Money Saving Tips Part 1

With bambino on the way in four weeks, I have gone into budgeting overdrive. I've always been good with my money but by writing down all expenditures for the last few days, it's incredible how easily even a money conscious person can make un-necessary purchases.

Here are my top tips for saving money:

1. Use your freezer to the max and invest in a chest freezer if possible

We have saved a fortune the last few months by being ultra organised with meals and always thinking "what's in the freezer?" before making any purchases. If you have a contact, buy a whole butchered animal. We have bought a whole lamb for the last three years running. I reckon what we paid for the full animal would only cover the price of the chops if we were still buying lamb in the shop.

Freeze left over wine in ice cube trays to use for cooking.

When you buy herbs/ginger/garlic and other cooking accompaniments that you probably will not use in full, freeze a percentage immediately. You'll always end up throwing out a half mouldy lump of ginger root otherwise!

When you have the spare time, make up batches of bread dough and freeze uncooked. Imagine taking out the dough the night before and next day you're only 30 minutes away from freshly baked bread. In fact, make extra of everything and freeze the excess. Pretty soon you'll have a huge choice of food to chose from.

2. Grow your own salad vegetables

Even if you are not into gardening, it is worth everybody's time to grow lettuce, tomatoes and herbs. These are some of the most expensive vegetables to buy. I put alot of time and labour into growing vegetables like potatoes, carrots and onions but apart from the satisfaction, freshness, superior taste and lack of chemicals (okay they are all really good reasons!), I don't save much money by doing so. However, by having a crop of salad leaves in the garden, I have saved at least €3 per week [€156 per year!] by not buying bags of mixed leaves in the supermarket (which deteriorate in quality rapidly once the bag is opened). I recommend everyone to grow spinach. The baby leaves are tender petals of gorgeousness and the older leaves add to almost any savoury dish you can think of. Plus you can cut and cut and cut those leaves and the plant will keep on giving.

If you want to branch out, peas and beans are also a lovely easy crop. Mangetout just gives gives gives and is easy to freeze [steam for a few mins, plunge in icy water to cool, freeze on a tray and bag when hard]. Plus those little salad bags of podded peas are quite expensive in shops.

3. Consider re-usables instead of disposables

Not only are you saving money but the landfill will thank you for it.

My guilty pleasure is kitchen roll [paper towels] but I'll have to discipline myself into sticking to cloths.

The cloth nappy library of Ireland allows you to rent high quality cloth nappies to try out before you buy. Huge savings can be made on these nappies which will last a child from birth to toddler. Most people will be saving money after six months. Also, if you are using re-usables, it is not as painful to pay the extra for eco friendly disposables when needed.

Consider a silicon menstrual cup instead of buying sanitary products every month. At €30, the Moon Cup would start saving you money after a few months.

4. Consider installing a wood burning stove to replace your open fire

I always loved our open fire and was hesitant when the landlord wanted to install a stove but once we figured out the knack of using it, I realised it was one of the best improvements made to the house.

It's more heat and fuel efficient. By using mainly wood, they produce less ash than the open fire and is much easier to clean out as everything falls into a removable tray. We use a little bit of coal to establish the fire and top up only with wood, which we bought in bulk for very cheap. Last winter, we used a fraction of the amount of coal used in previous years. There is plenty of fallen wood to be found in any forest. I also saved in firelighters by melting the ends of candles and soaking cotton pads in the melted wax. A great way to make use of those candle ends that amass around the house.

5. Always carry a bottle of water/juice from home

Buying fluids when out and about is a major money drainer. Its a simple habit to get into.

Last but not least...

6. Write down all expenditures

This makes you aware of where your money is going and soon you'll find yourself getting a kick out of making it through the day with spending as little as possible. Making shopping lists used to give me pleasure but it also turns spending into a hobby. I still make sure I buy everything I need, and treat myself but Im not going to find myself €5 less at the end of the week because I somehow bought a bottle of water on three separate occassions, water I might not even have drank in full.


Read Part 2 of my best money saving tips HERE