buy rolls of green garden sacks to cut up for ebay packaging, cheaper than buying proper packaging and if you buy the strong ones they work really well (look nicer than a black bag or carrier bag too!)

jennyjelly

Caltha wrote: »

I've stopped putting washing powder in the drawer, it goes straight in the back of the drum. Stops the detergent building up in the drawer, cos I can never seem to get it clean!

I've always wondered if it was ok to do this, as I hate the gunged up drawer. Do you just chuck it in the drum with the clothes?

ceridwen

Guess so Jenny.....

I make my own Laundry Gloop anyway - and that has to be chucked straight into the drum, rather than put in the "drawer" anyway.

Asiacat

When you phone somebody on their mobile phone just let it ring once or twice before pressing the call end button/hanging up.

Nine times out of ten they will phone you straight back saving you the cost of a call.:D

lilian1977

Asiacat wrote: »

When you phone somebody on their mobile phone just let it ring once or twice before pressing the call end button/hanging up.

Nine times out of ten they will phone you straight back saving you the cost of a call.:D

I hope this is a joke - I HATE it when people do this to me!

mulled_wine

Asiacat wrote: »

When you phone somebody on their mobile phone just let it ring once or twice before pressing the call end button/hanging up.

Nine times out of ten they will phone you straight back saving you the cost of a call.:D

One of my friends used to do this. So when we arranged days out/theatre trips/ meals etc, one of us (not the same person each time) would phone her, let it ring *once* and hung up knowing she wouldn't return the call.

She soon learned when she asked why she wasn't "invited" to anything having heard us discussing it afterwards

Now we're working on getting her to buy a round of drinks and not just slip the money for her drink to the person who did buy the round so she avoids the round! This may take some time!

Eenymeeny

Plastic milk cartons: I 'swoosh' the left over boilings from the kettle in the empty carton,careful you don't scald yourself, it only has to be hot, this softens them enough so that you can roll them up into a tiny roll then I secure them from the recycled elastic bands that the postie leaves all over the street. Appararently they degrade anyway. If you are clever you can fit loads of these little parcels into one carton. A new Guiness record attempt maybe? Hope this is useful to someone...I know it sounds a bit sad and embarrassing to admit...:o