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

UnluckyT

re using freepost envalopes by putting a label on or using a scrap peice of paper cut from envelopes sent to me glued over the address. plus saving any others i can ie padded ones in case plus keeping an eye on the stamps in case theyve not been franked so peel them of and can use them.
cutting down envalopes for making lists etc.
cut scouring sponges (economy ones) plus jay cloths in halves or quaters depending on what i can get away with.

Butterwell

Over the last few weeks I have been collecting hazelnuts whilst out running and walking. In the evening I tie in shelling a small bowl of nuts at a time whilst chatting or listening to radio. The next time the oven is on, we pop in the shelled nuts for about 10 minutes to provide the most tasty roasted nuts. We have stopped buying other nuts for over a month, using them for breakfast and snacks. The hazelnuts are now coming to an end, just in time to be replaced by the first of the decent sized sweet chestnuts. However do make sure you leave enough of this natural food for widlife - I try and focus on nuts that would otherwise be crushed by cars or only take a proportion from each location - think of those hungry dormice this autumn! For more nature notes, google 'Nick's Nature Notes blog'.

UnluckyT

pretty much the same as what people have been saying too including checking phone boxes for change as once i found a £1 in one once and have often found change thier too and picking change up off the floor and checking coinstar machines when i pass them esp when i know people are going abroad as the amount of foreign change i can get sometimes is amazing.

katieowl_2

I save drier fluff and candle stubs to make firelighters

I'm making some at the moment actually... cos' the Rayburn is back on and so the heat to melt the candles is free. I've saved all the bits of candles we've burnt down and this year even some birthday candles, and I bung them in a metal jug that belonged to my gran, I put it on the heat, and when it's all melted, I pour it over the fluff, and all my sewing trimmings in an egg box. When they are dry they burn like you would NOT believe!

Wasn't my idea originally, I first saw it on an american forum where they made these firelighters, decorated them with glitter and pinecones, and gave them as Xmas Pressies!!! :eek: Tight as I am I would not ever have the bottle to do that, unless it was a joke.


Kate

mancub764

I can never tie rubbish sacks. Luckily postmen drop those red rubber bands- ideal.
Never spend more than £1 a day on your evening meal. Always shop at Lidl/Aldi- the only good things at Tesco are their reduced sections and Value Mince at 1.92 per 800gms. Can make at least 4 meals from that - adding veg (reduced) and sauces.
Get use to having the same meal for 2-3 days running - rather than risk the food going off - once cooked or opened.
Know what is in your fridge/freezer. Eat things that are nearing their best or need using up - not what you fancy - discipline yourself.
Never buy newspapers- all the news you want is on line.
Make the most of windfall fruit- especially at this time of year.
Never walk past a skip- have got a lot from them - including this computer chair I am sitting on.
Dont bathe every day- I use to.

dawnyt_2

The most embarrassing thing I do:
I often go to my local shop near the end of the day and buy up the reduced for sell by items, (mostly the items that can be frozen) And I sometimes ask if they are going to be reduced again!
I look at meat/fish/expensive produce sell by dates, make a mental note, and pop in on that evening to see if they've been reduced!
I buy reduced flowers and they always seem to last as long as any full price bunch!

Here are a few other ways I scrimp!
*I buy reduced or cheap supermarket flowers then hand wrap them in saved cellophane or cheap tissue paper as a nice bouquet gift!
*My mum dries out old egg shells on a tray in the bottom of the oven (Smells for a bit), then crushes them then sprinkles them around her plants as an eco friendly slug repellent.
*I use a dirty tea towel with soapy water and ran it over the floor, then popped it in the wash.
*plastic milk bottle tops make great furniture coasters.
*dry out small petalled cut flowers when they past their best and save in an air tight tin for confetti or pot pourri.
*Apply in as many free samples or money off vouchers as possible, but only worth getting if your going to use them.
* Present recycling- save big embarrassment, put label on to say who you received them from so you don't give them back!
* Start a bubble&squeak bag in your freezer- pop in any cooled left over veg, and hey presto- frozen bubble&squeak mix!
* Always save left over curry, spag bol, chilli etc even if it a small amount it will make a great jacket potato topping.
* I always take a few sugar, salt/pepper/ condiments sachets when free, and keep them for use at home, but also keep a stash in the car- has saved me spending out on over priced packets of sauce from takeaways!
*I also keep tea bags and coffee (taken from hotel stays) great for taking camping!
*not so embarrassed by this one-
Re-use glass jars. Partner and I are now venturing down the home made fruit liqueurs, buy berries on reduced for sell by, put in jar, top with sugar, fill with cheap, supermarket own, spirit. Shake once a week. In 3 months-1yr they'll be ready. We look forward to our 1st batch in a couple months- Blackberry whiskey, strawberry and raspberry vodkas!
and if you tart up the jar with some reused ribbon or swatch of sample material from haberdashers, it will make a great gift!

Carrieandco

Three times recently I've spotted used pallets in people's gardens and knocked on the door to ask if i could take them away. Only turned down once - because the householder had her own Woodstove.

Ran out of sanpro last month and dug out the washable pads I bought after I had the kids. Much more comfy - think I'll stick with them.

Carrie x

geri1965_2

dawnyt wrote: »

*I also keep tea bags and coffee (taken from hotel stays) great for taking camping!

Technically theft.

horleyflyer

I water down bubble bath,shampoo,handwash and washing up liquid. ( just enough that no one notices !)
I check the freebie site every morning , use carrier bags to line bins, and spend my life going round turning off lights and appliances after the kids !

abankerbutnotafatcat

I now realise that I'm not quite as bad as I thought I was!!