Great '2011 MoneySaving resolutions' Hunt

beemuzed

We will be using the park and ride more often as, with our bus passes, it's totally free. Am looking into putting a raised bed in the garden to grow more of our own veg. Used to have an allotment years ago, but would be better to have the stuff right here - no excuses about not having time to get to it! Need to keep a much better eye on what is sitting in the fridges - so easy to have lurkers growing mould at the back. Also intend to walk into town more often - like JackieO I have more time these days, so using the car for short trips when I'm not going to be carrying loads home is a wasteful extravagance.

chanie

1) Meal planning

2) Growing my own veg (not huge amounts, but every little helps)

3) craft my own Xmas presents (knitting, crochet etc).

4) changed my route to work - I work in Central London, but have found a way to avoid going into Zone 1 (is more walking, but worth the cost saving).

5) bring in my lunch for work (didn't today, but bought a tin of soup and some rolls for £2)

6) I give myself weekly 'pocket money' of £10 so this is for ALL non-essential spending (lunches, a magazine, parking) so if I save on lunches, I can buy a magazine

7) when I go into town, I will make sure I'm fed and watered before I go so I don't have to spend on lunches

8) Buy meat, veg and fish from market/butchers/fishmongers if it works out cheaper

Needhelpsaving

I really want to do a car boot sale, but haven't got a clue about how to find out where they are held etc - what is the best way of going about finding out?

Pink.

Hi catlovin gal11

There are lots more moneysaving ideas on this existing thread:

Great '2011 MoneySaving resolutions' Hunt

I'll merge both threads together later.

Pink

GreyQueen

I've "kept my numbers" since 1997, i.e keeping track of all expenditures, so at the end of the year I can review where the money went and see if I can do better. My 2011 resolutions are:

1. Quit the chocolate which will save several £££ a week leading to....
2. Being able to fit into clothes which are currently 1 size too small leading to.....
3. Not buying more (charity shop) clothes because I don't feel confident in what I have because of the chubbiness.
4. Getting a rellie to trim my hair; easy cut, just straight across.
5. Making most of the gifts I'll give throughout the year.
6. Keeping the supermarket philosophy that it is doesn't have a yellow discount ticket it's not coming home with me
7. Tracking the freebies on MSE to have those wee extras that make life comfortable rather than Spartan.
8. Learn some new recipies so hopefully will have zero waste.
9. Always aim to re-use what I have before I buy any more.
10. Work that allotment for maximum food production/ make preserves/ trade excess with friends.
11. Continue Freegle (Freecycle) to donate and to receive the odd item.
12. Keep a sense of humour at all times

Savannah02K

I'm really going to try and not use the car at weekends unless I absolutely have to. Suddenly struck me the other day that it was exceptionally stupid of me to be taking the car to the supermarket (1 mile away) on a Sunday morning to do the 'big' shop when I drive past the damm place every evening on my way home from work. So, last night was first time of the new routine, stop on the way home and do big shop then. If we need fresh stuff, we can walk to the supermarket on Sunday morning. I'm also planning what I do when I meet my clothes-aholic friend most weekends. I invariably end up buying clothes too (three double wardrobes, one double chest of drawers, four single width chest of drawers full - do I need more clothes?!) so when we make arrangements to meet I'm suggesting museums, rambles etc.

maggiecon

I have started a money diary on spendingdiary.com. I have been using it since the 1st January and it has been a revelation!

Also I have started meal planning and pinning the meal planner up in the kitchen. The kids actually really love this and they take it week about picking a dinner for wednesday nights. I have noticed a big reduction in my shopping bill since I started doing this.

I have also started to use my BM more frequently.

I am also selling my car which is costing me £250 a month in finance payments. It should free up £3k to buy a run around so no more monthly payments, I have also fixed up my bike for cycling to work when the weather gets a bit better.

overlykeensaver

This year I will be:
1. planning monthly meal plans (I have always done a weekly plan and finding a monthly much easier to manage and I actually seem to spend less)

2. doing a trip to Aldi every 3 weeks (ish) to stock up on their much cheaper butter, marg, coffee, tins tomatoes etc.

3. Stop buying chocolate every time I go to Aldi!!!

3. much more home baking - especially bread and healthy (ish) snacks for my children instead of buying biscuits etc.

4. starting to pick up presents in the sales/on offer - especially for children's birthday parties.

5. start preserving again - jams, chutneys etc

6. start growing more than herbs in the garden - I am planning to plant some squash and some lettuce this year.

Penny-Pincher!!

1)Meal plan better
2)Get DD's lunch together each night (really trying with this)
3)Better track on funds
4)Sell more things on Ebay that we no longer need or use
5)Grow the same or more veg as last year
6)Trying loose tea atm

PP
xx

Linda32

Needhelpsaving wrote: »

I really want to do a car boot sale, but haven't got a clue about how to find out where they are held etc - what is the best way of going about finding out?

Hi, they are usually advertised in the local daily paper, (Leicester Mercury here). However, here they start at Easter, partly due to the weather.

There might be the odd one in church halls etc but the bigger ones are outdoors - obviously