Frugal fuel tips

nannygladys

I'm afraid I can't remember who mentioned sleeping bags instead of blankets.  Well this afternoon I went into my airing cupboard to get mine out, (I don't camp anymore) and came across an old child's one so took that downstairs and been trying it out, and I'm pleased to report it works - yay. As it's a lot smaller and less bulky than an adult one, it fits better and not too long! So a hit from me, it's also very warm, pink and has a fairy on the front!!!!!  Thank you who ever it was

mumtoomany

Hi @nannygladys, it was me who mentioned it, but I can't take the credit for the idea. That was my sister when she was at university and wanted more beer money. I'll thank her for you. Glad it's helped. mumtoomany.xx

Cherryfudge

otb666 said:

i just wanted to add something so i use baby shampoo as you dont pay VAT, I have never bought clothes just used hand-offs from children+ hubby.  I prefer mens/boys pants as thicker.  I always cut my own hair and bath once a week.  Since menopause dont seem to need deodorant anymore.  I know 2 of these dont relate to fuel apart from you will have more money to spend on it

Another money-saver that as far as I know doesn't involve fuel but is worth knowing: many items have a 'pink tax', i.e. a version is marketed to women at a higher price than the equivalent aimed at men, but the only substantial differences are price and colour. They really do often charge more for a pink item!

A good example is razors - I bought a men's one with clip-in blades (asked my husband for advice on brand and model!) and no longer get itchy legs after shaving them. I reckon if it can deal with a beard it can deal with legs .

NoraNoir

Pink tax is a naughty thing! I use a metal safety razor - super cheap & no plastic. It takes a tiny bit of practice, but I’ve found I’ve nicked myself less than with the plastic ones. At the moment, however, I’ve kept my winter fuzz on - probably good for keeping me warm too! 😆

pickapennyup

yes i always use mens razors they do a much better job

regarding cold filled washing machine's mine is just a cold fill and is very near the kitchen tap,i have never liked the small amount of water they use i just dont think the amount of water they give cleans enough, and prefer to use a little more water  so i found an old hose say 3ft and now extra fill my washer and also use the warm/hot water from my hot water tank once the baths/shower etc are done which others asy cuts down heating the water

also love ariel powder but mix with a basic brand from Asda and goes along way (only buy Ariel on offer)

Swill  tom sauce bottles with half water and use in stews/spag bols etc suprisingly you get quite a bit

Used touse Fairy for washing up but its a £1 a bottle and we dont really have greasy washing up so useTesco standard and only 35p a bottle so much cheaper

pamsdish

Sapindus said:

Slinky said:

When showering we turn off the water after wetting hair, shampoo, turn the shower back on to rinse, turn it off to wash the body (using a shower scrunchie which saves on bodywash), back on again to wash off the bodywash, job's a goodun.  

Can you not do shampoo and body wash in the same operation and save even more?

I have always done that, lived abroad for some time where water was expensive, and heating it more so. I wet my self head to toe, turn off the water, work in shampoo, wash my body then rinse the whole

Slinky

calleyw said:

Slinky said:

Elmer_BeFuddled said:

Effician said:

It occurred to me that as the washing machine is cold fill only ........

Which genius thought cold fill only wash m/c's were a good idea when you have a gas combi boiler which gives (nearly) instant cheap hot water as opposed to using (expensive) electric to heat the water? Even worse, which twonks listened to them?

I was told by somebody in a showroom that because the machines use so little water now, that drawing it from the hot water tank or the combi boiler, there wasn't likely to be much hot water reach the machine due to the amount of cold water that would be in the pipes between the machine and the source of hot water.

Well this article seems to suggest something different

https://www.ebac.com/washing-machines/hot-fill-explained/

Going back to this, the ebac article suggests that the first wash uses 20 litres of hot water. Bother that!  My experimenting with my hot water in the watering can, I've put 5 litres into the drum, then run 2.5 litres through the powder drawer as I've switched the machine on.  The machine drew in a tiny amount more cold water, but nothing like 12.5 litres.

Slinky

Sapindus said:

Slinky said:

When showering we turn off the water after wetting hair, shampoo, turn the shower back on to rinse, turn it off to wash the body (using a shower scrunchie which saves on bodywash), back on again to wash off the bodywash, job's a goodun.  

Can you not do shampoo and body wash in the same operation and save even more?

Ooh I could give it a try......just a bit concerned I'm going to get shampoo dripping in my eyes. Could try and remember to bodywash first, can see some shampoo on the scrunchie moments when I'm not paying attention!

MovingForwards

Slinky said:

Sapindus said:

Slinky said:

When showering we turn off the water after wetting hair, shampoo, turn the shower back on to rinse, turn it off to wash the body (using a shower scrunchie which saves on bodywash), back on again to wash off the bodywash, job's a goodun.  

Can you not do shampoo and body wash in the same operation and save even more?

Ooh I could give it a try......just a bit concerned I'm going to get shampoo dripping in my eyes. Could try and remember to bodywash first, can see some shampoo on the scrunchie moments when I'm not paying attention!

Just tilt your head back a bit and you'll be fine.

Bettie

Slinky said:

I keep the doors open on rooms where I've turned the radiator off so they get a bit of heat from the other rooms. Don't want anywhere getting mouldy

I have been very lucky with my house and mould. Been here 35 years with no heating in the small bedroom and only once saw mould and that was when my daughter and hubby stayed for 6 months and slept in there.I spotted a tiny bit on window corners I keep the door shut at all times. 
Now keeping my other spare bedroom unheated and the door closed and that's fine too.