my budget bible for the next 5 weeks

After scouring the internet, using common sense, getting tips from friends and thinking about the things I do already I have complied a list that will serve as my budget bible for the next 5 weeks and thought I would share it with you.

I have split the list into the areas that I think I can cut back/save money then listed all the ways I can influence them (such a geek I know)

FOOD BILL

This is the biggest and easiest area for cut backs so i warn you in advance is a bit lengthy

1) Shop around - see where has the best deals
                            is the market cheaper (fruit and veg at the end of the day can go for less than 50%)
                            buy own brands and compare who's are cheapest

2) Meal plan - plan 7 days meals (breakfast dinner and tea)
                        list all ingredients needed to make all these meals
                        tick off the ingredients list what you already have in (actually check the cupboards)
                        only now make your shopping list

3) Make a shopping list - see above

4) Portion control - measure out things like pasta and rice, these are easy to over estimate
                                if you are left with extra once cooked box/bag them up
                                children eat less that adults

5) Buy in bulk - non perishables like toilet roll, cans, nappies anything you regularly use thats on offer
                          buy meat in bulk portion it out and freeze
                          cook big batches of things like chilli, stews, etc and freeze in portions

6) Left overs - spag bol, chilli, stews even if not enough for a full meal freeze and have with a jacket potato for lunch 
                        cooked too much veg with tea chop it up and mix with mash potato and cheese make into patties and freeze for yummy bubble and squeak ready to just throw in the oven
                        stale bread, blend into bread crumbs and freeze to use later to crumb fishfingers, chicken  nuggets or kiev, or mix with some cheese and sprinkle over a pasta bake for a yummy crunchy topping
                        compost, compost, compost

7) Grow your own - herbs are easy and dont need much space of time
                                strawberries, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, chillies and peppers can all be grown in pots
                                if you have a good harvest make preserves/jams
                                swap you harvest with friends/family that also grow their own for more variety

8) Walk to the shops - this stops impulse buys as you can only carry so much home
                                     saves fuel costs

9) Re-usable bags - better for the environment
                                 some stores charge for bags so taking your own saves pennies
                                 only take as many bags as you will need for your shopping list so you cant fit any                                          impulse buys in

10) Dump the processed - making your own from scratch is not only cheaper but also healthier


UTILITIES

Gas - turn thermistat down by 2 degrees
          tin foil behind radiators
          draft proof doors and windows
          turn off radiators in unused/spare rooms

Electric - energy saving light bulbs
                use lamps instead of main light
                turn off lights as you leave the room (drill this into the kids)
                turn off electricals at wall
                dont use standby if they are going to be off for more than an hour

Water - turn tap off while brushing teeth
              have a shower instead of a bath
              if having a bath share, throw the kids in together or after you
             use bath water to water the plants/garden
             dont over fill the bath, your not going swimming just having a wash
             fill sink for a wash rather than having it constantly running
             use buckets/tubs outside to collect rainwater to water the garden, plants, clean the paving flags
             toilet - do you NEED to flush it everytime??? if its brown flush it down if it yellow let it mellow ha ha


CAR COSTS

Insurance - shop around to get cheapest quote
                    put a more experience/older driver on your policy to lower cost (only do this if they may       actually drive the car within the year, even if only once otherwise its naughty naughty naughty and I cant condone this!)
       
Fuel - can you car share
          look for cheapest price and fill the tank
          look for loyalty deals (morrisons miles, necter points)
          LEAVE IT ON THE DRIVE! nothing will save you more money than walking
          check tyre pressure
          empty the boot

General - keep water and oil topped up
                 do small jobs on the car yourself
                 get punchers repaired instead of getting a new tyre
                 look at part worn tyres instead of brand new

MAKE DO AND MEND

Clothes - Fix missing buttons, small holes etc yourself instead of throwing out
                Do your own alterations
                buy second hand (ebay, charity shops)
                customise old clothes instead of buying new (you can make a demin skirt for old jeans)
                have a clothes swap with friends

Home - do jobs around the home yourself
             use sites like freecycle and fregal
              upcycle (instead of buying shelves use old doors, pallets, planks to make your own)
             use the internet (look for tutorials on simple jobs like fixing a leaking tap or how to hang wallpaper)

Kids - Dont buy new, ook at carboots, ebay, charity shops for toys
           Use your imagination, there are hundreds of ways to entertain the kids for free (crafting, free day out, den building, cooking)
           Look for great quality clothes second hand (they grow out of them so quickly anyway)

Well that's pretty much it the rules for living for less for the next month, I am sure I will be able to add more as the month progresses but for now that my lot.