Some really good ideas on this thread.
A few years ago we were snowed in for some weeks, so I worked my way through the contents of the larder and freezer - amazing what you find and what can be done with what appears very little. A good way to 'spring clean'! I am going to do this when I get home from Oz in preparation for a big family visit at the end of the year and will fill the freezers ready for the visit with hopefully, economically bought and home prepared (Lidl/wonky vegetables) items. I find, now living on my own, that I buy far too much and have to be very strict when presented with bog-offs and similar offers. Unless it's bitterly cold, I only heat the rooms I use and sit under a fleecy blanket when watching the telly. I re-assess the insurances every year and change if, like this year, the car insurance went up by an enormous £135 . I shop mainly using a card because I get Avios points which are great for getting to see the gc's, but am going to try and allocate myself a certain amount of money to use each week..... Not so sure about that one! My cousin did a thing for charity, spending only £1 a day on food for 2 and found it reasonably easy to find ingenious and nourishing recipes! I don't think she lost weight as she's so skinny in the first place. I haunt charity shops and have picked up some amazing bargains over the years. I can't believe how much expensive stuff is given away very often unused.