Sneaky ways to save the pennies

ceebeeby

Another one that I've stumbled on totally by accident - before Xmas we bought an ASDA box of 50 pkts of crisps, however, there was no room for them in the treats cupboard. So, I stored them in the cupboard under the stairs, however, because there wasn't any room in there, they ended up under the hoover!

At the beginning DH and Kids were asking did we have any crisps - and I told them where they were ... but they couldn't be bothered to go to the hassle of unloading the cupboard to get out a packet! Now they've stopped asking! I'll reintroduce them when they return to school / work after the hols as part of their lunchboxes - but will do it by only the amount needed (I don't mind pulling everything out!)

Has saved quite a lot as if they'd been in the cupboard, I can guarantee they would all be gone by now!

Quasar

One I found scribbled in an old notebook: carefully unfold your wads of cottonwool and place on a radiator or other warm place. They will increase in volume and you'll use less.

NowWhat_2

Reverbe wrote: »

I agree. if you pay for the food then surely it matters not if you eat it there and then or have it later..I can never manage breakfast and were I to take a couple of bread rolls to eat later it costs the establishment much less than someone who eats a huge full English and a large round of toast.

and @ Valli some people pay for breakfasts they dont eat but never get a reduction on their stay..

I must add I have never done this as never stayed anywhere where breakfast isnt an astronomically charged extra.

in the instance you quote - then no...it wouldnt matter. If I was someone who couldnt face breakfast at breakfast time - then I think that would be quite acceptable to explain this to the staff and ask if you could take your breakfast with you to eat later in the form of a couple of rolls and butter and a mini-carton of fruit juice. Fairness operates both ways - and I wouldnt expect to be charged for a meal I didnt have. If I were a hotel operator - I would accept that as fair enough and give you the rolls/butter/juice and throw in a bit of fruit and couple of mini-containers of jam as well.

Its unfair to charge people for meals they dont have on the one hand - and also unfair for people to expect to take meals they havent paid for on the other hand.

OrkneyStar

Just to clarify, there is no problem (imho) of taking a doggy bag of food you have already paid for, as long as the establishment is aware ideally. The problem is eating the meal you paid for, and then taking more food for another meal (as it sounds like the OP was doing)- this IS theft no matter how you wrap it up or smother in brown sauce, made worse by the fact that it has to be done sneakily! Anyway, lets wrap this up, I expect the 'is this stealing ? discussion will come up again and again (eg taking your free sugar sachet away versus picking up 10 sugars when you know you don't need them, taking your two free ketchups home versus picking up or asking for a silly amount, pooping at work when you need to and using their loo roll/water versus taking a loo roll home, using a complimentary nappy in a baby change room versus filling your bag with another 3 etc etc etc).
xx

BigMummaF

stilernin wrote: »

I don't want to get into the discussion about doggy bags... but regarding 'the vicar', I think the fact that other customers would end up paying was his point. That is that the cost of helping those in need is spread over society.......... not sure that I agree with him, but I do get his point. A pity the 'meja' only hyped up the shoplifting part of it.

OK--help others by all means, but if little scroats actually stopped to think of the consequences of their actions before being totally irresponsible, perhaps the prices would just be affordable for ALL of us!For irresponsible read inebriates cluttering up A&E, speeding drivers causing accidents, attempting champagne lifestyles on dish-water incomes, etc etc etc.
I personally, do not follow mse purely for the fun of it but out of absolute necessity.

Olliebeak

OrkneyStar wrote: »

.........using a complimentary nappy in a baby change room versus filling your bag with another 3 etc etc etc).
xx

All our local supermarkets have now stopped putting nappies in the 'Mum and Baby Room' due to people taking more than one. We now have to go to Customer Services and ask for one of whatever size you need - and often this means Newborn OR Toddler . Some of the younger staff don't even seem to be aware of this service, so we have to make sure it's an 'older woman' behind the counter before asking.

OrkneyStar

Olliebeak wrote: »

All our local supermarkets have now stopped putting nappies in the 'Mum and Baby Room' due to people playing taking more than one. We now have to go to Customer Services and ask for one of whatever size you need - and often this means Newborn OR Toddler . Some of the younger staff don't even seem to be aware of this service, so we have to make sure it's an 'older woman' behind the counter before asking.

TBH I would rarely have been out without nappies (even have 2 now though DS is day time trained!- also have pants and trousers now lol!), but perhaps a machine which charged a nominal fee in the changing room would be a best idea ?
People who steal make it worse for others!

Alison_Funnell

Upto page 70.

WOW! So many things I have learnt about or been reminded about.

Quasar

Well I went into my local Morrisons on my way back from work, just for a nosey as I needed nothing really, and they were selling off a largish stock of thermal underwear. I bought 3 pairs of ladies' black longjohns at £4 each. Tried one on when I came home and boy, does it do the job!!! Considering my job involves mostly being out and about waiting for public transport, they'll be a godsend under my fleecy trousers. And keeping me warm at home instead of me turning the heating up... :T

jexygirl

*has tried hard not to jump on teh bandwagon... but.... from the other side of the fence *
I have an Inn, we have 4 rooms. To stock my rooms with 5 coffee, 5 decaff, 5 tea, 5 decaff tea, 10 sugar, 5 brown sugar, 10 milk, 2 scottish shortbread (optional I know ) 2 shampoo, 2 conditioner, 2 body lotion, 1 soap, costs me (or is budgetted out at) £3.75 per room. The "5" of everything is because some people do take it all knowing it will be replaced so rather than over stock it, we limit what we put in) If all 4 of my rooms do what alot of people do, and take it all knowing it will be replaced, (which I myself used to do!) it will cost me £15 per day - £105 per week. I am a small buisness (4 rooms bar and restaurant and in a stunning location next to a loch, meaning we are a little remote) and like everywhere, recession (or the scaremongering) has hit us. We are managing just about to keep heads above water.
But if all my guests took everything every week, I would not be able to survive, things are too tight. Perhaps I am lucky - only one or two rooms per week do it - but its still an on cost I have to cover - and yes, its figured into the room prices, based on people using only what they need. I guess the travel inns etc buy much cheaper than me, and are much more able to take the "loss" if you like, but for small buisnesses it is an on cost, I don't do this to make a million (trust me its the wrong buisness if you want to!) but to live, working as many do, over 80 hours a week with no life! (apart from MSE ofc!)
Its the same with breakfasts, I do offer juice, selection of cereals, full scottish breakfast / kippers / continental, but its served to the table by a member of staff that I pay to come in early, as despite the wage paid, it is about portion control and a buffet style would be less cost effective because people will take more or we would waste more. If people are going out early or simply dont eat breakfast or would miss it, they can take a "pack up" of croissants cheese ham jam etc.

To the person who posted about the dinner bed and breakfast scenario, (sorry I forgot who it was that posted) we play fair - if people had less food money wise than they would be paying on DBB deal, we revert them to B&B rate, they respect that we do it, and we feel like we are being fair too, again remember we are small and personal, not a chain.
I guess what I am trying to say is think about the little guys and the on costs to everyone, not just the consumer. Im not condoning anything said before, nor berating it, just the opinion from the other side
Cheers
Jex

P.S On topic! I have gotten so many FAB ideas from this thread, keep em coming! My latest one, is that I tell the girls to only put the dryer on for 45 mins, rather than just wapping it on for its full time (2 hours) and then go back to check it, as the other day I found a load of dry teatowels with 50 MINS to go! We are doing what we can to reduce outgoings, even more than we have before, but this wasnt something I had picked up on. I also love the cheap firelighters with shredded paper (we have loads) and stuffing empty loo rolls (we have loads lol) And I am also slyly bending the rolls as suggested to stop people using so much!
Please please keep up with the tips!