Money saving tips......what are yours?

[Pyramid*]

Living alone with one salary and a mortgage, although on a 'good enough' salary - I still like to keep an eye on the pennies - to allow me the luxuries - which means little tips to save money.

What do you do to save on the cost of things?

A few of mine are:-


DVDS - always Ebay, 99p deals using a sniper account.


Always making my own soup - cheap, lots and can be frozen.


January sales for next years Xmas cards, decorations and candles.


Using a lip brush when the lippy seems finished.....you can get weeks and weeks of lipstick from a supposedly 'finished' lipstick.


Use BOGOF deals for items you won't actually waste: (toilet rolls, household cleaners, shampoos etc).


Never buying any body or facial products unless there is a special offer (facial wipes, cleaning scrubs etc)


Windowlene: always pour half into empty bottle and top up with water - lasts twice as long and is a lot easier to use/remove when it's not so thick.


Never buying tobacco here: I go on hol twice a year and stock up my tobacco supplies abroad. Even with prices rising abroad - I still benefit.


What money saving tips do you have?

[Marsh.]

DVDS - always Ebay, 99p deals using a sniper account.

Or watch them online for free. I don't waste money on sky TV either, just get freeview and you can watch any shows you are unable to get on plenty sites for free.

Windowlene: always pour half into empty bottle and top up with water - lasts twice as long and is a lot easier to use/remove when it's not so thick.

Or just use water. lol

Never buying tobacco here: I go on hol twice a year and stock up my tobacco supplies abroad. Even with prices rising abroad - I still benefit.

Stop smoking?

[Pyramid*]

Or watch them online for free. I don't waste money on sky TV either, just get freeview and you can watch any shows you are unable to get on plenty sites for free.



Or just use water. lol



Stop smoking?

I could have sworn this thread was headed up: Money Saving Tips.....What are yours.....

and not.... Here's mine, feel free to criticise. :rolleyes:

I happen to prefer owing actual DVDS rather than viewing online.
I happen to prefer using windowlene to just water
I happen to enjoy smoking.

[Patrick]

Never buying tobacco here: I go on hol twice a year and stock up my tobacco supplies abroad. Even with prices rising abroad - I still benefit.



:joker: :joker: :joker: :joker:
Surely going on Holiday twice a year costs you far more than ******ing Tobacco? ROFL.

[Vicky.]

My mum does that with tobacco/cigarettes. She reckons with what you get back you have had a free holiday out of it, plus you are still saving money on our prices on top of that :D

[Claymores]

Marry a guy with an MGTF who is good at cooking - it will cost us less than living alone and you like 2 seaters Pyr - hahahahahaha! giggle

[Vicky.]

:joker: :joker: :joker: :joker:
Surely going on Holiday twice a year costs you far more than ******ing Tobacco? ROFL.

It actually doesnt

When I lived in greece it was like 2 quid for a packet of cigarettes.

Say you smoke a pack a day. That was about £5.50 here.

So, greece prices, about £700 a year give or take

England prices over £2000 a year

A week in greece is what? About 200-300 quid? £1000 saved.(thats with one holiday though, with 2 it would still be over £500 cheaper)

[Claymores]

Get a gay partner who loves your lippy and products is my other suggestion :-)

[Pyramid*]

:joker: :joker: :joker: :joker:
Surely going on Holiday twice a year costs you far more than ******ing Tobacco? ROFL.


No smartie pants. I enjoy my holidays abroad - whilst I am there, I purchase my tobacco. I'm one of those types who enjoy other cultures, other countries, enjoy the sun, authentic foods in the country in which I visit, enjoy the locals etc.

I see you are still unable to offer any form of discussion without cursing your way through it. Completely unnecessary.

Yes Vicky: your mum is correct. The money I'd pay here for cigs/baccy: equates to the money to fund my holidays AND the purchase of my baccy!!! :)

[Pyramid*]

Marry a guy with an MGTF who is good at cooking - it will cost us less than living alone and you like 2 seaters Pyr - hahahahahaha! giggle


did the married thing and got rid... !!! Best thing I ever did!! LOL .

Besides: MG's aren't my thing. I prefer Lagondas, Aston Martins.......... just a shame the purse strings didn't match my tastes !!! ;) always a fly in the ointment huh !!! :hugesmile:

[Pyramid*]

It actually doesnt

When I lived in greece it was like 2 quid for a packet of cigarettes.

Say you smoke a pack a day. That was about £5.50 here.

So, greece prices, about £700 a year give or take

England prices over £2000 a year

A week in greece is what? About 200-300 quid? £1000 saved.(thats with one holiday though, with 2 it would still be over £500 cheaper)


Precisely Vicky. Nice to see common sense hitting the thread. As you have stated: the savings alone pay for the 2nd holiday all in - ..... :blush:


Claymores: great idea....'cept for the gay bit......... !!!

[Claymores]

did the married thing and got rid... !!! Best thing I ever did!! LOL .

Besides: MG's aren't my thing. I prefer Lagondas, Aston Martins.......... just a shame the purse strings didn't match my tastes !!! ;) always a fly in the ointment huh !!! :hugesmile:
]
LOL Pyr - you're out of my league - I am going a 2nd hand Lotus Elise - I can't attract you :hugesmile:

[Marsh.]

I could have sworn this thread was headed up: Money Saving Tips.....What are yours.....

and not.... Here's mine, feel free to criticise. :rolleyes:

I happen to prefer owing actual DVDS rather than viewing online.
I happen to prefer using windowlene to just water
I happen to enjoy smoking.


Someone clearly can't handle a joke. Of course it takes more than water to clean windows.
And smoking, whether you enjoy it or not is irrelevant. Saving money often entails having to give up the luxuries you like and sticking to what's necessary. Especially giving up fags, biggest waste of money ever. If long term smokers discovered how much they'd spent on cigs in their life they'd probably pass out from the amount they could have saved.

[Pyramid*]

]
LOL Pyr - you're out of my league - I am going a 2nd hand Lotus Elise - I can't attract you :hugesmile:


Ahhhh....now your talking my language!!!
:wink:

The old Lotus Elan. Now that floats my boat. Doesn't float my bank manager's boat mind you!!

[Claymores]

My German friend arrives 17.04 - to take her to Edinburgh or Fort William costs a fortune 2 single rooms - so 1 room and sleeping together - not the end of the world two freinds if trust each other eh?

[Pyramid*]

Someone clearly can't handle a joke. Of course it takes more than water to clean windows.
And smoking, whether you enjoy it or not is irrelevant. Saving money often entails having to give up the luxuries you like and sticking to what's necessary. Especially giving up fags, biggest waste of money ever. If long term smokers discovered how much they'd spent on cigs in their life they'd probably pass out from the amount they could have saved.

Can handle jokes fine, absolutely.

What I chose to save money on is my choice....mine. The same as it is MY choice how I chose to spend MY money. Of course if I wanted to not smoke, I could save much more - hardly rocket science at work there eh!

I'm in a fortunate position that I not only am able to afford to chose to smoke - I'm able to do so with lots of other luxuries in my life. Note: that's MY life. I didn't ask for critisism on MY life or how I chose to live it. That has absolutely buggar all to do with you.

[Pyramid*]

My German friend arrives 17.04 - to take her to Edinburgh or Fort William costs a fortune 2 single rooms - so 1 room and sleeping together - not the end of the world two freinds if trust each other eh?

If you're doing the sight seeing thing: there's a fab value for money hotel called the George Hotel in Inverary:

http://www.thegeorgehotel.co.uk/

I thoroughly recommend it: the rooms are out of this world, food is fab and great value - and it's got some lovely scenery on the way there and around it.

The breakkie is huge - including Scottish Smoked Kippers for that Scottish touch!

[Marsh.]

Can handle jokes fine, absolutely.

What I chose to save money on is my choice....mine. The same as it is MY choice how I chose to spend MY money. Of course if I wanted to not smoke, I could save much more - hardly rocket science at work there eh!

I'm in a fortunate position that I not only am able to afford to chose to smoke - I'm able to do so with lots of other luxuries in my life. Note: that's MY life. I didn't ask for critisism on MY life or how I chose to live it. That has absolutely buggar all to do with you.

Oh dear, dear.

I'm not TELLING you anything. You asked for people's ideas on money saving and I used some of your own points to give some of MY ideas on how to cut costs for those same things. You know... for a discussion. Imagine that.

Then you took offence to my comment on how to save money on DVDs, cigs and window cleaning fgs. Such as sticking to just water, as a pretty obvious joke.

Of course you choose to smoke, I wasn't TELLING you not to. You asked my opinion and I was stating what a waste of money smoking is. Which you seem to agree with.

God forbid I give any kind of an opinion on a message board.

[Claymores]

Ahhhh....now your talking my language!!!
:wink:

The old Lotus Elan. Now that floats my boat. Doesn't float my bank manager's boat mind you!!

One time in my life, I had enough money for an Elan I saw - but it needed £1k work to get it back and a respray. One of my many mistakes in life I did not do it!!

[Claymores]

If you're doing the sight seeing thing: there's a fab value for money hotel called the George Hotel in Inverary:

http://www.thegeorgehotel.co.uk/

I thoroughly recommend it: the rooms are out of this world, food is fab and great value - and it's got some lovely scenery on the way there and around it.

The breakkie is huge - including Scottish Smoked Kippers for that Scottish touch!

I'll take a look - ta. I'm **** as a host, never know that to do for foreign visitors................just know I don't wanna lose £20 going into EDI castle

[Pyramid*]

Oh dear, dear.

I'm not TELLING you anything. You asked for people's ideas on money saving and I used some of your own points to give some of MY ideas on how to cut costs for those same things. You know... for a discussion. Imagine that.

Then you took offence to my comment on how to save money on DVDs, cigs and window cleaning fgs. Such as sticking to just water, as a pretty obvious joke.

Of course you choose to smoke, I wasn't TELLING you not to. You asked my opinion and I was stating what a waste of money smoking is. Which you seem to agree with.

God forbid I give any kind of an opinion on a message board.

right. Let's start again...howzat?

Smoking: yep.... I could have paid my house outright 3 times and still probably have paid cash for an Maserati!!!!

but it's not a thread on smoking.... tis a thread on what I have said I save money on, and what others may save money on. I guess what I'm saying is it is derailing the thread........ not that you aren't entitled to your opinion: but it's not what the thread is about....it's about what savings tips others have - whether it be little things, or good value hotel rooms etc.

[Pyramid*]

I'll take a look - ta. I'm **** as a host, never know that to do for foreign visitors................just know I don't wanna lose £20 going into EDI castle

It's a brill hotel: and the owners/employees are tremendous. Open fires and all that... great stuff.

Edin castle: it's worth it though. Do what I've done before though: don't mention the One O'Clock Gun Salute - steer visitors away from the boards that mention it but make sure they are in the vicinity as the clock stikes One. It's a FAF !!! Evil, but funny!!!

[Claymores]

It's a brill hotel: and the owners/employees are tremendous. Open fires and all that... great stuff.

Edin castle: it's worth it though. Do what I've done before though: don't mention the One O'Clock Gun Salute - steer visitors away from the boards that mention it but make sure they are in the vicinity as the clock stikes One. It's a FAF !!! Evil, but funny!!!

Cos I come from Fife - picking her up at EDI, Maid of the Forth boat, next day Fife Coast/St Andrews, next day Higlands and staying in Fort William, Thusdsay is Edinburgh and spooky tours, next Stirling, then Falkirk wheel.

Think I've planned enough for 1 week stay?

[Pyramid*]

Cos I come from Fife - picking her up at EDI, Maid of the Forth boat, next day Fife Coast/St Andrews, next day Higlands and staying in Fort William, Thusdsay is Edinburgh and spooky tours, next Stirling, then Falkirk wheel.

Think I've planned enough for 1 week stay?

Spooky tour in Edi - I've done Mary's close but was a bit disappointed. Always fancied the real midnight spooky ghostly tours for a bit of effect!! On the walk up to the Castle, there used to be a guy dressed up as 'William Wallace' Braveheart style, and I swear, he was Mel Gibson's movie version double!!

fish n chips in Anstruther is a safe bet I think eh!!!

Wallace monument in Stirling is good and not too expensive IIRC - some very intesting facts on boards on the way up the monument and the view is terrific!

Oddly enough: I also have a German girl with us at work for a few months and I'll be doing much of the same as you in the forthcoming weekends.

[Claymores]

Spooky tour in Edi - I've done Mary's close but was a bit disappointed. Always fancied the real midnight spooky ghostly tours for a bit of effect!! On the walk up to the Castle, there used to be a guy dressed up as 'William Wallace' Braveheart style, and I swear, he was Mel Gibson's movie version double!!

fish n chips in Anstruther is a safe bet I think eh!!!

Wallace monument in Stirling is good and not too expensive IIRC - some very intesting facts on boards on the way up the monument and the view is terrific!

Oddly enough: I also have a German girl with us at work for a few months and I'll be doing much of the same as you in the forthcoming weekends.

I'm dreading Mary King's Close as it sounds sheise - on the net I've found South Bridge Underground tour which sounds much more spooky - but she's dye'd in the wool Mary Kings close - giri (japanese word for obligation)

Cos I'm quiet really and never done it, Falkirk Wheel sounds ok.

I'll give you feedback on our tourist stuff!!!!

[Pyramid*]

I'm dreading Mary King's Close as it sounds sheise - on the net I've found South Bridge Underground tour which sounds much more spooky - but she's dye'd in the wool Mary Kings close - giri (japanese word for obligation)

Cos I'm quiet really and never done it, Falkirk Wheel sounds ok.

I'll give you feedback on our tourist stuff!!!!

Scheisse....LOL !!!! I know what that means!. I found it was!!!

some of the walkabout stuff is cheap, the scenery is to die for (espcially now). Have fun and I look forward to upddate, I'll need the latest for my own tour guide soon

[Claymores]

Funnily enough Pyr - all she wants to do is sit at the water and relax - landlocked from Germany I can almost understand. @ Fort I have booked us a hotel that just looks over Loch Linne. I think this will soothe her mind.

[Niamh.]

did the married thing and got rid... !!! Best thing I ever did!! LOL .

Besides: MG's aren't my thing. I prefer Lagondas, Aston Martins.......... just a shame the purse strings didn't match my tastes !!! ;) always a fly in the ointment huh !!! :hugesmile:

oh, that's my dream car..............when I win the lotto:wink:

[Claymores]

oh, that's my dream car..............when I win the lotto:wink:
Pyr and Naimh - I was being reasonable and not outlandish..............sure I'll take a Ferarri if win the lotto - my little MG is cute bad girls :bawling:

Real life, not fantasy

[Novo]

I am really bad at saving money.. I use go into town with about £30 when i was younger and come back with nothing so basically spend it all on food and travel

[Niamh.]

Pyr and Naimh - I was being reasonable and not outlandish..............sure I'll take a Ferarri if win the lotto - my little MG is cute bad girls :bawling:

Real life, not fantasy

alright then, my reasonable dream car is a mini cooper, which I had but it ended badly and only lasted 3 months:bawling:

[Pyramid*]

Funnily enough Pyr - all she wants to do is sit at the water and relax - landlocked from Germany I can almost understand. @ Fort I have booked us a hotel that just looks over Loch Linne. I think this will soothe her mind.

I simply adore drives up Perthshire, along the country roads, winding my way around the lochs, stopping off for a bite to eat in the quaint little villages etc.

Trossachs are hard to beat for freedom..... and 'foc' too.

Serene, peaceful and good for the soul .

[Pyramid*]

Pyr and Naimh - I was being reasonable and not outlandish..............sure I'll take a Ferarri if win the lotto - my little MG is cute bad girls :bawling:

Real life, not fantasy

Sobs and am mouring for my MX-5. :bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling:

[Stu]

I just stopped drinking. It's surreal the amount of money I have coming out of my arse because of it. I'd spend maybe 50, 60, 70 quid on a night out. Now I spend about 15. I feel like a million bucks, too.

[Shasown]

Lemon Juice and vinegar are so much better at cleaning things than modern commercial cleaners, well according to those two quaint old dears who go round cleaning up the drums of those who love to live in squalor.

Personally I find that if you think about needing and wanting before you buy something and only buy the things you need you will save money, the arse might be hanging out of your trousers and you may look like a scruff but you will be a rich scruff.

[Pyramid*]

I just stopped drinking. It's surreal the amount of money I have coming out of my arse because of it. I'd spend maybe 50, 60, 70 quid on a night out. Now I spend about 15. I feel like a million bucks, too.


Oh feck that if stopping drinking gives you diahorrea!! :joker:

[Stephanie]

i'm rubbish at saving money.

but, when i go shopping i usually have to make a list of what i want before i go, otherwise i end up buying stuff i don't need. and instead of buying books, i just go to the library instead.

saves me some, i guess :L

[Pyramid*]

Lemon Juice and vinegar are so much better at cleaning things than modern commercial cleaners, well according to those two quaint old dears who go round cleaning up the drums of those who love to live in squalor.

Personally I find that if you think about needing and wanting before you buy something and only buy the things you need you will save money, the arse might be hanging out of your trousers and you may look like a scruff but you will be a rich scruff.

I like the smell of lemons, but I refuse to put up with the vinegar!!!

I think one of the best bargain I ever bought was a few years ago: bought a winter coat, cashmere and wool from ebay: Label was Planet. got it for £7.

Thought when it arrived I'd end up finding it wasn't worth it... how wrong I was: it was in brand new nick: fitted like a glove and the last two Winters: I've lost count of how many compliments on the coat. An absolute steal.

[Shasown]

I like the smell of lemons, but I refuse to put up with the vinegar!!!

I think one of the best bargain I ever bought was a few years ago: bought a winter coat, cashmere and wool from ebay: Label was Planet. got it for £7.

Thought when it arrived I'd end up finding it wasn't worth it... how wrong I was: it was in brand new nick: fitted like a glove and the last two Winters: I've lost count of how many compliments on the coat. An absolute steal.

Oh thats another good way to save money, though a somewhat riskier one.

If your neighbours have nice plants etc, wait until its dark then take a couple and plant in a plant pot, put them into the garden proper a few weeks later.

If you neighbours have nice garden tools, ask to borrow them and conveniently forget to give them back

Dont spend money on an MP3 Player, simply remember your favourite tunes and sing/hum/whistle them as you move around.

Only go for number twos when you are either at someone elses house or at work, that will save on Toilet paper.

[_Seth]

To those who get loads of tobacco abroad, don't the security guys say anything? Do you get enough for the whole year?

Not that I smoke.

[Pyramid*]

Oh thats another good way to save money, though a somewhat riskier one.

If your neighbours have nice plants etc, wait until its dark then take a couple and plant in a plant pot, put them into the garden proper a few weeks later.

If you neighbours have nice garden tools, ask to borrow them and conveniently forget to give them back

Dont spend money on an MP3 Player, simply remember your favourite tunes and sing/hum/whistle them as you move around.

Only go for number twos when you are either at someone elses house or at work, that will save on Toilet paper.

LOL........... I love your suggestions but not quite what I had in mind!

As for the last suggestion: I worked with a man who stunk out his loo so bad, that he religiously came in first thingin the morning at work - to do his business - his wife refused to let him do it at home coz he stank the place out so badly. :o

[Pyramid*]

To those who get loads of tobacco abroad, don't the security guys say anything? Do you get enough for the whole year?

Not that I smoke.

EU laws allow you to bring 3200 fags back or 3kgs of tobacco..... that's a lot ...... is it enough for a year? Not for me, hence my two trips a year, but am sure it;s plenty for light smokers.

[Kerry]

I walk most places. Within reason obviously. But into town and stuff. Mostly walk instead of the tram

Check out markets for books and often get my meat from the butchers there instead of supermarkets. Half the price

BOGOF's

If buying a takeaway I often buy enough to spread over two meals/days. Most takeaways do offers on ordering so much and last easily

[Vicky.]

EU laws allow you to bring 3200 fags back or 3kgs of tobacco..... that's a lot ...... is it enough for a year? Not for me, hence my two trips a year, but am sure it;s plenty for light smokers.

And most people bring back more anyways

If you dont act all nervous they are unlikely to check you, worth the risk IMO

[bananarama]

Best way to save money over a life time is to avoid borrowing money (other than mortgage which is inevitable for most). Just think of what you could have purchased with all the interest charges that is paid to loan sharks.......(all money lenders are loan sharks).

If you do save keep a constant watch on the competition and move your savings if needed.......Don't let the low interest brigade banks exploit your money any more than needed.....