Sneaky ways to save the pennies

OrkneyStar

NewFoundGlory wrote: »

Well, I don't think it is stealing, I take my coffee black also so I take two creams home (one for each of my kitties) and I don't mean I go up to the sauce/sugar/milk couter with an open bag frantically stuffing things in! Just, if when everyone on my table has finished and they have a few sauces/napkins/sugars left unused i pack them up! Otherwise, when you put your tray back or empty it into the bin, they'll just get thrown away so I think its better for me to take them home and use them then throw them away !

Sorry it might have been my use of the word 'extra' when really I should have said 'left over', however, i personally don't think that there is anything wrong with someone taking some from the cafe that they weren't going to use whilst they are there, some people have 8 sugars in their coffee, some people have none so if they take it home for their OH or guest use, i think thats fine.

Each to their own, if you can justify your actions to yourself then fine, I still stick to what I said though . I don't take milk in my coffee either, so I simply don't pick any up (unless DH is there as he takes milk in his tea).
The milk is there for people who take milk in their coffee or tea NOT to take home for ones kitties!!...and before anyone asks yes I do have a cat! Do you ever point out that you won't need any milk so they bring less, or ask if you can have the leftover stuff before helping yourself to it ? If not, this is stealing- taking without permission.

got-it-spend-it

In a similar-ish vein I always save the little plastic forks you get when you buy a fruit salad or salad in Pret, M&S etc. I take them home, wash them and then take them to work when I make my own lunch. I used to take real forks from home, but they seemed to mysteriously disappear [STRIKE]accidentally get thrown away[/STRIKE] so this is a money saver for me!

OrkneyStar

got-it-spend-it wrote: »

In a similar-ish vein I always save the little plastic forks you get when you buy a fruit salad or salad in Pret, M&S etc. I take them home, wash them and then take them to work when I make my own lunch. I used to take real forks from home, but they seemed to mysteriously disappear [strike]accidentally get thrown away[/strike] so this is a money saver for me!

I have been known to do that too Also if I have any yoghurt pot sized pots/tubs, but with lids, I wash and save them. Great for freezing portions of food for DS or even small amounts of something or other. Marg tubs too, although they can be a pain to wash out
:wave: ta ra for now.

OrkneyStar

unixgirluk wrote: »

Send off for as many freebies as you can. It saves loads on shampoo, conditioner and the like. Also I have been travelling a lot with my job and I'll take the small bottles of shampoo, conditioner and soap with me (if I haven't used them) and they get put into a basket in the bathroom to work our way through. If you yourself don't travel with your job ask a friend or relative who does for these bottles etc. I also hang onto the airline socks I'm given on every long haul flight as they're lovely and soft and great under boots.

Aren't freebies just guuuurrrrrreeeeeaaaaaaaat ? :rotfl:

Uniscots97

OrkneyStar wrote: »

Aren't freebies just guuuurrrrrreeeeeaaaaaaaat ? :rotfl:

I love my freebies. I gave a friend a 'hamper' for her birthday. I put everything into a leather handbag (bought from charity shop for a pound), then filled it with bottle of bubble bath, bath scrunchie, relaxing music cd, posh shampoo and conditioner (small bottles), face mask, bar of chocolate and candles. All of which were freebies collected over the last year. I did admit this to my friend as we have an agreement to only spend a couple of pounds on presents. She thought it was fab!

OrkneyStar

unixgirluk wrote: »

I love my freebies. I gave a friend a 'hamper' for her birthday. I put everything into a leather handbag (bought from charity shop for a pound), then filled it with bottle of bubble bath, bath scrunchie, relaxing music cd, posh shampoo and conditioner (small bottles), face mask, bar of chocolate and candles. All of which were freebies collected over the last year. I did admit this to my friend as we have an agreement to only spend a couple of pounds on presents. She thought it was fab!

I think thats great- lots of lovely treats for her, yet you did not have to go crazy money wise. Well done both of you. I have some Boots points so will hopefully get some make up and stuff for peeps with that, and maybe the odd freebie if I don't use them myself lol :rolleyes: .

Uniscots97

OrkneyStar wrote: »

I think thats great- lots of lovely treats for her, yet you did not have to go crazy money wise. Well done both of you. I have some Boots points so will hopefully get some make up and stuff for peeps with that, and maybe the odd freebie if I don't use them myself lol :rolleyes: .

remember everytime you are in Boots to put your Advantage card in the machine. Last time I was in I got a voucher for free Boots bubble bath and some sweets. Well worth checking, I hadn't spent anything in Boots for ages so I don't think you need to spend on a regular basis to get the freebies.

pink68

gosh i never think to put my boots card in the machine and i am always in and out of there! will do in future..great tip! (as are so many on this thread)

i've really tried to change the way i think about money the last few months what with the credit crunch hitting and feeling under pressure to work more hours when i don't actually want to, not to mention the night mare of having to go back to arranging childcare if i do work more hours...

anyways i'm wittering! thank you all for your great tips, i have now bought bath creme to refill my handwash bottles, cheap cat food from aldi to mix with his normal brand and look for every bargain and freebie i can get. today i got a free yoyo:D dunno what i'll do with it but the kids were impressed!

i've planted seeds in my garden which are starting to shoot even though i planted them a bit late, plan my meals around what needs using up rather than what i fancy, and found freebies in my local newspaper which i have to read for work incase there is any gossip about our customers in it, I now bring it home so i can cut out all the vouchers at my convenience and can email in all the competitions....

will be back..wittered enough....lol..anyways saving a fortune already!:T

auntyn

When they introduced paying for your carrier bags in Ireland there was a huge increase in sales of pedal bin liners to replace the carriers which cancels out the environmental impact and costs more. A few months ago I adopted my grandmother's way of disposing of waste (no liners in her day!!) A plastic container (a Maltesars bucket after Christmas lol) sits next to the sink and all sloppy wet waste goes in it when full it is emptied into main bin and rinsed - about twice a day. All dry waste(packaging etc - nonrecyclable) goes into a linerless pedal bin which is wiped over weekly.

Horace

I never used to bother squirrelling away vouchers but when I get one, I keep it and use it. Over on the freebies board some of us signed up for a Move Me box (we weren't moving we just wanted the free stuff), some boxes contained, velvet loo rolls, bounty kitchen roll, sample cif actifizz, a litre of candia milk, an energy saving lightbulb plus a stack of vouchers. I kept them and was surprised when a second box arrived - as my neighbour keeps an eye on my place when I go away and she really is kind, I gave the second box to her:D

People laugh at me for using money off vouchers but I dont care because I am saving money.