Sneaky ways to save the pennies

Austin_Allegro

Use dispensers where possible, eg, for soap, cereal, sauces etc. Not only does this keep things fresher it disguises the brand, so that children don’t get used to particular brands and fussy relations won’t see the dreaded ‘value’ label. You can also pretend you’re being ‘posh’ by using cruet sets, drinks decanters etc. All this stuff can be got cheaply at pound shops/car boot sales etc.

You can ‘cut’ all sorts of things with cheaper alternatives to make them go further.If you have family members that are brand snobs, you could try gradually cutting the product until it’s completely the cheaper additive, and see if they notice! Most times they won’t.

If they do just say they ran out of the brand product in the shops this week. Next time buy their brand product and keep gradually cutting it again, until they notice once more. Give same explanation as before. Repeat indefinitely or until divorce ensues.

Use a pastry brush or clean paintbrush to spread butter. Uses much less than a knife but gives better coverage esp on crumbly bread.

Use water or vinegar to swill out the last contents of jars/bottles you can’t get to.

Don’t ever buy lipsalve again. Get one of those little tins of Vaseline, then when it’s gone, keep filling it from a giant own-brand petroleum jelly jar from pound shops.

I was recently hooked on eating sweets, biscuits and cakes all day at work, which as well as costing money was not very good for me. I’ve cut them out now and find that a cup of strong herbal tea (Ginger or cinnamon are good) fill you up but also the naturally sweet flavour lasts a long time in your mouth, making you feel as if you’ve been eating.

trying-very-trying

Austin_Allegro wrote: »

Use dispensers where possible, eg, for soap, cereal, sauces etc. Not only does this keep things fresher it disguises the brand, so that children don’t get used to particular brands and fussy relations won’t see the dreaded ‘value’ label. You can also pretend you’re being ‘posh’ by using cruet sets, drinks decanters etc. All this stuff can be got cheaply at pound shops/car boot sales etc.
You can ‘cut’ all sorts of things with cheaper alternatives to make them go further.If you have family members that are brand snobs, you could try gradually cutting the product until it’s completely the cheaper additive, and see if they notice! Most times they won’t.
If they do just say they ran out of the brand product in the shops this week. Next time buy their brand product and keep gradually cutting it again, until they notice once more. Give same explanation as before. Repeat indefinitely or until divorce ensues.

Use a pastry brush or clean paintbrush to spread butter. Uses much less than a knife but gives better coverage esp on crumbly bread.

Use water or vinegar to swill out the last contents of jars/bottles you can’t get to.
Don’t ever buy lipsalve again. Get one of those little tins of Vaseline, then when it’s gone, keep filling it from a giant own-brand petroleum jelly jar from pound shops.
I was recently hooked on eating sweets, biscuits and cakes all day at work, which as well as costing money was not very good for me. I’ve cut them out now and find that a cup of strong herbal tea (Ginger or cinnamon are good) fill you up but also the naturally sweet flavour lasts a long time in your mouth, making you feel as if you’ve been eating.

I'm all for saving the pennies, but I just had to check....no it's not April 1st:rotfl:
The butter idea would be the final straw in this house. (but who's to say that would be a bad thing)

Austin_Allegro

trying-very-trying wrote: »

I'm all for saving the pennies, but I just had to check....no it's not April 1st:rotfl:
The butter idea would be the final straw in this house. (but who's to say that would be a bad thing)

I got the idea from seeing Old Man Steptoe do it on tellie...but it works! The butter needs to be fairly soft though.

I was also impressed by the lady who said she only puts butter round the edge of her toast, then spreads jam over the blank bit, and her husband never notices!

stilernin

Austin_Allegro wrote: »

............. the lady who said she only puts butter round the edge of her toast, then spreads jam over the blank bit, and her husband never notices!

Brilliant idea !!! Rather good for the calories too....

Raksha

Use Soya Mince to eek out good quality mince (from Costco).

NickiM

I made pasta today and cooked the pasta and the vegetables in the same saucepan together

oystercatcher

when the kids were little and I was also a childminder ...lots of sticky faces and fingers. I kept a large supply of cheap flannels in a kitchen drawer, used them for mopping up and then just popped them in the washing machine saved loads on kitchen paper or baby wipes. Perfectly hygenic as long as they are changed between children ( when they're not my own family)

Oystercatcher

Ellidee

Austin_Allegro wrote: »

I got the idea from seeing Old Man Steptoe do it on tellie...but it works! The butter needs to be fairly soft thoug

He also used his false teeth to crimp the edges on a home made pie ! :rotfl:

Aril

When taking the zest off citrus fruit use a pastry brush to get all the bits off that become trapped on the grater.
Still on a citrus juice theme [can you tell I was making lemon drizzle cakes at the weekend:D ] I had a teeny bit of lemon juice left over but not enough to freeze so I added it to the concentrated orange squash.
When double baking I prepare a tray of flapjacks first and then switch the oven on. Whilst the oven is heating up I then do a double batch of whatever cake I'm making and then put it all in together [having checked first that the flapjacks are the same cooking temp and time as the other cakes]
Aril

tramps

this ones realy bad just been to blood doning staff there were realy busy as many people were fainting as giving blood thought i would take the pressure off them - just walked out afterwards with my free packs of bics now they are in the kids pack up for tomorrow