I need some help with tips on frugality if you all don't mind?

Not got a lot of spare cash at the mo - trying to make things go further. Today, I cut up stale bread that would normally have headed for the trash or birds, and froze it, for use at later date as basis for stuffing or bake topping. Also, went through the fridge last week for left over veg to make soup (burnt soup - but tried... ).

Not just food though - happily accepted donation of kids trousers from friend at the weekend (then blew it by buying him a winter jacket at Gap on Sunday - was in a sale though!).

Just would like any tips you have in any aspect of life to save a few bob here and there and make the most out of the money we do spend....

- Find your local Thrift Store such a Value Village
- Get a membership at Costco
- Avoid eating at fast food joints
- Buy at places that give you reward points such as Esso for Aeroplan, A & P for Air Miles etc.

Heres my suggestions but they may not be anything you havent thought of before.

Eat loads of veggies, rice and pasta. Buy the cheaper but stronger cheese for pasta so you need to use less for the same flavour. Save the better cheese for sandwiches and salads. Eggs are cheap and good. Omelettes etc. Tofu is good protein for less money than meat. If you get the firm variety and dry fry it goes crispy and has a better texture, then add to sauces.
Packed lunches of course. Dont buy ready made salad dressings and sauces, its cheaper to make your own. Ready made anything really is bad so make everything from scratch if you have the time.

Set a budget and then only buy things with cash. When that weeks money has gone then you have to wait till next week. Dont go in the more expensive shops! For frozen food we have a shop called "Almost Perfect" that has seconds and misshapes of frozen foods, some baked goods and chips. I think it may just be a local chain but am not sure. Maybe you have something like that near you?

Dont use clingfilm and foil, use bowls and lids. Save all the plastic bags from the shops and reuse, including the ones the veggies come in. Newpaper is good for absorbing the grease from cooked bacon.

Turn the heat down and wear another layer of clothes. Dont heat the house when you are asleep, hang your washing on a clothes horse rather than use the drier, share the bath water with a clean friend or make them use it after you.........

Join the library, not just books but dvd loan is free at ours

Yard sales are good for all sorts of things too but they will be almost finished now until the spring.

Just some things we have done, maybe theres something new in there?

And subscribe to www.moneysavingexpert.com

The site is UK based but the Old Style forum has fantastic tips on absolutely everything, it is fab

Thanks everyone I will peruse and absorb and then start trying some of these out

Karma to all - see I've started doing it now

Limit your consumption of lobster to no more than twice a week.

That won't be hard - can't stand the stuff - now marmite, that's another story

Do you think if you diluted marmite and then sprayed it on some plain crisps that would have the same taste as walkers marmite crisps?? I may try it.

When I was young, very young, my favourite way to spend my 6d pocket money was on a 4d packet of oxo crisps and a 2d packet of peanuts, then I mixed the two together and it was just wonderful. Why cant you get oxo crisps anymore??

I was going to suggest that too, particularly as there is a big section on really being frugal.

OXO crisps, I loved those, and bovril crisps that were along the same lines.
Pay things by direct debit if you can then bills won't mount up, and often utilities give discount for this (in UK anyway)
I freeze my milk in little plastic bottles so it doesn't go to waste if we don't use a lot.
Make your own flavoured yogurt by adding fruit to plain cheaper variety, tastes nice.

Cheers to additional contributors I think with all these tips I can make it into a game for my 8 yr old - don't know whether that would work on hubby though. He's already given up smoking (yay ) and is taking packed lunches to work, now I just have to prise the credit card out of his paws.

I loved Bovril on toast - can't get it in the little marmite-like bottles here but can get it in squeezey bottles for making gravy and drinks. When I was pregnant, I used to layer marmite then peanut butter on toast - anyone else do this?

PC bank account..no fees eating your funds

PC mastercard...1% cashback on all transactions...more usefull than airmiles

No name products...cheap and OK, bought using PC card and redeeming PC points at loblaws stores like No Frills

Buy kids stuff second hand where possible until they actually care about new/ brands.

Dont drink or smoke.

Shop around for all products and services where possible

Dont be shy about haggling for deal. If you dont ask, it certainly wont happen.

Or if you do drink, make your own wine/beer. We are now making home-made wine which we estimate will cost less than $1 per bottle instead of around $9 per bottle for the cheapest wine at the local liquor store.

My OH wants to know what a PC bank account and PC credit card are?

Thanks I'm a good haggler - my dad taught me how when I was about 8 and I watched him negotiating a £1 off 2 books he was buying in Alders department store in Portsmouth! Nothing wrong with the books - he just thought he deserved a discount as he was buying 2 together. The store assistant was dumbstruck - but gave it to him. I've been haggling ever since and have walked away from plenty of shops cos they wouldn't deal.

NSPaul - hubby is about to embark on home wine-making - a friend has just given him all the gubbins we just have to wait until next month's paycheck buy the concentratey-stuff and we'll be giving it a go. Cheers.