Money Saving Tips For The Home

[jd_1984]

We have been in our first home for 7 months now and in that time I feel we have been quite efficient and are getting value for money in terms of bills and services.
However, I am always looking for practical money saving tips to try and have just a little more left in the bank at the end of the month for the odd luxury!

We both run small engine cars
We shop mostly at Aldi
We limit baths and shower most days
Never leave lights on in unoccupied rooms
We only run the dishwasher when it is rammed full
We try to only do a colours/darks/whites wash once each week (never happens though god knows how we generate so much washing!!)

So we are doing the basics perhaps.....

[mrs.chappie]

How do JD.

I cut my dishwasher tablets in half. I find the dishes come out just as clean. I run the dishwasher at night, using a non-drying programme, then I open the door and leave the dishes to drip-dry overnight. Saves on electricity.

I use my bath/shower water to flush the loo.

Any food left on our plates (which doesn't happen very often) gets put into a plastic tub and frozen, then later added to soups and stews. Same with gravy - I freeze any left over and add to soups or stews. Wine too.

Must go now, but will be back later to post some more.

[smurfchops]

This is a good website, if you register they will email you every week with new hints and tips. I just got two free Ideal Home tickets through them, very handy !

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

[mrs.chappie]

^^^That website is great. You'll find lots of tips on there.

I use half the recommended amount of laundry detergent and add a cup of washing soda crystals to my wash.

I make my own laundry "gloop" by using up small bars of soap which I bring home from my stays in hotels.

If you need to ring a premium rate number, it's always worth looking on the Say No To 0870 website. There may be an alternative cheaper number.

I recycle my old greetings cards by making new cards from old, as I enjoy crafting. Just make sure you note who sent them so you don't send them the same card back.

Old t-shirts, once ready for throwing out, make excellent cleaning cloths.

[mrs.chappie]

Don't leave things on stand-by, especially the telly. Don't know if it's right but I read that leaving the tv on stand-by uses 60% electricity.

I was gonna suggest buying those low-energy bulbs, but we have some and they drive me bonkers.

Keep your microwave switched off. Only switch it on when you are using it.

Never brush your teeth under a running tap.

[sherrardk]

I buy lots from Aldi and get the rest delivered from Asda. I set myself a budget and stick to it. If it goes over, I change my list (I plan all meals a week in advance so no waste). When planning, think what you could make double of and then freeze half (I can't do that as my pans are not big enough for my lot). When bread, etc is on offer at my local shop I get two and freeze one (go through at least one loaf a day here). It's probably easier for me with the BOGOFFs as we go through loads of food.

[nungate]

Places like poundstretcher and the original factory shop are good places to buy cleaning materials etc. It can also be a good idea to bulk buy. We are members of Costco and it's possible to stock up on quite a lot of things there, fair enough you have to pay for membership but it's possible to recoup that outlay by bulk buying things you use a lot. Websites like beforeyoushop can be a good source of money off vouchers as well. It's also possible to use things like lemons, and baking soda and vinegar as cleaning materials as well cutting out the need for specialist cleaning products

[mrs.chappie]

HW, I used to say I didn't want one either, until we moved into a house with one already there. I love it now, would hate to be without it.

[nungate]

Best beloved used to always do the dishes but poor thing his hands how they suffered - not a good thing for a man - dish pan hands! (I cooked he cleared up, a very good arrangement!) So, I bought him a dishwasher and while it was good for his hands, we had a really bad time about 12 years later when it gave up the ghost and went to appliance heaven, we were without a dishwasher for about 6 weeks and how we missed it! We almost hung out the flags when the new one was delivered and plumbed in. We'd never be without one now.

[Smowball]

Good evening /morning jd my lovely!!

I also have to make drastic savings which I will go more into in a post on monday when I will get more answers. But I really appreciate your post and will look forward to any comments. x

[Smowball]

P. S Excellent post.

[Smowball]

Evening/morning headwreck : )

I agree, I have a dishwasher but often ignore it and just wash by hand.

[Buenchico]

Hint 1:
If you see 'value' stuff in the supermarkets, don't knock it unless you've tried it!
For example, I've tried some 'value' lasagnes and decided 'never again' but I've also tried 'value' mince (just as good as the expensive stuff) and 'value' spag-bol (a cheap & tasty snack) as well as many other 'value' products that are perfectly acceptable.

Hint 2:
Remember that (for some strange reason) frozen foods are often only around half the price of fresh ones. Again I'd recognise that a few might turn out to be rubbish but my maxim of 'don't knock it until you've tried it' applies to most of them, which are fine.

Hint 3:
Buy lots of cheap ingredients and work out what you're going to do with them later. For example, I buy 'value' mince (around £1.50 for 500g) and freeze it in 100g portions. I also buy lots of 'value' rice and 'value' pasta, together with 'value' chopped tomatoes. Then, with just a few extra for perhaps 60p per meal.a ingredients from my store cupboard, I can make curries, pasta dishes and lots more.

Hint 4:
Keep an eye open for cheap stuff which can go into casseroles (particularly if it's something which can be frozen). For example, Asda were recently selling some really good Lincolnshire sausages at just 75p for a pack of 8. I freeze them in 4s and I've then got a basic component of sausage casseroles for some time ahead.

Hint 5:
Don't buy expensive 'cook-in' sauces! Pound shops sell cup soups at 2 packs (of 4 or 6 soups per pack) for £1. Cup soup (made a little thicker than usual) makes a great base for a casserole. Asda also sell a really good 'value' casserole sauce, in a jar, which goes really well with those cheap sausages I mentioned.

[mrs.chappie]

I have a slimline (half size) one and even when I'm home alone, I still use it as it has a half setting.

The dishes come out clean and sterilised. It just feels much more hygienic to me.

I'd hate to give it up.

Anyhoo, I am away to bed now. Night all. Sleep well peeps. x

[Wharton]

2 cars?

[Buenchico]

Ops:
Para 3 seems to have got a bit mixed up but the main theme, of producing cheap meals for about 60p, is still relevant.

[mrs.chappie]

PS: Don't forget to tell JD about the Pilchard Bake, Chris. :o)

[Smowball]

Buenchico - good evening my lovely - some brilliiant tips there. Would love to share my excitement as to why I need to cut back but dont think I could cope with the sarcasm lol.(not from u!)

Mrs Chappie - thankyou, and will spk soon : )