It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

London_1

linz said:

I think I forgot to post this earlier in the week but I went across country last weekend for the jubilee, it's a journey I do quite often, but this time I stuck to 60mph instead of 70mph (mostly dual carriageway / motorway) and I found that I had about 60-70 miles more petrol left on my dashboard than I normally do. I didn't really notice I got back any later either, possibly due to just pootling along and not stop/start. I noticed a lot more cars doing 60 too than I used to. I knew it'd be more economical but I didn't realise i'd 'gain' 60-70 more miles just by doing 10mph less. I'll definitely be doing that again.

I spent around 22 years of my working life before I retired driving around 1000 miles a week and if you try to keep the revs (if you have a rev counter in your car ) under 2 on the gauge you will save a good amount on the petrol. plus make sure the boot is as empty as you can as extra weight cuts MPG down roof racks etc. I also open the windows rather than putting the aircon on as that burns fuel as well.
This month so far I have done a bit of too-ing and fro-ing with my grandsons, for interviews for work and running them to and fro from jobs etc and done around a quarter of a tank (about 190 odd miles ) I have a seven seater and its so far cost around £35 which considering petrol is around £8.50 odd a gallon isn't too bad .I am also very concious of braking and slowing down  and both braking and accelerating is done gradually  

Small economies but if it helps to get more MPG with this expensive stuff its worth it 

JackieO xx

GaleSF63

linz said:

I think I forgot to post this earlier in the week but I went across country last weekend for the jubilee, it's a journey I do quite often, but this time I stuck to 60mph instead of 70mph (mostly dual carriageway / motorway) and I found that I had about 60-70 miles more petrol left on my dashboard than I normally do. I didn't really notice I got back any later either, possibly due to just pootling along and not stop/start. I noticed a lot more cars doing 60 too than I used to. I knew it'd be more economical but I didn't realise i'd 'gain' 60-70 more miles just by doing 10mph less. I'll definitely be doing that again.

10-15 years ago I use to regularly visit my mother 300+ miles away and I started doing this, keeping to 55-65 when traffic conditions were suitable, because money was tight, and it made quite a difference. After about a year I noticed that most traffic had slowed down as well; maybe fuel had got more expensive, I don't remember. But at less than 60, my 12-15 year old car was exceeding the miles per gallon spec of the the manufacturers! (On a motorway)

littlemoney

A light foot on the accelator pedal always helps. I have a diesel, from when we were encouraged to buy them and over 7 years my average mpg has been 55 mpg.

euronorris

The fuel cost is getting silly. It was 174.9/l for petrol when I filled up on  Thursday. I noticed today that at that supermarket it was now 178.9/l  and the other I have to pass to get home, was at 180.7/l already. We'll be at £2/l very soon. Some places already are.

The milk delivery has now been cancelled. Can't justify it anymore. Prime has been cancelled. We rarely order from there anyway, and no less so. And we don't watch their streaming service, so off it goes.

Interestingly, I checked prices of things I needed from supermarket and sainsbos was cheapest! Cheaper than aldi and lidl! So it was sainsbos I headed to.

Also trying own brand versions of spaghetti hoops, beans and soups (for when I want ease). Morries own sgetti hoops were liked by DD, but I found them very vinegary and therefore unpleasant. Trying sainsbos version next.

I'm feeling grateful that she is young enough to not be bothered by branded foods, and that she doesn't have food aversions. For parents with children who do, it must be very difficult.

Brambling

I filled up with petrol on Wednesday it was 188.9 at the garage a mile from home and was181.9 nearer my office about 12 miles away. Local press is reporting the Services just off M23 about 7 miles away are 202.9 and the most expensive in the county. 

otb666

Just discovered i had 24 cans of food which were over BBE date so will be using them up as know they are edible but prefer to eat my cans in date  This left about 50 cans in date still

elsien

I have 2 non associated amazon accounts with different email addresses and phone numbers. I find I alternate getting the free trials, enough so I can use one at Christmas and the other for the rare times when I do want something on a hurry, 

London_1

I think when I open a tin thats perhaps OOD I always use my nose and smell it,as long as its not 'blown' I use it up

JackieOxx

YorksLass

euronorris - I use Sainsbobs all the time (no other alternative where I live other than a Co-op - poor choice and expensive) and find them reasonably priced - with carefully planned tactics.  I buy F&V seasonally and take advantage of their wonky lines, check their Aldi price match/Price Lock lists and look for ys or clearance items in store.  Wonky F&V is cheaper and, once peeled/chopped or whatever, tastes just as good as the "perfect" specimens.  The Aldi/Price Lock lists are a useful checklist to stock up on regularly bought items.  The downside though is that when items come off the lists they often revert to a higher price than they were to start with.  

I've just done an online order for Tuesday delivery and inevitably there are some price increases.  Milk up 5p again (14p more than it was a month ago), a small gammon joint up 51p since I last bought one, small tub of Greek yogurt up 5p again (10p more than a fortnight ago).  On the plus side, I've ordered some items that have gone down in price.  As to what I will actually get .... well, that remains to be seen as I've stipulated that I don't want substitutes for some out of stock items.  Could be a lean delivery!     None of these is urgent so it won't be a disaster if I don't get them.  I can always go in my local store as they quite often have them when the online store doesn't.  

I'm finding one of the current difficulties is the removal of a lot of the basics brands that I found perfectly acceptable.  Somehow, the replacements always seem to be dearer and not as good quality.

I've spent quite some time over the last couple of days updating my price book and looking for alternatives for things that have gone up.  In some cases this has meant going for a cheaper brand where possible or buying a bigger pack.  Another tactic is to look at what I can make myself for less money than buying ready-made.  I already cook most things from scratch anyway but will be selective - much as I like cooking and baking, I certainly don't want to be chained to the kitchen 24/7!  

euronorris

Thanks @YorksLass it was the perfectly tasty range of fruit that I bought (their version of wonky fruit/veg), and agree its just as good. And actually slightly cheaper than aldi. Marginally, but it is cheaper.

And yes, I've also noticed that own brand versions of things are disappearing entirely. Morries used to do their own soy sauce. It's gone. Not even an empty spot where it should be, so it's not sold out. Just no longer available at all. Only branded stuff.

Morries did still have gammon joints on 3 for £10 a couple weeks ago. Not sure if you have access to one at all? Maybe delivery? Still a reasonable size too. I did one on Friday in slow cooker. Did dinner that night. Lunch and dinner yesterday (sandwiches), and lunch today (wraps) and there's still enough for another meal. That's for 3 people (one is 5/6) though.

Had a very low spend day. Bought the sun newspaper for the code to get free tickets for Warwick Castle. Other than DD and I were in garden, with paddling pool, and invited one of her friends over. Ice lollies from the freezer, drinks from indoors, chalks and bubbles we already had. A free and fun afternoon for the kids. And us mums got to have a natter. DD was so happy.