My Thrifty Ways to Save Money

culpepper

Recently I have been using a pie maker for dinners instead of the oven for pie and chips and the hob for veg. It is 300w instead of 3kw so a 10th of the price for a 20 minute pie and we don't have chips with the machine made pie because it is so large and filling.
Veg is done in the 800w microwave for about 4 minutes.

Caterina

Reading Culpepper's post about economical cooking, I remembered another thing I do: use the pressure cooker to cook several things, using the basket and then one or two steamers on top of each other, so potatoes go first, then next layer french beans and last of all greens/broccoli.

I can't abide microwave cooking unfortunately, I know it is super-economical but I just detest it - personal preference.

Also when I use the woodstove I tend to cook lentils or oats overnight. I also boil the stovetop kettle there sometimes, but it takes a long time so sometimes I give in and use the electric one if I am desperate for a cuppa or hot water bottle to go to bed!

datlex

Lynplatinum wrote: »

VfM4meplse - I think such products have got relatively cheaper. I certainly used to spend at least £6 ish per month but then I had heavy periods and many women do. No sympathy from doctors whom I went to cos I was in agony each month - but then they were male and never had them did they??? Think the human race would have died out if they did :rotfl: Nite all

I too get heavy periods. In your younger years this meant being sent home from school or being off work. i found a couple of things helped, taking an ibuprofen as soon as it starts. Not eating until get hunger pangs rather than eating breakfast at fixed times on day one. Regarding types I find the best type to be a well known brands Ultra type. I still need towels with them. I have a drawer full of them. I buy when they are on offer. Usually get them from Boots for the advantage points. With towels I find shop brands are fine. As well as these I use wet toilet paper at this time of the month as I find it leaves me feeling cleaner after a change than just ordinary toilet paper.

I_Love_comps wrote: »

jackyann I do have savings in an ISA my motto with that is put a little money that you will not need to withdraw. I do not do high interest accounts as I need access to my savings.

My best loyalty cards are Tesco's - I shop there weekly -although they have now stopped doing the double up vouchers - so I am waiting to see what other offers they replace it with.

Boots Advantage Card is good too - I tend to save my points up and spend on a yearly basis.

Not sure on the logic regarding high interest accounts. Many of these are current accounts and give you instant access.

Regarding loyalty cards, it is a good idea to have a card that can give you points for spending. It is not a good idea to spend at a place because you have a loyalty card for there. I have a Clubcard too like you I took advantage of the double points deals (got free presents for family using those in past). Our local Tesco is in a small shopping centre that includes amongst other shops Home Bargains and Iceland making it easy to check prices against each other if have a list. Worth noting cheap shops are not always cheap for everything.
I have a Nectar Card for occasional spends at Sainsbury's they do a couple of things I like that my local Tesco do not. I also have it linked to various other things including the search app which allows me to build up a few points to supplement those earnt in store. This is also used towards Christmas presents.
I am on the Boots Advantage Contact Lens Scheme which gives you 10% off all Boots branded products regardless of whether they are on deal or have advantage points linked to them. I do like their shower gel better than other brands and quite frankly other than value types it is cheaper than anything else: 75p (68p with the scheme). I use the points again at Christmas and for birthdays, I find their website good as it is surprising what you can get on their and buy using points.
I have a Debenhams Card which I use to pay my rent and monthly bus fare- every 3 months I get a voucher from them to spend in store. I appreciate that not everyone is able to pay rent buy card.
I have a Barclays Blue Rewards account which gives me a monthly reward.

Majority of spends are on my Freedom rewards card which I then transfer to appropriate vouchers to buy presents. This means I get double points on spends.

If I am buying online I go via Top Cashback to see if I can get cashback.
Last year I was able to buy most presents with the various points i built up over the year

One thing I got last year from a thrifty perspective was a soap foamer from Boyes. You put in 100ml soap, 200ml water and it creates nice foaming soap.

I_Love_comps

Morning everyone. Well disaster struck yesterday my laptop developed a blank screen while I was using it , it has gone in for repair but I hate using this notebook , as I Love to be able to type with two hands. So I will have to see whether or not the laptop can be repaired it is 7 years old and they do not last forever . My thrifty ways may have to be broken if I need a new one.
I have won a cotton shopping bag from a competition.
Have a good Monday

I_Love_comps

Well my laptop is still in for repair . I have spent money every day . I have got some coins to put into some of my savings challenges though.
Hope everyone is having a good week.

haras_nednats

Towser wrote: »

I buy/give and sell/recycle with the following:

Freecycle
Carboots
Ebay, Amazon
Charity Shops
CEX
Pre loved clothing

If you like Freecycle, you could try Streetbank! https://www.streetbank.com/

I_Love_comps

Well I am back. My laptop has new memory and has been repaired.

Caterina

Welcome back I Love comps!

t14cy_t

today i received a £50 sainsburys gift card for winning a princes fish prize draw!!!! wow, thought it was a scam when they emailed me a few weeks ago!!xx

I_Love_comps

Morning everyone . My no spend days are failing me. At least when I do have to spend I keep it down to a minimum.
Remember when buying for Christmas look out for the bargains.