Tips to save money

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Tips to save money
Topic Started: Jul 2 2009, 08:38 AM (229 Views)
ABCDiamond	Jul 2 2009, 08:38 AM Post #1
Posts: 3,050 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: January 22, 2004 Residency Status: Permanent Resident Current Residence (State or County): 4165, SE Queensland	I've started a new website recently, yes, another one :wink: , and one page will be called "Tips to save Money". Do you have any ideas to share, that I can add to it ? This is my first one... Save on Prescription Costs If you are on regular medication, can you get a larger tablet and just use half a day, and so make the prescription last twice as long, for the same price. Ask your doctor what the options are. Example: If you take a 10mg tablet every day, and the prescription costs you $32 per month, but the tablet also comes in 20mg size, get the larger one prescribed, with instructions to take half a tablet per day. Your prescription will now last you 2 months for that $32. Saving you $4 every week, based on one dose per day.



ohippy	Jul 2 2009, 09:34 AM Post #2
Original Opulent Optimist Posts: 6,539 Group: Sapphire Member Member #301 Joined: May 7, 2006	absolutely tonnes but I got most of the ideas from simple saver so you probably can't add them to your website.



catgirl	Jul 3 2009, 07:29 AM Post #3
Courageous Cuddly Kitty Posts: 6,668 Group: Moderator Member #348 Joined: August 20, 2006	turn all electrical goods off at the plug - don't leave on standby (yep I do this all the time - errrrmmm) is that helpful, cos I'm useless really LOL



ABCDiamond	Jul 3 2009, 07:52 AM Post #4
Posts: 3,050 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: January 22, 2004 Residency Status: Permanent Resident Current Residence (State or County): 4165, SE Queensland	catgirl Jul 3 2009, 07:29 AM turn all electrical goods off at the plug - don't leave on standby (yep I do this all the time - errrrmmm) is that helpful, cos I'm useless really LOL Helpful ? Well, umm, it does depend how far you take it :whistle: The alarm clock as well ? :ecstatic: Oh yes, my sense of humour today, has a good start.... :whistle: But yes, they do say that it could save 10% off the total electric bill. I did intend to try to actually check that one day, but haven't got around to it... I shall put it on my list of things to remember, once I recall where I put my list...



Hevs	Jul 3 2009, 10:23 AM Post #5
Miraculous Mamma Mod Posts: 6,091 Group: Admin Member #3 Joined: July 8, 2004	Always fill your car on a tuesday, weather or not you need to...otherwise you are bound to run out over the weekend!



Melibeam	Jul 3 2009, 11:16 AM Post #6
Most Exceptional Lady Posts: 4,339 Group: Diamond Member Member #35 Joined: September 5, 2005 Residency Status: Australian Citizen Current Residence (State or County): Queensland, Australia	Buy in bulk whenever possible. I always buy huge 15kg boxes of washing powder in Big W, usually about $40. I have seen 2kg boxes of the same powder for $8 to $10!!!! in other places. Same goes with fabric conditioner, big 5l bottle of cuddly in Big W about $11, 2l bottle costs $5 to $6 in other places. Same goes for pet food, I buy the biggest bag of dried dog food I can find, as it works out much cheaper. Dont bother paying for a gym anymore, I walk the dog briskly for 1 hour every day, both of us getting fit for free!!!



ohippy	Jul 3 2009, 03:03 PM Post #7
Original Opulent Optimist Posts: 6,539 Group: Sapphire Member Member #301 Joined: May 7, 2006	Ooooh, one big saving for anyone with a cheesaholic, I buy big blocks of cheese when it's on special, grate it all and freeze it. You use soooo much less and it lasts for ages.



ABCDiamond	Jul 3 2009, 03:04 PM Post #8
Posts: 3,050 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: January 22, 2004 Residency Status: Permanent Resident Current Residence (State or County): 4165, SE Queensland	Melibeam Jul 3 2009, 11:16 AM Dont bother paying for a gym anymore, I walk the dog briskly for 1 hour every day, both of us getting fit for free!!! You just gave me an idea........ My daughter wants a dog AND wants to join a gym... If I get her the dog, that may just save the gym fees... :thumbsup:



ABCDiamond	Jul 3 2009, 03:06 PM Post #9
Posts: 3,050 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: January 22, 2004 Residency Status: Permanent Resident Current Residence (State or County): 4165, SE Queensland	Melibeam Jul 3 2009, 11:16 AM Buy in bulk whenever possible. I was passing the Butchers yesterday, and they had a special on 20kg packs of rump steak, at $3.99 kg. I was tempted, but would have had to buy a new freezer first !



ohippy	Jul 3 2009, 03:10 PM Post #10
Original Opulent Optimist Posts: 6,539 Group: Sapphire Member Member #301 Joined: May 7, 2006	we bought a new freezer for the exact same idea. Now I can buy in bulk when things are reduced and I also cook in bulk too and freeze the extras for the times I can't be bothered to cook and we have, in the olden days, hit the takeaway !



Melibeam	Jul 5 2009, 10:03 PM Post #11
Most Exceptional Lady Posts: 4,339 Group: Diamond Member Member #35 Joined: September 5, 2005 Residency Status: Australian Citizen Current Residence (State or County): Queensland, Australia	Shopping just before closing especially on Thursday late opening until 9pm, get lots of reduced stuff. Last week in Woolies I got cooked bbq chickens reduced from $10.99 down to $4, I slice them up and put them into the freezer, and then just take out enough for sandwiches and dinners when I need to. Also got burger buns and hot dog rolls reduced to $1 for each packet of 12, put them into freezer also. I have two freezers stuffed to capacity, mainly with bread, as Holly brings home more than we need from the bakery.



Tiredwithtwins	Jul 5 2009, 10:51 PM Post #12
Admin Posts: 7,156 Group: Admin Member #98 Joined: September 7, 2005 Current Residence (State or County): UK ... lets hope not for too much longer	ABCDiamond Jul 3 2009, 03:06 PM I was passing the Butchers yesterday, and they had a special on 20kg packs of rump steak, at $3.99 kg. $3.99/kg for 20kg - how does that compare to buying it in small quantities? how much would it be if you just bought 1kg?



Tiredwithtwins	Jul 5 2009, 10:53 PM Post #13
Admin Posts: 7,156 Group: Admin Member #98 Joined: September 7, 2005 Current Residence (State or County): UK ... lets hope not for too much longer	oops, forgot to add my tip ;) change all your bulbs to low energy ones. make the veg portioins bigger and meat portions smaller when serving = freeze any extra as above.



ABCDiamond	Jul 6 2009, 07:53 AM Post #14
Posts: 3,050 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: January 22, 2004 Residency Status: Permanent Resident Current Residence (State or County): 4165, SE Queensland	Tiredwithtwins Jul 5 2009, 10:51 PM $3.99/kg for 20kg - how does that compare to buying it in small quantities? how much would it be if you just bought 1kg? A whole rump is at about $5.99 kg (about 5kg a rump) To be honest, I never buy under that quantity, but at the supermarket they have rump steak at .... just looking for this week catalogue/flyer... Woolworths: Economy Rump Steak down from $14.99 to only $9.97 kg The good stuff is about $20 kg. I get my really good steak in Capalaba for $9.99 kg (per whole rump), but it is almost fillet quality. The $5.99 one is often very good, but sometimes a little tough, but can be then sliced for stir fry, or even minced. Another tip, always check the supermarket flyers for specials.. They are about 20-26 pages (almost A2 size) each, and we get then weekly from Woolworths, Coles and Bilo. Plus a smaller one from ALDI. :thumbsup:



Melibeam	Jul 6 2009, 07:56 PM Post #15
Most Exceptional Lady Posts: 4,339 Group: Diamond Member Member #35 Joined: September 5, 2005 Residency Status: Australian Citizen Current Residence (State or County): Queensland, Australia	I have heaps of things I do to save money, but I think they are obvious things most people do anyway. I never dry clothes in the tumble dryer, I hang them out on washing line and if its raining I put the wet clothes on a clothes horse under cover. I try and make two or three dinners when I am cooking, one to eat and one for the next day and/or to freeze. Today I made a lasagne, bolagnaise sauce and home made burgers. I never buy expensive cleaning products, the only things I use are vinegar, sodium bicarb and home brand bleach. I just use cheap washing up liquid and sugar soap for washing floors and walls and wiping down surfaces. Vinegar diluted in water in a spray bottle for windows and shower screens. I sprinkle sodium bicarb on the rugs and carpets and leave for a few hours then vacuum up to get rid of pet smells. Another great cheap product is methylated spirits, great for stained grouting between tiles applied and brused on with an old toothbrush. Eucalyptus oil is great for removing sticky labels and that wont come off completely, its also good for removing stains on clothes, just dab a bit on before washing. I never buy dusters or cleaning clothes either, just use old t shirts and old towels.



Melibeam	Jul 6 2009, 11:42 PM Post #16
Most Exceptional Lady Posts: 4,339 Group: Diamond Member Member #35 Joined: September 5, 2005 Residency Status: Australian Citizen Current Residence (State or County): Queensland, Australia	I am a cheapskate and hate paying for stuff I dont need. The most expensive thing I buy is the cats food, they are ridiculously fussy and will only eat Hills Science Diet dried food. I do buy the biggest bulk bags I can find and am constantly trying to find the best deals for this. It does annoy me though that I cant get them to eat cheaper food, and believe me I have tried everything, they went for a week without eating anything and cried and annoyed me constantly, driving me insane :crazy: Edited by Melibeam, Jul 6 2009, 11:43 PM.



Melibeam	Jul 8 2009, 03:20 PM Post #17
Most Exceptional Lady Posts: 4,339 Group: Diamond Member Member #35 Joined: September 5, 2005 Residency Status: Australian Citizen Current Residence (State or County): Queensland, Australia	Just thought of something else, I used to buy heaps of books as I am always reading. I just cant afford to anymore, plus have hundreds of books everywhere around the house. I joined the local library and get out six books every couple of weeks - completely free. I have even been late bringing them back and I just apologised and smiled sweetly and got let off paying the fine :thumbsup:



Tiredwithtwins	Jul 8 2009, 08:21 PM Post #18
Admin Posts: 7,156 Group: Admin Member #98 Joined: September 7, 2005 Current Residence (State or County): UK ... lets hope not for too much longer	Melibeam Jul 6 2009, 07:56 PM I have heaps of things I do to save money, but I think they are obvious things most people do anyway. I never dry clothes in the tumble dryer, I hang them out on washing line and if its raining I put the wet clothes on a clothes horse under cover. I try and make two or three dinners when I am cooking, one to eat and one for the next day and/or to freeze. Today I made a lasagne, bolagnaise sauce and home made burgers. I never buy expensive cleaning products, the only things I use are vinegar, sodium bicarb and home brand bleach. I just use cheap washing up liquid and sugar soap for washing floors and walls and wiping down surfaces. Vinegar diluted in water in a spray bottle for windows and shower screens. I sprinkle sodium bicarb on the rugs and carpets and leave for a few hours then vacuum up to get rid of pet smells. Another great cheap product is methylated spirits, great for stained grouting between tiles applied and brused on with an old toothbrush. Eucalyptus oil is great for removing sticky labels and that wont come off completely, its also good for removing stains on clothes, just dab a bit on before washing. I never buy dusters or cleaning clothes either, just use old t shirts and old towels. I do most of those things too mel ... i found some lemon oil at a car boot sale once for 20p and use it as a polish - just a few drops in bowl of hot water, soak a wrag then wring it right out and keep in a tupperware tub - smells divine :D i also use the cheapest bleach and bung a dribble with about 100ml water in an old spray bottle to use as a cleaner. was amazed at how clean windows come up when rubbed with scrunched up newspaper haveing washed em with soapy water and then rubbed dry with a teatowel. i but the cheapest bleach, cheapest washing up liquid/dishwasher tablets and cheapest disinfectant - its cheaper than cheap bleach and deals with the smelly drains. with cooking i usually make more than needed then freeze. i go round to our local co-op at around 5pm when they rduced all the meat - got £10 worth of lamb chops for about £2, and their fruit and veg is often reduced to about 10% ... had some gorgeous raspberrys on monday for 20p reduced from £3!! mel, do you ever look at the forum on moneysavingexpert.com ? one of the sub forums is 'moneysaving old style' and is really useful :yes:



moneypen20	Jul 10 2009, 06:03 PM Post #19
Bond's Beaut Bombshell Posts: 3,484 Group: Diamond Member Member #33 Joined: September 5, 2005	I won't buy the cheapest bleach. The smell of bleach makes me physically ill and the only one I can cope with is Domestos Lemon. Even then if Kevan is having a major blitz, he has to do it early/mid morning and I have to go out for the day. He did the en suite shower cubicle one evening and I spent the night as sick as a pig in the spare room. Trying to think of stuff I do that hasn't already been mentioned.



Lynnj	Jul 10 2009, 11:38 PM Post #20
Diamond Member Posts: 2,238 Group: Emerald Member Member #89 Joined: September 7, 2005 Residency Status: Aussie Current Residence (State or County): Almost Country WA, where the soil is red, the roo's are big and the sky is absolutely huge.	If you have your foxtel added on to your telstra bill you get $10 off your monthly telstra bill, so the nice lady from telstras calcutta branch told me this morning.



Hevs	Jul 13 2009, 12:21 PM Post #21
Miraculous Mamma Mod Posts: 6,091 Group: Admin Member #3 Joined: July 8, 2004	Or better still, just don't have foxtel :whistle:



ABCDiamond	Jul 13 2009, 01:34 PM Post #22
Posts: 3,050 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: January 22, 2004 Residency Status: Permanent Resident Current Residence (State or County): 4165, SE Queensland	Hevs Jul 13 2009, 12:21 PM Or better still, just don't have foxtel :whistle: When booking hotel rooms, try to get one without Foxtel. After three days with foxtel, I now have a daughter that wants foxtel in the house...



Bridiej	Aug 11 2009, 04:26 PM Post #23
Chattermonster Extraordinaire! Posts: 5,291 Group: Diamond Member Member #24 Joined: February 17, 2005	Hevs Jul 13 2009, 12:21 PM Or better still, just don't have foxtel :whistle: I was going to say better still dont use telstra as they are rip off merchants!!! we changed our phone service provider to westnet (also bundled in with internet) and save heaps - our telstra bills used to be over $100 a month (and we hardly used the phone!) - now the phone part is about $50.



ohippy	Aug 11 2009, 11:55 PM Post #24
Original Opulent Optimist Posts: 6,539 Group: Sapphire Member Member #301 Joined: May 7, 2006	guess it depends what plan you get. I changed to Telstra at the beginning of this year and internet is $39.97 a month and phone $20 a month



Anne	Aug 12 2009, 12:02 AM Post #25
Wonderful Winsome Wench Posts: 7,011 Group: Admin Member #53 Joined: September 6, 2005 Residency Status: Australian Citizen Current Residence (State or County): Wellard Village, WA	ohippy Aug 11 2009, 11:55 PM guess it depends what plan you get. I changed to Telstra at the beginning of this year and internet is $39.97 a month and phone $20 a month That must be the same plan that we are on. We seem to pay about $58 per month for both internet and home phone so I'm quite happy with that. Until my hubby starts donwloading movies of course then goes over our limit. It's only happened one month and I don't think he'll make that same mistake again. Listening to me wittering on about internet speed was enough for him to learn a lesson.



ohippy	Aug 12 2009, 12:08 AM Post #26
Original Opulent Optimist Posts: 6,539 Group: Sapphire Member Member #301 Joined: May 7, 2006	I have half price internet for 9 months so must be due to coming to an end unless they forget like Aussie have with our 6 month interest free credit card balance transfer :whistle:



Bridiej	Aug 13 2009, 05:15 PM Post #27
Chattermonster Extraordinaire! Posts: 5,291 Group: Diamond Member Member #24 Joined: February 17, 2005	There are a few things I do to save money, mainly learnt via moneysavingexpert.com. Some save loads of $$$s others just a buck or two, but my thinking is they all add up! One of the biggest and most time consuming things is swapping to 0% interest credit cards. Only problem here in Aus the credit limits are usually minute so you can't always completely balance transfer from one to another. One of the smallest things I do is transfer shower gel into a pump container - that way it doesnt all blub out all over the place (and end up down the drain), you can just get the amount you want. Another thing is we always have things switched off when not in use, the only thing running all the time is the fridge, the fish tank and the modem. Same with lights, turned off when not in use. And recently discovered online vet products, so now save a small fortune on frontline and molly's heartworm tabs :thumbsup: Edited by Bridiej, Aug 13 2009, 05:16 PM.



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