What things are you never going to do to save money?

Jon

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So what things are you just no good at being frugal at?

For me there two 2 things that easily come to mind!

Taking carrier bags to the supermarket to save paying 10p per bag

Try as I might I’m just never going to do that! I can’t remember to ever take them in with me and I just can’t see how if you were going to Morrison’s at lunchtime during a working week you would randomly have a carrier bag with you! I think it’s just learned to incorporate the cost of the bag into my shopping lol

The other for me would have to be renewals! Anyone with any kind of money savvyness going on would either turn off auto renew or services or at the very least put when they are going to renew on their calendar but not me! Every time the money comes out I always act shocked and I ALWAYS end up paying the most expensive price and then I just do nothing about it until the same thing happens again next year!

What about you? What things are you rubbish at when it comes to opportunities to save money?
 

Queen Jess

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So what things are you just no good at being frugal at?

For me there two 2 things that easily come to mind!

Taking carrier bags to the supermarket to save paying 10p per bag

Try as I might I’m just never going to do that! I can’t remember to ever take them in with me and I just can’t see how if you were going to Morrison’s at lunchtime during a working week you would randomly have a carrier bag with you! I think it’s just learned to incorporate the cost of the bag into my shopping lol

The other for me would have to be renewals! Anyone with any kind of money savvyness going on would either turn off auto renew or services or at the very least put when they are going to renew on their calendar but not me! Every time the money comes out I always act shocked and I ALWAYS end up paying the most expensive price and then I just do nothing about it until the same thing happens again next year!

What about you? What things are you rubbish at when it comes to opportunities to save money?

I do always take carrier bags (and always have one in my boot for emergencies), but that is more of an environmental guilt thing than a money saving thing. I already did that years before they introduced the charge.

I just can't be bothered to keep changing bank and/or savings accounts to get a better deal. I don't like admin and don't want to faff around with it or deal with all the extra bank statements I have to keep for X years for the sake of a few quid a year. I have banks/savings places I like and I will stick with them!
 

Jon

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I do always take carrier bags (and always have one in my boot for emergencies), but that is more of an environmental guilt thing than a money saving thing. I already did that years before they introduced the charge.

I just can't be bothered to keep changing bank and/or savings accounts to get a better deal. I don't like admin and don't want to faff around with it or deal with all the extra bank statements I have to keep for X years for the sake of a few quid a year. I have banks/savings places I like and I will stick with them!
Ah bank switching!!

Good one that I also can’t be bothered with the faff for £150 or whatever it is.
 

The Reverend

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Cheapest Toilet paper? No Thank You.
Flask of tea to work? No Thank You.
Flask of tea on long car journeys? No Thank You.
Sandwiches to work? No Thank You.
Wait until a film comes out on DVD instead of watching at the cinema? No Thank You.
Always cook dinner at home? No Thank You.
Darning Socks? No Thank You.
Double-cupping tea bags? No Thank You.
Turning the oven off for the last 10 minutes of cooking? No Thank You.
Finding the cheapest petrol before filling up? No Thank You.
Stealing films off the internet instead of renting from Amazon? No Thank You.
Saving veg-water/chicken juice to make a stock for later? No Thank You.
Turning my engine off when my car is stopped? No Thank You.
Doing low temp clothes washes? No Thank You.
Only Holiday in the UK? No Thank You.
Chromebooks? No Thank You.
Android Phones? No Thank You.
Doing the weekly shopping in Aldi/Lidl? No Thank You.
Never upgrading train tickets? No Thank You.
Staying in the cheapest possible hotels? No Thank You.
Never buying apps? No Thank You.
Stealing music off the internet? No Thank You.
Leaving something because another hour on the parking will cost more? No Thank You.
Driving around to find the cheapest parking? No Thank You.
Car Sharing? No Thank You.
Agreeing limits on values of birthday/Xmas presents? No Thank You.
(To be continued)
 
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Dactara

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I’m the same with carrier bags! Try as I might to remember.

The thing I’m never going to do to save money is leave the heating off when I’m freezing and pop on a jumper :D. Oh also, I try not to skimp on my kid’s coats (I’m a bit neurotic about them being warm and waterproof).
 

The Reverend

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Blocking the reduced Aisle to stop other people getting stuff? No Thank You.
Taking everything from the reduced Aisle and then putting back the items I don't want? No Thank You.
'Womble' in carparks for receipts? No Thank You.
Ask my friends for petrol money when I'm driving there anyway? No Thank You.
Argue over who ate what in a restaurant rather than split the bill equally? No Thank You.
Putting 'value' products into 'premium' containers (Cornflakes/vodka/etc)? No Thank You.
Value 'Cola'? No Thank You.
Going to the cinema when it is cheapest, not when you want to? No Thank You.
'Free' Cinema screening when you queue and you might get in? No Thank You.
Any 'meal' in a pub/restaurant that is 2 for £9.99? No Thank You.
(To be continued)
 

Hezzy

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Taking lunches to work (or anywhere for that matter). Just never could stomach the smell of packed up sandwiches.
However I do buy freshly made sandwiches from the local cafe - which is much cheaper than getting a prepackaged one from a shop.
 

Jon

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Taking lunches to work (or anywhere for that matter). Just never could stomach the smell of packed up sandwiches.
However I do buy freshly made sandwiches from the local cafe - which is much cheaper than getting a prepackaged one from a shop.
Oooh good one that!. For the 10+ years I've worked at my current workplace I've never one bought in food from home for that exact reason!
 

Ginnybean

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There might be too may to list!

I was beginning to wonder if I was unusual in the personal finance blogging world because I am more interested in increasing income and making better use of what I have. I look for good value to me, which sometimes includes saving money but more often good planning to make best use of and getting most value out of what I have!
 

Jon

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There might be too may to list!

I was beginning to wonder if I was unusual in the personal finance blogging world because I am more interested in increasing income and making better use of what I have. I look for good value to me, which sometimes includes saving money but more often good planning to make best use of and getting most value out of what I have!

100% with you here! I (and indeed this site!) lean VERY heavily making money instead of living some sort of ULTRA THRIFTY lifestyle where you just have nothing and do nothing!
 

Jon

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Another one for me that I forgot about

NO SPEND DAYS!!

I see this ENDLESSLY on Instagram with people promoting how they are going to do 14 NO SPEND DAYS this calendar month and It just blows my mind!

Trackle whatever it is in your life that is making you need to have these no spend days (ie, change to a higher paying job or something) instead of living a life where you force yourself to not spend any money for half the month to create a false economy.

I would bet money that if you did 3 no spend days in a row or something that the day after those you splurge and just spend what you would have done in the previous 3 days
 

homie

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Cheapest Toilet paper? No Thank You.
Flask of tea to work? No Thank You.
Flask of tea on long car journeys? No Thank You.
Sandwiches to work? No Thank You.
Wait until a film comes out on DVD instead of watching at the cinema? No Thank You.
Always cook dinner at home? No Thank You.
Darning Socks? No Thank You.
Double-cupping tea bags? No Thank You.
Turning the oven off for the last 10 minutes of cooking? No Thank You.
Finding the cheapest petrol before filling up? No Thank You.
Stealing films off the internet instead of renting from Amazon? No Thank You.
Saving veg-water/chicken juice to make a stock for later? No Thank You.
Turning my engine off when my car is stopped? No Thank You.
Doing low temp clothes washes? No Thank You.
Only Holiday in the UK? No Thank You.
Chromebooks? No Thank You.
Android Phones? No Thank You.
Doing the weekly shopping in Aldi/Lidl? No Thank You.
Never upgrading train tickets? No Thank You.
Staying in the cheapest possible hotels? No Thank You.
Never buying apps? No Thank You.
Stealing music off the internet? No Thank You.
Leaving something because another hour on the parking will cost more? No Thank You.
Driving around to find the cheapest parking? No Thank You.
Car Sharing? No Thank You.
Agreeing limits on values of birthday/Xmas presents? No Thank You.
(To be continued)

If you add all that up it will literally run into thousands every year.
 
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The Reverend

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If you add all that up it will literally run into thousands every year.
Probably would.

I just don't care. Like @Jon says above, I prefer to make additional money rather than stretch out what I have. Sure, this could change in the future, but for now, I am where I am! :D
 
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Karonher

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I've just stolen The Reverends list and taken out what I will not do.

Flask of tea on long car journeys? - depends on the circumstances

Sandwiches to work? - I do this most of the time - if I don't know the area I don't know if I can get anything,

Android Phones? - I prefer these.

Doing the weekly shopping in Aldi/Lidl? - they have some lovely things that the others don't.

Car Sharing? - depends on the circumstances

Agreeing limits on values of birthday/Xmas presents? -again depends on the circumstances.

Any 'meal' in a pub/restaurant that is 2 for £9.99? - some are as good as the more expensive ones.
 

Jon

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I've just stolen The Reverends list and taken out what I will not do.

Flask of tea on long car journeys? - depends on the circumstances

Sandwiches to work? - I do this most of the time - if I don't know the area I don't know if I can get anything,

Android Phones? - I prefer these.

Doing the weekly shopping in Aldi/Lidl? - they have some lovely things that the others don't.

Car Sharing? - depends on the circumstances

Agreeing limits on values of birthday/Xmas presents? -again depends on the circumstances.

Any 'meal' in a pub/restaurant that is 2 for £9.99? - some are as good as the more expensive ones.
Do you not find with the Aldi / Lidl shop thing that you just end up going to another supermarket as well as they don’t have everything your family need
 
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Karonher

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Do you not find with the Aldi / Lidl shop thing that you just end up going to another supermarket as well as they don’t have everything your family need

There is only my dad and I but I do that anyway. He does all his own cooking and likes Farmfoods frozen onions and peppers and there is a butchers next door so we go there as well. I do mystery shopping at least once a month for another supermarket and get bits from there. Then I pick up bits from Expresses and locals.
 

Jon

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There is only my dad and I but I do that anyway. He does all his own cooking and likes Farmfoods frozen onions and peppers and there is a butchers next door so we go there as well. I do mystery shopping at least once a month for another supermarket and get bits from there. Then I pick up bits from Expresses and locals.

Crikey you are lucky to know (or have!) a local butcher! Those are few and far between near me so it's Morrison's butcher counter or nothing lol
 
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Jayro152

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Dye my hair myself at home! I actually tried it once years ago and it was such a disaster I ended up paying double the normal cost to get my hairdresser to fix it. Never again!
 

The Reverend

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I've just stolen The Reverends list and taken out what I will not do.

Flask of tea on long car journeys? - depends on the circumstances

Sandwiches to work? - I do this most of the time - if I don't know the area I don't know if I can get anything,

Android Phones? - I prefer these.

Doing the weekly shopping in Aldi/Lidl? - they have some lovely things that the others don't.

Car Sharing? - depends on the circumstances

Agreeing limits on values of birthday/Xmas presents? -again depends on the circumstances.

Any 'meal' in a pub/restaurant that is 2 for £9.99? - some are as good as the more expensive ones.

Flask of tea - I just can't be bothered. If its a 'long' journey then there will be a 'bio-break' at some point and I can usually pick up a tea from the services.

Sandwiches - I KNOW it is cheaper, better, etc. I just can't be bothered. I don't like making sandwiches the night before (18 hours before eating them!) so I never do.

Android - I just didn't get on with it. And I have tried.

Aldi/Lidl - I know they are cheaper. But I also like having time to pack my bags, a big selection of things and more than 1 till open at a time.

Car Sharing - True Story. I once bought a car rather than car-share. I want to be master of my own (driving) destiny.

Present Limits - Appart from office secret Santas I've not been asked to take part. I will also buy people a present I think they'll love. If it costs £50,£5 or 50p...I think they'll love it I'm buying it.

2 for £9.99 - Take off 20% VAT and you are at £8. Divide by 2 thats £4 a meal. £4 to buy, cook and serve. Its not going to be high quality at that price. Thats not to say I've not had shit expensive pub meals but I'd rather take the chance of a more expensive meal being shit than have a shit meal, that costs 'nothing' be shit.

(edited)

To add. I do live in London, I don't have a Lidl/Aldi here, there are very few pubs with 2 for £10 deals, No-one drives near me to my office, I'm never more than 50 yards from a costa/starbucks, and android will always be rubbish! :lol: (just kidding - I really didn't get on with it)
 

Sherliarty

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@The Reverend

Your list is hilarious. I personally get on fine with Android phones and I pretty much cook every single day but that's because I have children and don't want them to eat crap! I also take my own cloth bag shopping but more for environmental reasons.
 

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