Sneaky ways to save the pennies

debbym

I use gloop for towels/sheets and save the bio stuff for the kids clothes.

If I'm drying the clothes in the tumble dryer because of the weather I don't use any fabric softener.

I use vinegar to descale the kettle and showerhead - save the used vinegar to use to clean the drain with vinegar and bicarb or do the windows rather than using a new batch.

Don't buy magazines - read online instead many mags have a www site

Put a sheet of foil down the back of the radiators to reflect heat back into the room.

Use pump bottles for shampoo etc (like many others)

Use cheapo foam bath (20 odd p per litre) instead of liquid soap in the pump bottle by the sink.

Rinse out the last of the kids tomato ketchup with a little white vinegar.

OH caught me grating carrot into the mince for lasagne - managed to convince him it was so kids would eat their veggies; didn't tell him I've been doing this for about the last decade and he hasn't noticed

If you long for a dry wipe board in the kitchen for your menu plans and have a white fridge or freezer use that instead - dry wipe pens will rub off

Use veggie oil and granulated sugar to soften rough skin on hands after gardening (or on heels before wearing summery shoes) - rub well in before washing off the oil with soap, sugar acts as an exfoiliant (sp?)

Instead of going to the pictures as a family of 5 (and needing another mortgage to do so) we turn the living room into a cinema complete with low lights, popcorn and fizzy drinks and get a DVD from the library - kids love it because they can watch it again and again and don't miss anything if they nip to the loo...

Petlamb

consultant31 wrote: »

Sorry to disappoint but Lakeland have mailed me that they've stopped selling it at the moment (it was called a frosted foam dispenser) but that they will consider restocking in the future if there's a demand.

I dont know if it will be of any help to anyone as i dont know how well it will work when i refill it (will report back) and also not sure if people would want a blue bottle, but Johnsons do a kids foaming handwash much like the Kandoo one mentioned earlier - i got one from asda for about a quid, and it has the foam-making pump on it...

like i say i'll have to report back later as to how it handles a refill, but might be a good solution?

iggypop37

when in the flat by myself as at present, wearing an old beanie cap preventss me having to put the heating on

forestlands

noonesperfect wrote: »

Once vegetable have reached the boil I put the lid on and turn the ring off. All the vegetables I cook this way (residual heat/ceramic hob) are great (wouldn't try it with something that needs 15 mins+ like spuds tho).

Cut your spuds smaller, esp. if you are mashing, can get away with bringing to boil and leaving on warm stove for a while. Have a piggy and boil peelings, small spuds and veg scraps up for her dinner. Also, put the lid on to bring to boil - close the steam outlet on the lid, boils quicker!! Even more saving! Saving on bacon too when piggy farrows!

angchris

forestlands wrote: »

Cut your spuds smaller, esp. if you are mashing, can get away with bringing to boil and leaving on warm stove for a while. Have a piggy and boil peelings, small spuds and veg scraps up for her dinner. Also, put the lid on to bring to boil - close the steam outlet on the lid, boils quicker!! Even more saving! Saving on bacon too when piggy farrows!

sounds like having a pig might be more productive to my house than my oh :think: hmmm i wonder...can`t produce any more mess thats for sure!:rotfl:

Slinky

Haven't had time to read the entire thread, so not sure if this has been mentioned before. When running the tap to do the dishes and waiting for the water to run hot, I fill a small watering can I keep next to the sink, and use this to water my houseplants.

Hilaryb10

Add a handfill of "orange" lentils to any minced meat mixture; no-one will notice and you can double the quantity by doing this; spag bol, shepherds, lasange - the list is endless!

Hilary

forestlands

angchris wrote: »

sounds like having a pig might be more productive to my house than my oh :think: hmmm i wonder...can`t produce any more mess thats for sure!:rotfl:

Piggy makes her own bed!! She is very clean and tidy!! :0) Sorry won't swap lol! Gets feed on excess goats milk too. Goat, called Jordan, feed on grass, leaves and tidies the hedge. She is a small dairy goat and milked well without having kids for 4 years! Milk is cheap!!

1ANGEL

Vampiric_Addiction wrote: »

I dont know if it will be of any help to anyone as i dont know how well it will work when i refill it (will report back) and also not sure if people would want a blue bottle, but Johnsons do a kids foaming handwash much like the Kandoo one mentioned earlier - i got one from asda for about a quid, and it has the foam-making pump on it...

like i say i'll have to report back later as to how it handles a refill, but might be a good solution?

I've refilled a foaming handwash container & it works brilliantly! Keep it under the kitchen sink it lasts ages!(always a very weak solution too) I buy bogof sanex/dove/olay as skin gets very dry if use strong cheaper brands. I usually water them down a little too-which doesnt effect the results & makes it go much further(works perfectly well in the foam dispenser) Asda little angels head to toe bodywash is less than £1 & is lovely for the whole family(found in baby section)
I use baby oil as body moisturiser-lasts ages(usually own brands) Also it doesnt feel cold on your skin as a water based body lotion does!
I buy Boots own fragrance free cleanser £1.49 always dilute it a little as its fairly thick, this lasts me ages & it removes eye make up too. Splash face with cold water to freshen afterwards, but always use Olay Regenerist to moisturise-because I like it for my skin & I'm allowed to treat myself (even this get when its on offer):D
Olive oil/veggie oil/ with salt or sugar use as a invigorating body scrub-sea salt adds a bit more texture but is quite messy.

Own brand thick bleach is diluted down with water into empty pump action cleaning spray bottles, these can then be used to spray around the loo & kitchen with out overloading them with bleach. You only need a little & it goes a long way (just make sure its labelled up!):rolleyes:

GraciesGran

Like Desperate Housewife I always 'round-up' my mum used to do it. When we were first GraceisGrandad used to moan but as I've never has to ask for money to fund Christmas or birthdays he now appreciates it.

Martin would not approve but my Tesco vouchers have just bought me a new washing machine! I traded up the ones I needed to cover dry cleaning costs and the rest £18.50 paid for a new washing machine, delivered and now being used at night on Economy 7.