Sneaky ways to save the pennies

SuziQ

usa1 wrote: »

I know friends who when they do to the Doctors and need to pay for a prescription, they ask thier Doctor to print out the prescription in one of their children names, thus to avoid paying the fees at the chemist. I dont have the balls to do this, but it works for my friends.

This is actually illegal-and dangerous,as someone could mistakenly give that medication(their name-not parents,with adult dosage,would be on the medication)-which may be dangerous to kids-to the named child. Having worked on and off for 30 years as a nurse,I have seen so many children made ill (and in a few cases die )from wrongly given medication,bit of a soap box subject for me,sorry!
The GP could lose his job too.Anyone getting WTC/IS can get free prescriptions anyway.

There are some fantastic ideas on here,have made so many notes I am dizzy!

I haven't finished the thread yet (tomorrow!) but the only things I can add at the moment is that having 2 cats who refuse to 'bo their business' outside,I am stuck with buying cat litter. I long ago found that (imo) cheapest isn't best here. However I do line the tray with around 12 sheets of newspaper which absorbs and also makes the tray much easier to clean and change.

If I find coins on the floor I never keep them. I believe that you should give those to charity and the rewards will come back to you later.

For washing I love the wash-it balls. You need no conditioner and I prefer the clean out doors smell to strong perfumes. I know some people don't like them,but I started using them from desperation as my DH is so allergic to washing powder. I think they work really well,although I do wash whites every so often in bio to brighten them . When the wash balls run low, I simply use 2 or 3 almost finished ones together,works fine.

I also use flat coke to clean the loo and my butler sink-as it's so acidic it really removes stains. (what does it do to our insides )

During the summer I reuse water bottles,fill them and freeze in the freezer overnight. These go in the packed lunches,keeping them cool,and perfect for refreshing drink by lunchtime.

Not money saving,but time saving-I wipe baby oil over my aluminium fridge and kettle,gives it a lovely finish with no effort.
Finally I got sick of buying expensive cards for my kids friends numerous parties. I am a keen card maker myself,but from an early age they have been encouraged by me to make a birthday card for their friend,initially with my help but now pretty independantly.I buy plain wrapping paper,then they have fun decorating it with stamps,cut up bits of sponge etc so it' different every time.My oldest child (17 yr old DD) now always makes my mothers day,birthday and christmas cards,and she also writes me beautiful poems for inside,so I think it is rubbing off on them too!

ceridwen

I use the lids of those metal tins that chocolates and biscuits come in as baking trays (and they're not "non-stick" - which I dont buy because of chemicals therein).

pnq06

I also use cotton wool and water during nappy changes...
My baby is 6 months old now and although everyone told me that I wouldn't be able to do it as wipes are more convenient- I am!!!
I only use wipes when I go out and am on my 3rd packet... Compared to my 4th packet of cotton wool.
1x Cotton Wool = 76p
1x Baby Wipes = £2.99

As long as I have a bowl of water with cotton wool in it, at the ready then I actually find fumbling around with a wipes packet more inconvenient!!!

Aril

Regarding greetings cards I find the charity shops round here often have boxes of them which I rootle through. I only buy blank ones so they serve a multitude of occasions. From time to time I've bought pretty postcards and used these instead of cards [given in an envelope:D ] and I also look out for good priced boxes of notelets because these also double up.
Aril

Moniker

looby-loo wrote: »

sorry if this is repeat

we have a new combi boiler in the loft, a long way from the downstairs taps. By the time the water runs hot the hands are long washed and dried so I have trained everyone to only run the cold if just running water for a quick swill - as the hot is cold anyway in the frst few seconds.

I have covered the hot tap handle with and empty yoghurt pot to act as a reminder not to use it, ie to help us break the habit.

(Of course for proper hand washes they use hot)

We have a water meter, so every time I need to run hot water I 'catch' the cold that runs off first in an empty plastic milk bottle and use this to flush the loo/waterplants/ rinse the sink etc and it's not wasted. It has helped to reduce our bill further.

Moniker

purpleivy

QUOTEThis is actually illegal-and dangerous,as someone could mistakenly give that medication(their name-not parents,with adult dosage,would be on the medication)-which may be dangerous to kids-to the named child. Having worked on and off for 30 years as a nurse,I have seen so many children made ill (and in a few cases die )from wrongly given medication,bit of a soap box subject for me,sorry!
The GP could lose his job too.Anyone getting WTC/IS can get free prescriptions anyway.QUOTE

I can't believe in the computer age this actually works, as surely prescribed medications are allocated automatically to the patient's name in the database in the doc's surgery. I know a little about databases, can see that when they are designed then they will have a piece of programming in to prevent this. In the 'olden days' I can imagine if there was a 'bent' doctor then it would have been possible, but I'm not sure I would want someone like that looking after my health.

overlykeensaver

I had to snip the silky "hooks" (not sure what they are called) that come inside the shoulder of my new top the other day (you know, they are supposed to help it stay on the hanger) and realised that it would be nice to keep and use to attach gift tags (cut out from old christmas cards of course!) for Christmas or birthday presents.....!

My OH thinks I am insane!

Maria575757

overlykeensaver wrote: »

I had to snip the silky "hooks" (not sure what they are called) that come inside the shoulder of my new top the other day (you know, they are supposed to help it stay on the hanger) and realised that it would be nice to keep and use to attach gift tags (cut out from old christmas cards of course!) for Christmas or birthday presents.....!

My OH thinks I am insane!

I think that's a super idea. Home made gift tags are great, they are individual and save a lot, but I've always had a problem finding something 'free' to attach them with. Only wish I'd thought of this ages ago!

Just wondering, has anyone any idea for a 'recipe' for everyday shower screen cleaner please? At the moment I use Tesco or Sainsbury's and I don't like giving them my money, when I might be able to concoct my own! I also find that the Sainsbury's one isn't good for my chesticles (being asthmatic).

shankley4ever

pnq06 wrote: »

I also use cotton wool and water during nappy changes...
My baby is 6 months old now and although everyone told me that I wouldn't be able to do it as wipes are more convenient- I am!!!
I only use wipes when I go out and am on my 3rd packet... Compared to my 4th packet of cotton wool.
1x Cotton Wool = 76p
1x Baby Wipes = £2.99

you can by baby wipes for 59p in home and bargain and they are really thick so you only need one...pack of 80 in regular or sensitive....:p

anguk

pnq06 wrote: »

I also use cotton wool and water during nappy changes...
My baby is 6 months old now and although everyone told me that I wouldn't be able to do it as wipes are more convenient- I am!!!
I only use wipes when I go out and am on my 3rd packet... Compared to my 4th packet of cotton wool.
1x Cotton Wool = 76p
1x Baby Wipes = £2.99

As long as I have a bowl of water with cotton wool in it, at the ready then I actually find fumbling around with a wipes packet more inconvenient!!!

I did this with both my kids, my eldest had really sensitive skin and baby wipes made him red & sore so I switched to plain water and cotton wool. When I was going out I just wet some cotton wool before we left home and kept it in a zip-lock bag.