Sneaky ways to save the pennies

Lesley_Gaye

conradmum wrote: »

Just found this brilliant thread. Many thanks to those who've posted the tips I've read so far. Here's another one - apologies if it's already been posted. I've searched under Christmas cards and not found anything and I don't have time to read all 191 pages! :rotfl:

When taking down my Christmas cards each year I cut out the bits that I can use as the gift tags on presents for next year. So for small cards this means just cutting the front page off, and for larger cards you can sometimes use parts of the picture if you cut very neatly. Some cards have print on the back of the picture so you can't use these unfortunately. Come next Christmas, at present wrapping time, I take them out again, punch a hole in the corner with a hole punch, write the dedication on the back and attach it to the present with some pretty thread.

It only saves the cost of a pack of gift tags but it's a good way of recycling all those Christmas cards, and the tags are really pretty and decorative.

I do this too. I also use the fronts of cards to make new ones. I got some card from Viking or Staples, much cheaper from them. I cut it into A5 sized pieces using a guillotine (also from Viking).
Stick the picture on the front and draw round it, or partially round it with gold and/or silver pens and a ruler.
I have Pageplus which is a desktop publisher, and with that I have created a page with lots of Happy Christmas words on it. I print that out, trim a little of the sides to make a little smaller than A, then fold it in half and stick it inside the card. Then I pop the card in an envelope, which sometimes I print a photo on in the corner, or put Christmas rubber stamps on.
They look really good I think, they don't cost much and you can really personalise them for people if you want to.

Same technique works well for birthday cards too.
I'll post a picture in a minute








They actually look nicer than the pictures show, and the edges are all straight in real life, they look very rounded here.You can just about see the Happy Christmas's in the background of the inner page

StrawberryYogurt

Hi all!

I am very, very new to this site, but just want you to know I am on page 121 now of this thread!

THANK YOU!!!! My whole shopping day today has been overhauled through the tips I picked up here!! I wish I could hug each and every one of you!

Oh and I was inspired to make my very first, EVER homeade macaroni cheese! Family wolfed it down! We have apple crumble for afters and still today has worked out cheaper then most days!! Woot! I am so ready for this! xx

taplady

strawberry yoghurt - well done on a good start! :T thats just reminded me - I havent had macaroni cheese for ages:T

kippers

Oooooh...i was wondering what to have for tea tomorrow and now i know...macaroni cheese.

Thanks for that

Primrose

I love macaroni cheese and often tart it up by frying a mixture of chopped onions, mushrooms, peppers & chopped celery in a non stick saucepan. Throw in the drained cooked macaroni and a handful of grated cheddar and stir. Much quicker than making a cheese sauce & baking in the oven, and less washing up too. For colour you can tart it up by sprinkling over a garnish of chopped parsley or finely shredded lettuce leaves.

Desperate+Depressed

Hi all,

I'm new to this site and have enjoyed reading the MANY, MANY pages of hints, tips etc that you have taken the time to share with others.

I wanted to ask if you could give me any ideas/insperations with regards to the weekly meal planners some of you mention?

Many thanks in advance

x

ceebeeby

Desperate+Depressed wrote: »

Hi all,

I wanted to ask if you could give me any ideas/insperations with regards to the weekly meal planners some of you mention?

x

The way I've done mine is start my own thread in OS Money Saving, telling everyone exactly what ingredients I have available, and then people will be hugely helpful and make suggestions based on what you have. If you have a shopping budget (like me) you can ask for suggestions on what to spend your budget on for next week.

For example - my next weeks shop so far has cost me just over £2 and I've got most of the things I need. My weekly budget for a family of four at the moment is £15 per week - and so far on day 8 that £2 is the only money spent, and we've been eating like Royalty!! I'm not a good chef either, but you do learn quickly.

Last week I made one teensy pack of very reduced cost pork mince last for 5 meals that the family all thought was delicious!

Good luck x

Desperate+Depressed

WOW!!!! :j

I'd like to be able to manage on that food bill!

Where do I find this other thread you mention?

x

ceebeeby

Hi D&D,

This is the Old Style Forum Link:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=33

but you can find it a number of different ways by going up to the Forums tab at the top as well.

All the people on there are hugely helpful, and could help you make a delicious meal out of a mouldy banana if necessary!!! Seriously, they're very very good!


If you wanted to have a peek at mine specifically, here's how I've managed the past 8 days and planned ahead until the 17th Jan for the total of I think about £14 out of my £60 budget - and that includes the cat food, which is my most expensive thing at the moment!!!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2176509

StrawberryYogurt

I just want to say thank you for that too! These forums are HUGE and hold a vast amount of info, its hard to know where to start! Thank you!!