Money and Energy Saving Tips!

Saving money and energy has now become a way of life that I automatically think about without thinking about it, if that makes any sense.  I thought I'd compile a list of things I do around the home and when out and about (most of you will already be doing these no doubt).

• Never let the kettle boil - turn it off before it has chance to 'click'.  The water will be more than hot enough for what you need it for.

• Only boil what you need, (or nearly boil as the case may be).

• Turn all electrical items off at the socket - the only item that stays on overnight is the fridge freezer.

• Don't throw crusts from loaves away - freeze them and use them to make breadcrumbs.

• My bedside bulb has gone and rather than replace it I have a wind up camping lamp that I use when I want to read in bed.  Strange looks from the elder 2 kids round the door when they can hear me cranking it up!

• I shower in the dark - the light from the landing is more than enough for me to see.  I know some will say why not shower in the morning - simple reason, I am not really a morning person and have far too much to do, plus I like getting into bed feeling nice and fresh.

• I'm not a big fan of make up but one item I simply cannot do without is my liquid eyeliner.  When I feel this is running out I add a couple of drops of water to it and get a few more months out of it.

• I always try and avoid 0844, 0870 numbers etc and will use http://www.saynoto0870.com/ before I dial.

• On wash days I put a load in as soon as I come downstairs and by the time I've taken Mini A to school the cycle has finished.  I then spread out on my maiden and radiator airers in the conservatory.  Even in winter, if the sun is shining it soon heats up and the damp air is not spread around the house.  Another tip I picked up from fellow bloggers was that if the flags are dry, the washing will dry whether it is summer or winter, so outside it goes.

• A simple solution of thin bleach, washing up liquid and water kept in a handy squirty bottle keeps mildew at bay in the bathroom.

• Any leftover lemon from baking is squeezed and mixed with 300ml of water and used in the microwave for 2 minutes to keep it clean and fresh.

• I'm lucky enough to be able to walk to work each day, thus getting fresh air and exercise all for free.

• Everyone should be in possession of a 'Magic Sponge'. Cheap, and ideal for removing those stubborn marks.

• I only buy what I need, not what I want.  However, if there is an item I want and need but is not really essential, I will post on Facebook to see if anyone wants to sell or give away the item in question.  If not, I will scour the car boot sales. Failing that, should anyone ask me what I would like for Christmas I will mention one of these items.  Retro scales is one such item - I need some new scales as my current ones are cracked and do not hold enough, also the retro scales would be in keeping with my kitchen but something I  would not consider buying myself.

• I email or use Facebook messaging rather than texting.

• Use all the loose change in your purse when paying for stuff to make your notes last that little bit longer.

• I saved Hands On over £5 when he needed a car radio code.  He was willing to pay to have it unlocked.  I wasn't.  I scoured the internet and hey presto we now have one working radio.

• Watch every item being scanned if you use a supermarket, particularly those on offer and check your receipt whilst in store.  Several times I have had to take a detour to customer services due to incorrect pricing. 

• In a supermarket look at the higher and lower shelves for the item you want.  Whilst the offers are mainly placed at eye level and you think you are getting a bargain the cheaper alternatives are very often placed on the higher and lower shelves.

• If you have to use a supermarket for your fruit and veg don't buy in the packages.  It is cheaper to buy them loose.

• And finally -  a smile, and a please and a thank you go a long way.  Good manners cost nothing!

If any of you have any thrifty tips please do feel free to share.  I'm always willing to learn.

Frugal Halloween

I was determined this year not to spend any money on Halloween costumes for Mini A.  Too many times in the past have I searched Ebay and Amazon for good costumes only for the kids to wear them once.  They are then discarded to the back of the wardrobe never to be used again except for anybody who bought them from the charity shop I donated them to.

We never make a big deal of Halloween, something else that is far too commercialised, but Mini A's dance group are having a party and she wanted something different to go as.  Rather than the usual witch, vampire, skeleton...yawn.. we decided for a head in the jar.  I came across this idea on Pinterest and it does look really effective.

                                                                  Source:http://halloweencrafts.tumblr.com/post/33824149319/diy-halloween-jar-head-costume-tutorial
However, no matter how good the intention if you haven't got the materials it ain't gonna work, and since the party is on Friday that doesn't leave me much time to get everything.  Believe it or not plastic bags were needed, tons of them, and because I always use my 'bag for life' I didn't have any, or a man's trench coat, a large shirt of Hands On wasn't big enough and the jar kept getting steamed up.  After much thought and deliberation I decided, as brilliant as it looks, it is not going to be very practical for a party.  Time for plan b, if I knew what plan b was.  For weeks I had in my head what I was going to do but it was my own fault for leaving it 2 days before the party.  Time to rummage. 

I came across a faux fur very long pillow case.  I cut a head out and slipped it over Mini A's head.  Next I cut out 2 arm holes and cut it jagged at the bottom.  Yes, you've probably guessed...a cavewoman...not very imaginative I know but when time's not on your side you have to make do.

With the left over material I cut out 2 circles and cut a little hole in the middle of each.  This is for Mini A to put her feet through and the material will fall over her boots.  I used an animal print scarf for a belt and the last remnants of the faux fur to make a headband.  Getting into the spirit of making the costume, Mini A came up with the idea of having a bone necklace to finish it off.  I made the dough and let her get to work.

I know the costume isn't brilliant but we've had a fun night making it, which is what she will remember in years to come and that's something money can't buy!!

Keeping An Eye On The Pennies

That's another £31.25 saved per month, might not seem a lot but it all adds up.  The grocery bill has been sliced almost in half, we all take packed lunches to work and school so I was trying to see where else we could save money.  I know exactly what direct debits are coming out of my bank so I decided to scrutinise Hands On current account.  He's brilliant with his hands but when it comes to organising monetry matters he's not the sharpest tool in the box.  With having a mortgage, we know we have to have life insurance, which was coming out of his bank, but there was another direct debit not accounted for.  After searching the documents folder I found we had 2 life insurance policies for exactly the same thing.  I forgot that in January he was sold another policy but forgot to cancel the existing one.  The new one was over £6 cheaper, but I could kick myself for failing to notice this as it is £312.50 that could have have been spent (or saved as the case is now) elsewhere.  

Wanting to get this sorted asap I phoned to cancel.  But not before checking http://www.saynoto0870.com/ .  This site is my new best friend as it has a huge database of companies that use these 0870, 0844, 0845 etc etc numbers and it tells you the geographical dialling code, and sometimes freephone numbers.  I definitely recommend trying it as it will save you quite a bit in telephone bills. It angers me that more and more companies are resorting to these numbers to squeeze even more money out of Joe Public.  By the way, always dial 141 before dialling the new geographical number.  Some firms have even resorted to not answering calls if they know you have dialled this.  Fight fire with fire is what I say.

Also, the home insurance was due for renewal this week.  After spending some time searching for alternatives I found one that was £34.72 cheaper than my original provider.  Furthermore, because my money management skills are becoming a lot sharper we have managed to pay the amount in full saving a further £11.22.  It might not be much but, as the saying goes, 'it's better in my pocket than in theirs'.

Finally, another money saving tip that has been working for me is not to throw all my loose change in a jar.  In the past it has always been too easy to pay for everything with a fresh clean note.  '£2.56 you say, here have a fiver.'  Now I rummage in my purse for the exact money.  Sure it takes a little longer at the checkout and you have to put up with some disgruntled customers behind you and the cashier gives you an impatient, exasperated look when you hand over a load of small change but so what, it's legal tender and my notes get to stay a little longer in my purse.

Eat Well to Keep Well

This blog has been the kick up the backside I needed to alter the way I live.  I didn't intend it to be like that, it sort of just happened. I have always cooked and been careful with money but feel now this has stepped up a whole new level.  As well as wanting to reduce my debts, I am cooking everything from scratch (just the name of them famous golden arches makes me feel a little bit sick in my mouth) and I love passing this knowledge and enthusiasm onto my husband and children. Although, it has taken a few weeks to sink in. After reading Frugal Queen's blog about how much she spent on takeaways I realised this was another area where money was being spent needlessly.  

 I decided to use my poor unsuspecting family as guinea pigs for an experiment to show how much money can be wasted on takeaway food.  The first week I banned all takeaway, but going cold turkey only made them crave it more the second week.  So I then decided to let them have a takeaway whenever they wanted whilst also offering the option to cook something.  They chose takeaway.  Thursday had become takeaway night simply because it is payday. Friday because it is the end of the working week.  Saturday lunch because I work and nobody could be bothered cooking anything, and Saturday night because they didn't have time to wait for something to be cooked.  This was all well and good...until the Monday.  A whopping £54 had been spent on junk which left almost nothing for the rest of the week.  When asked why there was nothing (i.e. treats) in the cupboards this was the reason why. It is paying off as I have noticed a significant turnaround this week - they have not even mentioned eating out at all and have started to show an interest in what dish I am going to serve up next.  I made them homemade fish, chips and mushy peas courtesy of  a recipe from Frugal Queen (again) http://frugalincornwall.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/fish-and-chips-twice.html and even Mini A cleared her plate.

 I've also been making sure everyone takes packed lunches to work and school.  The butternut squash soup that I batch made on Sunday has been used for eldest one to take to work a couple of times.  The rest of us have taken sandwiches or barm cakes which I purchase on a daily basis from Heron Foods as it's only round the corner from where I work.  I often read on other blogs about doing the weekly shop or ordering in bulk but I like to shop daily as it works best for me, I work in a small town, walk to and from work so only buy items I need for the day as I have to carry them home.  Also I  have access to the 'short-dated' box, this week I have picked up- eggs=30p, single cream =5p and barm cakes= 10p all because the use by date was in a couple of days time.  This little lot would be well gone by then.  I avoid supermarkets at all costs and use Heron, my local butchers, delicatessen and market for all my food needs.

 I've still a long way to go (if I want to look half as glamorous as the lady in the picture) as I am spending a large amount in the kitchen at night, not leaving much time for anything else, so need to get more organised there. But knowing my family are being fed properly and I'm saving a packet in the meantime only has to be a positive thing, hasn't it?