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Handy hints
In the style of Viz and those women's weekly magazines, can anyone give me some money saving tips, because i'm really skint. Thankyou.
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In the style of Viz, or some actual hints?
I am no good with money so I often find myself skint, so I'll list the three things I do to save money.
The first is just to watch telly and lose my social life for a while (even if I had to buy a telly and a licence, I'd save the equivalent after a few weeks).
The second is to stick to the telly diet, and not buy newspapers or magazines, and go to the library for books.
The third is even more boring - plan what you are going to do and don't buy stuff spur of the moment. Eating's the one I always start on (because I'm a fatty).
I plan a weeks worth of eating, and only buy the ingredients I need (this sounds obvious, but I just wander around the supermarket in a daze saying "ooh, picked chillies - I'm sure I could use them for something" and then never do) and going for the economy version whenever available.
Try to buy rice and pasta and stuff (lentils are meant to be good, but I've never bought them coz they seem a bit hippie), and making your own sauces saves quite a bit too.
Anyway, that's just for me when skint. I feel embarassed to have been so earnest in response to a question citing Viz.
Get a better paid job
Become single
Get a water meter
Get rid of the car
Don't smoke/drink
Sell your junk on Ebay
Tell folk now not to buy you a christmas present because of your situation. They still will but you will have an excuse not to buy for them.
Get rid of Sky TV
Offer hand shandies at the local gay bar for a tenner a go.
menu planning really does save a load. I have 5 kids and a hungry husband and the weeks I don't menu plan, I end up getting take out, or going to the shop to buy for just one meal etc etc...
The other thing I have done to aid me in my economy drive, is to switch over to a cash only life style. I take out the money I shall use for food out of the bank on pay day for that month. You don't half not buy pickled chillies when you are handing over hard cash! You also don't buy other useless stuff in tesco. It also means that I can shop in local stores, like the green grocer and the butcher where I get better value for cheaper, despite popular belief. Chicken from the butcher goes further, although is more expensive, tesco value chicken shrinks to nothing so you have to buy twice as much: False economy.
My husband takes a packed lunch to work too and so eats at his desk and is also more productive and gets to leave on time (sometimes).
I too go to the library, walk when I can, do free stuff with the kids like go to the beach, park, woods etc. They love it and it is cheaper than indoor play arena and they like wearing their raincoats and wellies.
save vouchers, but ONLY for things you buy anyway. If you have to spend 5quid or more to get 20p off smoked salmon, it isn't a saving.
Cook for the freezer, jam tarts, saus rolls, cakes, cookies, even sweets, peppermint creams, coco ice etc, this saves a fortune when you get the munchies.
make christmas presents for people, or offer time vouchers instead, eg, 3 hours of cleaning/gardnening/babysitting/taking someone out for the day etc. I bet you they would be well appreciated.
The other thing I have done to aid me in my economy drive, is to switch over to a cash only life style. I take out the money I shall use for food out of the bank on pay day for that month. You don't half not buy pickled chillies when you are handing over hard cash! You also don't buy other useless stuff in tesco. It also means that I can shop in local stores, like the green grocer and the butcher where I get better value for cheaper, despite popular belief. Chicken from the butcher goes further, although is more expensive, tesco value chicken shrinks to nothing so you have to buy twice as much: False economy.
My husband takes a packed lunch to work too and so eats at his desk and is also more productive and gets to leave on time (sometimes).
I too go to the library, walk when I can, do free stuff with the kids like go to the beach, park, woods etc. They love it and it is cheaper than indoor play arena and they like wearing their raincoats and wellies.
save vouchers, but ONLY for things you buy anyway. If you have to spend 5quid or more to get 20p off smoked salmon, it isn't a saving.
Cook for the freezer, jam tarts, saus rolls, cakes, cookies, even sweets, peppermint creams, coco ice etc, this saves a fortune when you get the munchies.
make christmas presents for people, or offer time vouchers instead, eg, 3 hours of cleaning/gardnening/babysitting/taking someone out for the day etc. I bet you they would be well appreciated.
rewear clean clothes; hang them on the line outside for an hour, reiron and put back in cupboard. If a blouse is clean and only been worn in the office, it doesn't necessarily need washing again. Keep garden clothes for the kids. If they are going to get muddy, they can get the same clothes muddy today that they got muddy yesturday, not only saves time, but money too.
Get keys for all: leccy, gas and water, particularly saving if you live alone. It is not that the thing is cheaper: You are more likely to switch off lights and wear a jumper instead of turning up the heating.
Eat larger meals and have a pudding. SPonge pudding, apple pie etc etc are filling and econmonical. More so than eating in between meals. Eat lots of high carbs (provided you are not diabetic of course).
Drink squash instead of pure juice, or better still water.
recycle and reuse things, mend things instead of replace them. This is the old way when people didn't have the money to replace their tumble drier, they had to mend it instead.
Do NOT take out any finance/credit cards/ loans etc. I have no credit cards any more and the liberation if gives - wow. My sis spends loads on cc and is up to her neck sometimes. She has loads of stuff, but doesn't sleep well. I don't buy so much stuff, but Im way more relaxed.
service the car regulalry; by doing this you can avoid heavy, unexpected repair costs.
when bits of soap get too tiny to use, put them in the toilet brush holder and half fill with water. Soap is soap at the end of the day and this does the job just as well. You can clean with a soapy brush once a day instead of pouring expensive cleaners down. Just chuck some bleach down every few days instead, or put some bleach in the holder too (if you don't have tinnies crawling around that is.)
Get keys for all: leccy, gas and water, particularly saving if you live alone. It is not that the thing is cheaper: You are more likely to switch off lights and wear a jumper instead of turning up the heating.
Eat larger meals and have a pudding. SPonge pudding, apple pie etc etc are filling and econmonical. More so than eating in between meals. Eat lots of high carbs (provided you are not diabetic of course).
Drink squash instead of pure juice, or better still water.
recycle and reuse things, mend things instead of replace them. This is the old way when people didn't have the money to replace their tumble drier, they had to mend it instead.
Do NOT take out any finance/credit cards/ loans etc. I have no credit cards any more and the liberation if gives - wow. My sis spends loads on cc and is up to her neck sometimes. She has loads of stuff, but doesn't sleep well. I don't buy so much stuff, but Im way more relaxed.
service the car regulalry; by doing this you can avoid heavy, unexpected repair costs.
when bits of soap get too tiny to use, put them in the toilet brush holder and half fill with water. Soap is soap at the end of the day and this does the job just as well. You can clean with a soapy brush once a day instead of pouring expensive cleaners down. Just chuck some bleach down every few days instead, or put some bleach in the holder too (if you don't have tinnies crawling around that is.)
mend clothes instead of chucking them, let them out/down/turn up etc etc.
take shoes to cobblers and polish regularly to keep them looking great.
wipe surfaces/paintwork/glass etc with dilute vinegar. Once dry it does not smell, and is natuarlly antibacterial. Much cheaper than expensive clearners.
add washing soda to your washing machine, this enables you to halve your washing powder. Clothes come out cleaner at a fraction of the cost. washing soda is way cheaper than persil. You can also use it on pans, grease, tiles etc etc. It's quite caustic so use gloves if you are washing by hand.
Dont spend anything.....
The only cheaper thing I haven't been able to find is an alternative for limescale remover. I live in a really really hard water area, I don't want to go down the water softener route cos of the salt etc, but can't find anything natural/old fashioned to remove limescale so I still pay throught the nose for Viakal.
Anyone have a tip for that?
take shoes to cobblers and polish regularly to keep them looking great.
wipe surfaces/paintwork/glass etc with dilute vinegar. Once dry it does not smell, and is natuarlly antibacterial. Much cheaper than expensive clearners.
add washing soda to your washing machine, this enables you to halve your washing powder. Clothes come out cleaner at a fraction of the cost. washing soda is way cheaper than persil. You can also use it on pans, grease, tiles etc etc. It's quite caustic so use gloves if you are washing by hand.
Dont spend anything.....
The only cheaper thing I haven't been able to find is an alternative for limescale remover. I live in a really really hard water area, I don't want to go down the water softener route cos of the salt etc, but can't find anything natural/old fashioned to remove limescale so I still pay throught the nose for Viakal.
Anyone have a tip for that?
I've had more ideas; when jeans get faded and bit past it, instead of buying new ones and relagating them to DIY clothes, buy a dylon (machind dye avainlable in woolworths or haberdashery stores etc) and redye your jeans. they will look brand new. Also, I dye towels, sheets etc, if they ever get a bit grey/or stained (with heavens knows what!) it gives them a new lease of life without looking all tatty and making you feel rubbish.
maybe find some part time work you could do. Are you good with computors, advertise yourself to teach kids or adults with computor basics. Average hourly private tuition rate is �20 per hour. You do 2hours per night, say 6-7 and 8-9 (I used to tutor from my house as I had kids asleep and no babysitter) that is �200 extra per week. (of course, make sure you put away what you owe for tax. This makes you honest and not broke in April).
Buy yourself a slow cooker.You can make really cheap economical meals in it and what is left over you can freeze for another time.
Shop locally if you can. Knobbly veg is just as good as supermarket graded stuff and much cheaper.
Use local charity shops for books and stuff and your library of course.
I know lots of people don't go there because they think it's cheap and cheerful but Lidl do great stuff.For example ..their washing powder is well cheap and just as good as named brands.
Reuse and recycle.Just because a banana looks blackish on the outside ..inside it's still good.
If you live in a city there are lots of things that are free..museums etc.Bit of culture..good for the soul.
Take up a hobby that will keep you amused while you have to spend time indoors.Reading (free from your library)plus their hire for DVD's etc is cheaper than Blockbusters and so on.Crosswords. You can read the papers for free at the library.Jigsaws ..from the charity shop.Get out in the garden and do a bit of digging.Offer to take someones dog for a walk ......if you have something to offer swop your knowledge with someone else.EG you clean their windows they mow your lawn !!
Good luck Andy . There are lots of ways to live a frugal life without being miserable.
Shop locally if you can. Knobbly veg is just as good as supermarket graded stuff and much cheaper.
Use local charity shops for books and stuff and your library of course.
I know lots of people don't go there because they think it's cheap and cheerful but Lidl do great stuff.For example ..their washing powder is well cheap and just as good as named brands.
Reuse and recycle.Just because a banana looks blackish on the outside ..inside it's still good.
If you live in a city there are lots of things that are free..museums etc.Bit of culture..good for the soul.
Take up a hobby that will keep you amused while you have to spend time indoors.Reading (free from your library)plus their hire for DVD's etc is cheaper than Blockbusters and so on.Crosswords. You can read the papers for free at the library.Jigsaws ..from the charity shop.Get out in the garden and do a bit of digging.Offer to take someones dog for a walk ......if you have something to offer swop your knowledge with someone else.EG you clean their windows they mow your lawn !!
Good luck Andy . There are lots of ways to live a frugal life without being miserable.
other part time work: Walk people's dogs for them. cleaning, or course. odd jobs, diy, driving, baby sitting, gardening, teaching (depending on your areas of expertise) typing things up for people, you'd be amazed at how many people need this doing. SHopping for people.
I also clean my shower cubicle every time Im int using a washing up sponge (the yellow and green ones) and shower gel/shampoo etc. I wash my hair in the regular way, put the conditioner on; then wash the shower walls and doors, rinse that all off, rinse my hair and step out. Gleaming shower, nice shiny hair from deep condition too. Also, this saves time and I do a swish and swipe when I leave the bathroom and every few days put bleach down the pugs and the toilet. Result, I only deep clean the bathroom once a month, I don't use expensive cleaners and it always looks nice for me step into after a busy day and a good night's sleep.
stuff that you can't be bothered to sell on Ebay,, take to a charity shop. Although this won't give you any financial reward, it will make you a good egg and it will enhance your mind set of not needing loads of stuff. What is it all for anyway. We come into this world with nought, and we will leave with nought. I don't want to have to look back and see that all I've done is juggle a load of loans and HP for stuff I can't take with me.
We need to be good stewards for our finances and if people thing we are 'poor' for living this lifestyle, frankly it's their loss. we sleep undisturbed in our beds, we don't dread the postman coming or the phone ringing, wondering if it will be demands for money and we don't have loads of housework to do cleaning all the stuff and tidying all the things we don't need. We have more time to enjoy hobbies, and being with our family and friends.
special times become special because we don't 'have stuff' all year. We become more grateful and appreciative of small things, and this in turn not only leads us to a healthy bank balance and good stewardship of our money, it makes us rich in character too.
Notice, also lots of these money saving/back to basics, the way we were ideas are also very enviromentally friendly.
We are saving our money, our time, our character and our planet.
Perfect. hold you head high and don't say you're skint, say you being the best that you can be. Now get down your local library and get loads of cool books to read.
mimififi *blush*
"shucks, Boo, twas nothing really...I like a good question in which to get my teeth!"
(and I'm really bored....husband away, cold and lonely house, I'm emersing in the virtual to make up for the lack of the real.......(Obviously, I don't save anything on my broadband, but I don't have a telly, so that kinda makes up for it, hehe!)
In all seriousnees, I watched something on tv last week with a family who had bought a tv set from a doorstep credit lender, and were having to pay it back by feeding coins into a meter attached to the set, were it not fed, the set would switch itself off. A situation like that frightens and, being legal, disgusts me.
