Cutting back

I go to the gym/swimming pool a few times a week, I always have a shower there and try and do hair washing then, which often means a more prolonged shower for that purpose.
Other than that just small tweaks , some Sainsbury's own products, for example their version of Weetabix, can't tell the difference. Mindful about car parking costs in town, pretty much avoid them if doing a supermarket shop in excess of £10 parking is then free for 2 and a half hours which usually fits in with what ever I have to do. We do have the heating on once it gets colder in the afternoon, but have stocked up on long cardigans this year to keep warm when it isn't on.

I do use my library, possibly more often than I did before, I tended to buy books more than borrow them, I did succumb and buy the latest Ellie Griffiths last week once it hit the shelves in Sainsburys, sometimes I've annoyed myself buying books and then finding them disappointing. I love libraries anyway so I shall donate some of my surplus books to them. I've never seen tea or coffee in there though.. Waitrose are back on with theirs, but I don't like their coffee much. I do have their app though so do a smallish Sunday shop there and get a free Sunday Times, a nominated daily paper is one of my ongoing offers

We are getting an Aldi soon sited between Sainsburys and Waitrose, they're all going to be very close together, once it's open I'll be popping in there from time to time too.

nanna8, I’m with you. My children don’t have savings, they work hard and are managing well. We’ve helped towards deposits, stepped in when old cars finally die and do the usual grannie stuff like help with new shoes, coats, uniforms. But - I’m living comfortably thanks to paying into decent pensions for 50 years, and savings.
I had a worried few weeks when the smart meter made my head spin and supermarket shops seemed to double every time. I’m not complacent or smug, I know I’m very fortunate.

At our age- no, we do what we want and spend the kid’s’ inheritance. They have more money than us anyway.

The library in our village offers free teas, coffees and biscuits.

The village itself has 'warm rooms' open 6 days a week with various venues offering a warm space with free drinks. Some places offer free cake, others offer soup and a roll for a nominal amount. The venues range from rhe Conservative club, the scout hut to the library and the churches.

jenpax

Where are the libraries that offer free tea or coffee😮 I have never seen one here on the South Coast! Is it a London or big city thing? I treat myself to a Waitrose shop twice a month and have their free coffee though 😁

The library less than a 5 minute walk from my house in the North East. Open three times a week. Free tea coffee and biscuits.

jenpax

Where are the libraries that offer free tea or coffee😮 I have never seen one here on the South Coast! Is it a London or big city thing? I treat myself to a Waitrose shop twice a month and have their free coffee though 😁

Practically the whole of Devon!

Jenpax, if you come to my library you can have a coffee or tea for 50p. If you are very nice, I may say " oh never mind " when you offer to pay.

Thick knitted jumpers last a very long time and are very warm! Woolly hats worn inside help too. Thermal leggings and vests are effective.
However since I am probably not going to hang around for many more years, I decided to switch the heating on for the coldest days! It doesn’t help to be cold and arthritic!

Where are the libraries that offer free tea or coffee😮 I have never seen one here on the South Coast! Is it a London or big city thing? I treat myself to a Waitrose shop twice a month and have their free coffee though 😁

Don't forget that libraries also provide free public access computers, though there will probably be a charge for any printing.

I suspect there is a difference in these replies between those who finding ways of saving money because they really have to and those who are doing it as some sort of intellectual exercise. The classic example are those who have showers at the gym to save money by not having them at home. When you consider the cost of petrol used in driving to the gym and back , not to mention the cost of gym membership, I think the cost of a quick shower would be negligible.

Many libraries also free tea and coffee, a warm corner to sit and read and big coats to wrap up warm.

Don't forget the library for books to read. Ours is close by and has lots of newly published books. The library is free to join. An extra advantage is that you take the books back so no clutter in your house too. We regularly borrow books for grandchildren too which saves a lot of money buying them.

…..one excellent way to keep warm is to do-more-exercise, outside or inside. It takes the body warmth up a few more degrees. A win, win really. Shake it, move it any way you can and feel the warmth come in.

I bought an egg timer to do a four minute shower. I’ve got it down to a fine art now. Then I dry myself with a flannel in the warm steam of the shower space before wrapping myself in a towel (which has been wrapped around my bedtime hot water bottle). I then put the bottle in my bed whilst I make a cup of hot cocoa. I fear this is becoming my bedtime routine. I’m even training the cat to sleep at the bottom of my bed to keep my feet warm. He thinks he has gone up in the pecking order. Now what? can we do about cold toilet seats? Anyone?

"Shopping what I've got". I seem to have acquired a load of toiletries just stashed away so I'm making an effort to use them up rather than just adding my usual shower gel or body lotion to the shopping list.

Poppyred Why do you think annab275 post is very 😢
I too have none of the things that they mention.
I don’t feel sad.
Apart from my definitely still eating meat.
It perfectly possible to cope without a dishwasher and ordinary tumble dryers are out of the question for me due to there energy consumption. Plus there is no proper space for them in my flat.
The thing I do feel deprived of is a proper communal garden where I could grow some summer flowers.
Alas the spaces have been swallowed up by tarmac to make way for parking.
All that aside keeping warm, fed, and well and not slipping into depression and keeping up with (but not becoming obsessed with) what’s going on in the world through tv and the internet.
Peace of mind with no massive debts is priceless imo. And I’ d hate to cut back on that 😊

Standing charge singingnutty about 46p per day.

We recently went away for the weekend and didn't leave the heating on as the boiler was a bit erratic at that time. We came back on a Monday at 4pm. Our smart meter starts showing usage again for the week on Monday so we thought there should be very little showing. There was £1.40 showing! That was scary. At first thought the only things plugged in and switched on at the wall were the televisions, the internet hub and probably a couple of printers which are attached to the laptops. There wouldn't have been anything set to record on a Monday morning. On reflection I suppose there were also various lamps plugged in which were not switched off at the wall and of course cooker and freezer and fridge. When you work it out, if you don't switch everything off at the wall you will have a bill of £400 pa even before you start using anything else.

I sometimes get something from Freecycle - lately a beautiful pair of lined heavy brocade curtains. I have cut back on haircuts - I used to spend around £70 for colour and highlights. Now I colour my hair myself. But I need to learn how to batch cook that several people have mentioned (not being much of a cook) so I'll start another thread rather than clog up this one.

Like this

annab275

I keep the house warm enough for us both to wear one or two jumpers, don’t buy meat but I am using a lot more beans and pulses. We don’t drink, smoke, take holidays and we don’t have a dishwasher, tumble dryer, paid tv subs or gym memberships, and we don’t go to pubs , restaurants etc. I usually shop in charity shops so I am not sure we could cut back much more. We do still visit National Trust places, as we are members, about 5 or 6 times a year. Life would be too miserable if we cut back any more and I don ‘t see why I should since I will be 70 this year.

Oh how very sad.

After reading a post on here last year, I cut my dishwasher tablets in half unless the plates etc are really mucky. Half a tablet works just as well.

We already use table top appliances such as air fryers and a breville instead of a kettle, I do have an extra freezer but that's so I can bulk buy or make up meals for later in month. I use eco electric heaters instead of gas. So only has I use is for hot water which I need vitally. As for going out if I'm out shopping we used to call in at cafes all the time, due to my need to rest and keep hydrated, although we've compromised we haven't stopped instead I go shopping in an area next to a place where community centre where free tea and coffee drop in is and even a free meal twice a week. I use the too good to go app as well as being somewhat self sufficient. I grow herbs on my windowsill as well as a mixture of veg, we also share our supplies with a neighbour in exchange for eggs as well. I apply for a lot of free samples which also helps keep costs low on freebie sites a d scan Freecycle before buying certain things.

Local libraries usually have a digital offering. In the last two places I have lived, the Council library provides PressReader in which one can find the daily newspapers and tons of magazines on all topics. Borrowbox is for audio and ebooks where there is absolutely loads of choice. A truly excellent 'free' service you already pay for in your Council tax.