Sneaky ways to save the pennies

juno

OrkneyStar wrote: »

9. Learn to crochet or knit and make HM presents........also very trendy just now!

The only problem with that is that I can't knit fast enough! I still have a waiting list of people who wanted scarves as Christmas presents.

I bought that new crochet magazine (it's 99p, and you get two small balls of wool, a crochet hook, and basic instructions) but I have dodgy hands and neither way they suggest of holding the wool feels right to me.

rosemary54

this year I am planning to do most of my food shop online at Waitrose(not Ocado) as its free delivery on shop over £50 and as I have a JL card I get points for vouchers back.
I switched from tesco after they annoyed me over Christmas deliveries(not being able to book a slot and them charging £6 all Christmas week)and have found I am spending less as the Waitrose store is so much smaller and they don't have all the tempting offers which tend to just end up in my freezer or store cupboard!They also sell you things from the deli which Tesco don't so it's easy to buy just a small amount of cheese,fish etc which helps my purse and waistline ............................................no I am not on commission to promote Waitrose!

InaPickle

OrkneyStar wrote: »

1. Dilute concentrated fabric conditioner by much more than half....ie 2/3rd water at least- still works. I know many use vinegar but I like a scent.

Add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice to sort that one out!

QueenBee

chinagirl wrote: »

I ordered 3, 1 for me, and 2 to put up for pressents for Christmas 2010 !! Hope they arrive soon !!

Ooops, I was talking about the Christmas blanket in La Redoute, going cheap, lol

Have you had yours yet - I ordered on Dec 11th and still not arrived?

downshifter

InaPickle wrote: »

Add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice to sort that one out!

I used vinegar a few times as fab conditioner, (but without essential oils) and although it made the clothes soft I occasionally was aware of a strange whiff about my person!! Decided it must be the vinegar and as soon as I stopped using it the whiff also stopped. I don't live near a town and no idea where to get essential oils, don't think small Wilkos or Boots do them and that's all I've got within 30 miles. I always had the impression they were expensive anyway. So for me it's back to cheapest fabric softener, diluted multiple times. Works well - or else do without. I don't use it in every wash anyway.

OrkneyStar

InaPickle wrote: »

Add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice to sort that one out!

I still prefer fabric conditioner, but your idea is an alternative for people to try .

juno wrote: »

The only problem with that is that I can't knit fast enough! I still have a waiting list of people who wanted scarves as Christmas presents.

I bought that new crochet magazine (it's 99p, and you get two small balls of wool, a crochet hook, and basic instructions) but I have dodgy hands and neither way they suggest of holding the wool feels right to me.

Oh well never mind, there are lots of learn to crochet videos online so perhaps you could look there....it took me a wee while but now enjoying it (my latest sq is in my avatar!)
x

Redsky_2

I drink more water- which makes me eat less hence cooking less. Saves money and fat

OrkneyStar

Redsky wrote: »

I drink more water- which makes me eat less hence cooking less. Saves money and fat

That is a good idea.
I try to do that too or at least reduced sugar dilute instead of pure orange (although I do drink pure juice too as it is good in moderation!).

mumoftwo

Quasar wrote: »

I've read all of the 3.651 posts now!!! :eek:

Forgot I'd posted the lemon face mask trick before.

My favourite tips here are the squashed loo roll, grating and liquidising soap bars (I used to collect them and have now over 80 bars ), and most of all, the fantastic idea of putting soup components in a flask and after a few hours you have lovely soup at the ready. Tried it and it worked a treat, and just by boiling a little more water when making tea, therefore saving making it in a pan on the cooker.

I must have missed the original post. That sounds like a great idea. What kind of things do you put in? I suppose you have to cut things up very small to be able to cook through. I am going to try that, thanks

consultant31

mumpig wrote: »

Carefully taken down, stored and labelled good/will do again xmas decorations
Pulled of all the blue tac & drawing pins & put back in stationary draw

It amazes me that so many people buy new decorations every year. I haven't bought any since my children were tiny and the youngest is 26 in a fortnight. I have always taken them down with care and reboxed for the following year and since the children have homes of their own now, lots of the deccies have been rehomed with them - are ours the oldest deccies around?:rotfl: