Grab a brew, but make sure you turn the kettle off at the wall afterwards! (Saving tips)

Member Name: scoutingbargains

Product:	Saving tips
Date:	28/01/09 (215 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Takes time to find the best deals

Disadvantages: Sometimes having to spend money to save money

I have become the queen of stingey recently as we've got a big overdraft that desperately needs to be cleared and I can proudly say that we have just noticed a difference thanks to the tips that i'm about the share with you.

~~~ Websites ~~~

Moneysaving Expert.com - Self explanitory really. I really look forward to their weekly e-mail detailing all of the lastest deals. I have saved loads with their help!

Freecycle - (see my previous review). I try not to buy things brand new where possible. I have been fortunate to be gifted many things that have been needed and it's saved me a bomb. Today for example, I have collected a babies Grobag sleeping bag in excellent condition saving me around £30!

Hotukdeals.com - This site is a daily haunt for me. It lists all of the lastest deals around both on the High St & online. I have saved a small fortune thanks to this site.

~~~ Home tips ~~~

Power - turn everything off at the wall when not in use. It will make a difference over the year. Fit energy saving light bulbs. Only heat the rooms in use, we only heat the lounge, bathroom and our sons bedroom. Turn the thermostat down where you can.

Food - Use your leftovers! Be creative and make new meals out of leftovers! Keep an eye on best before dates on fresh produce and utilise them or freeze them before they go bad. When you're cooking meals, there is nothing to stop you cooking more than you need and storing the excess for the next day (saves on power generally.)

Supermarkets - Shop around! Don't just use one supermarket, I use ASDA regulary but I also shop for offers at Sainsburys, Lidl and Morrisons. Keep an eye on adverts to see where the offers suitable for you are. Buy 2 for 1s where you can and freeze if applicable. Buy reduced produce - blanche and freeze veg and freeze any reduced meats.

Coupons/voucher codes - Use them! They can save you a bomb.

Cleaning - You don't need seperate cleaners for each room in the house. A general all purpose usually suffices alongside bleach where applicable. Wash up instead of using the dishwasher all of the time. I got in a bad habit of never washing up anything other than saucepans, I was really getting through the dishwasher tabs!

~~~ Travel ~~~

Car - Never completely fill the fuel tank as it adds weight and decreases the MPG. Make sure your tyre pressures are correct as this too affects the MPG.

Walk - If you can manage the walk and ditch the car occasionally think how much fuel you'd save over the year.

~~~ De-clutter ~~~

Sell what you don't use or want anymore. Everyone has something that is cluttering up their house at some point. Use your local free ads newspaper, E-bay, Supermarket notice boards and word of mouth.

~~~ Misc ~~~

Loyalty cards - Boots is a good one if you shop there regualry. 4 points per pound spent mounts up over the year. GAME, Nector card, Tesco Clubcard is a good one especially if you spend them on Tesco Clubcard deals!

Edit - 29/01/09. GAME actually charge for their loyalty cards in the region of £3-£4! I'm shocked that they charge for these, so maybe not so much of a moneysaver on this one! Sorry for including this in my review without the full facts :(

Summary: I pride myself on rarely paying full price anymore