Top 20 Frugal Must Haves?

uncommonadvice

What would you say were the Top 20 Frugal Must Haves?

I'm thinking alog the lines of:

1. A slow cooker.
2. A hand cranked washing machine.
3. A clothes airer.
4. Vinegar.
5. Baking Soda.
6. A radio (so you can switch the telly off and save on the license).
7. Long Johns/ Thermals.
8. A solar shower.
9. A water butt.
10. The internet - mega resources.

OrkneyStar

uncommonadvice wrote: »

What would you say were the Top 20 Frugal Must Haves?

I'm thinking alog the lines of:

1. A slow cooker- yep!
2. A hand cranked washing machine- not for my bad back, my compromise is to wash whenever possible at 30 or cooler and try to use my Eco-balls more.
3. A clothes airer- yep, lots of them!
4. Vinegar- yep!
5. Baking Soda- yep!
6. A radio (so you can switch the telly off and save on the license)- still watch telly, but if you do go telly-less then you can watch a lot online (as long as not live), love the radio.
7. Long Johns/ Thermals- and woolens and blankets.
8. A solar shower- not got one of those!
9. A water butt- or those, now a big butt, perhaps .
10. The internet - mega resources- yep!

I'd also say
* the ability to cook basic recipes
* buying quality over quantity, and often second hand
* making gifts (eg knitted, baked etc).
* swapping/bartering skills
* ability to manage money
* hot water bottle

There are no doubt more. Thanks for starting this!

CH27

The right mind set:D

spadoosh

Sorry to but in, but what the benefit of a slow cooker?! Ive got one but never use it. Is it loads cheaper than using a standard cooker?!

Composter would be important and i think a veg patch

spadoosh

o and a 2nd freezer or a b ig 1st freezer.

OrkneyStar

spadoosh wrote: »

Sorry to but in, but what the benefit of a slow cooker?! Ive got one but never use it. Is it loads cheaper than using a standard cooker?!

Composter would be important and i think a veg patch

They do use less electricity (I think) but the main advantage is that the long slow cooking process allows you to use cheaper cuts of meat, yet they still taste lush at the end. Also handy as you chuck it all in at the morning and it is nice and lovely and lush when you are hungry!
As for a veg patch, I wish I could, my sore back just won't let me .
We have a 'green cone' in the garden and use that for lots of veg waste etc.

Stephen_Leak

Stardrops.

Pink.

A bit of common sense is always useful.

Stephen_Leak

Pink-winged wrote: »

A bit of common sense is always useful.

That's almost a superpower these days.

Sulevia

Pressure cooker - cook things using less fuel
decent knives - chop things finely to cook quicker
wok - to stir fry those finely chopped things
lidl or aldi nearby
friends to share / swap things with
warm clothes
long-sleeved high-neck nightwear
decent shoes to cope with all the walking
a good big bath towel
the best pillow I can afford
source of wild food even if it's just a hedge of brambles
herb pots
as much home-grown veg as I can find space for (tomatoes, garlic, a potato tub)
cider vinegar
bicarb soda
tomato ketchup
books (join the library)
elbow grease
sense of humour
a nice cup of tea

That's my 20!

p-pincher

Ooooh great thread, mine would include

Clothes airers , cant afford to run a tumble dryer(really really want a heated lakeland one for next winter)
A nice big freezer
My bus pass so i dont have to run a car
The Asian supermarket nearby, bargains galore
My supermarket, never go shopping without having a gander
The Grocery challenge, keeps me focused
Food processor, makes the homemade frugal meals so much easier to prepare
Flannelette sheets in the winter, ditto slippers and extra blankets in the living room
Stardrops
Aldi
Home baking