Sneaky ways to save the pennies

smithyjules

larmy16 wrote: »

Apologies if this has been already posted. You can make a nice light liquid foundation by mixing your regular one with equal parts moisturer. Much nicer for the summer months if you do need to cover your skin for any reason. Also makes your foundation last a lot longer.

I do this with sunscreen in the summer months as i have very fair skin.some foundations have factor 15 built in but mine has factor 40!

huston_kw

Just a note on the 3 for 10 pound bottles of wine, we make our own now and we have 8 demi johns on the go so far (40 bottles of wine), we got the demi johns off free cycle along with a mass of wine/beer making equipment, the chemicals of ebay cost about 15 pound will last for ages, I get the sugar on my asda shop (5kg bags for 4 pound)

We have free rhubard (garden) works out at 81p for 10 bottles

banana wine 83p for 5 bottles (got 2 bags of bananas from asda reduce to 1p per bag)

tea wines (10 bottles, bit more expensive about 3 pound)

I think the most expensive is the meed as we bought 5 jars of honey (85p a jar) so including the sugar, spices & chemical its about 6.50 for 5 bottles.

It's great to do, me & OH do it together, the kids love watching the buddles, you have to have patience as they take a while to mature, the banana wine won't be ready until this time next year, but we got quick one on the go using cheap tins of peaches that take about 2-3 months start to finish.

We have just really started out but in a few weeks we will have our own supply of wine and no longer have to pay the rediculous tax that's put on alcohol!

And with 18 demi johns in total, we can make a lot more. Me & OH keep debating on what to make next, I want to do pineapple and his is a root one, but we'll end up doing both!

maggie111

Always buy wrapping paper in big tubes rather than individual ones for each presents and bulk buy the tags. Get a few rolls and tags in co-ordinating colours so you'll always have some for a short notice present and no one will notice they're getting the same wrapping... And don't know about you but I think having quality wrapping makes the pressie more exciting too!

And never write on the tags of gift bags you give away as presents, that way your gift bag can be recycled by the next person too

I don't know if this is still applicable - but first and second class stamps never used to have prices on. When you can afford it, bag a few - when prices increase your old first/second class stamp are still valid!

I always keep any packages that have been used for posting - especially jiffy bags. I cellotape on white paper over the previous writing/postage and seal it all up with brown packing tape. Never had a problem even if one or two of my packages look like a dog's dinner!!

Always find post offices brilliant to buy stationery etc from.

huston_kw

maggie111 wrote: »

And never write on the tags of gift bags you give away as presents, that way your gift bag can be recycled by the next person too

I hate it when people write on tags, as I recycle them to others (keeping a note not to send it back) I've never bought a gift bags yet and got a few still.

I buy stamps in bulk, although I rarely use them now, sigh, I use to love writing to big sis, but she's hooked on myspace now, sign, I think I may send her a letter to see if she replies back. I'll probably receive an email telling me to check myspace, sign, but one can only try!

angela110660

We make wine too. Bought some gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes to use for it next year methinks. In the meantime, may go fruit picking for this year, grow own raspberries so some of them go to wine and also pick blackberries free and elderberries from an apple orchard near us who use the elderflowers for their juice - but not the berries.
Love making the wine - very satisfying hobby - love drinking it and even had a couple of entries at local summer fete and won a couple of certificates. Great fun.

rosemary54

small tip but as a famous store says "every little helps"!!!!!

when I buy tops I cut out those thin ribbons used to attach the top to hangers instore as they irritate me when wearing them.they are a few inches long and come in colours to match the top so can be quite pretty and can be used to make little bows to stick on pressies..........said it was only small!!!!!

Gigervamp

Lol Rosemary, I do that too!

ampersand

maggie111 wrote: »

........................

I don't know if this is still applicable - but first and second class stamps never used to have prices on. When you can afford it, bag a few - when prices increase your old first/second class stamp are still valid!

I always keep any packages that have been used for posting - especially jiffy bags. I cellotape on white paper over the previous writing/postage and seal it all up with brown packing tape. Never had a problem even if one or two of my packages look like a dog's dinner!!

Always find post offices brilliant to buy stationery etc from.

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Yes.
Martin often highlights this when price rises are announced.
Also, always check at your nearest Superdrug. They often run 5% discount promotions on books of stamps.

ampersand

rosemary54 wrote: »

small tip but as a famous store says "every little helps"!!!!!

when I buy tops I cut out those thin ribbons used to attach the top to hangers instore as they irritate me when wearing them.they are a few inches long and come in colours to match the top so can be quite pretty and can be used to make little bows to stick on pressies..........said it was only small!!!!!

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Another ditto rosemary and gv[again:D] -
You can still leave them long enough for hanger lopps and also use the excess for teatowel/flannel hanging loops and extra sassying on lingerie.

ampersand

MrsMW wrote: »

You could put the polystyrene in the bottom of large plant pots, saves using as much compost.

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This also lessens the weight of the planted pot and helps insulate it against freezing and cracking, if not frost-proof terracotta.