£67,031.92 is a frightening number indeed....

GeorgianaCavendish

I favour expensive skincare too, I've managed to save a lot by always checking online before I buy anything in case of sales or good promotions on sites like Cult Beauty etc (last time I saved £10 on my moisturiser just by doing this). I always use TopCashBack and try to order as much as I can from Boots so that I can also get the reward card points. I love that you don't have to reach a minimum spend for a free in store pick up with Boots so that saves me lots on delivery or incidental purchases in store.

Inspired by Shop Well For Less, I did 'downgrade' a couple of items at the beginning of this year (moisturiser and serum went from a super-expensive brand to just expensive brand ).

I buy huge salon size bottles of shampoo and conditioner, I've got a hairdresser friend who lets me have these at cost-price. It works out much cheaper than buying the retail size bottles, mostly because it's easier to dose with the pump tops than the small bottles.

Boringly, I also ask for skincare products (or vouchers for shops) for my birthday and Christmas. This is partly driven by the lack of storage space in my tiny flat, we reached peak stuff about a year ago, but also because it is so nice to know that I won't have to buy certain products for months.

warby68

I like Bold liquitabs - tried many including own brands but keep going back so now I just look for a good offer on what I like.

Last month on Amazon Subscribe & Save there was a bulk buy offer with a voucher for 3 x 38 packs = 114 washes for £10.80.

That won't be the cheapest laundry product by far but it was a very good price for my preference - I like the tabs for space & lack of gunk in the drawer.

I buy Amazon ecards through work for 3% discount and also get cashback through Kidstart for 2% so squeeze another few pennies on all Amazon buys as well.

I think below 10p per wash is good overall.

Just an example of keeping cost down but still buying brands.

Silver_Queen

poddle911 wrote: »

TOPM, have you tried the Ordinary skincare? Really good dupes for high end products - loads of reviews/comparisons online - but incredible value.

I'll go back to lurking now. Keep on keeping on, you're doing brilliantly! Enjoy the camping

Seconded, I swear by their Niacinamide, retinoid 2% (although at 23 I use this maybe once every two weeks...), and marula oil. The marula oil is just as good at about £8 as the £80 bottle I was previously using.


ETA: I have a tiiiny bit of a skincare/makeup addiction and having previously worked for Estee Lauder group I have snobbish tastes, but the plus side of this is I've tried practically every brand in existence and can give you my thoughts on any at the drop of a hat. So if you're curious or looking for something in particular....

enthusiasticsaver

I don't bother with branded laundry products and just the all in one tabs so no need for separate conditioner. Lidls own brand and the same with dishwasher tablets. The only thing I won't downbrand on is Flash and I use that for everything - bathroom and kitchen related and floors. No separate bathroom and kitchen cleaner/floor cleaner for me. Just that and fairy washing liquid and occasional bottle of bleach to use on toilet pans and kitchen sink(very diluted).

Hiddenidenity

I need shares in a bleach company, along with zoflora I use far too much for it to be healthy.

I just use any non bio for washing powder. I've tried time and time again to switch to cheaper comfort/lenor but always regret it and go back to either of those (which ever is on offer). For washing up liquid I use sainsburys ultimate or which ever shop I'm in their equivalent.

The only thing I buy 'branded' is coffee and comfort/lenor I think. Everything else has been shifted down to the shops own.

Savertobe

Food budget yours and mine
I budget for 400 for food spend - 3 adult size portions - but I do struggle to keep to this. I'd have to cut out a lot then what happens OH buy even more expensive top ups especially for our DS the baby mammoth. Is the snacking a result of the no meat (perhaps no fish too policy) as the meals might be a bit lower in protein maybe fat too.

Skincare budget?
Skincare - I have posted on the clothing challenges post - I also have always liked and generally bought the good stuff. Some cheaper stuff is good value but sometimes does not do the same job but I am trying to sort the wheat from the chaff as it were. I wondered about your personal spend as you like to look good (no crime in that) but I know how much I spend and have been horrified by how much everything costs on a yearly basis - I am trying to cut down now through necessity. It is difficult as your purchases rightly or wrongly become part of your self identity - so I sway between being 'good' and going back to the comfort of buying expensive - I suspect that spends on cosmetics have been high too and that needs to be budgeted for because your going to need some of the more expensive stuff at some time.

Epsom salt budget appears phenomenal!!!

A fellow budgeter

joeyjimbles

Another vote for Stardrops here - the yellow bottles can be diluted and used in so many ways for cleaning everything. It's also really good for soaking muddy sports/camping kit. I think I got the tip from the Old Style thread on here and I know that I've never looked back. Plus it saves a lot of space in the cupboard.

Sea_Shell

I think too much advertising gives the impression that we can all look 20 forever, if we just buy "their" latest product.

More likely how you look, especially as you age, is determined by genetics and general health.

Eat well, drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep, and you're 99% there, saving £££ in the process:beer:

enthusiasticsaver

Sea_Shell wrote: »

I think too much advertising gives the impression that we can all look 20 forever, if we just buy "their" latest product.

More likely how you look, especially as you age, is determined by genetics and general health.

Eat well, drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep, and you're 99% there, saving £££ in the process:beer:

I totally agree with this. Drink lots of water, eat healthily, fresh air and exercise and get plenty of sleep. Don't get sucked into the advertising hype.

enthusiasticsaver

Also worry lines age a person so worrying how to find £30-£50 for the latest skincare product will be counter productive. Good old soap and water for me plus moisturiser from Lidl.