10 Weird & Wonderful Money Saving Tips

Money might not equal happiness, but there’s no denying that not having enough of it can definitely be a burden. Whether you’re trying to save towards a big purchase, have some debt you need to pay off, or you’re simply trying to build that emergency fund, finding ways to pinch the pennies aside from the obvious can be tricky.

Today we’ve rounded up a few of the strangest but thriftiest tricks employed by only the savviest money savers that you might not have thought of. Aside from the obvious ones, such as using voucher codes on necessary purchases, shopping the sales, and budgeting well, we’ve picked out a few more unusual hacks. Every little trick and every penny counts when you’re looking to save!

1. Save while you shower

Taking a shorter shower will help to cut those water bills, but how about you go a step further? Grab your dirty laundry and even your (lightly!) grubby dishes, and give them a good scrub while you lather up. Not only will this save on water (bonus points for helping the environment!), but you’ll also save on energy from not running additional appliances such as the washing machine or dishwasher, and on extra cleaning products!

2. Unplug & switch off

The first step to unplugging and switching off is literally to unplug every device and appliance in the house you’re not actively using - even ones like the TV which will be using small amounts of energy that all add up. Only charge devices until they’re full or at a usable level. Of course, leave the fridge and freezer running unless they’re empty!
The second step here is to commit to a “go dark hour” (or two!) every day. Spend that time doing something that doesn’t require any electricity, such as reading a book or some good old fashioned cleaning with the old elbow grease. Or perhaps just don’t use any electricity at home...at all! Charge necessary devices like phones at work (if you’re allowed!), go to bed before dark and stick to old fashioned entertainment.

3. Recycle & Reuse

We should all be recycling where possible anyway, but for the ultra-thrifty, we recommend taking it a step further and reusing every scrap where possible. Instead of purchasing cling film and foil for food, simply use what it comes in! Most food items come with some form of plastic wrapping, so be careful when removing it, rinse it off if necessary, and reuse for leftovers, sandwich boxes and storage. You can also use this tip for wrapping gifts - keep hold of any cardboard or paper packaging, redecorate it to prettify it if necessary, then reuse. This might be envelopes from junk mail, cardboard cereal boxes or old birthday wrapping - nothing to waste!

4. Spend money

This one sounds a bit odd at first....spend money to save money?! But buying and cooking in bulk can result in some major discounts. Explore your nearest wholesale options or shop in bulk online to get huge savings on items such as dried goods like pasta, rice and flour, tinned goods, and even fresh options that can be frozen. Your second step here is to cook in bulk too so that you never waste a thing. Buying and cooking larger portions in the beginning can seem like a lot of money to spend, but over the course of a year or so, using up those frozen and saved meals will make a big difference.

5. Shave your head

A bit extreme, but hear us out! Hairdressers and barbers are a costly expense, especially if you need high maintenance appointments for dyed hair or very specific styles. If you’re really serious about saving the cash, take the plunge and shave it all off - no need for expensive appointments every month or two to keep up with roots or styles, and just let it grow out again then shave it off yourself.

6. No water down the drain

Every time you brush your teeth or let a tap run until it’s the perfect temperature, that’s money down the drain! Instead, keep a jug or a pitcher underneath the tap then pop it into the fridge when it’s full. You’ll not only be saving water, but you also get free cold water rather than buying bottles or installing a fancy water dispenser to cool it for you.

7. Go reusable

There are plenty of options for reusable items rather than disposable, with the added benefit of helping the environment too: water bottles, beeswax wraps, laundry eggs and more. Our more unusual suggestion that many wouldn’t go so far as is cloth nappies and reusable baby wipes. While they might seem costly at the outset, you’ll quickly realise with a newborn that you’re saving on all those disposables you chuck in the bin!

8.  Double up on toilet paper

This might only be one for if you’re getting a little desperate, but think about all that toilet paper you’re flushing straight down the toilet! While some go all out and use what’s called “family cloth” - reusable wipes you keep in the bathroom use as an alternative to toilet paper, similar to reusable baby wipes above - we’re not recommending you go this far (although fair play to you if you do!). Instead, take a look at your fancy toilet paper and you’ll realise how thick they are - anything 2-ply and over can be easily split down into single sheets, effectively doubling up how much you get out of one roll!

9. eBay your rubbish

Your trash might be another man’s treasure! Did you know that everything from empty perfume bottles and designer jewellery boxes to old toilet roll tubes and cardboard boxes can be sold on eBay? While they might seem to be selling at a pittance individually, they can quickly add up. Check out our blog post on just how much you can earn by selling your household junk.

10. Intermittent fasting

As long as you’re not the type to get “hangry”, intermittent fasting is not only great for your diet, it also helps your wallet. As long as you have a healthy meal plan, skipping a meal here and there as part of a diet plan will save you money in the long run, even if that’s just breakfast twice a week. 

Now that we’ve shared our weird and wonderful money saving tips, we’d love to hear a few of your favourite tricks, the more unusual, the better!