Hard Times: How to cope with everyday living.

babyblooz

Some fab ideas on this thread! One thing I do is to buy small plants at bargain prices from the supermarkets, when they are whoopsied for example (yes, apparently even pot plants have a sell by date) and grow them on at home, until they are bigger. This is really useful at expensive times like mothers day or christmas. I then pot them on into a larger pot when theyve grown, and pack them up in some cellophane and add a nice bow. They are always very well received. I have a windowsill of exotic blooms that
all came from 2 of T***o's out of date 50p orchids.

I collect seeds from plants in my garden and then replant them again. I split up groups of bulbs and replant them where they bloom better because they're not overcrowded. They usually divide themselves every year or so so dig them up and plant the extras in a nice container for a little gift for someone. I usually treat myself to a few unusual bulbs every year or so because I can justify the expense to myself as I know I will be splitting them for gifts in a year. I don't always use them for proper presents like birthdays etc, but just to take to someone who needs cheering up, or for a thank you to someone. I think being 'nice' pays its own dividends as you feel good about yourself and the person on the receiving end feels good as well. It's often easy to forget that life is a journey and not a destination and the little pleasures in life can really lift your mood and spread a little sunshine along the way.

Lavandula

Just got a batch of plum wine fermenting.....the wine making equipment was a present, the plums were from wild trees, the only thing I paid for was a bag of sugar....so should get 6 bottles of wine for £1.50:j

thrifty-gal26

Thought of some more:

Don't get hair cut very often and stopped having it coloured
Use cash back sites for everything
Food shop online when their is a voucher
Keep every voucher I come across in case I can use it
Download lots of free projects like colouring and puzzles for SS
Always take a picnic when we go out for the day
Take own drinks and sweets when go to the cinema (which is kids club - £2.50 for 1 kid + adult or orange wednesday )
Take water and fruit out with me for SS so don't have to stop and buy snack
Keep ketchup/jam/sugar/tea bags etc when staying away/eating out if not used and use for picnics/camping
Sell all SS old toys/clothes etc on eBay or bootsale
Buy second hand items of eBay or bootsale for SS
Take advantage of free days out/attractions such as park/library/nature reserve/museums

babyblooz

Another thing that I do is to reuse old faded sheets and pillowcases and make them into shopping bags. It saves the frustration of the thin plastic bags that seem to split at the most inopportune times, and they are so useful for storing things in as well. Clean socks can go in them, hanging on a door knob if you are short of storage space and they can be used for storing summer teeshirts etc. Just pop them on the top of the wardrobe or in a cupboard. They are very useful. I have knitting patterns in one, belts in another, gloves and mitten in another hanging behind the door, dusters and polishing cloths in another one under the sink etc. They just seem more durable than the plastic bags and plastic baskets that split and collapse on you.

kippers

candygirl wrote: »

Do they do big tubs there?:D:D

Today i bought a 500g packet of Bi-carb for £1.31

greent wrote: »

Evening all

Make things for gifts - jams, chutnies, soaps, body butters, bath bombs
We live well with what we have and I enjoy money saving where I can:D

How do you make bath bombs?...they sound brill!

dozy_prawn_2

Great thread.!

Two of us in the house:
Grown a lot of our own fruit and veg
Porridge for breakfast
Just started brewing our own beer and wine
Do free foraging in the countryside
Cook from scratch every night (both vegetarians)
Make chutneys and jams (and do extra for pressies)
Only go into town to do 'clothes shopping' twice a year - New Year Sales and in summer with birthday money
We have a family rule about Xmas pressie at a limit of £10 per person (homemade stuff is also well received)
Freeze loaves in three lots, and unfreeze one every day (stops a whole loaf going moudly)
Regularly check utilities and bank account for best deals
Don't buy dvds, cds or books unless I can't get them from the library
We are nearly ready to get a few chickens for eggs and a wood burner to save on the heating.
Holidays are camping trips with lots of free freshair and exercise!

DH and I seem to have got more fun out a £1 travel scrabble game (bought in a charity shop) than any computer game

Ponkle22

grandma247 wrote: »

I have found putting a blanket over the top of a duvet keeps the bed much warmer in the really cold weather. I think the airiness of a duvet means that some of the heat escapes and the blanket stops this.

I agree. I accidentally found this out. Was cold one night and grabbed the nearest thing in the airing cupboard to put on top of duvet - it was an old fashioned 'wool' blanket - not very thick but quite heavy. We inherited it and I used it for the dogs. Not anymore - I won't be without it - it does what you say - it traps the air - we are really warm now. If you have milder nights you just chuck it off.

Previously to discovering this we would put a nice 'cover' over the top, but it didnt make much difference to keeping warm.

doublesilver

I've downloaded the Which? Shopping Toolbar...when buying those big expensive items; no matter what site I'm on, it always seems to suggest somewhere else to buy it cheaper!

paidinchickens

babyblooz wrote: »

Some fab ideas on this thread! One thing I do is to buy small plants at bargain prices from the supermarkets, when they are whoopsied for example (yes, apparently even pot plants have a sell by date) and grow them on at home, until they are bigger. This is really useful at expensive times like mothers day or christmas. I then pot them on into a larger pot when theyve grown, and pack them up in some cellophane and add a nice bow. They are always very well received. I have a windowsill of exotic blooms that
all came from 2 of T***o's out of date 50p orchids.

I collect seeds from plants in my garden and then replant them again. I split up groups of bulbs and replant them where they bloom better because they're not overcrowded. They usually divide themselves every year or so so dig them up and plant the extras in a nice container for a little gift for someone. I usually treat myself to a few unusual bulbs every year or so because I can justify the expense to myself as I know I will be splitting them for gifts in a year. I don't always use them for proper presents like birthdays etc, but just to take to someone who needs cheering up, or for a thank you to someone. I think being 'nice' pays its own dividends as you feel good about yourself and the person on the receiving end feels good as well. It's often easy to forget that life is a journey and not a destination and the little pleasures in life can really lift your mood and spread a little sunshine along the way.

That is such a lovely idea :T

Beccatje

I am finding it very hard to cut costs on our food budget. My family is pretty finicky to be honest. And actually I think they are pretty spoiled. We've always eaten pretty well. I always cook from scratch, that is not the problem. But they are not too keen on budget kind of food. Last week I made a lovely meat/veg pastry roll. With porkliver chopped up into little cubes. The liver was/is very cheap! It was absolutely lovely! With lots of onions, peppers, mushrooms and the liver chopped up.. rolled into puff pastry and baked in the oven... I thought it was fab! But ofcourse DH complained... he doesn't like liver.. said it tastes like a wet dog smells...

sigh..

Then I made a bean dish. With flavored rice with pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.. I used dried white beans and chickpeas.. again with onions and peppers all stir fried.. I thought it was nice.. but family was not enthousiastic...

They like the old way.. meat..veg..tatties or rice.. and pasta's with meat/tomato sauce.. big salads to go with pastry dishes and sorts..

It's just hard to get everyone (especially DH) on board! They still want their evening snacking especially on the weekends.. and they won't settle for the cheap crisps but want their favo brands..
Sandwich fillers are also a debate. DH takes 6 sandwiches to work for lunch and he wants cheese and meats to go on them.
The teenagers will eat themselves silly with peanut butter and chocolate sprinkles and the jam's I made are much less popular.
Home made apple sauce is commented on because it is not as sweet and finely mashed as the commercially bought ones.. (Apple sauce is a biggie foodgroup in Holland)

I'm starting to get discouraged.....

just having a moan really..

things are getting tougher by the week! In January taxes will rise, the costs of health insurance goes up tremendously! (and it's mandatory so nothing to be done about that) diesel prices are through the roof...I carefully mentioned the option of getting rid of the car but DH nearly had a stroke at the thought!

I grew lots of veg this year and we have a freezer full of sweet corn... but you've guessed it.. the family has now decided that the sweet corn doesn't taste that great...
grrrr

as I said.. just moaning really.. I have to find ways to feed them and keep them all happy on less money...