What cuts have you made?

66Mustang

I know a bit of a negative thread but it might give others some ideas.

What cuts have you made to your spending to save money due to the current economic situation?

The main cut we have made as a family is going from 2 cars down to 1 as the person in my family who works now has a work van so no longer needs a car to commute in.

We are also buying more own brand products.

Finally I have cut my alcohol consumption though this is more for health reasons than financial but the money saving is welcome.

life

Disposable vapes. Was buying one every day. Takeaways next starting tomorrow 🤣

Tori_Scope

I've cut down on takeaways too, including takeaway food and coffees. My takeaway food habit was getting the better of me, but I've managed to get it more under control now!

I've also cut down on my transport costs a bit, which is mainly a happy coincidence. My partner now lives closer to me, so I don't have to get a train and a bus each way any more when visiting. 

leeCal

I’ve cut down on driving out, which is a nuisance but necessary, not that we went out that much anyway, perhaps once a week or so. Also using cold water for washing at the moment to save on gas and using only one small light in the evening. I also watched iplayer film last night which saved a bit not having the tv on. Im also resisting buying ice cream for deserts at the moment. These things all add up. 😏

Sandy_123

I don't buy as many take aways, I keep turning plugs off that are not in use. Food deliveries are cheaper for me as I'd pay 2.40 in a bus then 6 pound in a taxi 8.40 to go shopping, I can get a delivery for 2.50 3.00. So cheaper to order on line. Plus with that I don't have to carry the heavy stuff. I try to make what I have in last longer. I've got two bills I need sort out as contracts have run out, so I'm hoping to get them  down 

poppy123456

life said:

Disposable vapes. Was buying one every day.

As a vape user myself, those disposable vapes are very expensive, i don't know how people afford to use them. Much cheaper to buy a vape, along with the juice bottles and coils. Changing those coils is very easy, especially those pre made ones.

poppy123456

Less coffee when going out. Not because i can't afford it but because for some odd reason i seem to have gone off coffee. Maybe it's the very hot weather lately. I'm not moaning though because i'm saving a fortune lol.

SueHeath

Were being more conscious about lights being left on - more so of an evening.
Also i don't put the washing machine on unless i've got a fun load.

janer1967

I'm being more strict with toby spending money 

He gets £15 a week paid onto his go Henry card but I would end up giving him about another £30 a week to buy stuff while out eg drinks food 

Now don't give him extra he has to use his spending money and not go buying himself pizza when I have paid for food in house 

Trying to teach him how to manage his money more and not come to bank of mum 

I do still buy him treats eg clothes etc 

life

@poppy123456 I have the vape with all the coils and juices stocked up Its just that i got into disposable vapes. I've stopped all nicotine at the moment been 2 weeks see how long I can go without. £5-8 disposable vapes so expensive indeed. All adds up 

Sandy_123

While I was out today I thought of buying a sub way to take home, it would of been about just short of 7 pound for 6inch with drink. Instead I've bought salad stuff, that will last about 4 days for half the cost.

leeCal

I just bought a box of cornflakes 21 servings for £2.99, instead of buying the same make for £2 for 16 servings, having worked it out I’ve done myself out of 21p! Just shows you how careful you have to be 🤣

Cartini

leeCal said:

I just bought a box of cornflakes 21 servings for £2.99, instead of buying the same make for £2 for 16 servings, having worked it out I’ve done myself out of 21p! Just shows you how careful you have to be 🤣

That`s a common supermarket tactic; they rely on people not actually working out the maths but going for the one that looks better value (I`m sure it was in an online paper over the last couple or 3 weeks). I do the maths in those situations; most of the time it`s mental maths but sometimes I need to sneek my phone out and use the calculator.

janer1967

If you look at the ticket on the shelf it gives the unit/serving price so you shouldn't have to work it out usually under the item price @leeCal @Cartini

Cartini

janer1967 said:

If you look at the ticket on the shelf it gives the unit/serving price so you shouldn't have to work it out usually under the item price @leeCal @Cartini

It doesn`t always work that way @janer1967 ; if they have "4 for 3" (for example) offers along side the same product but in different volumes, it`s worth taking time to compare the items.

As an example, I`m enjoying Desperados at the moment (Tequila flavoured beer).  There are 3 different offerings of which one is a 4 for 3, but the tag below shows the price per litre if bought out of the offer (if that made sense).  It makes it p/ltr comparible with a box of 12 smaller sized bottles.

I can`t say which supermarket it is, in case I`m told off for advertising, but it starts and ends in the letter "A"

This time last year I would have chuckled at the thought of working it out so precisely; unfortunately our hands are now tied so much that it has to be the norm.

Sandy_123

Yeah I've seen loads of these better deals in supermarkets which if you look closer they are not. I can't think now off hand of an example. Will come back to me. On the whole @leecal if u have smaller portion you can make it last more servings lol. 

poppy123456

life said:

@poppy123456 I have the vape with all the coils and juices stocked up Its just that i got into disposable vapes. I've stopped all nicotine at the moment been 2 weeks see how long I can go without. £5-8 disposable vapes so expensive indeed. All adds up 

I had heard that once you start on those disposable vapes it's hard to change or go back to the other vapes. For those that are wanting to give up smoking they are good but also expensive and it would be very easy to use 2 per day. I have no idea how much cigarettes are these days (gave up 2.5 years ago)

Using the nic shot juices is a cheaper way than the disposables.

I add the nic shots myself to my juice to make it 3mg strength, which i get free with my juice.

Karen7788

I had to reduce my working hours because of my health, so that has had an impact on our budget. I’m cooking from scratch more as it saves money and it’s generally tastier. Before I reduced my hours at work we did transfer more into our savings account so that we have more of a back up. We was going to decorate the house this year but that’s been put on hold. We have an egg timer in the shower and I have saved on lunches with only working part time. Having family picnics has been great instead of going out for a family meal, or we take turns in eating at each other’s houses for get togethers. 

bg844

I’m tight enough as it is, not because I have to scrimp and save but because I generally like to. I do live a cheap lifestyle and I know I’ve posted before saying I go on holiday often but I don’t buy new clothes for it, find the cheapest mode of transport when I’m there and go to the cheap local restaurants. In the UK I don’t really have much to spend on because I’ll only buy new clothes and shoes twice a year at most and I spend most of my time on my iPad and laptop both of which I have had for a long while now. 

I buy own brand food (to an extent) other than things like Heinz Ketchup and Beans because I simply can’t part with them haha. The only other treat I’ll buy myself is a bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk (my favourite bar) possibly twice a week but I drink mainly water so that’s technically free too taking away the cost of my water bill. 

If things got exceptionally tough my TV package would be the first thing to go and I’d just keep the WiFi. I don’t watch too much TV anyway other than the PL so I am thinking of cancelling it and buying myself the new iPad Pro or MacBook when it’s released instead since I’d make daily full use of that. I only have a Sim Only deal from EE which costs me £7 a month for 150GB which is great value.

OverlyAnxious

I'm lucky enough not to need to cut down yet...(but that will change if I lose the PIP award).  I do live a frugal lifestyle anyway though.  Don't smoke or drink.  Can't drive now.  Don't have any subscriptions.  Don't use a phone.  Don't like food so just buy the bare minimum.  And have to rely on someone else doing my shopping now so there are never any impulse extra's!

I did try to cut down on electric by only charging the laptop & phone on cheap rate, and only hoovering on cheap rate...but that's made no noticeable difference to the bill.  Immersion water heating is my main electric user which far exceeds those!

Did change broadband provider a few months ago, saved a small amount doing that once the contract ended, but I would've done it regardless of the current financial situation.

iza

When I stop working 8 years ago and knew that my budget will be much little I canceled TV license, all my membership from professional bodies and all my subscriptions. I started to cook home made food from scratch. Take away only when with  son outside and he ask for it. Electric Sockets  which are not in use are off. I think I read that some countries will be also switching lighting of some buildings and touristic attractions to save the cost of lighting. Anyway,  to save some pennies I always consider something to sell before trowing away, otherwise I give away for free. If you own bikes, cars, photo cameras you can consider to sign up with Fat Lama app and rent the equipments for short period of time. I also try to pay bills by my monthly payment  but slightly in advance . I simply pay fee for two months straight on the same day ( council tax, water) for example now in August I paid monthly  fee for August and September than in September I do not have to worry. So next payment I will do in October and in October I will pay my monthly fee for October and November so I can finish payments quicker. This system allow me to manage little budget better. I also scan loyalty card at Tesco and Nectar card to get a bit pennies back. I heard that there are platforms where you can register and than do online shopping by them and within 30-60 days you earn some pennies or pounds  back for shopping via them. I don’t have any broadband or Wi-Fi, I transfer internet via personal spot from my phone to my laptop.