Sneaky ways to save the pennies

got-it-spend-it

Patchwork_Quilt wrote: »

That's funny! I didn't think anyone else was weird enough to pick up rubber bands! I also save paper clips and reuse the envelopes from birthday cards. My family have been trained to open things carefully.

In my family if you're going to be handing the card to the recipient (as opposed to posting it) you do not write on the envelope and you do not seal it, just tuck it in! Silly really, but it's a tradition. I sometimes forget and do it with cards for OH's family and they think I've gone mad!

blueberrypie

Nicki wrote: »

So does ours, and my 7 year old DD who has severe learning difficulties once picked one up and put it round her neck :eek: :eek:

Eeek indeed! How scary! I had something similar happen with those plastic bags they leave for charity clothing collections - it was pushed through the letter-box and my 3yo managed to open it and "wear" it to be a "robot" - argh! What an incredibly stupid idea to shove a plastic bag through the door of any house where there might be small children! We have no letter-box now - we've a mailbox on the wall outside instead - but I still get cross when I find a plastic bag in it, because I know they'll be putting them into other people's houses.

freedom2b

Not really a money saver,unless you were going to buy wellie warmers....Before you put your wellies on tie two plastic bags over your feet! It really keeps them warm and noone can see! Just dont go visiting someone you don`t know very well and take your boots off!!:eek:

Gigervamp

SunnyGirl wrote: »

A little thing I do (not particularly money saving) is to be sure that every baked bean is out of the can. I've always had a thing about them being lonely & not fulfilling their beany destiny to be eaten if they're left in the can :rotfl: My dh finds this hysterical btw!

Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I've always had this almost obsessive compulsion to save the last bean from being lonely in the can!:rotfl:

Gigervamp

Those elastic bands are also dangerous for animals. Cats often like playing with and eating them. I have a friend who's a vet tech and she says they often have to operate on cats and dogs to remove elastic bands.

consultant31

I'm sure we all do money-saving things (and probably have done for years) without thinking about them and don't realise that they're worth passing on to others!

If rubber gloves get a small hole, turn them inside out and use a piece of sticky plaster across the hole. Turn back to the right side and they can be worn for another week or two.

However, when I puncture a pair beyond saving, I cut them from the bottom of the cuff end, into strips across-ways. This makes umpteen rubber bands which have a lot of strength and stretch a long way. They're really useful around the house.

pickle

freedom2b wrote: »

Hi have just tried this, Made a bit of a mess cutting it in half ,it shot halfway accross the kitchen. Fab idea. Many thanks:T

I just snap them in half. If you want exactly in half then score a line and then snap.

FairyElephant_2

got-it-spend-it wrote: »

In my family if you're going to be handing the card to the recipient (as opposed to posting it) you do not write on the envelope and you do not seal it, just tuck it in! Silly really, but it's a tradition. I sometimes forget and do it with cards for OH's family and they think I've gone mad!

LOL! We do this in my family, and my DH's family think I'm mad too!

I also recycle Christmas cards into gift tags (cut them with pinking shears as my Nan taught me - I always get sentimental and think of her when I am doing it!) and sometimes new cards by using bits of them in my card-making!

Always scrape ALL the beans, spaghetti or whatever from the tin, and if using tins or jars of cooking sauce, swill a small amount of hot water around in the 'empty' jar to get the last bits out (and make the sauce go a little further!).

SunnyGirl

Gigervamp wrote: »

Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I've always had this almost obsessive compulsion to save the last bean from being lonely in the can!:rotfl:

I've just shown your reply to my dh who rolled his eyes We'll have to start the 'Don't Let a Bean Down' club you be President I'll be Secretary :rotfl:

redmandarin

Patchwork_Quilt wrote: »

To save using cling film on something that's going in the fridge - put a plate over the top of your dish.

I do this too!

I also save a fortune on tin foil!

First, I only ever buy value foil, as it's much cheaper. Secondly, I always get wrapping foil. It's thinner than the regular stuff, but is far better value and works just as well if you treat it carefully!

Finally, as cling film is much cheaper than tin foil, I have a rule which means that I never use tin foil for anything when clingfilm can be used instead (because cling film is a lot cheaper)!

Great tips - keep 'em coming, folks!