General tips

[tictacshaker]

How can I save money in general, i'm not talking about rent or bills or cars, but just general tips?

[Ethel]

Sounds a bore and a chore but I set up a spreadsheet and kept a record of every penny I spent, initially for three months but still do it.

This showed where my money was going and where I could make savings. I was spending �15 a week on newspapers and magazines, for example. This does not sound a lot but it is �60 a month - �840 a year.

I cut it down to �5 a week and didn't miss the ones I no longer bought.

I have a large freezer and buy my meat in bulk - great savings from my local butcher.

I do most of my grocery shopping on line. This prevents 'impulse buying' and makes sure I only buy what I need and want.

I use Skype for my phone calls - much cheaper. Except at weekends when my land line gives me free calls.

But I think keeping the budget is the best way to save money.

[buildersmate]

This is a fantastic website for ideas. Its run by Martin Lewis who regularly broadcasts on Radio 2 in the UK. He regularly updates it as well. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com

[doglady]

Martins Money Savers has one tip that I do, which is great. When you go shopping, you have the different levels of food you can buy. For example, in Tescos you have Finest, then the manufacturers brands, then Tescos own brand, and then the value brand. Whatever level you buy now, drop one. If you can't tell the difference, then you've made a saving. If you can tell the difference, you can go back to what you've had before, as you know it's worth it. We do it with teabags, toothpaste, pasta, all sorts of basic things.

[bookermel]

I use to shop with a friend for food and we would only buy things on bogof then split the shopping and the bill ( We did end up with some interesting combinations and food choices!) You do have to suplement this with the following.

Buy all fruit and veg from the market usually a lot cheaper then supermarket.

Dont buy ready meals, learn or use some good basic meals cooking from scratch.

Become an econimic veggie or demi-veg, eating no or less meatstuffs, ( It is healthier)

Buy clothes from charity shops, this also helps the charities and is good in terms of reusing/recycling.

As ethel says budget. It really helps

Finally set aside some money that you will waste on whatever your poison is maybe a % of what you save then your treats will be bigger in line with your savings and will help yot to keep going and not feel too deprived!

Good luck

[compman]

Manage without a credit card - if you can. Or, if you have one, keep it for emergencies. I heard someone say they keep their credit card in a block of ice in the freezer, just to make it a bit of a hassle when they want to use it!

Another tip is, never impulse buy. If you see something you think you want, don't buy it there and then. Go home and think about it for a few days; it's surprising how many times you will decide against buying.

[Ethel]

I disagree with the avoidance of credit cards.

I use my tesco credit card to pay for everything I possibly can.

I pay it in full in each month so I never pay any charges whatsover.

Every three months they send me vouchers to spend in Tesco's or on 'deals'. I usually get about �60 worth each time. That's over �240 per year, for nothing.

[buildersmate]

I do exactly the same. In 30 years of using a credit card I've only incurred interest charges once - when I missed the payment date by one day.

[WendyS]

You've had some really good tips here and if you follow them all you should soon start to see your money working much better for you.
Turn the thermostat down one degree wear an extra fleece in cold weather.
Grow your own vegetables - on an allotment if necessary.
Get a membership card for CostCo or a Cash & Carry & split bulk purchases with a friend.
Skype is great for free phone calls if you & your friends all download it onto your computer. Use mobiles for emergencies only.
Buy own label food instead of premium brands.
Read newspapers online instead of buying, especially if you have broadband. Borrow library books (free) instead of buying them.

[oldhenry]

Brew your own beer, it is far tastier too and will save a fortune over pub prices which are crazy for poor quality water type lager etc.
Buy a car( if you have to) that is economical and had someone else pay the main depreciation.Get one that anyone can meand and has cheap parts, usually Ford type, with no silly expensive extras .
Never take up gambling

[Amboseli]

Make the most of money off coupons. Some supermarkets still accept vouchers even if you haven't bought that item! It's always worth a shot.

Don't buy a sale "bargain" unless you would have been happy to buy it at the full cost !

Do keep an eye on the interest rates you're getting on any savings and make the most of any tax free savings allowances.

Don't buy ready made sandwiches for work, make your own!!!

Check your payslips properly - not just the net pay figure! If you don't understand something - ASK. That's what the payroll dept and the tax office are for - and they do sometimes make mistakes.

Don't boil up a full kettle of water for only 1 cup of tea/coffee and obviously don't leave lights on in empty rooms.