False economy (merged threads)

Linda32

anguk wrote: »

Definitely washing-up liquid, I've found nothing is as good as Fairy and it has to be the original one, the different flavoured varieties they do don't seem to last as long as the original.

Intresting you should say that I always buy Fairy as well after trying various others and finding they really don't last as long. However, I happend to pick up the anti-bac one (It must have been on offer as I wouldn't usually bother with anti-bac specifically) and I'm sure that one lasted longer than the other Fairy brands.

MandM90

Pink-winged wrote: »

Hi FairyPrincessk,

Mine is washing up liquid...I have never found one that touches Fairy.

Pink

I've found Fairy isn't as good as it used to be. Which has found that the Aldi one (which I haven't tried yet) stretches to almost double the washes for the price!

Linda32 wrote: »

Can I ask, has anyone thought of giving up kitchen roll, cling film and fabric softener, its a myth that these things are necessary IMHO.

I don't use kitchen roll or fabric softener (though do sometimes use two in one); I find a cloth and hot soapy water is enough and if I want to soak up grease from something there are usually paper napkins floating around from the last party/holiday (for some reason my MIL always gives me printed napkins in the run up to Halloween and Christmas...but we tend to use real ones!)

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

I can see where valk is coming from re GYO, but some items are cheaper and so easy to grow.

I recently went to a cookery course and meal with DW and the chef said he used to work in a supermarket and the chemicals they put on carrots etc to keep them 'fresh' and looking appealing are horrendous and you should ALWAYS peel everything. At least with GYO you know what goes on it. I don't grow my own but we're planning on buying our first house with a garden next year and it's something I definitely look forward to.

My false economies:

Cheap cheese; on offer nice mature cheddar can be cheaper than value brand and the stronger cheese means you need less...which means less calories required, too!

IKEA; some things are OK but I find many pieces don't last - both for me and for friends - or end up wonky. Some things just look plain cheap and horrible. I would much rather a repainted/glossed solid pine piece from eBay or freecycle now.

Dilly

[/QUOTE].TBH plug plants are a waste of time and money for the most part.
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[/QUOTE]

I always buy my plug plants early on around Feb. I especially like geraniums and busy lizzies. When they are much smaller they are a lot cheaper. I can usually fill my patio tubs for around a tenner. Downside is that you have to have the space to grow them on and the time to do it

FairyPrincessk

I actually store all of my flour in the freezer since that is where I happen to have space. I don't even bother to put it in plastic and I don't have any problems. However, my grandmother has one of those deep chest freezers and it tends to gather a lot of frost. I can see where that might lead to damp flour.

I also agree about cookware and clothing. Earlier this week I found myself in J. L*wis looking at loaf pans becuase the non-stick coating came off of my last loaf of bread:mad: I was not impressed, so I decided I was going to go for quality this time and got one with a life time guarantee. Must say the first loaf came out beautiful:D Good jumpers are also worth it. I have two gotten off Christmas vouchers from Lands *nd. They are cashmere and have lifetime guarantees. They probably cost slightly more than elsewhere but they are very warm and after several years of near constant use still look smart. Plus, if they ever did start to droop etc. I could get them replaced for free. Between saving on heating bills and re-fresher "trendy" jumpers over the past five years I think they have been well worth it! I bought a couple of trendy ones about the same time and they both look a little worse for wear.:o

System

I rarely buy 2 for 3 offers or the like. It just encourages me (and the family) to be more wasteful.

seabright

I think Lakeland foil is worth the extra money. Actually, I think most Lakeland things are plus you get their refund guarentee, whatever the reason (even if you just change your mind).

I always buy "real" marmite rather than all brand; the taste is stronger, so you need less.

GreyQueen

Heartily agree with many of the above.

Things I've found false economies are cheap shoes, linens, saucepans and anything designed to cut like scissors, knives, tin-openers, garden shears. Good steel is expensive but will last decades with care.

I'm kicking myself for buying seed trays of the brittle plastic kind (barely lasted a year, waste of money and resources, bad on both accounts) and tend to buy "good" brands of clothing secondhand for a fraction of the price of buying rubbishy brands new.

I think if you buy cheap you buy twice or thrice for the same lifespan of the quality item and have a less-satisfactory experience, so my motto is to buy quality (if secondhand) and to take care of it and leave the trashy stuff in the shops.

wannabee_in_credit

Mine is the same as most others - washing up liquid and loo roll.
There are some fantastic ideas on here, I had no idea about freezing flour. Thanks

cutestkids

My false economies are

Cheap washing up liquid
Cheap shampoo
Cheap Kitchen / Toilet roll
Very large packs of crisps etc as they encourage me to eat more cause they are there.
Cheap batteries

budgetboo

I agree with Grey Queen mostly methinks.

BUT - I freely admit I have made poor purchase choices when I haven't had the cash upfront to buy quality e.g my Beko washing machine - as soon as the guarantee ran out it's given me grief. It's now under an expensive service warranty that allowed me to pay monthly for a year while I save for a decent John Lewis (3 year guarantee) or miele (10 year guarantee). Summat goes wrong with it now every 2 months.

A real pain as living in a small flat with a sn kid I NEED a washing machine, and I constantly regret ever buying that BEKO. It's a mistake I won't repeat (£35 a WEEK for the laundrette everytime it breaks down).

2nd hand pine chest of drawers repainted will last a life time unlike the cheap flatpack stuff my budget would otherwise allow me to afford. The second hand 2 seater sofa I got in the summer for £25 takes pride of place in my living room and will be recovered rather than replaced as it's so sturdy in due time.

Cheap mattresses - we spend so much of our life asleep that a good brand new mattress is vital. Poor sleep leads to all sorts of health problems. A freecycled bedframe or the floor with a GOOD firm mattress is much better for you than a "trendy"bed. My mattress is 20 years old.

It's taken me two years to save for a new bed & mattress for my son to replace his cotbed. The cotbed though was a good investment as it's taken him from birth to age 7 and is fit to be passed on (with a new mattress) to his cousin for whom we expect it to do the same. The bed & mattress I've ordered in the Jan sales I expect to last him till he leaves home now.

Car seats - your bubba doesn't need loadsa plastic toy tat but you can never put a price on the value of a decent car seat for a vulnerable newborn. Get a cheapo push chair if you have to but don't scrimp on a car seat, even if it means you can't afford to show off with a trendy travel system at baby group like the other Mums.

Black trousers - how many times do you wear simple black trousers? Well worth a the cost of a pair that fits well as they'll take you from work, to parties, to funerals with no complaint.

Kitchen knives - you only need a couple of decent kitchen knives and they'll last a life time if you look after them.

Shoes/boots - if like us you have an active lifestyle, no car etc then decent shoes are a must and are worth paying extra for. I'm over the moon with my furlined leather black ankle boots from Northwest territory ths winter (£25 off amazon). They'll last a couple of years despite regular abuse.

Having said all that I do plan my purchases for the sales etc!