50 Frugal Tips

One line solutions to saving money & spending less!

It's best to be well organised - use a simple system - receipts, guarantee's etc.
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Draw up a balance sheet of income / expenditure to assist to balance spending
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Make full use of budget schemes for Gas, Elec. etc. - avoid being in credit
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Always fully check any statements, bills etc. when they arrive
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Cancel subscription early to avoid payments
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Use a credit card for mail order and goods over £100 for free insurance
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Shop around for insurance (life assurance is cheap)
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Ensure you can meet payments before signing an insurance policy
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Make a will, use a solicitor or, if not, a will pack from WHSmith
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Make full use of Phone Company off peak times - especially weekends
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Avoid operator services i.e. reverse charges or alarm calls
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Call barring is free and can save a fortune
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If you have a problem phoning - phone the operator for a credit
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Use a tube of polyfilla for small holes
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Avoid cheap paint - it's thinner and harder to match
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On ceramic hobs, use a credit card as a scraper
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If a hob is very dirty, cover with dishwasher powder and tea towel overnight
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Use newspaper as underlay - it is warm and reduces wear in the carpet
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Always get written quotes NOT estimates
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NEVER pay in advance for services, only for materials if delivered to your home
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Insulate your loft - the pay back is only two years (try for a Grant)
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Fit TRV's to radiators - then control temp lower
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One degree set lower on central heating can save 5% in costs
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Avoid using an immersion heater, even in summer
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Make sure the hot water temp is no more than 60 deg C.
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Dimmer switches save electricity and lighting looks better
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Use energy saving light bulbs wherever practical
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Ensure washing machines are always full and on lowest temp for load
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Replace / clean seals on fridges, freezers and cookers
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Defrost your freezer at least twice a year to reduce running costs
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A full freezer is more economical to run - stack with short dated sale items
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Use sherry bottle tops to seal bottles instead of buying plastic stops
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Add olive oil to left over wine and use it for cooking
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Buy cut price blue cheese after Xmas - freeze it - use it for dips
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Use junk mail envelopes by sticking labels over them
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Use rechargable batteries in items wherever possible
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Re-cycle J clothes by washing in the dishwasher / washing machine
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TV and videos are so reliable it is not recommended to rent them
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Check the full cost of extended warranties before signing for them
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Shop at second hand shops in better areas - for better products
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Dye dingy white underwear in strong tea / coffee
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Buy clothes at Jumble Sales - just for the buttons !
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Buy BP/BPC products at the chemists, not named products
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Citronella oil is available from the chemists - for scented candles
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For a cheap family holiday - house swapping is very good and practical


Don't drive when you can cycle - have fun and stay fit!!

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