Spill the beans ... what's the most embarrassing MoneySaving thing you do?

oldtractor

I "water down" meat by adding lentils.

bigfatpig

jdp1970 wrote: »

1. I re-use sandwich bags- if they're clean.
2. I make my own compost.
3. I remove buttons from clothing and use the material to make things (ideal for patchwork etc). My sewing machine has earnt itself ten-fold.
4. Boil a whole kettle to make your cuppa and put rest of the water in a flask to use for the rest of the day.
5. I re-use my hoover bags (bit messy emptying the darn things, but saves me a fortune)
6. I dont flush the loo every time - as some people on here have mentioned!
7. I unwrap pressies carefully and save the paper.
8. I pick up petals from the garden and use them for homemade pot pourri
9. I use old cooking oil to paint my fences.
10. I scour skips to see what I can take home!
11. I tear cotton wool in half and use sparingly.
12. I save all the sachets (sugar, salt, pepper etc) and keep them in a tin, i take them away when i go camping.
13. (this one sounds awful) but I only change my bedding once a month! Saves time and money!
14. I scrape out the leftover lipstick at the bottom of the stick, that you cant get to and mix all the leftover lipsticks together,to make a new lipstick!! Gives me another 6 months supply of lipstick!
15. I buy full cream milk and water it down - its like having semi-skimmed milk!

Cooking oil to paint fence? Never heard that one, I suppose oil is waterproof, does this work? I'm keen to try next time our deep fat fryer oil (that hubby insists on having for chips!) needs changing.

bigfatpig

Actually I probably shouldn't use cooking oil on low parts of fence or my demented greedy dog will probably lick it all off :rotfl:

Katkin_2

I make butter using woopsied cream. Dont like shaking it though so use my power plate (rip off of original and therefore cheap) whilst I am exercising. Clasp between the thighs and clench for 5 minutes. Fine until you realise that anyone walking down the street can look straight in and see me with a jam jar between my legs shaking uncontrollably :rotfl:Perfect butter every time.

rising_from_the_ashes

Probably the same as most people.....

I did have a "wobbly" at the thought of someone washing & reusing freezer bags but I was recently given a couple of "pour & store" bags and these are brilliant! Great for stock etc & very thick so just too much of a waste to only use once!;)

I keep jars of coffee etc and reuse to store things like rice, lentils etc in
I use supermarket bags as bin bags (dreading when these stop being free)
I keep margarine tubs to use to freeze left over portions in
I always save/reuse wrapping paper
I cut face cleanser cloths in 1/2 (still plenty to clean your face properly)
I use 3 ranges of washing gel/fabric conditioner depending on what's being washed
Bulk buy pets food when offers are on
Scrape every last drop out of bottles /tubes
Sit with a scarf/gloves/hat on in the house rather than use the heating too much
etc etc

The one thing I'm def not MSE about is water ..... I have to pay the same as the family of 6 a few doors down and there's nothing I can do about it - so I use as much as I want to (and still probably only use a fraction that they do).

comping_cat

Things i do -

Re use t-bags - i dont like strong tea so one bag can last me all day.
Keep the small plastic fruit/veg bags from shops and re use them, either as freezer bags or keeping things in.
Keep the toiletries from hotels, sauces from restaurants and keep them to use later.
Look out for yellow stickered items, very hit and miss where i live, but worth looking out for.
Freeze left over food for later - we love a 'freezer surprise' night!
Watch tv in the dark - and use our quilts rather than put the heating on.
Flush toilet only when needed.
Use a clock to time ourselves in the shower.
Cut dishwasher tabs in half - dishes still come out as clean as if ive used a whole one!
Dont have a tumble dryer - i use the radiators or my washing line
Pick up money and sometimes rubber bands we see on the floor.
Water down shampoo/bubble bath.
Tear cotton wool balls in half.
Take all the meat off bones and use to make curries/pies/stews - often use the bones to make stock.
Friend gave me a 'one cup' kettle, so only boil what is needed.
Amazon/Ebay/Car Boot anything that is not wanted or used.
Bulk buy when things are on special offer - dont get tempted by BOGOFs only buy what is needed or will be used.
Make meal plans for a week, write a shopping list and stick to it!
Keep plastic bottles and fill with water/squash - saves buying when out. Also if i know we will be out over a meal time, will take a packed lunch to save buying.
Use value baby wipes to wipe surfaces in the bathroom.
Buy stardrops, which can be diluted and used as multi purpose cleaner. One bottle (approx 70p) will last 2-3 months.
Save jiffy bags/bubble wrap/envelopes and re use (using my own stamps)
Grate cheese, dont slice - you dont use as much which saves money and calories!
Buy a large pack of ham and freeze slices in individual portions.
Look out for any coupons/vouchers.
Regularly check the freebies and get it quick/bargain sections on here - many a good offer to help save money.
Watch Sky News in the morning on my laptop - saves turning the tv on while i do my morning emails and other computer bits.
Join survey sites and/or cashback sites - any extra i get from them goes towards Christmas. Sometimes with survey sites you often get items to test, which is an added bonus.
Read newspapers online.
Have saving accounts for everything - pet/car/credit card/Christmas etc. I put so much money away each month in each account, then if a vet bill or MOT comes up, i have the money to transfer over, and will have earned interest and also keeps it away from me spending it on things i dont need. I also bank online, so i can check the balances everyday so i dont go overdrawn at all.

Im sure there are more things, will add them if i think later!
Also, like some others on here, im not embarrased at all about any of this - it enables us to have things we wouldnt be able to if i was wasting money/things when i can save here and there.

Thought of another one - i use a sheet under my duvet, i can then wash the sheets and the pillowcases and leave the duvet on for longer, which makes a big difference between a full and half load!

I also keep and reuse any takeaway tubs (for those freezer surprise meals!) and use carrier bags as bin bags.

Ericclive

I save all my blank CD pots to keep my screws nut and bolts in and bit and pieces

jdp1970

oldtractor wrote: »

I think this is excellent. re the bedding I have gone from weekly to fortnightly. THB am going to leave it longer. We are not ill and it doesnt smell so why wash a the bedding so frequently? I will try washing it once a month from now on.

Thank you Old Tractor for your approving comment!
Like you, I am not ill and my bedding doesnt smell bad (mind you it does start to at the end of the month!!)

jdp1970

bigfatpig wrote: »

Cooking oil to paint fence? Never heard that one, I suppose oil is waterproof, does this work? I'm keen to try next time our deep fat fryer oil (that hubby insists on having for chips!) needs changing.

I keep a tin in the shed and keep adding the oil - the darker it is the better, I find!
It does work!
Looks like creosote when it goes on.

Old engine oil is even better!

jdp1970

comping_cat wrote: »

Things i do -

Re use t-bags - i dont like strong tea so one bag can last me all day.
Keep the small plastic fruit/veg bags from shops and re use them, either as freezer bags or keeping things in.
Keep the toiletries from hotels, sauces from restaurants and keep them to use later.
Look out for yellow stickered items, very hit and miss where i live, but worth looking out for.
Freeze left over food for later - we love a 'freezer surprise' night!
Watch tv in the dark - and use our quilts rather than put the heating on.
Flush toilet only when needed.
Use a clock to time ourselves in the shower.
Cut dishwasher tabs in half - dishes still come out as clean as if ive used a whole one!
Dont have a tumble dryer - i use the radiators or my washing line
Pick up money and sometimes rubber bands we see on the floor.
Water down shampoo/bubble bath.
Tear cotton wool balls in half.
Take all the meat off bones and use to make curries/pies/stews - often use the bones to make stock.
Friend gave me a 'one cup' kettle, so only boil what is needed.
Amazon/Ebay/Car Boot anything that is not wanted or used.
Bulk buy when things are on special offer - dont get tempted by BOGOFs only buy what is needed or will be used.
Make meal plans for a week, write a shopping list and stick to it!
Keep plastic bottles and fill with water/squash - saves buying when out. Also if i know we will be out over a meal time, will take a packed lunch to save buying.
Use value baby wipes to wipe surfaces in the bathroom.
Buy stardrops, which can be diluted and used as multi purpose cleaner. One bottle (approx 70p) will last 2-3 months.
Save jiffy bags/bubble wrap/envelopes and re use (using my own stamps)
Grate cheese, dont slice - you dont use as much which saves money and calories!
Buy a large pack of ham and freeze slices in individual portions.
Look out for any coupons/vouchers.
Regularly check the freebies and get it quick/bargain sections on here - many a good offer to help save money.
Watch Sky News in the morning on my laptop - saves turning the tv on while i do my morning emails and other computer bits.
Join survey sites and/or cashback sites - any extra i get from them goes towards Christmas. Sometimes with survey sites you often get items to test, which is an added bonus.
Read newspapers online.
Have saving accounts for everything - pet/car/credit card/Christmas etc. I put so much money away each month in each account, then if a vet bill or MOT comes up, i have the money to transfer over, and will have earned interest and also keeps it away from me spending it on things i dont need. I also bank online, so i can check the balances everyday so i dont go overdrawn at all.

Im sure there are more things, will add them if i think later!
Also, like some others on here, im not embarrased at all about any of this - it enables us to have things we wouldnt be able to if i was wasting money/things when i can save here and there.

Thought of another one - i use a sheet under my duvet, i can then wash the sheets and the pillowcases and leave the duvet on for longer, which makes a big difference between a full and half load!

I also keep and reuse any takeaway tubs (for those freezer surprise meals!) and use carrier bags as bin bags.

Brilliant tips! Love the one about dishwasher tabs - will do that myself! I have just bought a recon dishwasher for £40 from a charity shop. Do you know if it's cheaper to use the powder or tablets for the dishwasher?