A few things I’m doing to save money

Doom_and_Gloom

Redleela said:

Doom_and_Gloom said:

We bulk buy our coffee in bean and grind it ourselves for a fresher taste, usually using the French press to brew (says it is 8 cup but we get 3 of our large mugs out of a pot). Last time we bought them the beans were £22.52 for 4 1kg bags so £5.62 a kg bag.
That means that for a full pot with 4 coffee scoops (we find this enough usually), it works out to less than 20p a pot. Doing this is much cheaper than coffee pods and in my experience much better coffee than the pods too.
We both drink a minimum of 2 large coffees a day, 3 each is usual, and I already think our coffee spend is rather high but it is something we both enjoy.

Hi,

Fellow coffee addict here. That's a very good price for beans. Would you mind sharing where you buy them?

Many thanks.

my OH bought it from @maz0n, Der-franz espresso beans. I just had a look and they are now £20.48 for the 4 1kg lot, so now £5.12/kg.

Siebrie

I was explaining oven use to dd2 (11), specifically the timer function. I accidentally clicked on the button twice in quick succession, and suddenly other options were shown. Clicking 4 times gave a 'brightness' option! I diminished the brightness from 5 to 1, which in daily life does not make that much of a difference (the display is still perfectly readable), but I hope it will save a few pennies.

Slinky

Siebrie said:

I was explaining oven use to dd2 (11), specifically the timer function. I accidentally clicked on the button twice in quick succession, and suddenly other options were shown. Clicking 4 times gave a 'brightness' option! I diminished the brightness from 5 to 1, which in daily life does not make that much of a difference (the display is still perfectly readable), but I hope it will save a few pennies.

We've taken to turning off our electric oven at the switch to save the cost of the display! We do the same with the microwave. I don't need several things in the kitchen telling me the time.

London_1

I too switch off the microwave at the plug as no need to know the time as I have a large clock in my kitchen anyway.I turn off all but the essential stuff the fridge freezer gets left on but the kettle washing machine etc gets switched off Even if it saves maybe only a shilling or two its in my purse and no one elses and I prefer it that way.

JackieO xx

newlywed

Slinky said:

Siebrie said:

I was explaining oven use to dd2 (11), specifically the timer function. I accidentally clicked on the button twice in quick succession, and suddenly other options were shown. Clicking 4 times gave a 'brightness' option! I diminished the brightness from 5 to 1, which in daily life does not make that much of a difference (the display is still perfectly readable), but I hope it will save a few pennies.

We've taken to turning off our electric oven at the switch to save the cost of the display! We do the same with the microwave. I don't need several things in the kitchen telling me the time.

We do the same, ever since a previous cooker used to trip all the electrics as we turned the oven off… didn’t trust it after that.  And don’t use the microwave that often, plus we have a nice decorative wall clock with a battery

Paspatur

MrsStepford said:

Looked at running costs for various appliances and because we don't have TVs, desktops, tumble dryer, hairdryer and lots of kitchen gadgets, we're supposedly saving over £8 per hour on electricity, compared to average household.

I am guessing this is a typo as no way are you saving £8 per hour, maybe per week/month
Or maybe you mean if you switched on the hairdryer and everything else for a whole hour every hour???
I also have no tv, hairdryer, desktop, tumble dryer, dishwasher or kitchen gadgets beyond a kettle and a toaster
My gas and electric costs have still more than doubled compared to October last year

Siebrie

The plugs/sockets for the oven and for the microwaves are behind them, there's no way to reach them (Belgium....). I'm working on persuading the people who will install our next kitchen to use sockets with switches, but I mainly get disbelieving looks.

dreaming

I have had a combination microwave oven for years but never used it other than the microwave function (and then only once or twice a week) and had lost the grill rack and manual for it. So I have spent an hour this morning tracking down replacement rack and downloading the manual so I can start to use that instead of the big oven - if I can get my head around the instructions that is.

ashpan

I do a few things to save money, they all seem quite minor but it all adds up

Turn off the electric oven/grill a while before you need the food- it keeps on cooking even when off 
Put lids on all pans and in microwave 
Turn off kettle before fully boiled
Use a shower puff with just one pump of shower gel-get much more suds than a cloth or sponge
Cut open tubes and other items to scrape out the last bits
Boil a full kettle in the morning and Store the hot water in a flask, if any left at night use to fill a hot water bottle
Compost all vegetable and paper waste including teabags, kitchen roll, and Coffee grounds
Grow my own veg, I still have a pot of lettuce growing inside!
Use my bike to cycle to shops etc, use panniers when shopping 
Only use car when necessary, bike for local trips
Sell all unused clothes etc on Vinted and use what I have, no need to buy more
Use the Olio app for free food
Wear thin layers when cold, tights and thermal leggings are great and hand warmers when outside
Use an electric blanket at night if flask empty
Cook several lots of veg at once and use over a few days
Save seeds from waste veg for next spring- tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers work well
Make soup from veg that’s past it’s best
Make chicken stock from carcass and use for soup or freeze til needed
Save and re-use plastic wrappers from bread etc
make rissoles from leftovers and freeze if necessary
Only shower every 2-3 days unless necessary in between 
Wash clothes only if dirty or smelly, freshen up with scented spray in between (not underwear tho)
Divide my favourite plants in autumn and swop/sell /spread around garden
Cut the lawn monthly to allow for insects and pollinators
Only food shop when necessary and take advantage of special offers even if not on my list
Im sure there’s more but this is how I live my life now so it’s just natural to me!

leilasmummy

These are the things I’ve been doing for years which save a fortune 
Shop one day later each week e.g. week one Monday, week2 Tuesday and after two months you’ve saved a weeks shopping money
Ensure all short date food from fridge is eaten especially fruit and veg before go shopping 
shower into a large toy style tub and use water to flush toilet 
use a rechargeable torch in bathroom (attached to door handle ) instead of main light, gives softer lighting too,
hoover / run washing machine once a week ( I do two machine loads only one light one dark) 
Let grass grow long so wild flowers grow - cut twice a year 
Plan meals each week including when eat things like yoghurt or short date items.

I would like to get a solar mini charger -to charge phone -  any suggestions of what works ?