Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Chatting on the Plot => Competitions => Topic started by: John on June 02, 2009, 15:17

Title: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: John on June 02, 2009, 15:17
We're looking for frugal living tips - that could be any way you use to save money and hopefully be a bit greener.

Prize - either a copy of my new book Low Cost Living (http://www.allotment-garden.org/book/low-cost-living.php) or (if you prefer) one of my other books, Vegetable Growing Month by Month (http://www.allotment-garden.org/book/vegetable-growing-month-book.php) or The Essential Allotment Guide (http://www.allotment-garden.org/book/eag1.php). If you've got the lot then I'll work something out with you!


The competition is open to all members and you may enter more than one tip. The winner will be chosen by Allotment Growing at the end of June

The Legal Stuff

By entering you agree to grant to the allotment growing website group including sub-domains and associated sites thereof a non-exclusive licence to publish and use your recipe and extracts from your recipe on the site.

The prize must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred. There will be no cash alternative. Prize(s) unclaimed after 28 days will be deemed to have been forfeited and Allotment Growing reserves the right to offer the prize to another entrant. The winner will need to provide their name and address in order to receive their prize.

Tips should be in line with the theme of the competition. Entries that do not comply in the sole opinion of Allotment Growing will not be eligible. The decision of Allotment Growing to accept or reject an entry is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: mark.carline on June 03, 2009, 09:32
My tip is to check out your local freecycle:

Their home page is here:
http://uk.freecycle.org/ (http://uk.freecycle.org/)

and you can locate the network in your area here:
http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK (http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK)

General rules are:
1) No money or goods are exchanged - everything is free
2) You post a message that reads something like "WANTED" "OFFERED" "TAKEN" OR "RECEIVED"
3) The name of the item and your LOCATION (usually a postcode)

I have got a load of people onto free cycle and its great as not only are you now not throwing stuff away in landfill people come and collect it from your house.

Since getting my allotment in April and then immediatly joining freecycle I have managed to get the following all for my allotment:
1) Various surplus veg - Peas & Beans
2) Car battery & old car stereo
3) Pallets
4) 2 x water butts - one 220 litre and one 600 litre water butt (!!)
5) 50m of hose pipe and a real / fittings etc
6) Concrete slabs
7) Kitchen worktop for shed
8) bagged manure

and lots more....for not even a penny !

Amazing.

And not to mention met loads of very generous friendly people and got to know Chester alot more.

I have also really sorted my garage out and given loads of stuff away that I had planned on selling on ebay / Car boot / sending to the skip for a couple of quid (sooo much less hassle to freecycle it!).
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Glyn on June 03, 2009, 09:49
Simple organic pesticides:

Garlic - this is a versatile plant and can be used as spray or as a plant. Growing garlic around fruit trees and other vegetables will repel borers, Rabbits, mites and mosquitoes.

To make a spray cook one unpeeled garlic head and one unpeeled cut up onion in three pints of water for about 30 minutes on a low heat. Allow to cool and then use one tablespoon of the liquid to one pint of water to make the spray.

Lavender - planting lavender in the garden is great for attracting butterflies to the garden but will also keep away mice, moths and ticks.

Mint - deters ants, mice and cabbage butterfly.

Slug traps - to keep slugs at bay bury old yoghurt cartons into the ground with the top of the pot level with the ground. Pour a little beer into the bottom of the pot.

Slugs will fall into the pot when they are attracted by the beer (they love beer) and will drown or become too drunk to climb out. Check the pots daily and place captured slugs into a tied bag and throw away. I know it sounds yuk but it works.

Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: FCG on June 03, 2009, 12:27
When shopping : Look up and down! Many shops tend to stock the highest costing and most recognisable brand names at the eyeline section. Looking at the very top and bottom of the isles you'll usually find an equivalent product that costs less and either tastes the same or does the same job. I.e. Asda's own brand biscuits are made in the same factory as mcvities with hardly any change in ingredients.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kristen on June 03, 2009, 16:25
I use www.MySupermarket.co.uk to find the "Best Offer" - often surprises me that small bars / packets work out cheaper than larger ones.

Also compares / recommends equivalent products from Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Ocado.

Usually saved me 10% on my on-line shopping, but can also be used to then print out a shopping list for in-store shopping.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Patricia on June 04, 2009, 07:29
Make up a batch of serviettes(Napkins for us Americans) out of old cotton sheets or buy some calico. Just do a quick hem around them with a zig zag stitch on your sewing machine and keep on your table in a Napkin holder. This will save on Kitchen paper(towels). :) And instead of throwing them away you just wash and hang out to dry. Saving trees and extra change in your pocket. I know my use has cut right back since doing this.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Ropster on June 04, 2009, 08:46
when shopping on line use one of the many cash-back sites eg quidco (I have no association with this site) to get some of your money back

or alternatively always remember to Google for a discount voucher for the shop you are using, it is surprising how often you will find one
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: lacewing on June 06, 2009, 09:27
Instead of buying several different household cleaning sprays I buy one large all purpose cleaner, decant some into spray bottles and top up with water. The diluted spray cleans just as good and lasts a lot longer.
   
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: home made pie on June 06, 2009, 17:53
"Don't buy anything you don't need"

Seriously though I'm not saying be a miserable miser, we've all got to have some enjoyment out of life but I am amazed how much some people earn and spend.  Me and my OH are both self employed, no benefits what-so-ever, we live off combined income of less than £12k, we eat well, have two vehicles, manage to pay the horrendously high council tax etc etc

I think if you work for yourself you appreciate money, here's an example "I have to work X number of hours and sell £X number of stock to pay for that new coat...mmm do I really need it or do I just want it"

Stop for a minute and think where has that money come from, what else could I do with that money...save it maybe...if I earned £20K like many do I would be putting plenty into a regular saving account

End of lecture! each to their own and all that
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: too many girls on June 08, 2009, 18:58
Cut up your credit card, when you have to save for something you'll soon realise if you really need it or not.............
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: janet12000 on June 08, 2009, 20:46
Accept all offers of grub from your dad's allotment.
If anything like my Dad he will be growing veg for a family of six despite us kids all moving out years ago. He just enjoys growing stuff.
Dad and Mum eat what they can and give the rest away.
 Swap heaps of veg for a supply of free range eggs from your chooks.
Offer to help Dad on allotment which he will decline as you will not do it properly.  :blink:
Enjoy loads of preserves and pickles from Mum during the winter months. Once again offer to help but Mum likes to do it 'her way'.
Mum will continue to cook for a large family despite them only having 2 in the house. She always invites you round for 'leftovers' which usually consists of a huge dinner.
Relax in the fact that you have been fed a wholesome dinner and have not had to do any work apart from taking a few eggs over.
Sorted!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: sunshineband on June 08, 2009, 21:06
Check out the most economical supplier of gas/electricity in your area with an on line search engine like moneysupermarket.com -- could save you a lot of money  :D
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Ice on June 08, 2009, 21:22
Check out the most economical supplier of gas/electricity in your area with an on line search engine like moneysupermarket.com -- could save you a lot of money  :D
Absolutely right.  Shop around online for EVERYTHING.  Never just automatically renew things like car insurance as you might just save a lot of money elsewhere.  Never be afraid to switch energy suppliers, it's really easy. 

If you are on your own or there is just two of you then look into getting a water meter.  I capture every drop of water from my gutters for the garden and never run a tap unnecessarily.  My water bill is £5 a month at the moment due to having overpaid the bill for a considerable amount on direct debit at £25 a month.

If you have Sky tv and it breaks down then threaten to leave and they will fix it for free.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: titch on June 08, 2009, 21:35
Check out the most economical supplier of gas/electricity in your area with an on line search engine like moneysupermarket.com -- could save you a lot of money  :D

If you have Sky tv and it breaks down then threaten to leave and they will fix it for free.

we did this and for £20 they upgraded us to sky plus  :lol: :lol:

buy some eco balls to wash your laundry with - save a fortune in the long run and wash just as well, soon get used to the lack of soap smell (and if you have irritable skin, these really help, i know, have the itchiest of skins)
also eco cloths - thye work with water only and get every thing shiny clean (if really cant do without 'cleaner' of some sort then a small squeeze of a well know eco brand of liquid cleaner helps you psychologically - we have been using ours for months now - its brilliant -  once a week you a boil in a pan with a v small amount of washing powder (or a run through the machine with a load and the eco balls ) and its good to go again -according to packet should last me around 14 years - havnt bought any new lcoths or cleaner for 6 months - very frugal
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: BrianK on June 08, 2009, 21:44
Steal your daily veg, fruit and salad needs from other plots.  If your careful you can probably get away with it for ages.



What?     OK OK       


Sorry  :tongue2:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 08, 2009, 21:59
sign up to join tesco home panels to test/try free items. Today I got a kettle free to try (trial lasts 4 weeks) and I get to keep it and am now waiting for an all purpose cleaner.
 
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Trillium on June 09, 2009, 02:16
When you've almost finished cooking something on top of the cooker, turn off the heat a few minutes before the item is done. Residual heat will finish off the cooking and not heat your house when the pan is removed.

If you're using the electric kettle for one cup of whatever, measure that cup out with just a bit more water and add that to the kettle rather than trying to gauge how much water you need and wasting power on what you didn't need.

With UK water at a premium, most folk run the hot water tap a few moments for the hot water to come out the tap. Instead of wasting the colder startup water down the drain, save it in a jug to use for watering plants. Same with bathtubs and showers. It's amazing how quickly the water adds up and lets you overcome any hosepipe bans.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kristen on June 09, 2009, 08:19
Put a thermos flask next to the kettle.  Boil a fuller kettle and store the rest in the thermos.  Next time the instant coffee really will be instant! and no more walking away from a kettle after turning it on, and forgetting to return before it is stone cold again :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 09, 2009, 10:12
sign up to join tesco home panels to test/try free items. Today I got a kettle free to try (trial lasts 4 weeks) and I get to keep it and am now waiting for an all purpose cleaner.
 

Perhaps I'd better not get the cleaner as that will mean housework  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: BrianK on June 09, 2009, 10:28
OK proper answer here.

My frugality tip is to totally map your life out. Write out all your outgoings and tackle each one to see if it can be reduced. i.e. Utility bills. Reduce them by being economical with power, heat, cooking. 
Plan your shopping. Don't impulse buy.

Talk to allotment neighbours  house neighbours etc. Swop seeds and produce.
Decide what you want to achieve each month. Build raise beds? See if you can blag the goods, old pallets, freecycle etc. Clean the car? Use old bath water to wash the car initially with and rain water to rinse it. The list is endless.

Planning and preparing to be frugal will eventually reap much higher rewards than a single idea.

Frugality can be a lifestyle but not a frugal one. I know people who live on a pittance of money but eat healthier and better than I do, have a wine cellar to be proud of  (all home brewed) and give away more than they eat.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: janet12000 on June 09, 2009, 18:27
At work there are 5 of us that take it in turns to make lunch for each other.
It works out cheaper to make a load of food than to do it individually. It also means that you only have to worry about doing food for work on 1 day each week when it's your turn to make it.
For example 5 days of sarnies etc for 1 costs more than doing one big pot of curry, soup or stew for all of us to share, and fills you up so you are less likely to snack.
Obviously we have reusable containers from the pound shop to take it in to work.  ::)
The other bonus is that we all come from different cultural backgrounds so we get to have a huge variety of meals.
This week I have had oxtail stew and chickpea curry.
Tomorrow its pig tail and red beans cooked Jamaican style!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kristen on June 09, 2009, 19:03
What an excellent idea!

And what a pity that I am self employee working from home :(
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: janet12000 on June 09, 2009, 19:27
What an excellent idea!

And what a pity that I am self employee working from home :(

And a shame you are miles away....or you could join us!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Patricia on June 10, 2009, 08:32
Kristen, You could still do the same thing. Just put the extra meals in the freezer. Cook in big batches and freeze individual portions. After a while you should have enough made up for a bit to have different meals all week. :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: jaycee on June 10, 2009, 15:05
The Freecycle tip is great and I have made up cold frames from double glazed window panels off our local Freecycle.
I think one of the most effective cost savings on a daily basis is to boil only the amount of water you need in the electric kettle. I got one of those gadgets that monitor the useage of electricity and the SHOCK of how much energy is used to boil the water has ensured I now only boil the amount I need.
Wish I could convert the many friends that call and "put the kettle on" and as a matter of habit  fill the kettle to the top every time. Just would seem that  I was  penny pinching to ask them to only boil what`s required...so I bite my tongue and don`t look at my gismo!.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kristen on June 10, 2009, 15:39
Put the rest in a flash jaycee ... hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised!

And just pour them a cuppa using the flask next time they call round - in my experience that makes them think far more than my preaching about non renewable resources!

Having read John's book I now also enjoy asking if they think the electricity company is a charity that needs my hard earned pennies to fund the executives' bonuses!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Christine on June 10, 2009, 18:19
Remember that frugal shopping does not mean buying cheap.

There's a reason for something being 2 for £1 rather than 98p on the own brand shelf of the supermarket - often the amount of water in the 2 for £1 offer.  It's far better for the environment to buy less packaging and use less than to think that cheap is good.

Remember too when you are food shopping look up and down from the brand at eye level. The saying that the eye buys is very true when you are in the supermarket and the more expensive brand will be at eye level and easy to reach. If you want the item on the top shelf or right at the bottom because it's as good as the expensive brand but you can't reach it - ask the staff to reach it for you.

Compare the contents when looking at the buy one get one free offers - you may well find that two smaller ones give you more content and you get better value for your money.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: mumofstig on June 10, 2009, 19:43
Unless you like really really strong tea you can make 2 mugs with one tea bag :) Mum always did with typhoo and i can with coop 99  ;)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: janet12000 on June 10, 2009, 20:56
The pigs tail stuff was erm.... delightful. Still filled me up for the day though.  :tongue2:
Another thing that we have started at work is the 'kids clothes swap'.
We all have kids of different ages. We take all our kids outgrown stuff into work once a month and take our pick of the stuff that would be suitable for handing down.
I cleared out my lad's clothes that he could no longer fit in to and most of will fit one of my work mates lad's who is 2 years younger.
In turn I have picked up a load of clothing for my boy without paying out a penny from someone who has an older boy.
If there is clothes left over that will not fit anyone we ship them to Africa via charity.

Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Teen76 on June 11, 2009, 21:33
My Frugal tip is to keep your eyes peeled  :blink:  You just never know what you might find.

What I mean is, for example, I saw someone at my work place going along in his JCB with loads of wood in the bucket ready for the bonfire.  I went over after he had gone only to find a large quantity of old scaffolding boards, posts, and other useful bits of wood.  So I neatly stacked them to one side and took them up the allotment.  Too flipping good for a bonfire!

I also keep my eyes open for bargains.  I bought myself a new cargo trailer for my bicycle for half the price of anywhere else, a new petrol strimmer for 40% cheaper than anywhere else and many other articles the same way. 

Another tip is to use your imagination.  Its fun!  Think of ways to make things for free or nearly free.  Amazing what you can come up with.  I made a huge coldframe out of lots of little offcuts and a sheet of plastic.  Doesn't look bad considering I'm no carpenter or DIY expert.

I try to reuse plastic packaging in my gardening escapdes, such as using them for seed trays or propagating lids, using plastic bottles as cloches, keeping the slugs off of stuff.

I am learning to propagate plants in order to get lots of free ones.

I am always looking on freecycle ready to pounce on anything remotely useful.

I go to the local car boot sale and occasionally come home with a real bargain.

I sale anything I never use on eBay in order buy other items that I will use.

I'm in the process of learning to make my own wine in order not to waste bottles and to get wasted  :wacko:, plus use all my lovely fruit in a good way rather than feeding the local blackbird.

Shock horror I repatch my work trousers to make them last that bit longer.  They're perfectly good trousers, just have a few holes in those private places   :ohmy:

I have begun the process of composting everything I can.  Why pay for it when you can make it yourself with the rubbish you throw away and why give it to the council who will charge you to buy it back!??

At work instead of the plastic pots being put into the landfill I put them on Freecycle along with those plastic fruit and veg crates and anything else I can pillage.

I don't have a water butt yet but I put out all manner of containers to collect water when it rains.  And it works!

I'm not sure if any of these are tips but I hope I earn a couple of brownies points for trying at least! I don't earn much and so I think this makes me more frugal anyway, plus my upbringing was to make things last cause you wouldn't be getting anymore.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: parson on June 12, 2009, 19:57
Do what I done......

Get a wood burning stove fitted, then get a job with the local green waste recycler. I get ALL the logs that are cut by Glasgow, Nrth Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire councils and any local gardeners and lanscapers, or tree surgeons brought to my work. Who then let me take what I want free.

Result is I heat my house through the winter months for nothing.

Beat that!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: dissoluteman on June 12, 2009, 21:46
My best tip would be to check out your local supermarkets/shops and sniff out the reduced item shelfs. My local tesco has one section for chilled perishables, one for veg/fruit items etc. They are usually located at the ends of the isles somewhere. Once you know where they are hang around and find out the time they start to reduce items. My shop nearly always starts around 2100 hours. The dates are usually use by the same day or very nearly up. I just pop in around that time when I am passing and have a look about, pickout things I can use for meals the next day, or better still, things I can freeze. I have saved ££'s this way. Last week i got a full leg of newzealand lamb for less than £3, went in my freezer and will do for one sunday when im skint! Was well chuffed!  :lol:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: BestBreast on June 14, 2009, 00:39
Think twice before you bin anything.

Sour Milk = toad in the hole, pancakes, nann and soda bread.

Stale bread = bread pudding, bread crumbs for stuffing, bread sauce or coating fish/meat/vegetables, crutouns for soup or salad, fishing bait, treat for your chickens.

Bacon rind = fishing bait, chicken treat, make lard for cooking.

Cooking oil = save oil from cooking, yorkshire puddings or roasties. Filter oil to purify esp usefull if deep fat frying.

Bones from joints/poultry = once meat has been stripped from the bones use them to make a tasty stock.



Grow and make your own herbal medicines and teas.

Forage for your food, berries, wild garlic, mushrooms, apples, pears, plums, damsons, etc..

Make your own jams, chutneys and jellies, making good use of surplus produce/scavagings. Great for gifts.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Faz on June 14, 2009, 08:22
My tip number 1 would be to have a good look through the MoneySavingExpert website and forums. There is so much information on there about saving money and also tips on claiming some money back. There are also codes to use when shopping on line (for example free grocery delivery).

The site also does a weekly email keeping you up to date with any developments or offers that are only available for a limited duration.

Tip number 2 : subscribe to the regular emails from Aldi/Lidl and get sent details of what offers they have coming up in the next week or so - especially useful in the spring when they have loads of gardening stuff available at good prices.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 17, 2009, 12:15
get on travel lodges mailing lists - they often do special offers (great if you want a short break  :D) Starting tomorrow rooms for £9 per night for stays during November, December and January. So far over the past year we stayed in Middlesborough (2 nights, London 5 nights, Oxford 1 night, Luton 1 night, Lake district 3 nights all for £9 per night  :D)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kieron on June 17, 2009, 22:30
Earn money by displaying a “How's My Driving?” sticker on your car with an 0906 premium rate number (£1.50 per minute) which you can aquire through BT. Then simply drive around town like a complete idiot. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: BrianK on June 18, 2009, 07:51
My frugal tip idea...

Start a forum, let it become popular,  then have a frugal tips competition where everyone suggests ways of living on a pittance.  Then adopt all the ideas people have suggested...

Great idea me :lol: :lol:

Oh come on. Surel;y that's the winner?   :wacko:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 18, 2009, 10:43
get on travel lodges mailing lists - they often do special offers (great if you want a short break  :D) Starting tomorrow rooms for £9 per night for stays during November, December and January. So far over the past year we stayed in Middlesborough (2 nights, London 5 nights, Oxford 1 night, Luton 1 night, Lake district 3 nights all for £9 per night  :D)

just done this and booked two nights at Halifax for £18 in December  :D
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: madcat on June 18, 2009, 11:09
Halifax in December??? ???  Brrrr .....

I really, really hope you aren't going for the sun sea sand and sights?    :D
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 18, 2009, 11:21
no, and have now booked Scarborough at £9 a night for 2 nights in January  :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Aunt Sally on June 18, 2009, 14:16
Earn money by displaying a “How's My Driving?” sticker on your car with an 0906 premium rate number (£1.50 per minute) which you can aquire through BT. Then simply drive around town like a complete idiot. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

That's a bit of a deceitful scam Keiron - verging on fraud I'd say.  >:(
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: madcat on June 18, 2009, 14:34
no, and have now booked Scarborough at £9 a night for 2 nights in January  :lol: :lol:

Do you know about being a glutton for punishment?   :blink:

[Apologies and no offense intended to those hardy souls who live in Halifax or Scarborough!]
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 18, 2009, 14:41
 :lol: :lol:
Think though that there are lots of interesting places to visit in and around these places, just have to remember to pack me coat, hat, brolly, gloves, scarf, wellies, thick jumpers - good job I've got a van to carry it all in  :D Besides might as well use the hotels central heating for these days rather than my storage heaters  :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kieron on June 21, 2009, 16:58
Earn money by displaying a “How's My Driving?” sticker on your car with an 0906 premium rate number (£1.50 per minute) which you can aquire through BT. Then simply drive around town like a complete idiot. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

That's a bit of a deceitful scam Keiron - verging on fraud I'd say.  >:(

Bit of a harsh response for a joke.  ???  :D

Maybe this one is better and in case people believe I'm serious....

WARNING JOKE COMING UP

Save money washing your clothes by giving them to Oxfam. They will wash them and you can buy them back for 50p.

No? Dreadful abuse of a charity shop? Ok I give up!  :D  :lol: :D :lol: :D


Ok here's a real one. You can buy scaffold boards for 20p a foot from scaffolders. Just ring up you local scaffolder and see if they've any no longer considered safe to use. If you're really lucky, though unlike in the current economic climate, they'll let you take them away for free.

Another, don't by black plastic vinyl to cover your plot visit an agricultural merchants and buy silage sheet. Same stuff but a bit thicker and a 10m x 50m roll costs just £50. Or visit a local farmer and see if he's got any old silage sheet.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Potiron on June 22, 2009, 06:05
 Never say no to anything offered to you, there will allways be a use for it. ::)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Aunt Sally on June 22, 2009, 18:33
Oh Kieron - me "a bit harsh" ?     NEVER  :ohmy:

You are soooooo funny for such a newbie  ::)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: matron on June 23, 2009, 09:09
I think I may now be considered the local nutter in our local supermarkets as I can be seen on tip toes to see what gems they have put out of my reach and then on my knees to see what they are hiding on the bottom shelves  :ohmy:
Thanks a bunch you lot  :tongue2: (I have picked up some bargains though)  :nowink:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 23, 2009, 09:17
Being only 5 feet tall there is no way I can see what bargains are on the top shelf or in the bottom of freezers however the bottom shelf is where most gems are found (at least I have to keep telling myself that  :D) and I'm closer to that  :lol:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 23, 2009, 12:21
sign up to join tesco home panels to test/try free items. Today I got a kettle free to try (trial lasts 4 weeks) and I get to keep it and am now waiting for an all purpose cleaner.
 

Perhaps I'd better not get the cleaner as that will mean housework  :ohmy:

Cleaner just arrived, drat that means I've got to do some house work  :(
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 23, 2009, 12:22
Always put the lids on pans when cooking (unless you are trying to reduce a sauce) - uses less heat and brings things to the boil quicker
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kristen on June 23, 2009, 14:27
In that vein (I don't think its been mentioned yet) "Turn off oven 5 minutes before the cooking will finish"

I read this somewhere, but have found it neigh-on impossible in practice :(
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 23, 2009, 15:11
It works with fish Kristen  :D
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Pete C on June 23, 2009, 20:48
Can't see anyone has posted this yet. I have a remote controlled socket. Computer and all it's attached peripherals, and TV can now all be switched off with the press of a button. I also turn off the socket that has my phone charger attached. Not a massive saving, but looking after the pennies...... :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: too many girls on June 24, 2009, 10:36
buy John's book Low cost Living, all the tips are in there.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kristen on June 24, 2009, 13:10
"It works with fish Kristen"

Yup, I know it works. I just never remember to do it!!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: DD. on June 24, 2009, 13:27
When making a single cup of tea or coffee - do not fill the kettle.

Now someone please tell that to Mrs Digger!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: barney rubble on June 24, 2009, 16:14
This won't save you vast amounts of cash (cos they aren't that expensive anyway), but you can recycle till they break, its a useful tip for the garden,  particularly when you aint got a pair of scissors to hand, and is totally reusable, if you remember to do it right!

Cable Ties : when closing them, thread them through the opposite way i.e. with the smooth side on the inside, the ribbed side on the outside. You can still tighten it as far as you want, but also slacken undo and reuse it when needs be, because the non reversible ribs haven't been caught in the built in clasp
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: ClarefromOxford on June 27, 2009, 19:41
Unless you like really really strong tea you can make 2 mugs with one tea bag :) Mum always did with typhoo and i can with coop 99  ;)


Only 2 mugs?? I can get at least 3. And I usually have a 'mug for the day' which gets a quick rinse (cold water fine!) before my next drink.

Guests get a fresh bag + mug if they're very special... :)

Ok I do like my tea quite weak...
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: ClarefromOxford on June 27, 2009, 19:51
My tip is to use a 'hay box' for cooking rice.
Cooks well, stays hot but doesn't boil over or dry, plus min use of energy.
Has high 'clever factor' feeling.

I use a cardboard box filled with shredded paper; bring pan of rice to boil on hob; nestle pan in box and cover with towel to insulate top. Forget about pan until you need the rice later. (Turn off hob!)

I haven't experimented with cooking anything else - meat and some veg apparently work. Got the idea I think from a leaflet based on low-tech solutions in rural africa ...
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: mumofstig on June 27, 2009, 21:21
My tip is to use a 'hay box' for cooking rice.
I use a cardboard box filled with shredded paper; bring pan of rice to boil on hob; nestle pan in box and cover with towel to insulate top. Forget about pan until you need the rice later. (Turn off hob!)
Isn't it soggy by the time you remember it though?
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: ClarefromOxford on June 28, 2009, 00:21
My tip is to use a 'hay box' for cooking rice.
I use a cardboard box filled with shredded paper; bring pan of rice to boil on hob; nestle pan in box and cover with towel to insulate top. Forget about pan until you need the rice later. (Turn off hob!)
Isn't it soggy by the time you remember it though?

No - I put in only the amount of water needed (stick a finger or equivalent in and water should be to level of rice plus same height again).
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: dizzylizzie on June 28, 2009, 16:17
hi. if you have a baby, instead of buying expensive baby food, puree, then freeze your left over vegtables in ice cube trays.when you come to need them , just pop the veg of your choice on a plate and heat in the microwave. its great  because as your baby gets bigger, and they need a bt more, just add a few cubes of each veg instead of one. you will be suprised how much money it saves you.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: home made pie on June 28, 2009, 18:03
Am I allowed two go's ?

It was the tea bag suggestion that reminded me of this frugal tip...

If you have a combi boiler ie, one that fires up instantly on demand, use the cold tap all the time where possible ie, washing hands, cleaning freshly dug veg, rinsing mugs etc, then the boiler doesn't fire up unnecessarily and waste money

 :)

Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: home made pie on June 28, 2009, 19:04
Surely I should win just for being able to spell unnecessarily  :D
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: BrianK on June 28, 2009, 19:30
I had a friend once. 

No  that isn't the tip.  Her boyfriend/fiance, now husband...  long winded isn't it..  used to work in a newsagents.  They entered every competition he could find in the magazines and newspapers. I mean they were doing maybe 100 or more a month. Take a Break , crosswords everything. And they won loads.  A car ( a pink cadallic I kid you not ) holidays, as well as all the other stuff like free cornflakes, nappies (no babies mind lol)

So my tip is never miss the chance to enter a competition. You never know  you might win!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on June 28, 2009, 20:00
I always think I shpuld have a go at that after seeing a film based around that idea. Think it was called Big Fish or something like that.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: mumofstig on June 28, 2009, 20:23
But entering those competitions cost money! The postage................ I did them for about 5 years and all i ever won was a small cheese hamper :(
So i think i lost money by doing them  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: BrianK on June 28, 2009, 21:20
I had a new years resolution about them.   I did them religiously for about two months


and won nothing

Then the first week the lottery was run I won 5000 quid with 4 numbers   so I wasn't complaining about being in it to win it  lol.

Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Ice on June 28, 2009, 21:29
Surely I should win just for being able to spell unnecessarily  :D
Not necessarily. :lol:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: mumofstig on June 28, 2009, 21:32
Never eat cheese eat salmon sandwiches and raspberry yoghurt,
did any one else learn that rhyme to spell necessary correctly ::)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: joyfull on June 28, 2009, 21:35
No, and on reading the first line of that I thought thats not frugal salmon costs more than cheese - doh!  :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: home made pie on June 28, 2009, 21:45
mmmm ok I'll try another angle

I've never won anything  :(

Well actually I have but I was too shy to go up and collect my raffle prize so I just kept quite that my ticket number had won  :blush:

Anyway it was only a naff prize...not like winning a veg book  :D

I'm a bit braver now  :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Yorkie on June 28, 2009, 22:09
Ermmm, nope, sympathy angle hasn't worked either  ;) :lol: :tongue2:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: BrianK on June 28, 2009, 22:14
 :D :D
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kristen on June 29, 2009, 08:28
"If you have a combi boiler ie, one that fires up instantly on demand, use the cold tap all the time where possible ie, washing hands, cleaning freshly dug veg, rinsing mugs etc, then the boiler doesn't fire up unnecessarily and waste money"

We have a mixer tap with a single "lever" - left for hot, right for cold, pull for off, push for on.

If the previous user left it in the hot position and you just push it, and then rotate to "cold", that triggers the boiler :(

I wouldn't have a tap like that again.  Separate Hot and Cold levers will save the boiler coming on accidentally.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: too many girls on June 29, 2009, 19:43
hi. if you have a baby, instead of buying expensive baby food, puree, then freeze your left over vegtables in ice cube trays.when you come to need them , just pop the veg of your choice on a plate and heat in the microwave. its great  because as your baby gets bigger, and they need a bt more, just add a few cubes of each veg instead of one. you will be suprised how much money it saves you.

if using this tip remember not to add salt when cooking.
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: BobandJack on July 03, 2009, 07:12
On the combi boiler theme, just set your timer to come on for the times when you know you're going to need it - first thing in the morning & after work etc & just have it on for an hour or so, far too much of a luxury to have hot water all the time.

Also, if you're on economy 7 get a timer for washing machine/dishwasher & run them in the middle of the night.  In the case of washing it does involve checking the next day's forecast though  ::)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: John on July 03, 2009, 10:45
The competition is now closed - I'll be announcing the winner later on today.

Fantastic responses - thank you everyone. Now decisions, decisions ... :wub:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: too many girls on July 03, 2009, 22:34
have i won? :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: John on July 04, 2009, 11:34
Well we had a lot of great tips and hints - thanks to everyone who entered. A lot are actually in Low Cost Living - so I know I'm not the only one!!

The winner has to be mark.carline for the excellent description of Freecycle.

I'm also awarding a prize to Teen76 for describing an attitude to life as much as anything.

Thanks again to everybody :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Patricia on July 04, 2009, 11:37
Congratulations Mark.carline and Teen76. :D
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Teen76 on July 04, 2009, 12:28
Wow I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to John.

It's just really how I've been brought up really.  When you don't have a lot in the way of money you find other ways to compensate.  And if it does something to help the environment then that's a big added bonus.

I'm still in shock for winning something.  Many thanks once again. 

Oh and thanks to Patricia for your Congrats!
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: mark.carline on July 04, 2009, 13:42
great & many thanks !!!

mark
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: barney rubble on July 04, 2009, 17:33
Congratulations Mark & Teen :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: mark.carline on July 07, 2009, 21:15
Just a note to say thanks for the book (just received it today).

I have just read the introduction and it sounds great and right up our street.......

Both of us have been working in IT for 10 years and over the last 12 months we have changed our life somewhat (got married, had our 1st child, shes been made redundant, paid off the mortage and then got an allotment).

Now I just need to remember to borrow those "Good Life" DVDs from a guy at work.

ace !

;)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: John on July 07, 2009, 23:17
Glad the book arrived OK - bit jealous on your mortgage payoff though. 10 years! It took us 32 years to pay off a £3,000 mortgage. Mind you, we borrowed a bit more along the way :)

Tom & Barbara were role models for us but John Seymour was the guru
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: mark.carline on July 08, 2009, 08:21
Glad the book arrived OK - bit jealous on your mortgage payoff though. 10 years! It took us 32 years to pay off a £3,000 mortgage. Mind you, we borrowed a bit more along the way :)

Tom & Barbara were role models for us but John Seymour was the guru

It easy when you live within your means and just lead a simple life ;)

yes I couldn't belive when you mentioned John Seymour in the introduction!

Great book and I can certainly recommend it to anyway (plug plug !).
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: John on July 08, 2009, 11:55
Thanks Mark - all plugs gratefully received! If it sold as much as Harry Potter then I could write a follow up "Living like a retired banker" :)

OK, OK, I can dream can't I??
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: harry on July 08, 2009, 12:50
 :tongue2: don't forget to check the out of date shelf in the supermarket. Remember sell by dates don't mean food is off
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: Kristen on July 11, 2009, 16:54
bit jealous on your mortgage payoff though. 10 years! It took us 32 years to pay off a £3,000 mortgage.

For folk wanting to pay off their mortgage MoneySavingExpert might help - there is quite a lot of group self-encouragement type material - e.g. this Forum:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=98
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: janet12000 on July 11, 2009, 17:56
I had a mortgage statement the other day and I have finally started to pay it off.  :D
After paying gazzillions a month for the past 3 years I think I have now payed off 24 quid.

Found all Johns books at my Dads house.  :tongue2:
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: SAMANTHA MOLLY on July 21, 2009, 19:58
Cut your cling film and tin foil in half then keep a long and shot roll of each, amazing how many times you just need a small amount.
That and a microwave cover - to save on cling film :-)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: krystal on April 14, 2011, 18:42
what great ideas here i love this like this
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: swpostie on June 07, 2011, 17:51
Join the library.

That way you can get all the tips you need on frugal living, and gardening, without lining John's pockets!

[Sorry John!] :D
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: John on June 07, 2011, 17:54
Join the library.

That way you can get all the tips you need on frugal living, and gardening, without lining John's pockets!

[Sorry John!] :D
Actually I don't mind - there's a thing called public lending rights who pay me a huge 6p when someone borrows a copy of my book. Nearly £200 last year!! So keep on reading. :)
Title: Re: Frugal Tips Competition
Post by: stuart curran on April 15, 2012, 09:22
when growing plants always grow some extra ones to swap with other gardeners simple bartering is always more fun than spending money