PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.
We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

I saved £10k / annum during lockdown. What are your best saving lessons?

Newnoel
Newnoel Posts: 378 Forumite
Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
edited 6 August 2020 at 4:19PM in Old style MoneySaving
I came across this article from the Guardeeeun:
It got me thinking about how my family's own spending habits changed during lockdown, and what we will do differently from now on.
Obviously working from home more will make a huge different to travel costs and overpriced coffees and lunches in London, but there are a few other things we have changed in our household:
1) Cut out the twice a week dog walker - saving £20 / week, and it forces me to get out more often
2) Bought a breadmaker (c£200) to make lovely fresh bread daily - saving up to £10 / week
3) Cut the cleaners down from twice to once per week - saving £25 / week
4) We used to easily spend £100 / week on takeouts and, meals out - now we cook at home or use an offer like Gousto or Cook to have a variety of restaurant quality meals at home. No baby sitters to pay either. Saving easily £200 / month
5) We have a very large, but flat garden that costs about £200 / month to get someone in to cut from Feb to Oct. Bought an automower (cost about £2k) that cuts the grass automatically every morning and mulches the cutting. The lawn is immaculate, and it will be largely paid off in the first year (Note: I originally wrote "first month" - my mistake)
Total savings there are in excess of £6k a year, or more than £10k  from my pre-tax salary.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
«134567

Comments

  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 35,353 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Savvy Shopper!
    I agree with -taff on everything.
    If you used to pay £200 per month for someone to cut your grass and have spent £2k on a mower, how will it be largely paid off in the first month?

    Re doing things differently from now on:
    will you still do without your dog walker when you go back to work?
    if you had cleaners in twice a week and have cut down to once a week, are you or your partner doing additional cleaning because you are at home and have more time? Or have you found that once per week is sufficient?
    will you have time to cook at home when you go back to work?

  • Mickey666
    Mickey666 Posts: 2,834 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Photogenic First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Newnoel said:
    5) We have a very large, but flat garden that costs about £200 / month to get someone in to cut from Feb to Oct. Bought an automower (cost about £2k) that cuts the grass automatically every morning and mulches the cutting. The lawn is immaculate, and it will be largely paid off in the first month
    Nonsense.  You're saving £200/month so it will take at least 10 months to recoup the £2000spent on the mower.
    Perhaps you meant it would be largely paid off in the first year?
  • kazwookie
    kazwookie Posts: 14,117 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    £200per month on grass cutting, what size lawn area do you have, you would have been better off fencing it and renting it out to a local farmer or similar to graze sheep on.
    Around here is it £10 to £15 fortnightly cut for about 4  - 6 months of the year, I think you are being ripped off in the first place.
    Breast Cancer Now 100 miles October 2022 100 / 100miles
    D- Day 80km June 2024 80/80km (10.06.24 all done)
    Diabetic UK 1 million steps July 2024 to complete by end Sept 2024. 1,001,066/ 1,000,000 (20.09.24 all done)
    Sun, Sea
  • I gravelled my yard. Just checked that gousto website and I can get a weeks shop at A1D! For less than four dinners!
  • tboo
    tboo Posts: 1,379 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Income is approx 200 for me, and 20 for the wife. We also have a number of Buy to Lets in her name, yielding another £25k or so in income House value approx £2m, with mortgage of 720

    Going on what he says above in another thread from Dec 19 the guy doesn't really need to cut back much and is quite cash-rich considering the current climate
    “You’re only here for a short visit.
    Don’t hurry, don't worry and be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”
    Walter Hagen


    365 Day 1p Challenge for 2021 #41 ✅
    Jar £440.31/£667.95 and Bank £389.67/£667.95

  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,053 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The only saving I've made is the holiday I couldn't go on. And I'm planning to blow that on a new phone. :D
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.