Chris de Burgh has admitted to being a bit of a skinflint, by revealing how he cuts his tubes of toothpaste in half to squeeze out as much as possible.
The Daily Mail quotes the Lady in Red singer as saying “It’s such a bloody con-you squeeze and squeeze and nothing comes out. Well, get a pair of scissors and cut it about an inch and a half from the bottom and it’s packed with stuff”.
Thanks for the advice, Chris. There are a lots of money saving tips that we’ve all heard about (like drying out used teabags to be used again!) but here are a few tips you might not have heard about courtesy of GoodHousekeeping.com.
Some might be quite helpful, others, are just a bit strange!
Maximize your morning cup of coffee
Instead of throwing out used coffee grounds, leave half in the filter, then add half of the freshly ground coffee for a second pot.
Paper saver
To save on fax paper, use both sides for cover sheets (or cut one sheet in half).
A mother’s tip
When the mayonnaise jar is almost empty and you just can’t get that last little bit, sprinkle a few drops of vinegar and herbs inside and shake well. You’ll have enough salad dressing for one salad.
Pass the plate
Stock up on cheap white paper plates — they have many uses and are less wasteful than wads of paper towels. For example, you can place a plate in the microwave to contain splatters. Or cut one in half to scoop up spills.
New life for an old battery
After you take a dying battery out of a camera, try reusing it in a low-energy appliance — an alarm or a wall clock, for example. (But never mix old batteries with new ones.) Better yet, invest in rechargeable batteries.
Cheaper by the duster
To make an inexpensive ‘feather’ duster, roll a section of the newspaper lengthwise, then cut across one end a few times and spread out the fringe. Use to brush away cobwebs or crumbs, then toss it out.
Save face
Instead of facial tissues, use toilet paper, which costs less. Remove the cardboard core from a roll and throw away. Then place the roll inside an empty square tissue box and pull from the center of the roll through the opening.
Cheap organizer
Use plastic ice-cube trays to hold earrings, bobby pins, or cufflinks in a drawer.
Have vinegar in your home
Vinegar (white or apple cider) is not only the safest and most versatile product I keep in my home, it’s by far the cheapest. Here are just a few uses:
Put out a bowl or two of vinegar in a freshly painted room to dispel the odor.
To remove soap or hard-water buildup on chrome fixtures, put tissues over stained areas, then pour full-strength vinegar over them. Let sit for about five minutes before removing and rinsing.
To improve the crust of homemade bread, brush the top of the loaf with vinegar just before baking.
If your hands smell from handling fish or an onion, wash them in apple cider vinegar. Odor gone!
For relief from insect bites, soak a cloth in vinegar and place it over the affected area.
Rinse freshly washed hair with a solution of 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup water to get rid of soap buildup and give shine.
Go to the supermarket only once a week. It saves gas and important time.
Keep your eyes peeled for special deals
Stock up on sale items that have a long shelf life, such as toothpaste, toilet tissue, paper towels, deodorant, most cleaning supplies, and products for your car.
Buy a mix of ripe and almost-ripe fruits and vegetables
That way, the week’s produce will be less likely to spoil before you are ready to eat it.
Try to purchase items in bulk
Often, products bought in quantity are cheaper than those bought individually. You could possibly team up with a neighbour or friend to buy in bulk and half the products.
Make lists — and stick to them
Check off each item and try not to be tempted by what’s on sale (unless it’s a staple). Ask yourself: Do I really need this, or do I just want it?
Always eat a meal or snack beforehand
You’ll be less tempted to splurge on junk food and snacks.
