A few things I’m doing to save money

HeleninSussex

Thanks Ashpan!  I do lots of these things already but will also be using a few of your tips from now on.  Definitely recommend the thermos flask tip, I've been doing that for a while now and it's a great way to have hot water all day long without having to use extra energy.  There's quite a lot we can all do with a bit of creative thinking!  Good luck everyone in these tough times.
  

Pixie_Cosmo

I've been brought up to be frugal - we had no spare pennies. So I've always turned the oven / microwave off at the wall. I have economy 7 electric in two blocks per day. Now I work from home, I try to do anything electric guzzling when cheap rate's on. Kettle boiled 1st thing and flasks filled for coffee water during the day. Once it's cold enough for my logburning stove to be lit I'll get hot water from that, plus I have a copper kettle which goes on top. Get lots of lovely hot water :-) Also useful to cook beans or veg. Must get back into batch cooking. Good luck.

ruth56_2

I plan meals for the next week before shopping, or at least buy the makings of seven meals only. If there is a particularly good offer I might buy that but consciously buy less the next shop. I have a list of meals in the freezer as it highlights whether I actually need to shop at all. Leftovers frozen are added to the list plus batch bakes. Often get a " free" weeks food as a result. Less temptation to impulse buy if you don't go. I find I buy less if I have an internet order, on same principle as using (and sticking to!) a shopping list.

leilasmummy

I forgot to add wash your hands at the bath over a bucket rather than using the basin, use water to flush the toilet, same for brushing teeth. 

pumpkin89

Please can someone explain the saving from boiling the kettle and filling a flask?  I've seen it mentioned lots of times but can't see how it saves energy compared with just boiling the amount you need each time you need it.

joedenise

pumpkin89 said:

Please can someone explain the saving from boiling the kettle and filling a flask?  I've seen it mentioned lots of times but can't see how it saves energy compared with just boiling the amount you need each time you need it.

Absolutely agree.  We've now marked the kettle so we know exactly how far to fill it to make our pot of tea without waste!  I wouldn't dream of making tea with flask hot water, it needs freshly boiled water to have any taste!

AlieRaq

Call us crazy but my partner and I have decided to turn the freezer off. 

We cook for a few days worth and keep the excess dinner/lunch food in the fridge. We realised that most of what we were keeping in the freezer was discounted/soon-to-expire food which is costing us upwards of £10 a month to store, effectively removing the saving we though we made when we bought the food. There isn't much else in the freezer we couldn't buy and use within a few days so it makes sense to us given our financial situation. 

This may seem extreme to some but this is a big saving for us. 

calleyw

AlieRaq said:

Call us crazy but my partner and I have decided to turn the freezer off. 

We cook for a few days worth and keep the excess dinner/lunch food in the fridge. We realised that most of what we were keeping in the freezer was discounted/soon-to-expire food which is costing us upwards of £10 a month to store, effectively removing the saving we though we made when we bought the food. There isn't much else in the freezer we couldn't buy and use within a few days so it makes sense to us given our financial situation. 

This may seem extreme to some but this is a big saving for us. 

Nope don't get this and wouldn't work personally for me.  I don't have inclination to go shopping every few days as that costs me, my time and wear and tear on my car.  And I know I will end up buying extra stuff so again no saving.  I also like to batch cook and have the odd slam meal in for when I am rushed or tired.  But each to their own. 

AlieRaq

calleyw said:

AlieRaq said:

Call us crazy but my partner and I have decided to turn the freezer off. 

We cook for a few days worth and keep the excess dinner/lunch food in the fridge. We realised that most of what we were keeping in the freezer was discounted/soon-to-expire food which is costing us upwards of £10 a month to store, effectively removing the saving we though we made when we bought the food. There isn't much else in the freezer we couldn't buy and use within a few days so it makes sense to us given our financial situation. 

This may seem extreme to some but this is a big saving for us. 

Nope don't get this and wouldn't work personally for me.  I don't have inclination to go shopping every few days as that costs me, my time and wear and tear on my car.  And I know I will end up buying extra stuff so again no saving.  I also like to batch cook and have the odd slam meal in for when I am rushed or tired.  But each to their own. 

We're lucky to live 25mins walk away from a few supermarkets so we take our backpacks and go 2-3 times per week. Exercise + money saving but ofc it won't work for everyone

Paspatur

AlieRaq said:

Call us crazy but my partner and I have decided to turn the freezer off. 

which is costing us upwards of £10 a month to store, 

This may seem extreme to some but this is a big saving for us. 

Do come back and let us know if you actually save that much electricity per month
I was on holiday for a month in September so got a baseline amount for electricity for appliances which are on all the time
One upright fridge freezer, normal size not American style
One upright freezer
Modem
Smart meter
Gas cooker (clock)
Cost under £12 per month, it was less than that but I have increased it to the new rate as at 1st October