Money Saving Hints.

[Chris]

I thought I'd start a full 'sticky thread on money saving ideas to help our 'Bewildered' with economising.

There are a few things I've found that might be of use but add to them as we go and see how much we can achieve!

[Chris]

I thought I'd start a full 'sticky thread on money saving ideas to help our 'Bewildered' with economising.

There are a few things I've found that might be of use but add to them as we go and see how much we can achieve!

1. Supermarkets often mark down prices of 'perishables such as fresh bread, fruit, meat and vegetables towards the end of the day and especially on Sunday evenings! Keep an eye on your local store's patterns and make sure to be there when the prices are dropping!

2. Buy meat (especially meat on special) and freeze it fresh or cooked.

3. Cheaper cuts of meat or great value if you use a slow cooker, make more than you need and freeze the rest! Be sure to freeze in the same size portions you'd serve to avoid waste!!

4. Fresh chickens are better value than cooked... and whole chickens better value than pieces.

5. Make friends with your deli managers and staff... ask them what's a good buy this week and if you ask nicely, maybe they'll even tell you when they're going to be marking prices down!!

6. If you *must* buy chicken pieces remember drumsticks, wings etc are usually far cheaper than breast fillets... though bone mass needs to be taken into account... but for soups and casseroles they are always far better value and produce far better flavours!

7. Before buying and cooking meats... try to calculate cost by *portion* rather than per kilo. It may be cheaper to use a tinned or frozen fish as a replacement - especially for risotto's or rissoles!

8. Simply use less meat in your recipes than suggested! Bulk out with chickpeas, lentils, pearl barley... or even soy products!

9. Never buy cut fruit - always whole.

10. Ask your grocer if they'll sell you veg and/or fruit cheaper in bulk in season. Puree, bottle or freeze the extra for later use.

11. Try to encourage your friends to set up a 'collective' where you can go to a wholesaler, but in bulk, and split the purchases between you!

12. Include leftovers' in your menu plan to save cost. For example make sufficient sauce for a bolognese to create a lasagna filling later in the week!

13. Visit markets and buy cheap from vendors just before they close so they don't have to carry their good back to their vans!!

14. Cheaply bought overripe bananas can be peeled and frozen for smoothies and cakes!

15. Never throw away unused herbs. Chop the remainder and freeze in ice cube trays. Transfer to sealed containers when frozen to preserve essential oils.

16. Asian veg always seems to be cheaper than European varieties.

17. Only eat fruit and veg that is in season (when prices are lowest).

18. If you are living alone consider buying frozen food instead of fresh. Individually it may seem more expensive, but portion for portion if you are prone to waste food because of purchase limitations it might be actually be cheaper!

19. Check prices - but cheese from a dairy section is usually cheaper than from a Deli... though remember portion size counts and don't buy more than you need and *never* buy pre-grated cheese! Grating your own can save over $2.50 a kilo! If you want to freeze, toss in a spoonful of cornflour beforehand to stop it sticking in lumps.

20. Make your own yoghurt - this will save a lot of money of you eat a kilo a week! Flavour to taste.

21. Skim milk powder might save compared with buying fresh milk and wasting half if it sours when unused!!

22. Dilute milk! Believe it or not, even mixed 50/50 when chilled and poured over cereal most people can't tell!

23. Extend margarine by taking 500g soft marg and adding 1 cup buttermilk and  vegetable oil. Mix it well and store in the fridge.

24. Stockpile essentials 'on special'... even in advance of need. Lightbulbs, toilet paper, canned foods etc.

25. Check shelves and don't grab at eye level. Supermarkets often put lower priced alternatives higher on shelves so look around!

26. Soaking and cooking your own pulses is better value than buying canned - freeze unused portions for 'next time'.

27. Buy washing powder in as big a box as you can find. Check with manufacturers to see if there are larger boxes available and if so where you can buy them!

28. Keep spray bottles and buy refills... but check prices and cost per unit, sometimes supermarkets sell the entire bottle cheaper than the refills!!

29. Use concentrated products where possible. Either fruit juice or fabric softener... concentrated is usually better value!

30. Don't buy household cleaners. White vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and washing soda will clean almost anything! Also 'cleaning vinegar' is no better use than ordinary 'white' vinegar and more expensive!!

31. Dilute ammonia in water and use to clean windows, mirrors etc for a sparkling finish!

32. Cheap shampoos are great for cleaning bathrooms and sink areas.

33. Dissolve scum causing sluggish emptying of bathroom basins and sinks with a solution made from 1 cup salt, 1 cup bicarb and 1 white vinegar. Pour it in the sink and leave for 15 mins or so then flush with a few litres of boiling water. Repeat if necessary. The salt will help also prevent roots invading your drains!

34. Use bicarb to clean kitchen surfaces as a souring powder. Fill a cup with bicarb and stand in the fridge to absorb nasty niffs!!

35. Add bicarb to your usual washing powder to give it more oomph!

36. Use hair conditioner as a shaving cream instead of the more expensive kind!

37. After shaving, place your razor blade in a small dish of oil which will help keep the blade clean and sharp between uses and extend its life!!

38. Instead of refilling liquid soap dispensers with the original product... try using cheap shampoo which is up to $10 a litre cheaper!!

39. Ordinary cornflour is far cheaper than talcum powder for babies and contains no harmful perfumes etc!

40. Treat nappy rash with a handful of bicarb to their bath and let them sit in it as long as they want!

41. Don't assume bigger is always better. Check unit prices and portions sizes first.

42. Make up menus and shop once a week using a shopping list being sure to check cupboards, fridge and freezer to be sure you aren't 'doubling up' on items. Take cash and leave credit and eftpos cards at home!!

[bambu]

Good tips...

but,

...if anyone dilutes my milk I will  know! 


Went grocery shopping on Friday last.

Crispbreads...I cut sliced cheese and put on them, with tomato on top.

Kraft 'Supreme' or something, different varieties, light etc...now I can't remember the name.
I looked at the back of the packet for the "Made in" statement.
...to find..."Made in China"....$2.29 or $2.49, I wrote it down bust lost the piece of paper.

Then I looked at the Arnotts ones...20c or 30c more expensive.
"Made in Australia - exporting to the world".

Then I looked at the weight, to see how much crispbread I was getting for my money.
The Kraft ones were 200gms...the Arnotts ones 250gms.

[Minx]

I'm with you on  the milk bambu
That's why I do not buy the suprmarket brand ones...they are watered

One of my economising habits is clothes shopping and Christmas Shopping in the Op Shops.

I can buy designer gear at a fraction of the price.
Go for the classicsl ook and you are laughing

[bewildered]

Chris :
I thought I'd start a full 'sticky thread on money saving ideas to help our 'Bewildered' with economizing.

Hi there Chris,
Feels really stupid, to be replying to your "post".....considering that you are "not here".......but,are  surely lying on the silver sands: under a starlight sky!.

{ Wonder where you went to?}.....actually?.

Anyway, I truly appreciated, every single one of the 42 Hints!.
A couple of them....."threw me"!!!!!.
Especially Number 41.
Do not assume that big.....is better!.
That will require some serious thinking.
LOL bewildered. X0X0***

[tilly]

we have just recieved a horrific (sic) electricity bill...I won't say how much because I am ashamed that a small family  could use so much....the only excuse is for part of it my husband was very sick and it was cold and we often had a heater running probably close to 24/7....
anyway I was wondering if I boiled the jug and filled  a thermos for some of our many cuppas...would this save much money...as I am forever boiling the jug and I have heard it is an expensive appliance...anyone know...

[Patricia]

Were you using the electricity as total heating through winter as that would also account for it.....we use a wood fire as well as a/c & the costs aren't all that huge. I have organised with our electricity supplier to d/debit from our bank account on a fortnightly basis & so never notice or receive for that matter a huge account.......we pay $55 per fortnight & generally our account is in credit when they process the quarterly account. Actually do this with our water & land rates & I find it really good as the small amounts debited fortnightly from our bank account just aren't noticed as much....all of these providers soon let you know if you need to increase the amt of the d/debit.

[Sandpaper]

 I was wondering if I boiled the jug and filled  a thermos for some of our many cuppas...would this save much money...as I am forever boiling the jug and I have heard it is an expensive appliance...anyone know...

Tillly, if you need a small quantity of boiled water, rather than the full jug, reduce the amount of water...it well boil quicker and save power.

[Redneck]

 I was wondering if I boiled the jug and filled  a thermos for some of our many cuppas...would this save much money...as I am forever boiling the jug and I have heard it is an expensive appliance...anyone know...

Tillly, if you need a small quantity of boiled water, rather than the full jug, reduce the amount of water...it well boil quicker and save power.

Actually Sandpaper I think boiled fresh cold water tastes better than reboiled water. Is it something to do with boiling the oxygen out of it? I dont know but a cup of tea tastes better made with freshly boiled water.

[bewildered]

Redneck
Actually Sandpaper ,I think boiled fresh cold water tastes better than reboiled water.

Hi there Redneck,.... ....So glad to have another Connoisseur  of Boiled Water, on the Forum.

There is nothing better than freshly boiled water:
Be it in a Billy Can....over an open Camp Fire.......or an Electric Jug.
it has something to do with the "Bubbles"!!!!!....

A pot of tea, is "Superb".....if the water  is boiled to fever pitch.... , before the tea leaves and the Gum Leaf are added............N.B: I hate tea-bags!!!!!.They are just soo-oo stagnant!!!!!

Once boiled water  is poured into a Thermos, {for later on}: it seems to go a trifle flat. It may serve it's purpose at the time:..... , but,
Coffee.....especially.....tastes excruciatingly awful......when made from a Thermos.

There are times, when we need to cut corners: in an attempt to save money:....but, believe me, .....Never, cut corners on a good Cuppa!!!!
LOL bewildered. X0X0****

[ECB86]

For all the beer drinkers out there on a budget. . .

Aldi supermarkets sell a generic beer i forgot the name of it, but it's cheap.  A case of 24 will cost you approx.  $24, thats $1 a beer! Sure its no boutique or known brand, but the beer actually doesnt taste that bad, and it still hits the spot after a day of hard yakka!

[Redneck]

I will give it a try but I am a beer connoisseur so will have to be good!

[ECB86]

Have a lash at it. Who knows, you might hate it. It wouldnt be my first choice but it's still pretty good from a value for money perspective.

[Minx]

Good thought EC

Cleanskins for your table wines...thye are usually named brands/labels

I'm currently enjoying a yummy Merlot from SW WA...$5.99 a bottle
At that price, I've been buying by the dozen
If people stopped calling in and looking thirsty, I might even be cellaring some of the Whites..Chardonnay $4.99 Cab Sav $5.00

[Patricia]

ECB when travelling through Victoria last year....hubby (on the recommendation of others) purchased some ALdi beer...he thought it was really good & in fact talked at one point of taking a few cases home to NSW....Aldi haven't got a liquor licence in NSW...I know ACT; Qld & Vic they have.