7 Old Money Saving Tips That Everyone Should Still Use ...

1. Reuse Clothing…

Macklemore might have made thrift shops cool, but your recycling shouldn’t end there if you are following old money saving tips. Old clothing – that’s clothing that’s too worn or stained, not necessarily clothing that doesn’t fit – can easily be repurposed. If it’s really bad, use it for cleaning cloths. In better condition, it could be used to make a quilt, or curtains. You get the idea! If your clothes are in good condition but don’t fit, or don’t match your style anymore, or even if you just don’t wear them, try selling or donating them.

2. Don’t Throw Packaging…

Excessive packaging is a massive problem these days. While a lot of packaging can be recycled, there is still much more that can’t. Finding a way to reuse packaging will extend its lifespan and get your creative juices flowing. Growing herbs in milk jugs is a classic idea that always looks great, and spaghetti sauce jars make great vases. Try cleaning everything from grocery bags to tin cans for a while, and raiding the supply before you buy new things. Chances are, if you’re being creative enough, you’ll be able to avoid buying something new and save trash.

3. Ditch the Tumble Dryer…

Always check the weather outside before you turn your tumble dryer on, and if it’s not raining, air dry as many clothes as possible. Not only will you drastically cut down your energy bills, but you’ll also extend the life of both your tumble dryer and your clothes. Air-dried clothes get that lovely natural smell, too.

4. Use Salt in Coffee…

Okay, this sounds weird, but bear with me! Salt in coffee is an age old trick that will let you get away with buying really cheap coffee. Typically, the cheaper the coffee, the more bitter the taste. That’s why most people avoid the cheaper coffee, and go for more expensive (and less bitter) brands. Adding salt to coffee grounds reduces that bitterness, meaning that you don’t need to spend so much on the coffee itself. Just don’t start adding salt instead of sugar…that might taste strange.

5. Be the Best Meal Planner Ever…

Plan your meals ahead of time, and make sure you use up everything you buy. Record best before dates so that nothing goes off, and avoid wastage. Compare supermarket costs using online tools such as mysupermarket.com, and use vouchers wherever you can. Don’t buy for convenience, either. Buying a full chicken, for example, is often better value than buying pre-prepared chicken breasts. Almost every part of a chicken can be made into curries, soup stock, casseroles and chicken dinners.

6. Be a Smart Shopper…

Think about the best times to do things for your wallet – not your convenience. If your going to a carvery, avoid going on Sundays, when the prices are usually higher. Instead, go during the week, when there are usually special offers but the food is exactly the same. For shopping, go as late as possible, and look out for reduced items such as bread and meat. Utilise sites like Approved Food, which sell food close to its sell by date, and make sure you use it all in time. You can drastically cut your shopping bill this way.

7. Don’t Be Loyal…

Humans tend to be loyal by nature – but that’s not always a good thing. Don’t be tempted to be loyal to brands while shopping, unless you’ve got a really good voucher. Instead, write down the type of item that you need, and get whichever brand offers the best value. Do the same for utility companies and phone bills, etc. Go with whomever offers the best deal for you, not whom you have been with longest. And don’t forget one of the best-known old money saving tips – if you can do it yourself, you should. Grow your own fruit and veg, for example, so you don’t rely on supermarkets.

When it comes to cutting costs, there is nothing quite like old money saving tips. While some of them have been passed on, most of them aren’t widely used today, and we’re all guilty of throwing money away rather than spending a bit longer to save. I’ll definitely be making an effort to live a bit more frugally! Do you know any great old money saving tips? I’d love to hear them.