A few things I’m doing to save money

freyasmum

YorksLass said:

As an example, I use my bread maker once, sometimes twice a week and have always followed the recipe given in the machine's manual.  A little experimenting has shown I can use less oil, salt, dried milk powder and yeast and still have a decent loaf.  OK, it's only pennies each time, but those pennies add up and stretch out stocks.

Save butter wrappers in a storage box in the fridge and use to grease baking trays, cake tins etc.

If you make fruit crumbles, make up a large quantity of crumble mix and store in a bag in the freezer, then you can use just the amount you need.   Much cheaper than buying ready-made.

The contents of cheap packs of cooking bacon (cost approx 83p for 500g) can be pot luck but even if it's all bits they can be portioned, frozen and used in place of expensive packs of lardons (cost approx £2.65 for 250g).  Use for quiches, celery & bacon soup, add to pasta sauces, fry till crisp and sprinkle over salads.  Any fat (and there usually is some) can be rendered down and used for fried eggs, roast potatoes etc.

Weigh up the cost of home-made vs bought.  Example: A 4-pack of 125g pots of fruit & jelly costs around £2.20.  You can make the same amount using a tablet of jelly and a tin of fruit (basics) costing around £1.14. 

I nearly took heart failure when I saw the price of the jelly tubs in the supermarket the other week!! And promptly went and got the sachets instead.

You don't strictly need any oil/butter or milk powder in the bread, but they do make it last longer and the milk powder (which I use in addition to liquid milk) also gives a good lift to the bread. Although saying that, it doesnt really make it last much longer in my house because as soon as it's made, it's gone! 


I also find myself making treats rather than buying them. Partly because I enjoy it, but also because for certain things it's SO much cheaper. OH loves a jam and cream doughnut, but I'll be if I'm paying bakery/supermarket prices for them - they were at least £1.50 a pop the last time we got them in the bakery! I make 6 (well filled) for not much more than that, and i use fresh cream, not the synthetic stuff the bakery uses. 

HeleninSussex

Oooh those look yummy, Freyasmum - I think we'll all be coming round to yours for tea! 

Blackcats

@freyasmum - I agree with @HeleninSussex - that doughnut looks amazing. 

Although I rolled my eyes at the beginning, OH has been collecting up the dregs and tiny fragments of candles and tea lights.  He has made a lovely candle in a pretty jar.  It has a unique smell because of the many scents that went into it, however, it's unique in a good way 🙃

freyasmum

Ah, thank you both. I best get baking then!

I did mean to add as well, I freeze what we don't eat so we're not eating more than we need and there's more for another day. 

YorksLass

Scrummy looking doughnuts, freyasmum!

Blackcats - Your OH would have been very welcome at ours yesterday as we had an unexpected power cut from 10am.  Some neighbours were reconnected by about 3pm but ours was off until 10pm.     Luckily, we had (and knew where to find) torches, candles, tea lights, throws etc so I suppose we could consider it a practice run for whatever may/may not happen this winter.     We had cold meals rather than the planned ones but they've been moved on by a day so no waste.  We had tea lights in a baking tray, a wire cooling tray on top, with a lidded pan of water resting on that.  Eventually, we had hot water for coffee but it wasn't quite hot enough for a decent cup of tea.  Kind neighbour filled our flasks once she had been reconnected and I can't tell you how much that cup of tea was appreciated!

On the plus side, money saved on gas/electricity but not an experience I want to repeat!

Makingabobor2

Oh gosh, the power cut wasn't good news. I keep thinking we should get a bit better prepared, just in case. We only have 1 decent torch and 1 little one and can't be sure how good the batteries are or if we have the right size spare ones.  We have candles, but I'll have to sort out where to stand them all. Thanks for reminding me to look into it all this week,  How long did it take to heat your water? 

YorksLass

The first pan seemed to take forever - they do say a watched pot never boils - but I suppose it was about 40 mins.  Long time when you're gagging for a cuppa!     In any event, I now have tea lights on my shopping list just in case ......

Orunner

I've taken a second job as a lifeguard at a swimming pool, so as well as earning some extra money, I'm working in a great place to keep warm. 29c on poolside. So evenings at work in the warm, and saving by not needing any lights/tv's/ heating, etc on at home. 
If I'm home and feeling cold, I take the dog out for a walk and that soon warms me up. 
I use a hot water bottle in the evenings at home, with a lovely warm blanket, and get in my new very warm PJ's that I got cheaply at Primark. Very toasty. 
I've been bulk cooking, masses of soup that heats up quickly in the microwave. 
Only wash up once a day. 
Had an electric shower installed so I don't need to buy heating oil. (But have a log burner for the winter, when it goes really cold.)
Boil the kettle for washing up. 
Best tip is probably get that second job if you can, there are lots out there, some companies are really struggling for staff, and when working for them, they will keep you warm too, even just for a few extra hours a week, they are desperate for staff. 

Pixie_Cosmo

Blackcats said:

@freyasmum - I agree with @HeleninSussex - that doughnut looks amazing. 

Although I rolled my eyes at the beginning, OH has been collecting up the dregs and tiny fragments of candles and tea lights.  He has made a lovely candle in a pretty jar.  It has a unique smell because of the many scents that went into it, however, it's unique in a good way 🙃

I do that too. Bought wicks online and have candle moulds. I keep an old sospan and one of those metal milk jugs to melt the wax in a small amount of boiling water. Then very carefully, using cloth or something to protect my hands, pour into the mould. I also use wax bits from tealights to help light my stove. All sorts of colours and smells! 

Rosa_Damascena

Orunner said:

I've taken a second job as a lifeguard at a swimming pool, so as well as earning some extra money, I'm working in a great place to keep warm. 29c on poolside. So evenings at work in the warm, and saving by not needing any lights/tv's/ heating, etc on at home. 
If I'm home and feeling cold, I take the dog out for a walk and that soon warms me up. 
I use a hot water bottle in the evenings at home, with a lovely warm blanket, and get in my new very warm PJ's that I got cheaply at Primark. Very toasty. 
I've been bulk cooking, masses of soup that heats up quickly in the microwave. 
Only wash up once a day. 
Had an electric shower installed so I don't need to buy heating oil. (But have a log burner for the winter, when it goes really cold.)
Boil the kettle for washing up. 
Best tip is probably get that second job if you can, there are lots out there, some companies are really struggling for staff, and when working for them, they will keep you warm too, even just for a few extra hours a week, they are desperate for staff. 

I am thinking the same too. I won't be striking but my countless hours of unpaid work for the NHS have to stop. I'd be better off spending that time stacking supermarket shelves.