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

KxMx

I don't put the light on when I use the loo at night- why would I when I can see very well and know where everything is?

purpleweasel

i always ask for a doggy bag when i have leftovers in a restaurant - even if it's only a little bit, stick it in the freezer and save up for a tapas-type mixture meal or chuck it all in one for a pot-luck curry! Used washing-up water can be used for washing floors and then for the garden (i'm sure i read somewhere that washing up liquid helps repel aphids too!). Hadn't thought to dry out a tea bag but often use one-between-two mugs, but a tea pot is even better as you only need 2 bags between 3! Have always saved up jars as love to make pickles and preserves and don't think i've ever paid for blackberries/rhubarb/hazlenuts/sloes/damsons/cooking apples as they are either forageable or swapped between other gardeners when in season!

custard_monkey

I keep all the broken and dusty bits from the bottom of cereal packets and when I've got enough mix it with fruit, butter and sugar to make flapjacks!
Actually they taste pretty good.

juliamarsh

crazyguy wrote: »

Wash out used condoms to save purchasing more,

An accident as a result of this dubious practice could end up costing you a whole lot more......!! Presume you are in fact joking however!

madmoneysavingmum

DD2 (now aged 4) checks every coin operated ride we pass in the shopping centre/supermarket for coins in the coin return section. (She only found out that they can move when you put a coin in a few weeks ago when she saw one moving, but regards this as a waste of money.) She now also checks any other machines with coin return places as we pass - whilst I am moritified most times she now has more than £20 in her moneybox. I guess moneysaving is in her blood.:j

MMSM

mishmogs

juliamarsh wrote: »

An accident as a result of this dubious practice could end up costing you a whole lot more......!! Presume you are in fact joking however!

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

FriedFish

1: My plumber came to service the central heating boiler and pointed out that I didn't need to have it running for such long periods.

"Programme in a few short breaks, one hour on, 1/2 hour off, and so on," he advised. "There will be enough residual heat in the radiators to sustain this," he assured me, "and you will be making huge savings on your gas bill!"

So last winter that is exactly what I did. He was right!

2: Try using about a third of the manufacturers' "recommended amount" of detergent in your washing machine, (and make a similar reduction if you use a dish-washer.)

Clothes and dishes will come out just as clean. You won't notice the difference - promise!

3: I do most washes on 30° - Why waste money heating water unnecessarily, and never use the maximum spin speed.

4: My clothes drier is completely solar and wind powered. It is called a washing line.

Saved quids after the electric tumble drier packed in and I replaced it with a rotary!

missrlr

Not really embrassing but we have reinstalled an immersion tank in the loft despite having an on-demand boiler so that our free electricity in the day from solar panels heats the water for showers and dishwashing etc and it keeps it hot (enough) right through until next morning. Also instead of a tumble dryer we have an electric heated clothes dryer and again use this in the day to dry clothes via a timer. Sometimes we use a bit more electricity than we generate but still cheaper than not having solar panels installed or using night time rates!
I also use plastic bags from supermarket as poo bags for the dog walking activities.
Trainers have 3 lives - gym until the support for high impact work degrades, then dog walking (usually only last a summer after the gym), then as quick to put on outdoor shoes for running to the bins / washing line etc.
All bed linen has three lives - as bed linen, then as dog bed linen then as garage cloths
As above for towels
Clothes have 3 lives too - acceptable normal wear, then work / garden / dog walk, then garage cloths
We get all the wine we consume from France as the MIl and FIL live there, they hunt out bargains for us and bring it over twice a year, even if it is not so good to drink we cook with it. We have a bargain €2.99 "champagne" which we are always complimented on and we buy loads of it - cheaper than wine most of the time especially to take to people's houses for supper - makes Fridayn nights go with a bang!
I have managed to get a 19 year old Golf free and it still does 55mpg! Average cost to keep on road repair wise £120 per year, which makes it a bargain of the first order. Tax a bit expensive compared to its newer siblings.
I do all banking etc I can at work on lunch breaks so I don't have to use the PC at home in the evenings, and charge the iPad up at work to use at home in the evenings.

Fruball

mishmogs wrote: »

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

The first condoms were lengths of sheep guts tied at the end with a knot :eek: AND they used to get washed out _pale_

ifan.goch

geri1965 wrote: »

Technically theft.

I would disagree that taking teabags etc from hotel rooms is theft - surely you've paid for them in the cost of your room.