Great 'ways To Cut Back' Hunt

MinnieSpender

I use rosewater and glycerin for taking my make-up off at night. Smells lovely, very nice on delicate skin and at around three quid for a good-sized bottle, it's cheaper than expensive make-up removers. It also moisturises so unless you've got very dry skin, you might get away without expensive night creams too.

JollyNolly

Another thing - those items that you can store for reasonable periods of time (washing up liquid, tea, coffee, washing powder, etc) - don't buy them when you need them. Buy them when they're on offer, such as BOGOFs, etc. Then store them until you need them. Make sure that you keep the stock going, just as if you were running a shop - the aim is never to run out. That way, you can buy things on your own terms, and you never have those times when you have to go out and buy things because you've run out, and find that you have to pay full price.

spaghetti_monster

Heard this recently, thought it was such a good idea (might be here already...!):
When you need hot water and have to run the tap, save the water that normally just runs down the sink - use for other things (rinsing/washing things/filling kettle/watering plants/etc)

JollyNolly

Sad person that I am, I'm still tracking down cheaper herbs and spices down at my local Sainsbury's. I've just discovered that whole cloves (yes, I know, you don't buy them every day, but they're nice in roast gammon and mulled wine, etc) cost no less than £1.90 if you buy the Schwartz jar, containing a miserable 22g. Yet in the same branch of Sainsbury's, if you check out the ethnic food section, you can get a 50g bag of whole cloves for just 69p - that's roughly one sixth of the price! Those little glass jars must be worth a fortune!

sweetmoneysaver

billyg123 wrote:

A few of my mates have mentioned an online sign-up for cheaper fuel, anyone know anything about this?

http://www.pipelinecard.org/

It hasn't been fully launched yet ... but May/June has been quoted.

Smiley_Mum

JollyNolly wrote:

Sad person that I am, I'm still tracking down cheaper herbs and spices down at my local Sainsbury's. I've just discovered that whole cloves (yes, I know, you don't buy them every day, but they're nice in roast gammon and mulled wine, etc) cost no less than £1.90 if you buy the Schwartz jar, containing a miserable 22g. Yet in the same branch of Sainsbury's, if you check out the ethnic food section, you can get a 50g bag of whole cloves for just 69p - that's roughly one sixth of the price! Those little glass jars must be worth a fortune!

I've noticed a similar thing with shelled nuts. If you go to Tescos and buy nuts that are where the fresh fruit and veg are they are considerably cheaper than buying them in the baking aisle in the much smaller bags too and twice the price.

uktim29

Bit of an odd piece of advise here & sorry if it's a repeat but, If you plan to go out at a weekend drink as much as you can at home cheaply beforehand to avoid paying higher prices a bars!

Ayeshalush

1) Use an 'on the hob' (as opposed to an electric steamer) to cook your potatoes and veg on one ring. If your steamer is a 3 tiered one you can even cook your fish/chicken, etc and cook your whole meal on one ring!

2) If you're not in a hurry to go out after washing your hair, especially if you have long hair, wait until it is 95% dry before using the hairdryer just to finish it off and to style it.

3) If batch cooking, wait until food is completely cold before putting in freezer, otherwise freezer temperature is initially raised, using extra power to bring it back to set temperature.

Arkwright007

Don't be embarrassed to nip into 'Poundland' when passing to pick up neccessities - e.g. twinpack Colgate toothbrushes £1.
Check out hostel websites, they are normally as clean and secure as a hotel at a fraction of the price - I've just stayed in a very nice one in Rome for 105euro for 3 nights then Venice 135 euro for 2 nights for a twin room.
Bike whenever you can - nipping into town is quicker too if you don't have much to bring back.
Bank on-line: Cahoot have proved many times better than A&L for service, reliability and interest.
Go 'veggie' you'll feel better for it.
Use local leisure centre sports 'drop in nights' if they offer them - my group are as unfit as I am and good fun to excercise with.
Consider joining the YHA (I'm over 55) the prices and locations are woth considering.

Thanks to all others for ideas and inspiration.

dippy-dora_2

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