Yesterday I was out running for the first time this year when I ran across and overturned scratch-it discarded on the ground. I kept running but as I ran a little voice crept into my head ‘what if it was a winner and you just passed $100,000?’ I turned back. It wasn’t a winner but later in the day I was in a carpark and came across another one. I picked it up too but sadly it was a loser.
I also pick up every cent that I find. In the last week I’ve found 15c. Not much you say, well if I found 15c ever week for the next 30 years I would have $230. Ok so it’s still not a lot but it will be $230 that I made from spending about 52 minutes picking up coins. I think that’s a pretty good return. Combine it with all my other super-stingy tips and you could be on your way to a ‘free’ holiday by the end of this year.
I didn’t used to be so frugal but in the last year or two decided I’m not wasting any more money. $1 I save is $1 I don’t have to earn.
Apparently saving money was one of the top resolutions this year (and is most years) so I’m going to share my top tips for saving. Don’t judge me, some of them are a little bit ridiculous but I love saving money.
In the Kitchen
I make what I can from scratch. Some things, it’s more cost-effect to just buy but a lot of those packet goods at the supermarket are so easy to make at home.
I don’t use paper towel. I have a few ripped up old towels under the sink and use my dish cloth. I use old rags if there is a major spill. This one I do to reduce waste as well.
Some weeks I’m really good and others not so good but I always have some sort of menu plan. I start with what we have and work out how to use it up then add any recipes that I want to try.
Super Butcher haul
I have a second little freezer and I keep it well-stocked. This is yesterday’s big shop at Super Butcher. I save up for a few weeks and then buy meat in bulk. It takes a bit of work to prepare it all for the freezer but the savings are worth it. Cooking extra meals and keeping a few in the freezer is also a great saver. There’s no temptation to order takeaway when you have a free meal after a quick zap in the microwave.
Shopping
I try to buy my fruit and vegetables at the farmer’s markets. Not only is it a lot less expensive, the produce is much fresher and lasts a lot longer. I find it a much more enjoyable way to shop too.
Before I go out and buy something I ‘need’ I look around and see if there’s something else that will do the job instead.
I always look for a substitute before I race out and buy the missing ingredient. This also applies to non-food items. My hand wash pumps in the bathrooms are filled with kids shampoo that I buy for $1/L at Aldi. I’ll be sharing my most-used replacements soon.
Instead of buying things on credit and paying for them later, I save up for whatever it is that I have to have and then buy it. Often I decide I don’t really need it.
I buy the essentials on sale. A few weeks ago our local IGA had a sale on toilet paper. They were selling it by the slap (48 rolls) and I bought one for me and one for mum. I looked mighty crazy walking out of the shop but I won’t have to buy toilet paper again until I’m a married woman and I got such a bargain. I apply this rule to everything non-perishable or freezable.
With the exception of a few things (like toilet paper) I buy home brand. Most of the items are just as good as their brand name equivalents.
I shop at Aldi and I love it. Yes it’s a bit painful and you have to pack your own bags and be a trolley packing machine as the checkout person throws your items at you but it saves so much.
Subscribe to Simple Savings. I know I’ve mentioned it a few times before but this really is the best website for savings tips. You can get lots of free tips but subscribing to the site gives you access to a whole world of savings!
There heaps of other little things that I do but these are the main ones.
What about you, what are your favourite saving tips?
I am Claire & I love food. Here you'll find my favourite recipes, tips, tricks, restaurants & plates full of frivolity with the odd crafty post. New inspiration posted daily.
Claire love, I’m going to say something which is going to make me sound like an old woman, but…if you’re already this good at saving, you’re going to have the most wonderful start to married life! You’ll own your home before you know it!
Good on you, this was a great read, and I’m not a great saver, but I absolutely loathe waste, so it often works out quite frugally in the end. The more you save, the more you have to buy the things you REALLY want!
Celia I often think I was born a few decades too late. I definitely have some 50s housewife in me!
That doesn’t make you sound like an old woman at all!
Well done Claire! I definitely subscribe to the whole making things from scratch way of thinking. In fact I made something today that I never thought that I’d make from scratch!
I hope we’ll be hearing about it soon?!
Hello Claire! You are way too smart for your young age – are you sure you’re not hiding something from us? Like maybe you are really 75 years old but have found some special fountain of youth?
I’m not sure you have this saying in Australia but we say here in the States we say “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” but here you’ve done it – this old dog has learned a few smart new tricks! Thanks, Claire!
No secret here I’m just super stingy!
Yes we have that saying here too and I’m so glad to have been able to teach you something!
Well done Claire. You have some great tips there. I’m not the best saver but I do hate waste and I always go through the fridge making sure I use up everything that’s in there before it needs to be binned. I love your roses!
I can’t stand wasting anything, especially when you translate it into the $ value you’re throwing in the bin!
Well done Claire
I’m like you, if I can make something at home, and it’s cheaper to do so, I’ll do it. It’s amazing how much money you can save when you make an effort isn’t it. I always get our fruit and vegetables from our farmer deliveries and simply cook with whatever I’m given, which is based on what is in season. Not only is it cheaper, but it really makes you think about how you can use everything effectively.
I hate wastage too, so if I bake something with egg whites then I make sure I make something to use the left over egg yolks.
You have some great tips there Claire. Hopefully they will inspire other people to be more frugal
I hope I can inspire some people! You don’t realise how much money you’re wasting until you really look at it. I hate to think of what I could have saved before I became so stingy!