What's your best OS moneysaving tip?

Hawthorn

Turn the thermostat down on your hot water by a couple of degrees - it really makes a fair bit of difference.

Lidl do a good washing up liquid which is on a par with Fairy I've found. You only need a small squirt. Cheap washing up liquids are usually a false economy. These are the two I prefer.....lidls or Fairy (on offer) Make sure your water is as hot as you can stand it to wash dishes, and only wash them when you have a 'drainer full'.
You don't say whether you use disposable cleaning cloths or not? If you do, it's well worth switching over to reusable. I have different colours/types for different things.
A few of the floorcloth ones
Blue microfibre for the bathroom
Yellow microfibre for damp dusting (we don't use furniture polish at all)
Basic white dishcloths for the kitchen.
A mooncup for yourself or washable san pro, rather than tampons or disposable pads - this will save you a lot of money.
Soda water is cheap and works a treat for cleaning windows and glass. Empty it neat into a spray bottle and use as you would windolene.

Adding oats to mince. No, they don't make it sticky, but I've found these to be best in bolognaise. They make it nice and creamy, and the bolognaise is better. For everything else, I use lentils.

Have you tried the value teabags? Morrisons are the best, and make a nice cuppa surprisingly...and at 30p for 80, I'm not complaining You just need to stew them a little longer, is all.

Do you use disposable nappies, or cloth? Cloth is much cheaper if you go for basic terry squares. Use fleece liners rather than disposable, and use washable wipes too. All goes in the same wash!

Is your freezer full? It runs more efficiently when it is.

Coupon cut for your shopping, or search for online codes before you buy anything. There's a section right here on MSE just for this

Just in case you need to use the heating, put foil behind them. It bounces the heat into the room, rather than letting it soak into the walls.

flossyblog

hello there

Make a list of all the things you use on a regular basis and then compare by weight at different shops.

I buy all groceries etc when on special offer, living in Holland you do not get large discounts as in UK, They don't have whoopsies etc.

I always batch cook spagetti bolognaise and chilli con carne, when the offer is on mince. This happens roughly once a month and for the 2 of us I get 16 meals to put in freezer.

The only way I can get DH to consider vegetarian food is if it comes as an Indian. So I have learnt how to make indian veggie dishes along with chappattis, it's really cheap and tasty and I get to eat vegetables.

Lalaladybird

Getting some fantastic tips thank you:o. Hawthorn you have suggested lots of things I don't already do so I will get going with those straight away:D I do use reusable cleaning cloths except for washing up sponges, everything else is new to me so thanks

Bongedone

When you cook pasta leave the lid on. Once you have the water boiling just turn the ring off. It will still cook.

Hawthorn mentions turning the hot water down. Do not turn it below 60c if you have a tank or you risk Legionnaires disease.

mouseymousey99

Gosh you are trying so hard - don't forget to have a bit of fun though....my only tip would be to join the library - try out lots of cookbooks & you can pick up a dvd (with one of your meals and a bottle of wine) you are only young once!!
best wishes Mx

Lalaladybird

mouseymousey99 wrote: »

Gosh you are trying so hard - don't forget to have a bit of fun though....my only tip would be to join the library - try out lots of cookbooks & you can pick up a dvd (with one of your meals and a bottle of wine) you are only young once!!
best wishes Mx

Awww thanks... I do use the library loads already:p. The funny thing is how much fun I am having being so frugal. I get a real buzz from finding ways to save money :rolleyes: Once a week we go for a long walk at the beach (weather permitting) We went on Tuesday when OH was off work and it was freezing but we rewarded ourselves with hot chocolates at the cafe there - they cost £4:eek: but worth every penny.

parsonswife8

With all the efforts you are making to save Lalaladybird, you deserve to have a treat every so often.
Hot chocolate at the very least.

EagerLearner

Mardrew wrote: »

I've just had a look at the fixture ferrets site and there is an annual fee of £5.20. I was just wondering if it was worth joining or is the information available elsewhere.

Regards

Mardrew

Hi Mardrew I find it's definately worth it - I check regularly for BOGOF's etc and have already saved the yearly membership fee many times over.
The site is fixtureferrets.co.uk :beer:

As an example, I can see on the site that 'I Can't believe It's Not Butter' is BOGOF @ £1.08 at Sainsburys, and there is also a BOGOF on chicken thighs & drumsticks @ £2.99 (720g).

Saves me £4.07 just buying those 2 items...

Mojisola

Hawthorn wrote: »

Turn the thermostat down on your hot water by a couple of degrees - it really makes a fair bit of difference.

Be careful that you are keeping the house warm enough for the baby.

Lalaladybird

Mojisola wrote: »

Be careful that you are keeping the house warm enough for the baby.

Of course. This house revolves around our little pampered princess:rolleyes:, worry not