The lengths we go to to save money

Sea78

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

I'm all in favour of buying generic paracetamol etc. instead of branded painkillers, but does anywhere do a cheapie decongestant? I am just getting over a bad attack of flu and have found that nothing works to clear my chest except Beechams Flu Plus hot drink sachets. They work out at about 58p per dose, which seems very pricey, but if I want to breath during the night I just have to pay up. Unless anyone can recommend a cheaper substitute.

Hi

In Lidl (and the like) I often see Beechams at VERY reduced prices- might be worth checking out as I was tempted at 99p a pack- but I'm not sure if this was the sachets or the tablets.

Sea xx

missyc35

yeah, there is an influx of beechams tablets around at the moment for 99p, boots decongestants are quite good or put your head over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head and a bit of eucalyptus oil in the water and inhale too

chivas

I'm fairly new to the frugal thing... but here's a couple from me!

The ASDA own brand cat food has similar nutrients to Whiskas/ Felix but is much cheaper - especially if you get the 24 tin pack...

If I see things on offer that I know I'll need in the future (whether its BOGOF on my favourite shampoo, or work clothes on sale) then I buy them. As long as I only buy what I know I'll use it works out well - I can't remember the last time I paid full price for clothes or toiletries...

My work doesn't have a microwave, so I bought a thermos food flask (£10.99 from TK Maxx) so I can make more pasta/soup than required and take it to work the next day.

chivas

spendthrift66 wrote: »

Also, does anyone know how good the home hair colours are? I've got one lurking about - but daren't use it. (My hair is kinda brown with hairdressers highlights) Does the home colour stuff cover it all up or do you end up with funny coloured hair? I only have it coloured to cover up the grey and it looks awful at the moment cos I haven't been able to afford it for ages.....

My OH is a hairdresser (yay - free cut and colours for me!), and he reckons the home hair colours are really bad for your hair - once in a while is ok, but too often will cause a lot of damage. It's because they contain high levels of lightener (even the black ones!) so over time it will really dry your hair out and cause the colour to fade/ go orangey very quickly. In the saloon, they mix the colour to suit your hair tone/texture/condition and generally need to use far less chemicals...

If you use a 'true' semi-permanent (i.e. where you don't have to mix two bottles together) then you should be ok...

tsharp

I steal everything instead of buying it.

MUSTBEFUNNY_2

I confess to "taking" too many small bags when I'm paying in M & S and use them as food bags for the kids lunches:o :money:

Eskimo12345

I haven't had my hair cut in 5 months!

It did get really long (past my chin) but getting it thinned out and coloured every few weeks was costing a fortune, so after cutting off my own ponytail :eek: I got it all cut off into a funky short style with highlights and lowlights... since then I haven't got it cut and loving having long (ish) hair again:D

I reckon within the next year I'll be able to get my ponytail back... I know it's not fashionable on a bloke but i really liked it before!!

Skint_Catt

chivas wrote: »

If I see things on offer that I know I'll need in the future (whether its BOGOF on my favourite shampoo, or work clothes on sale) then I buy them. As long as I only buy what I know I'll use it works out well - I can't remember the last time I paid full price for clothes or toiletries...

Me too - I love Dove deodorant but hate paying full prices when there are cheaper alternatives! I have 6 at the mo bought for bargain prices when I see them! :T

Catt xx

Soapy955

If I'm using a jar of pasta sauce in mince I swill out the jar with water and add the water to the spaghetti water. It flavours the spaghetti a bit more!

I also bought a contraption from Betterware which is like two funnels joined together which has a clamp over each funnel. You just upturn the bottle you want to empty the dregs from, clamp it over the other bottle and it's free standing allowing you to leave it to get all the last dregs out.
It helps if you have already used a bit of the new bottle to allow room for the dregs as I have found out in the past when I returned to it to find the dregs dripping all down the sides of the new bottle! :rolleyes:
I've used this device for shampoo, shower gel, conditioner, fabric softener, ketchup, anything really, so it has more than paid for itself by the amount of dregs I have saved!!

lizzie12_2

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

I'm all in favour of buying generic paracetamol etc. instead of branded painkillers, but does anywhere do a cheapie decongestant? I am just getting over a bad attack of flu and have found that nothing works to clear my chest except Beechams Flu Plus hot drink sachets. They work out at about 58p per dose, which seems very pricey, but if I want to breath during the night I just have to pay up. Unless anyone can recommend a cheaper substitute.

Have you tried placing some "vick vapour rub" in a bowl and add boiled water ..... quick stir. Make sure you close your eyes!!!! . place yourface over the bowl and have a huge towel over your head. Good to clear the stuffy nose - been doing that for years....... Do make sure eyes are closed