Great Isn’t it Obvious MoneySaving Hunt: Tell us the secrets you didn't know you had

I live in a flat where all of the bills are included in my rent so that's a massive money saver for me right there. It even includes wireless internet access! :j

Most of my money saving comes from the shops. I tend to:

1. Check 2 sites before I go shopping - http://www.madaboutbargains.co.uk/offers/Off_Your_Trolley.htm and http://supermarketspecialoffers.com/DiscountOffers.aspx
2. Stock up on BOGOF offers of the things I use most and that have a longish shelf life i.e. various brands of cereal, loo roll, tinned stuff etc.
3. Look for the 'reduced price' sticker on fruit and veg and salads. Because they don't tend to last that long, if you time it just right and you see the guys walking around with the pricing gun there are massive savings to be had.
4. Plan my meals around my BOGOF and reduced price items.
5. I use a PAYG phone because I rarely make calls. I mostly use it as a point of contact. I only top up on Boots triple point weekends :money:
6. I've recently found that some special offers in supermarkets can also be found at the same price at Boots. If so, I buy at Boots first - 4 points per pound, then Sainsbury's - 2 points per pound, then Tesco - 1 point per pound rewards. Not close enough to an Asda or a Lidl to get there regularly enough but Lidl and Morrisons is always good for great fruit and veg as well. You get heaps more than the standard supermarket fare too!
7. Saving old batteries for clocks is an old one of mine. I now use rechargeables because it ends up being cheaper in the long run and better for the environment.
8. As well as using carrier bags for trash. I use a bag for life as well...carrier bags only when new bin bags are needed.
9. Unplugging electrical items after use is a good one because of the 'phantom' electricity it draws but might be a bit time consuming considering the fact that we have an enormous number of them now that we take for granted!
10. Finally, I buy my first bottle of water. Thereafter I boil tap water in the kettle and once it has cooled, refill the original bottle time and time again. Clean, fresh water without the cost of bottled!

There are probably more but I do take such stuff for granted now that I'll have to think a bit harder.

dewdrops wrote: »

:j an old one - if you're cold: jump up and down to keep warm, add an extra layer (jumper!) before turning on or up heating. Sitting at the computer for a time slows down the circulation.

Or go outside for about 5 minutes and the house will seem so much warmer once you come back in!

gee........................I have soooo much to learn!!!!!!!!

We dilute our washing up liquid. It's just as effective and we use less.

My mum buys large bottles of bath gel and decants into handwash containers.

Sharp_Eyes wrote: »

6. I've recently found that some special offers in supermarkets can also be found at the same price at Boots. If so, I buy at Boots first - 4 points per pound, then Sainsbury's - 2 points per pound, then Tesco - 1 point per pound rewards.

Warning with Sainsbury's - Yes you get 2 points per pound you spend, but what are those points worth? 500 points gets you £2.50 of your shopping. So spending £1 at Sainsbury's only gets 1p off your shopping.
With Boots, you are right, spending £1 gets you 4p off your shopping.
With Tescos it depends. Spending £1 gets you 1p off your shopping, but they are worth 4p if you use them on Clubcard Deals. Depends if you want what's in the deals, and how much you could get them for elsewhere. I say Tesco's points are worth about 2p for every £1 you spend because most things in the Deals book you can get for half price anyway if you shop around (e.g. 2 for 1 theme park entry).