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

tenuissent

I have gone round my village before daylight to collect (steal?) newspaper from their recycling boxes; I put it on my allotments to smother weeds. I would feel really cross if they recycled bills, glossy mags, flyers and other stuff that was not so useful. We only buy one newspaper a week and it wasn't enough. I also raided a local cardboard skip for the same purpose. The staff got to recognise me and would jump into the skip and chuck the best cardboard down to me (I am nearly 70 and didn't quite dare to get into the skip in case I twisted an ankle or something) I haunt the local dump (aka recycling centre) for anything thrown away there that I could use. I was really annoyed that a restaurant in France had run out of quails - instead of two quails per serving, I got only one, and my companions would not let me ask for a reduced price!

MarilynMonroe_2

I have to say it feels like it's winter now.

sorry wrong thread (how embarrassing!)

katieowl_2

ILoveSaving wrote: »

Just found about 1000 brown paper bags in my attic that I used to use on my old market stall and was wondering what to do with them. Should have thought about sandwich bags. Was going to put them on ebay, but thought no one would pay postage. So thousands of sarnies now on their way!!

I've been buying brown paper bags from the cash and carry and I keep one by the stuff for the compost in the kitchen.

I stick the rare scraps of food that I can't compost, and the dogs can't eat into them, and then put them in the food bin that the council collect weekly. It's the worlds most disgusting job cleaning it out and as we don't have much in there anyway, it helps it all fall out when they tip it into the truck

Kate

[Deleted User]

ultramagnetic_commuter wrote: »

I realise the comments sounds negative but it's worth remembering that sometimes people think they're saving more than they are. For example, it costs approximately 1 to 2p to boil a kettle. So for all the measuring of single cups and putting in flasks in one of the 'tips', you'll save next to nothing. I'm not suggesting boiling water you don't need; it's just an example of good intentioned but almost pointless attempts to save money!

But hey, if someone has saved enough for flights to the other side of the world then they must be doing some serious saving.

2p saved per kettle boil, £1000 a ticket, I reckon 5000 boiled kettles should do this.

Based on, say, 4 a day, 1250 days, about 4 years - LOL !

ILoveSaving

katieowl wrote: »

I've been buying brown paper bags from the cash and carry and I keep one by the stuff for the compost in the kitchen.

I stick the rare scraps of food that I can't compost, and the dogs can't eat into them, and then put them in the food bin that the council collect weekly. It's the worlds most disgusting job cleaning it out and as we don't have much in there anyway, it helps it all fall out when they tip it into the truck

Kate

Thanks Kate, yes another good idea for those paper bags. I do have an under used compost bin.

[Deleted User]

jdp1970 wrote: »

Sorry to ask, butif you really need the money then why are you spending so much?!
Cut down on your food bill for starters..dont buy more than you need to (plan your meals in advance and write your shopping list from your meals plan) or if you do have too much freeze it!
I save at least a week's shopping doing this.

I dont REALLY need the money but I am aware we probably spend too much on food. The main problem is though that neither of us has as much time as we'd like to plan meals in advance etc.

[Deleted User]

Justamum wrote: »

You say you spend £2,000 a month, and £700-£900 of that is on food. If you cut back on all that spending you could go to Australia.

Everything else is as cheap as it could be - its just the food bill that is slightly high....

As mentioned, its finding the time to make these savings by cooking food from scratch etc

jdp1970

[quote=[Deleted User];47837569]I dont REALLY need the money but I am aware we probably spend too much on food. The main problem is though that neither of us has as much time as we'd like to plan meals in advance etc.[/QUOTE]

I know what you mean.. time or money?
When i was working long hours and had kids and home to look after,
time always won!!

[Deleted User]

MeanJean wrote: »

I confess to collecting sugar sachets from coffee shops, and luxury toiletries from hotel stays. At home I am on a water meter so have money saving water habits. My shower water starts off cold as it travels along the pipes so I collect the cold water in a bucket and use it later for general cleaning jobs or the garden. I usually save 1 gallon per shower. In drought conditions I have also collected the water I have showered or bathed in and my veg and fruit appreciate it. When I have messy plates I use the cooking water to soak them. I fill a cereal bowl with water to soak off sticky weetabix and then transfer that water to the next bowl and so on.

Now this is what I dont agree with. Hotels sachets fair enough they put enough for you to use, but do you say you grab handfuls from a cafe?

This is not on - this cafe could possibly be family owned rather than a large corp and its they;re money paying for these things - they do cost money.

If I owned a small cafe and saw someone pocketing piles of sugar sachets or whatever, it'd be the last time they'd be welcome (and they'd be out the door pretty quickly too having put the sachets back!)

joehoover

mishmogs wrote: »

I believe they did use to have reusable condons during the war... WWII but maybe someone else can clarify?!!

Weren't they made of sheep guts back then There would have been far less STD's around too.

You don't have to ever pay for condoms though, pop into a gay pub, they always offer free condoms in a display usually by bar or with magazines, flyers.

No need to be washing out a used condom anymore! Yuk!