What gives?

anonmoose

Ok so we are all feeling the pinch.  Obviously it is easier for those who have brand levels they can drop or luxuries they can sacrifice than those who are already living as frugally as possible.

We are fortunate in that although we shop very frugally over all (aldi mainly) and don't spend lots on entertainment etc, we do have areas we can cut our spend a bit.

So for me its things like going down a brand level on those remaining few things I buy branded. For example I have always stuck with heinz but recently discovered tesco own beans are just as nice. Sounds crazy but this took a real mindset shift as my last few branded items I was very loyal to.  Also I am making better use of subscribe and save offers then cancelling subs etc.  I would rather buy local but I have to get the most bang for my buck and there are some good short term deals on subscribe and save.

The other thing for me is committing to a no new clothes year which I know many do but this is new to me.  If I have to buy it will be charity shop or I have some vouchers for primark from a cashback company if the kids grow out of anything.

So I was wondering how others are trying to cut spend in clever ways?  I am trying to cut spending further with minimum impact and not sure what else to do.  

London_1

Menu plan I do it constantly every Sunday morning .I go to the shops far less than I have only done one bigger shop this month and as I am eating down my freezer I am also using up stuff I already have in store.Only buy necessities and things on my sjhopping list and try to use a replacement if I can from what I already have indoors.

Easier for me as I live alone as my family are all grown up with familires of their own now. I have used up a fish pie and the last of the peas from my freezer for lunch today and feeling quite full so tonight it will be a snack of something on toast,possible cheese with maybe half a tin of beans on top.The other half I will have for lunch tomorrow with perhaps a couple of sausages and maybe a jacket spud.

But I keep a close eye on what I have in stock and I am using stuff up as and when I can.

anonmoose

That's interesting London_1.  I switch between trying to use up my stocks and buying more in because I start to worry about rising prices.  But you are correct that menu planning and shopping less frequently saves money.

[Deleted User]

London_1 said:

feeling quite full so tonight it will be a snack of something on toast,possible cheese with maybe half a tin of beans on top.

Hi,

why not try the cheese on top, then under the grill until it bubbles, then a few dashes of Tabasco.

comeandgo

During lockdown I discovered I don’t really need to go to hairdresser every five weeks and the cheap one in our local village does just as good a job as the one I used to go in town and at half the price so I’m saving money by staying local and with longer hair.

anonmoose

Oh yes hairdresser is a good one comeandgo! I can't save in that area as I have always cut my kids hair (now college students). I even highlight my daughters hair occasionally.

I am not a hairdresser but couldn't bear to pay for a cut when the kids were little and I never stopped. My son has gone to a barber before but admits he didn't like the cut as much so sticks with me! 

I think it's because I was brought up with a mum who cut her own hair that I do it. I am not brave enough to cut my own though!

Since lockdown finished I have actually started to go to hairdresser rather than growing it. The new hairdresser I found is local and good value so is a keeper

tooldle

How about transport and fuel. How do you get around, heat your home etc?

Novice_investor101

I switched from Heinz to Tesco own brand beans & prefer them too. 

Some brands i will stick to. Like Hellmans mayonnaise. I just dislike any other that I’ve tried. I’d sooner just stop using it than swap it out. 

Dropping most other brands wouldn’t be a problem, I switched from LaVazza coffee grounds to Tesco’s own No3 yellow bag months ago & it’s just as good. I’ve started buying the 6 packs of green UHT milk too. I quite like the taste & it never goes off before I finish it & I’ll always have some in. As a single person household, 4 pints of fresh milk never lasts until I’ve finished it. 

I’ve moved a bit more to buying frozen veggies over fresh as, again, single person trying to eat a fridge full of fresh stuff before it goes off can be a battle sometimes! I do eat lots of fresh salads. I always freeze meat in portions. 

As for fuel, i walk everywhere nowadays. The car rarely moves from outside the house unless I’m off on a camping adventure. If i drop anything it’ll be how much I currently save & invest for the future. I’m fortunate that I live quite comfortably but current me will soon need to start spending some of the money I’d planned to squirrel away for future me’s retirement. 

mandy47

I've wondered what others may be giving up to stretch their budget that bit further.
We have lived the money saving way for many years and it's hard to cut back any more. 
But we are ,
Using the oven as little as possible.
Only showering on work days, wash down at the basin on other days.
Eating less meat.
OH charging his phone at work.
Walking more instead of taking the car.
Not spending on the garden this year . 
No new clothes only charity shop finds or dress agency.

DD asked me what I wanted for Mothers day. I've asked for veg seeds.

Florenceem

I don't buy a lot of clothes but my Son is getting married in August so I will need something good to wear.

anonmoose

Fuel is a big business spend of mine and no getting away from it.  I will have to see how long I can avoid passing the cost onto my clients.  Heating our home we use the woodburner more in the lounge (we have plenty of free wood) and put a jumper on more.

I am another one not spending on the garden and have enough veg seeds for at least this year.

I am trying hard to find cheaper good coffee beans also novice_investor so will look at Tesco no3 if they do it in a whole bean.  I usually use a mix of illy beans for the occasional treat and for my main coffee aldi did a great columbian bean but it seems to have gone from the main coffee isle, to special isle and now it is knowhere to be seen!!  I have ordered some amazon own but tried lots of stores/brands and cant find a good Columbia arabica bean.  I know its a 1st world problem but as I say its my only vice so I don't want to compromise too much if possible.