What can you do without?

foxblade

Thanks for the tips so far!

I already do quite a lot of what is posted above but next I will get rid of the fabric conditioner and also try and cut out the take-aways.

My pet hate is buying items that get "thrown out" for example Bin Bags. We don't have wheelie bins around here so they are a must as I don't think the binman would be to best pleased picking up 10-odd individual carrier bags of rubbish.

faerie~spangles

The car: OH gets a lift from door to door from colleague.

Fabric conditioner.

Takeaway's.

Hot water: Since the council fitted a temp' limiting valve on the bath it is a waste of time/energy/money heating a tank of water only to end up with a cold bath. I have a dishwasher, washing machine and electric shower.

Shopping in supermarkets: I shop local (within walking distance) or buy online.

Chemical cleaners: Vinegar, bicarb, lemon juice does the job for a fraction of the cost.

Never have been suckered into the expensive 'beauty' products.

I cut OH's hair, he trims mine.

Never send Christmas cards, seems such a waste of money to me.



:rotfl: :eek: I sound like a miserable, tight fisted git:eek::rotfl:

VeggieCatLady

Avoid supermarkets-I only buy things from supermarkets that I can't get hold of somewhere else. I sometimes buy 39p veg from a smaller supermarket, but get the rest from the pound a bowl stalls at the market.

Delivered shop once every two months-rather than visiting mr T regularly to buy cat litter, I have a bulk delivery in a cheap time slot. I also add any items which I cannot buy from somewhere else. This rules out the risk of me being tempted by offers in store which are not good value and makes it easier to keep a running total!

Bars of soap instead of shower gel-they last longer and are less drying on the skin.

Vinegar instead of glass cleaning spray-makes everything sparkle for a fraction of the price!

Fabric softener-pointless!

Fizzy or bottled drinks-I drink tap water and take a bottle of tap water with me when I go out.

Drink with a meal-if I go out for a meal I always have tap water as it is free and I prefer it.

New cleaning sponges and cloths-I put used ones in the washing machine with a load and reuse them until they fall apart

Christmas-personally I no longer celebrate Christmas, but for those who do, save money on presents for people who you will see after the big day by buying them in the sales afterwards!

System

Foxblade compact as much of the rubbish as you can. Providing the bags are strong enough i can get a fair amount of rubbish in one sack. I learned this when my borough council implemented a 3 sack per household rule. OK, i struggle up the path to take the rubbish to the kerbside but at least i get my rubbish collected and minimise the amount of black sacks i get through.

OrkneyStar

Make up- have a little but rarely use it.
Hair products- using up what I have but not really buying more apart from some hairspray (the only thing that really works now my hair is short).
Expensive shower gels- buy when on offer and sometimes use soap instead (though hate the gloopiness way of it)
Booze- drink once in a blue moon
Diesel- driving less when I can
Ready made pizzas- as a treat only, own made is cheaper and nicer
Posher fruit- as a treat or reduced, basic apples and bananas just as good for you as strawbs etc
Cloths- old clothes are cut up, when no longer wearable by me or anyone else
New PJ's- using what I have and old tops etc, though always need a couple of decent pairs in case in hosp unexpectedly (found that out last November lol!)
Not really sending many Christmas cards- only to close family/friends
Hair- now hair is short I save on shampoo.
Newspapers/magazines- rarely buy, mum sometimes sends one as a treat (magazine I mean)
Books- second hand or library
Never had sky so can't ditch it lol!
Mobiles- both adults PAYG, my tariff gives me 2X the amount I topped up for free, and that lasts for a month before I have to use my real credit!

Hope that helps

lilian1977

foxblade wrote: »

Thanks for the tips so far!

I already do quite a lot of what is posted above but next I will get rid of the fabric conditioner and also try and cut out the take-aways.

My pet hate is buying items that get "thrown out" for example Bin Bags. We don't have wheelie bins around here so they are a must as I don't think the binman would be to best pleased picking up 10-odd individual carrier bags of rubbish.

Look out for the charity bags that come through the door, they're ideal. And try to recycle as much as you can, or buy items that don't have as much packaging. xx

OrkneyStar

lilian1977 wrote: »

Look out for the charity bags that come through the door, they're ideal. And try to recycle as much as you can, or buy items that don't have as much packaging. xx

With cardboard boxes, tubs etc you could ask if local nursery/school want them, they are often used to make models!
DS grabs any cardboard I have and has a 'making corner'

LameWolf

In no particular order.....

I've never used fabric conditioner. Or air fresheners.

We don't have takeaways, by the time my husband has gone and got it, I can throw something together myself, without the expense. And I know exactly what I'm eating that way!

Branded products; Mr LW was a horror for always buying brands, but I've taught him that own label stuff is fine.

Magazines. CBA with 'em!

Sadly I can't do without make-up if I have to face the world - unlike Valk_Scot I am not happy with my own face. But if I'm not going to see anyone (ie most days) I don't bother.

Ready meals - yuk!

Smoking. I packed it up over a decade ago, when I moved in with Mr LW. He's never smoked at all.

"Must-have" gadgets - we thoroughly evaluate if we'll get sufficient use out of gadgetry to justify the expense, before we buy it. We've got a bath-lift (essential for me) but no smart-phones.

My own car. I can no longer go out unaided, so there's little point in me having my own car now. We have to have one, as Mr LW works 30+ miles away, but two is a pointless luxury; I have a mobility scooter for local errands/dog walking.

There's probably a whole lot more I could add to the list, but I just had an interruption (my latest canine guest just arrived):T:T:T and my train of thought has therefore been derailed.:D

FairyPrincessk

I agree LW, we don't have smart phones either. We both have ipods, which we listen to on the bus since we don't have a car. Our ipods are about 6 years old.

I don't smoke.

I only wear makeup when I'm working away from home, which is usually only a couple of days a week.

We also do without lights frequently. For example, our bathroom has a large window so mostly don't need a light to shower etc. in there.

I love reading these ideas!

[Deleted User]

quite a bit after reading some of the posts
ready meals :never had them so can't give them up
Fabric coditioner :don't like the smell of it anyway
Bottles of shower gel: thats what a bar of soap is for
virtually anything 'instant' :can't see the point when I can usually make it cheaper
My mobile is on a tariff that gives me unlimited texts and 100 hours a month phone calls for £10.50 which i think is very good value as I normally text more than phone anyway.
Only wear make up on high days and special occasions (in other words hardly ever )I have a bag full of cast off make up from my DGD which she throws my way when she buys new stuff
I can't do without my car as I can't walk very far so it is an essential for me but I do limit myself to essential journeys if possible
I don't smoke :disgusting habit and the thought of setting fire to money is enough to put me off
Take aways are non existant in my house as I like to know whats in the food I eat
I'd love to do without cable and get 'freeview' but I live in a 'blank spot' and can't receive it.I did tell Virgin I was going to move to Sky and got a brilliant deal for a 'loyalty bonus' which cut £19.50 a month off my bill So I have phone, cable and broadband for around £11.00 a week.
I recycle and reuse as much of everything that I can and try to stay away from the shops as much as possible and use up what I have first before buying anything else.my only luxury is my fresh ground coffee and decent comfy shoes (essential when you have walking problems as I do)Apart from that I spend very little on luxuries as my spare cash usually goes towards my summer and spring holidays or my numerous grandchildren whom I adore.