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

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  • raphanius
    raphanius Posts: 1,338 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Photogenic Combo Breaker
    i work in a pub and believe me people backwash A LOT. you should see the scum floating on a dead pint when its been left a while. maybe in a night club the lighting is poor/neon so you cant see it.
    Wins: 2008: £606.10 2009: £806.24 2010: £713.47 2011: 328.32
  • I'm quite surprised in general about the unpopularity of my mine sweeping, I was hoping to start a national craze.

    I will try and rationalise the issues everyone has brought up.

    1. Backwash etc. - I think most people wouldn't do this much in the first place. Even if they do it would be minimal and plus considering I am minesweeping alcoholic drinks a little bit of backwash does negligible damage to me compared to the poisonous alcohol which is also in the glass.

    2. Stealing etc. - I am quite careful to only take people's finished drinks. If you are to walk around a night club it is quite obvious when you spot a potential unowned drink. If there is someone near it who I think may own it just a quick question to them gives me my answer. I have been doing it for years and never had any altercations with anyone.

    3. Spiking issue. - Quite a serious potential problem. However I feel that the amount this occurs is blown hugely out of proportion by the media. If someone wanted to spike a drink, they would presumably find a drink someone is drinking rather that a half empty one lying on a table somewhere. This is called minesweeping for a reason though, you always have the potential of stepping on a mine!

    Reasons I minesweep:

    *Variety of drinks to taste.
    *I resent paying a huge mark up for a drink just because I am in a club
    *Exceptional value for money.
    *No queuing.
    *It is funny - talking to my friends finding how much everyone spent on their night out and my total is under a £5 despite being very drunk and getting a kebab on the way home.
    *Recycling - there is a huge amount of wasted drinks and wasted money from people leaving them, I am helping recycle these drinks.

    :beer:

    Mate - if I was that skint that I had to do this I'd rather stay home !!!
  • TBF to Johhny it is ''embarrassing'' things you do, and that could win first prize!
    1,2 & 5p: Christmas day food £9.31
    10 & 20p: misc savings £2.70
    50p: Christmas presents £3.50
    £2: holidays £2.00
  • katieowl_2
    katieowl_2 Posts: 1,864 Forumite
    TBF to Johhny it is ''embarrassing'' things you do, and that could win first prize!

    Yep I agree... Johnny has our almost universal horror, and is the king of Ick. He should get our 'virtual first prize' and we should have a MSE whip-round of pennies found on the pavement and scrape together enough for him to treat himself to his own pint!

    Kate
  • Reasons I minesweep:

    *Variety of drinks to taste.
    *I resent paying a huge mark up for a drink just because I am in a club
    *Exceptional value for money.
    *No queuing.
    *It is funny - talking to my friends finding how much everyone spent on their night out and my total is under a £5 despite being very drunk and getting a kebab on the way home.
    *Recycling - there is a huge amount of wasted drinks and wasted money from people leaving them, I am helping recycle these drinks.

    :beer:

    you forgot one
    * because you're a scruff


    What happens when you see a bird you like? do you go over and talk to her, offer to get her a drink and grab an abandoned one for her?
  • nellykim wrote: »
    This seems obvious, but whenever I need to get in touch with any business's or utility suppliers, marketers, shops, etc etc. I always try to find them online and then click down to the 'Contact Us'...Its cheaper than phoning or sending a letter, ( although I dont think they like it as you have to try and get past the FAQ's and ' set answers' before you can actually get to ask or communicate what you want) but you'll get there in the end if you persevere !

    I call after working hours when there answer phones on leave a message so they call me back :rotfl:

    My daughter is a picky eater so i keep her left overs freeze them then give them back to her another day.
    Use any cardboard packaging for my woodburner
    Use the big coffee cartons as storage for rice/pasta etc
    buy any reduced bread etc thats like 10p and freeze
  • I always shop for reduced items and then spend some of the money I've saved on something extravagant! It also makes eating more interesting because I buy reduced stuff we've never had that was always too expensive, and often something exotic!

    I also send my husband cards that I have sent him before! I keep all the nice Valentine, Christmas and Birthday cards for years and he never remembers the ones that were before last year! The sentiments remain the same!
  • Sublime_2
    Sublime_2 Posts: 15,741 Forumite
    I end up buying loads of the same thing just because its on offer. Trouble is there is only so much cupboard space I can devote to 1/2 priced 4 packs of Baked Beans, chopped tomatoes.

    I often think I have run out of something, only to find I've got loads spare. Got about 5 full unopened body lotions, toothpastes, loads of unused unopened new cosmetics, toiletries, that I'm slowly working my way through stuffed in hatboxes, etc.
  • wow...brill thread.

    I have converted DS t washable nappies (Mothercare...£11.99!) Use cloths as wipes for him (loo roll for poos tho!)

    I dont buy washing powder anymore, I use plain soda crystals instead...clothes come out as clean as they ever did, but dont irritate DS's eczema
  • you forgot one
    * because you're a scruff


    What happens when you see a bird you like? do you go over and talk to her, offer to get her a drink and grab an abandoned one for her?

    I don't normally go down the whole 'can i buy you a drink route?' as I find it far to clich!d as well as setting the tone of inequality right from the off. I have had some success with 'would you like to buy me a drink?' though.
    Proudly cashing in since 2006. . .
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