What economies do you make when you are trying to save pennies

[dizzydo]

Have just watched Trevor Macdonald with Rosie Millard being advised to cut down on her debt. Her financial adviser said she must get tough and really crack down on her spending for three months to try and get it back on track. One of the tips was an Oyster card instead of Black cabs!! Hardly the real world I feel.

What do Mumsnet find really saves the pennies when on an economy drive. 0% interest deals, homemade food, cheap shops the whole lot. What works for you?

[bobbybob]

Selling a load of stuff on ebay and not buying anything that you can't eat.

[soapbox]

One MNetter a while ago was saving up to go on holiday and she bought a sack of potatoes, several loaves of value bread, lots of tins of baked beans and a few pouns of cheese. Along with some veg she managed to feed the family for a pittance for the next few weeks until they went on holiday!

[Caligula]

Only ever taking out cash, not cards, so I can't impulse buy anything.

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

meal planning, and many more meals based on vegetables and pulses - has saved us a lot of money.

[hercules]

Buy a big chicken (although has to be cornfed) and use if for a roast meal one night, sandwiches for the next day lunches and a pie for the next evening.

[stitch]

not shopping

[essbee]

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[essbee]

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[Gwenick]

Buy a big chicken (although has to be cornfed) and use if for a roast meal one night, sandwiches for the next day lunches and a pie for the next evening.


Or even better - buy a big chicken.

Day one - roast it, pick all the 'spare' bits off, following day use some for chicken burritos (tortillas), the next use some for chicken pie, and then make a stock from the carcass to make soup with

Lots of meal planning, beans and pulses go a long way, as do lots of fruit and vegetables to 'bulk' out meals.

Instead of multiple loafs of bread for sandwiches for lunch every day, I buy baking potatoes for me and DH (when he's home) and a loaf of bread then 'stretches' further as it's only the boys eating it.

Look for the BOGOF's, 3 for 2, special offers on things. One week you may end up spending 'over' your budget - but the chances are you'll 'save' it over the next few.

Buy the big packs of meat, split it up before you freeze into meal size portions.

Those bigger packs of washing powder and dishwasher tablets do look very expensive, but it works out cheaper than buy a small one every week (have a look at how much they cost per kg or whatever it's 'measured' in!!).

If you can't get to the market, buy loose vegetables at the supermarket, requires a 'little' more effort - but then you don't pay extra for 'pre-packed' stuff.

If you like things such as coleslaw, either buy the raw ingredients and dice them up yourselve, add mayo and dash of vingager (or if you don't eat a lot the prepacked coleslaw mix is a good buy - again just add mayo and vinegar).

If you 'can't' resist having crisps, chocolates, sweets, etc during the week to munch on - buy the multipacks at the supermarket in your shop (again it'll 'add' to the shop price - but you'll save money as it's cheaper than buying singles at the local shop everytime you want one).

Right MUST sleep - now (and I'll probably think of lots more once I'm in bed LMAO) as I've got to be up and out early in the morning!!

[muminlondon]

erm,

don't go on holiday, visit family instead
don't buy clothes unless you're replacing something that's worn out, and if you have to, buy from the sale rail in Gap or Uniqlo
for children's clothes go to Asda/Tesco (or Next sale at 7 am)
don't have a hair style that involves regularly trimmed layers or fringes, and limit hair cuts to 3-4 times a year
don't buy newspapers, pick up the free ones on trains

Is that along the lines of advice to Rose Millard?

[expatinscotland]

Rosie is a waste of space. C'mon - grousing about how her flat in Paris isn't rented. Boohoo.

Anyhow, we eat homemade food and baked goods. If there is money left over from our food budget at the end of the fortnight, then we treat ourselves to a takeaway or meal out.

'Holidays' are self-catering caravan affairs in the UK or visiting friends/family.

Days out are mostly picnics - save LOADS with picnics.

Paying ONLY cash; leave the cards at home.

Don't have mobiles.

Don't smoke and only very rarely drink alcohol - never have it in the house.

Buy fizzy juice/lucozade/sparkling water by the 2ltr bottle and decant it into smaller bottles before going out.

Make our own bread, yogurt, ice lollies, etc.

[Gobbledigook]

Another vote for meal planning and cooking from scratch/no ready made food (saves money AND so much nicer).

Don't buy anything else if you can possibly do without it.

I'm crap at this though and have just bought 2 new pairs of sandals for the summer - eek!

[milward]

Just don't go to the supermarket - get bread from bakery and just manage with what's in cupboard. If have to go only take pushchair or hold a basket so can't over buy. Don't buy magazines or newspapers. No make-up, no face creams.

[charleepeters]

i try to but stores own stuff adnin bulk so i dont run out and have no choice but to pop to local shop for brand name i.e nappys,wipes,bread ect. am going to try shopping online as many people on here say its cheeper becasue you dont impulse buy

[Gobbledigook]

Deffo charleepeeters! I menu plan for the week then shop online for what i need and it stops me browsing and picking up toys for the kids, clothes I don't need etc. Always get a discount code too so save money that way.