Money Saving Tips

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Not sure if a thread on this topic has ever been started so I thought I would begin one - please feel free to add as and when you find something to add.

Here are some of mine.

1. Tonight I was going to make a meal which involved both the oven and gas hob - but by tweaking a bit I will cook everything in the oven to save on using the gas. I was going to grill everything and have baked beans but thought, if I put the beans in an oven proof dish and add about 10 mins towards the end then everything will heat up just in the oven. Plan your meals so that they all cook together.

2. When you go to the supermarket then visit the cheap aisle first to get the cheap meat and veg. Instead of slow cooking a meal for one or two....pad it out with cheap veg/tinned veg and then freeze the remainder. That way you will have used the same amount of power for more than one meal and the frozen one can be re-heated really quickly.

3. Buy bread when it is well reduced and use that to bulk out the freezer compartment - the fuller the freezer is, then the less power it takes to keep it frozen

4. Buy value range bubble bath. I get a litre for 40p - then when you run out of the soap in the hand pump replace with the value bubble bath - the same amount in hand wash would cost about £1 more.

5. Dont throw out the crusts of bread. Grate the stale crusts and freeze for stuffings.

6. Where ever you can use the supermarket value range - it really is just as good and costs about 1/3 to 1/4 less than the branded stuff. I purchase shower gel for 27p from Wilkinsons - a branded product costs over £1.  I eat value baked beans and just add a touch of worcester sauce to add a little extra flavour. I think the beans taste just as good as Heinz - just a little more tomato sauce that's all.

This is all I can think of just now but I will add to this.

I would love this thread to grow with all the hints and tips that you lovely ladies have.

[ilove2patch]

Good tips there tintin.

When you cook a chicken always make stock for soup with the bones.

Never shop when you are hungry.

Use comparison sites for insurance every time you need to renew & change if you find cheaper, which you will.

[tintinthegingertomcat]

When I go down to my friends for Sunday lunch then I always buy an extra chicken so that mine can be cooking at the same time as his. The rubbish goes to his dog and the rest I bring home and use on a Monday and Tuesday. I save on the cooking as both chickens are cooked at the same time. No waste whatsoever.

[rose2008-2008]

Not all of the Supermarket Basics brands are awful, some are ok so give them a go!!. And shopping at the end of the day is good when things are put in a display basket and normally put at the fronts of shops with the reduced goods!!.

Likewise with the Pound shops, you can get some good cheap items for the household and gifts, pet treats and toys, smellies and make up!!.

[ed_blackadder_1]

Whenever I cook Chilli, I buy 2 packs of mince and divide into 3, I make 2 Chillis, 2 cottage pies, and 2 bolognaise sauce, I always add mixed vegetables in and use value chopped tomatoes. I make 6 meals for 3 people out of 2 packets of mince and a few veggies and chopped toms.  All get frozen down except the one for tea, so there is always something in the freezer

Never have big empty spaces in the freezer, they always run better when full.

Only buy Bogoffs when you know you will use them and they work out cheaper than own brands, sometimes they don't.

No one need be a food snob and buy branded goods when own brands are just as good. But some times branded can be better value as it's stronger, bigger or tastier and goes further.

Listen to advice and tips from friends and family and never say no to freebies, like apples, runner beans, tomatoes etc.

Don't buy loads of cheap things in the reduced aisle that won't get eaten or can't be frozen, thats false economy.

[jillyjingle]

Before you go to your supermarket - check out their website to see what the offers of the week are - so you can look for them & not walk past by accident. Also when shopping be prepared to be flexable & go for the offers & own brands. Most weeks at least half my shopping is reduced or offer goods Also stock up with favorite dry good (tea & coffee)etc when on special offer. Also cleaning materials and loo rolls when on offer and any other things that you always use.

[stampingpat]

I buy the value mushy peas and if you add a little salt they are just as good as the branded ones. So if you leave out the salt they are better for you. 🙂 I try to stock up on things that I use alot when they go on sale..... like mouth wash, loo paper, laundry soap, etc.

   Also in the spring or summer, try growing some of your veggies in containers. Even folks in a flat with a balcony can grow some lettuce. 🙂

[chips-and-brown-gravy]

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@ilove2patch wrote:

Good tips there tintin.

When you cook a chicken always make stock for soup with the bones.

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I'd agree with this one - I always do that now and add a few handfuls of lentils to bulk it out and make a more substantial dish.

Use a tin of tomatoes, a sploge of tomato puree, a small finely chopped onion, garlic if you like, a stock cube in about 1 pt water or plain water  and a few handfuls of lentil  - cook til the lentils are soft and blitz, add a dollop of creme fraiche, natural yoghut or cream and plenty of seasoning, again a substantial soup.

Buy lentils and rice from the 'foreign food aisle' of the supermarket not from the regular shelves - it's bigger bags but usually less than half the price. - for instance 5kg of Basmati rice from T*sco was £4 instead of over £1.25 for 500g of Tilda Basmati Rice.

Rather than buying expensive flavoured yoghurts, buy a big tub of Greek yoghurt (Lydls is excellent) and add fruit (a  spoonful from a wizzed up tin of apricots, or a few chopped dried ones and a drizzle with a teaspoon of honey, a banana or clementine or few summer fruits (frozen - and left to defrost in the portion of yoghurt overnight) or home made granola.

Use it with a squeeze of lemon and a teaspoon of honey as a cheap, low fat salad dressing.