Great 'ways To Cut Back' Hunt

MartialArtMan

I like this idea!

Transfer / skim any 'extra pennies' from your bank account online into a high rate savings account like ICICI. For example, if I have £137.15 in my bank account, I will 'skim' that £2.15 to ICICI leaving me a rounded £135 - it's painless and really builds up.

Thanks

EagerLearner

Another one I like to do is just boil the kettle once in the morning and then fill a thermos with all the water to use as and when. It lasts hours and hours, avoids re-filling/re-boiling kettle, and saves the extra time you would usually spend re-filling/pouring etc.

Plus, join FreeCycle.co.uk and get rid of things free plus get things free, Rather than buying that new item, why not see if someone in your area has it and wants to give it away?


Cashback sites - there are dozens out there, however 5 really stand out. I make £2 a day from these just from clicking, which will net me an extra £40 or more a month - PM me if you want more info as it's not for everyone - only if you are at home and have the time (I am self-employed and often work from home).

Travel - don't ever book through the high street again without chekcing online first. Do your own research online, get the cheapest price, then book online or walk into a high street shop and show them the online quote and book it at the same price (they should be able to price match).

Music & DVD's - stop buying them instore if you can - if you order from CDWow for example via pigsback.co.uk, not only are chart CD's just £7.99, you also stand to earn £0.10 per £1 you spend and delivery is FREE - arrives in 3 working days in my experience. HMV is another great example - shop at HMV via quidco.com you can get 6% cashback and FREE delivery. Better still, buy the items on a cashback card and you have made even more savings.

SmileyHappyBeing

robindunne1 wrote:

Never carry cash in your wallet.

Id have to disagree, carry cash and then you know what you are spending and what you have left in the bank.. and left in your purse!

Firehorse

I don't think this would have been posted, and if it has I apologise!

This is aimed at anybody with an Educational Statement or Educational Psychologist Report.


Free borrowing from local libraries: On presentation of said documents, your card status can be changed enabling borrowing for free. There are, however, charges for late returns. This has been invaluable when the children have to study difficult texts, which can now be accessed via audio/visual means enhancing understanding at no cost.

Calibre Cassette Library: These are story tapes for the blind, but can also be accessed by people who find the written word difficult. Great if you have the book too, as children can follow the story. A form needs to be authorised, by your child's school enabling membership. This is a charity and relies upon donations.

redrabbit29

Some people have said to buy meat and veg from the butchers and market stalls. Surely ('ve always thought anyway) it is far more expensive doing this, than buying it fresh from Tesco's or a similar store. Or buying it frozen from a supermarket?

lisaflower1980

I think that it is much cheaper to buy from the butchers and green grocers as you can't be tempted by anything but meat and fruit and veg. Unlike at the supermarket where there are a whole number of things which can take your fancy.
Also, if you want to buy just 6 new potatoes you can - you don't have to buy a whole kilo as that is how it is packed at the supermarket.

suzialwaysbroke

I go along with that. I always buy from local greengrocer & butcher for exactly the reason of buying the amount I want & not what is prepacked. Also our local butcher & greengrocer is miles cheaper than any of the big supermarkets

professionallytrendy

lskdjalksjg

berkybean

If you are eBaying and need some bubble wrap, you can get it free from the produce section at your local supermarket. It's usually padding out the fruit / veg. I've got lots of free bubble wrap that way.

I've also got a huge roll of brown paper from ikea for 99p. It's way cheaper than buying jiffybags, especially when combined with the free bubble wrap.

Eddi_2

Just read through all 25 pages - Phew!!

Some fab stuff on here. A few of my own, some have been mentioned in some form or another, some not....

COOKING
- Drain the fat off mince (which is healthier) and then add Scotts Porridge Oats or something similar which will both soak up the last remainig fat and also will bulk out the mince so you don't need as much meat. The oats take on the flavour of whatever else you're adding to the mix and makes any juice not so runny/watery.

-Instead of expensive jars of pasta sauce I usually use soup and then maybe add tuna and either sweetcorn or olives for example.

PHONES ETC
- My Mum always put £5 on her pay as you go mobile every week. I registered her on a free text top up deal whereby she gets 300 free texts every month if she just tops up with £10 every month. She uses her phone more for texting anyway so it's a great deal. Most networks do this kind of thing now.

-A few times when I've been sorting out holiday arrangements and have had to phone abroad to a hotel for example, I've gone through the switchboard at work and asked for the call to be billed directly to me. Not all companies allow you to do this but 1. I'm being honest about using my works phone (in my own time e.g lunch hour) and 2. We get fantastic business rates on phone calls so it's dead cheap.

- Bar premium rate numbers from your landline. If you use the internet it stops people from hacking into your account and adding hundreds of pounds to your bill. My OH had about £90 of premium rate calls on his bill and BT said he would have to pay it and claim it back. He only has the landline for internet use.

HOLIDAYS
- I always book everything myself and do it online if at all possible. A little research goes a long way and you can shop around for deals. I find http://www.travelsupermarket.com/ quite useful for finding the best site to book a hotel at the best price.

- We swear by the holidays they do a couple of times a year through The Sun newspaper by collecting tokens and paying a nominal fee. We usually get a 5 day holiday for 4 people for around £75 including electric/gas/insurance. If you've got children look for the parks with free entertainment passes so you can use the facilities for no extra charge. Take your own duvet covers / pillow cases so you don't have to hire linen.

- Local tourist info sites are great for finding deals and money off etc for places to visit. I also always phone/email tourist information centres and ask for a load of leaflets and/or brochures. Cheaper than buying a guidebook.

- Try http://www.virtualtourist.com/ for tips and ideas of where to go. They are people's own tips from all over the world which once you've registered you can save the tips you like and then it formats into a prinatble guide. Again, cheaper than a guidebook.

- If your hotel bathroom has those little complimentary toiletries then put them in your suitcase everyday and bring them home. It's all paid for in the cost of your room so you may as well take advantage. They're handy to take camping.

HEALTH
- If you work for a company where you use a computer screen of any sort for a large proportion of the day, you are entitled to an eyetest at the expense at the expense of your employer under the Display Screen Equipment regulations. Ask your HR or H&S department about it if you have one. Thereby saving yourself about £20 for an eyetest.

SHOPPING- I use my Boots Advantage card at Christmas with points I've built up through the year. Look out for their bonus points offers/triple points weekends/double points coupons in postal mailings. They do a lot of BOGOFs and 3for2s so if it's stuff I always use then I take advantage. Usually pays for a couple of crimbo pressies.

- Go through Nectar E-Stores for whatever you can and top up your nectar card as you buy. I always go to Ebay through Nectar E-Stores as you get nectar points for Buy It Nows.

GENERAL STUFF
- Couldn't agree more with the folks who mentioned driving economically which not only saves fuel but also wear and tear on your car.

- Keep unused sauce pots from your pub meals/ motorways services. Again, handy for camping trips.

- Save all your ribbons and bows from Christmas pressies to re-use. We also cut nice bits from old xmas cards out into star shapes etc and use them for tags next year.

- Never buy screenwash in winter, they always hike the price up.




Sorry, it's turned into a bit of an essay .... I kept thinking of more things as I was typing. Hope some of it's useful.