Sneaky ways to save the pennies

Becky_2

I saved a few pennies today eventhough I had a haircut before starting work by not washing my hair at home. Also, didn't use my coffee machine at home and instead had a cappucino at the hair dresser, before leaving home I filled up an empty jar of honey with some hot water, to really use up all the honey and then added a bit of fresh lime, I got a hot drink out of it and at the same time the jar got cleaned and didn't need any extra washing up. Brought some home made sandwiches with me to the hair dresser and afterwards I went to work to eat those sandwiches before starting work.

Becky_2

david_hellier wrote: »

It means the background heat that's already in the kitchen. By draining off boiling water all the stored heat goes down the drain. Allowing the water to cool off in the kitchen adds to the heat already there.

Thanks david hellier, it all make sense now.

Becky_2

In the morning I have recently started to fill up the washing up bowl with hot water from the kettle (switched on before 7 am to use E7) and then leave the breakfast plates etc in the bowl to soak during the day and then only wash up once a day. I have always refused using a washing up bowl but my OH persuaded me to try it and it's been brilliant. Cannot believe that I didn't want in the first place! I am sure it must be saving a bit of water instead of switching the tap on to rinse everything in the morning.

I thought about something last night. If I dilute my febreeze with 50:50 water to last longer, does it still do the job?

bellaquidsin

Becky 2 have you tried not using a fabric softerner at all? We are in a soft water area and I find we don't need it, except perhaps for very special woollens.

There will be lots of peeps along to extol the virtues of using white vinegar as a softener but as I've never done this I cannot comment.

Bella.

pelirocco

mandym wrote: »

Phew!! This thread was certainly a read and a half but thanks to everyone for all their great tips.

Like everyone, I've turned down the thermostat on my central heating (combi boiler) a few notches but I've also turned down the temperature of the hot water too so I must be saving a few pennies from not having to heat the water up so high.

Also, after an awful lot of playing around with the water temp I can now run a bath just the way I like it (hard luck to the rest of the household) without having to add any cold water in. Seems a bit silly paying to heat water up only to add cold to cool it down.

But by adding cold you arent using as much hot water anyway?

ladykath

Hi all, the mention on Becky's post, 3584 regarding Economy 7 meters made me think of this. I recently discovered that the E7 meter has a clock attached and that this can vary according to how each individual meter is set up. I had previously thought that my 'low' units ended at 7.30am but have discovered that it actually changes to 'normal' at 8.15am. This has made a big difference to the amount of things that I can get done before the switch over. I advise anyone with E7 to check on their clock and their change time to get the best value from it.

david_hellier

pelirocco wrote: »

But by adding cold you arent using as much hot water anyway?

When you put hot water in first much heat is lost while waiting to fill up, because of the high difference in water to air temp. By filling with cold first no heat is released until it hits the water. Also you can regulate the rising temp more easily (and safely).

david_hellier

When you change your smoke alarm battery, before discarding it, save it and try it in something else (not another alarm). Often there is enough life left in it for other things.

david_hellier

You can save petrol by keeping the tank near empty, rather than near full, if you have the time to visit the garage. A full tank of petrol weighs nearly 50kg, half my weight! This applies particularly if you do a lot of short, start, stop journeys.

edaniels1983

david_hellier wrote: »

You can save petrol by keeping the tank near empty, rather than near full, if you have the time to visit the garage. A full tank of petrol weighs nearly 50kg, half my weight! This applies particularly if you do a lot of short, start, stop journeys.

i always do this, but because i recon that if its stolen the theves wont get as far and the police will find my car easier lol:rotfl:

also its usually because im skint