In these difficult times, every penny saved can help keep your bank balance reasonably healthy. Here are some of the frugal things I have done this week.
Careful driving to save fuel
With the price of petrol going up every time I blink, I am, like most of you I am sure, trying to use the car as little as possible.
However, I do need to drive on occasion, mainly the half hour journey to my parents and often onto take one or the other of them to their various medical appointments.
I remembered an article I read some time ago, when a chap drove the length of the UK on a tank of petrol. It was impossible to find it to add the link now, but instead I discovered a multitude of articles on how to save money by careful driving, doing pretty much what I have been doing.
The main thing is to try to avoid accelerating until you need to and then do so very slowly. On any kind of hill, I take my foot off the accelerator altogether and use the momentum of the car. I know you aren’t supposed to go into neutral and coast, but I feel this is safe.
Be a slow coach rather than a speed freak. It might annoy the person behind you, but then again they are probably trying to save on fuel as well.
I have found the supermarkets are offering the best prices on fuel, as usual, so I have been topping up at Sainsbury’s or Asda on my travels.
There is lots more advice in this article from the Money Saving Expert website.
Stretching the meat and buying cheaper cuts
I have mentioned in previous posts that I have been experimenting with cooking liver. It is cheap and nutritious and we enjoy it. This week we tried kidneys and made a simple recipe called Kidneys in gravy from Delia Smith’s Frugal Food.*
I have to say, I prefer the texture and taste of liver, and I can see why kidneys are often mixed with stewing steak. But we will be eating them again, for sure.
I have also been using cans of plain old value baked beans whenever I make something like a cottage pie. They add texture, fibre and protein and make the mince go further.
Charity shop bargain of the week
Talking of food, I picked up a book for 50p in a charity shop recently. It is called The Frugal Cook* by Fiona Beckett and seems a very useful book. It even has a very posh sounding recipe, lambs kidneys and mushrooms in sherry that I think will be worth a try.
I often look out for second hand cookbooks on a frugal theme, and have found the Goode Kitchen (from the 70s) and A Girl Called Jack whilst out and about.
A nice little earner
In the past few months, I have taken part in some research interviews, both online and via Skype, which are very well paid. I earned $50 dollars and $60 dollars in vouchers from a couple, plus I have done a few $30 ones.
They don’t always come up – and I don’t always get selected for those I apply for – but when I do manage to get on a study they are a nice bonus. I find them interesting and fun too!
I have had the most from a company called User Interviews. If you want to give it a try, you can sign up here*. I chose to get paid in Amazon vouchers, as I can always spend those, but you can choose from a variety of different vouchers.
Working the elections
Talking of earning extra, I have signed up again to work for the local elections in May. I really hope I get selected again, as it is interesting and very useful money.
If you fancy doing the same, now is the time to look on your local council job site for openings, or email the elections team directly, as they don’t always advertise. I have found that once you get one job helping out, they will always consider you the next time and let you know when to apply.
I hope you have had a good week, despite the terrible news when you turn on the TV or radio each day. It could be worse here I think – prices may be on the increase, but compared to the poor people of the Ukraine I consider myself extremely lucky. If you can spare a few pounds, maybe consider making a donation to the Red Cross. I can’t do much, but I can do that at least! Stay safe, everyone! Until next time…
I’m linking up with this Cass, Emma and Becky in this week’s ‘Frugal Friday’ linky.
*This is my affiliate link. If you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission.
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