Great 'ways To Cut Back' Hunt

sara2323

chaos5678 wrote:

I've started using the Aqua balls in my washing machine, they cost around £15 for 2 and last around 1000 washes each.
Use 2 for big load or very dirty, doesn't matter if they end up in dryer and
you don't need fabric conditioner
Clothes come out clean and very soft but unperfumed.
https://www.aquaball.com

I'm really interested in the Aqua ball although the Aqua ball website satates:

Each ball is capable of doing up to 60 washes (120 washes per pack).

Please can you clarify if the 1000 washes for each ball is correct.

Thanks

chaos5678

sara2323 wrote:

I'm really interested in the Aqua ball although the Aqua ball website satates:

Each ball is capable of doing up to 60 washes (120 washes per pack).

Please can you clarify if the 1000 washes for each ball is correct.

Thanks

Hi
I read about these in Jamie Lee Grace book (she's on Steve Wright in the afternoon) and it says 1000 in there.
I paid £15 for 2 and they came fully loaded and with spare ball things to put in them.
I've used them every day for 3 weeks now and they're doing really well.

lynzpower

There is a massive thread in OS under the name Soap nuts merged. Some people are not getting good value for money in them and 70% of dirt stains ( the light ones) will come out with water alone in any case. Have a look at the thread.

hostie

Hello, I have used these balls and my dad still uses them.
They do last forever. My sister used them for years and I don't ever remember her having to get new pellets or anything. The thing to note is that THEY DON'T GET STAINS OUT OF YOUR CLOTHES. If you are a bit of a hippy type like my dad and don't mind that things aren't whiter than white then they are a good way to save on washing powder. (My dad sometimes chucks the small leftover bits of hand soap in the machine drawer to give a helping hand). I personally find that they are no use for me as they don't get the stains out of tops. My partner would probably find them OK as his standards are not as high (mine aren't that high either).
Hope this helps.

Kim141179

If this has already been said then sorry, but you only need to use a table spoon of washing powder (if that!) I come from a family who all suffer from severe eczema and washing powder really affects our skin. The consulant dermatologist at the hospital told us that you only need a tiny amount, a tablespoonful of powder, to get most clothes clean as most of us wash clothes after a couple of wears rather than when they're really dirty. The rest of the powder just goes down the drain. Obviously this doesn't work if you have stained clothes, but it works fine on most loads. QWe've been doing this for years and my family's skin has also improved tons since (non-bio powder, obviously!) Give it a try, it's good for your skin, wallet and the environment!

Calephetos

Re: facewashes, etc - I more often than not use olive oil to cleanse. Since it's in the kitchen anyway (and I buy in when on offer, in bulk!) it's nice and cheap. I have normal skin, with a slight tendency to spots, and an oil-based wash (olive oil, hot water and a gentle wipe off with a soft flannel) keeps my skin happy and balanced because I'm not stripping the natural oils away with harsh chemicals. If you're grabbing 75oml bottles on BOGOF anyway, well

Oh, and for those using mooncups (and who are braver than I) blood is actually pretty good for houseplants...

JayneC

Plan your week's menu around BOGOF offers in the supermarket

MSE_Martin wrote:

MoneySaving's about cutting your bills without cutting back, but sometimes it's necessary to tighten the purse strings. This can be anything and everything.

So let's use MoneySavers collective knowledge to form the greatest ever checklist of ways to cut back. If this is good, I may publish the results as an article

What am I looking for?

The shorter and punchier the better. No more than a sentence, better if it's just a phrase. Simple is best. This is to help those people who need to reduce their expenditure quickly and easily. The less pain the better.

My Starters

1. Cancel unused TV channels

2. Grow your own fruit and veg

3. Use Govt MOT test centres (they've no vested interest in prescribing repairs for your car)

4. Take a packed lunch to work (the MoneySaving equivalent of 'cuddly toy, cuddly toy')

5. Use energy saving light bulbs

6. Close the fridge door quickly

7. Don't leave electrical goods on standby

8. Take out a magazine subscription if you buy a mag each month anyway
(or better still get 3 for £1, plus, sometimes, free gifts)

9. Quit Smoking

10. Walk/cycle instead of using the car for short distances

11. Try camping for your holiday

12. Use rechargeable batteries

13. Use empty coke/water bottles as dumbells

14. Start a compost heap

15. Use a combination of stages for rail tickets rather than a full single ticket

16. Try for student night haircuts at top salons.

Martin

PS. Please don't start discussions on this topic in the thread. It's only for suggestions, it'd be great to keep it pure and on topic - that'd help a lot more people.

In_Search_Of_Me

Loads of great tips so thanks all! Not sure about the sanitary products one lol!! So far with my new resolve to start paying debts off rather than amassing them have learned the folowing;

1) Check bank statements - realised that one co have been taking 2 DDM's for 6 months & have a nice refund check!
2) Write down every penny - its amazing!! Not get peeved at spending on rubbish like sandwiches when I can made then for a fraction of the price!
3) Learn to say no and think of how you'll feel debt free (about 5 years, exclusing mortgage in my case)
4) Look at how much interest you are paying! I was appalled...
5) Want or need?
6) If like me you love labels look at ingredients on own brands - I've discovered they're usuually identical (ie bloo loo vs teco own) but masses cheaper!
7) Look around your home & realise the incredible accumilation of c*** that you've accumilated & sell it but when using ebay check that noone is seeling the same thing at the same time because you'll get less for it!
8) Having done all of the above I have now started to get enthusiastic about saving rather than spending...although feel v. angry with myself for not doing so in the first place!! I have discovered who my friends are though and have been surprised both ways!

fizzel81

not sure if its been posted but the very cheap non bio washing powder(around 50p) makes an excellent cleaner! i use it in my carpet cleaner, its makes a fab oven cleaner when mixed into a paste, great for soaking the wire oven racks,baking trays etc in the bath(will also clean bath at same time) im sure there is many more uses for it.
i also by soda crystals and add these to my washing powder makeing it last twice as long

savingqueen

1) recycle old potatoes in a pot, they come out just like new

probably being a bit dim...but don't understand this one!


2) retain your mobile instruction book - they often give you money back if you return it! £5 with 3!!!

how do you go about this?

cheers