What thrifty things do you do that you're surprised no one else does?

I always make sure I get the last drop of wine out of the bottle by turning it upside down and patiently watching the last drop drip into my glass. ?

I buy large washing up liquid from Aldi for 85p, and decant into the smaller bottle (59p) I bought first, I can get 2 and almost a half times out of it, so saving money. I also get the bit that remains in the bottle out by holding it over the washing up bowl and letting hot water into it, so it spills over the sides of bottle, (possibly twice) every last drop helps. I buy large bottles of Vimto, and do the same. You just have to remember not to throw the original bottle out!!

Great tips here. Another one - collect bubble wrap for free from the supermarket - usually in the fresh v eg and fruit boxes. Have always asked first and never been refused.

I always keep nearly finished chutney/relish/sauce, etc. jars and bottles in the fridge, add a wee drop of water/stock, swirl it round, add to soups/stews, etc. Just adds that wee bit extra flavour, but make sure you don't keep them too long, obviously don't want them to go mouldy.
Lots of great suggestions on this thread.

Have enjoyed reading this thread, but have to say it’s become
A bit of a Four Yorkshireman sketch.?
Clogs? You ‘ad clogs?! Etc.

Can’t think that I do any really thrifty things, especially not
Reusing teabags or only boiling t’ kettle once a day.
Some things are just good household sense of course, especially not wasting perfectly useable food, or growing your own veg.

A goof friend and I have been exchanging the same 2 Christmas cards for the last 18 years! In laws and grandchildren added on as the years go by!

good friend!!

Just remembered that I do re-use gift bags and wine bottle gift bags ( although I imagine everybody does this.)

All of my clothes come from charity shops. So too bedding, curtains and virtually all household items such as crockery and drinking glasses. I never buy books these days - it's the local library. Cut the ends off all tubes. I shop to a menu plan and regularly avoid shopping for food for as long as I can until the cupboards and freezer are virtually empty. Sell anything I no longer want via eBay or Gumtree.

As someone who tries to make a living selling books (my historical novels take around 3 years to research and write), I hope you buy the occasional new book too...

I enjoy foraging. Nettles make the best pesto, just blanch for 4 mins then pound with pine nuts, salt, oil. Even better if you throw in some wild garlic.
The dry end of a cheese in homemade soup is very tasty - fish it out before blitzing if it's really hard!

When the washing up liquid or liquid hand soap has about a 1/4 left in the bottle, I put a little bit of water in take it up to just below half full and give it a shake. Get twice as many days out of what is left. Also, people buy those expensive plastic clips for sealing a half pack of peas? Clothes pegs do the same job. When making a pasta dish, pour a little of the pasta water into your sauce, it thickens it. Italians call the pasta water "liquid gold". Lastly, I have to say, all my favourite clothes have come from the charity shops and most come from shops I may not have the purse to be able to venture into.

If you have a tube of cream or foundation that is empty (?) Do this, you will be amazed at how much more there is hiding in there: firstly, hold tube with the cap off and facing downward. Take a suitable scissors and cut the top 2 inches off the other end of tube. You can take any cream from the cut off part and scrape with your finger into the lower part. You can then replace the cap. When you want to use the cream, use the cut-off end as a cap which can easily be replaced by tucking the lower part into it. I've regularly done this and gone on to use foundation for a week +. Only problem is my favourite foundation had changed packaging to a glass bottle. ?

Chicken love the tip about grating the orange before eating. I have an orange most days---will be able to make orange flavoured sponge cakes now

@Dealite. What is leftover wine? ?

Esspee, I make you right!

I cut milk cartons into strips for plant labels,never thought of yoghurt lots Oopsadaisy!
I cut lemons and limes that are past their best into slices and freeze,slice and ice in one!
Great thread!

Ever since lockdown, fresh herbs have become particularly hard to find in our area and most times, it's "luck of the draw". If I should I find any, they had to last until next time, so I decided to preserve, by drying them.

I lined a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread them out. Put them in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes at 325 degrees F. Once dried, they crush easily. I used a few small, recycled, glass spice jars for storage, or small (sealable) plastic bags work too.

Currently, I have a very nice assortment of home dried Basil, Parsely, Cilantro and Mint. Best of all, I never do without, when the fresh ones are sold out.

Soda crystals for nearly every bit off cleaning,and white vinegar.cheap and does the job better then expensive cleaners.

During lockdown I save water by only flushing the toilet after third visit to toilet and doing No.2 as with all this hand washing I figured our water bill will rise. I only wash clothes on when I have a full load and I wash up dishes after all three meals in the evening. I keep the sink bowl full of water so they soak. I not getting visitors during lockdown and I don’t have an open plan layout so I don’t have to look at it

I do such a lot of the above, including MamaCaz’s hot water one. I grew up in a place that had promlems with water supply so our family is very careful.

I thought the funniest tip I picked up was was when I was asked to light the candles in a titled lady’s home. There was a power cut. So as I moved towards the rather impressive candelabras she directed me to the bottom drawer where the stubs were kept ?

I make Bung It casseroles in the slow cooker (bung in whatever you've got), turn bottles upside down to get the last dregs out or water down the last dregs to get them out. Buy the majority of my clothes, shoes, handbags and coats from charity shops. Occasionally change buttons or add/take off trimmings on clothes to change their look. Water down my mascara once it's got dry or clumpy to make it last. Take cuttings from my plants to give me more 'free ' plants. Nurture things which have planted themselves in the garden, in case they turn out to be interesting - I'm in great favour of free plants!

An online tip of digging out the ends of lipsticks and melting them all together in the microwave. Stir well and I poured the mix in one of those tiny jam jars you get in cafés. Amazed there is about half an inch in each holder that you can't use. I was surprised what a lovely colour I achieved from pinks, reds, purple mix. Easy to use with a lip brush.

I use those little sheets in the washing machine which prevent colour runs. To be economical I cut them in half so I get more out of them and if they come out barely unstained I re-use them.
They go in a laundernet bag with socks or undies to prevent clogging up the pipework.

I do all the tube squeezing too - my wee granny taught me well... I remember when teabags were new and quite expensive, the same thrifty lady set a record for re-using the same teabag 11 times, I dread to think what the last cup of tea tasted like...lol
At the moment, while there's nowhere to go, I'm wearing a few of my more presentable T-shirt nighties with leggings around the house and only changing into proper clothes for the essential shopping trips. It's saving me money on the spring/summer clothes shopping!

I put washing up liquid into a old hand soap dispenser, one or two squirts is enough to do the washing up.