Saving coppers, keeping an electricity meter reading diary and refusing to flush the toilet for fear of unnecessary water consumption. Once upon a time, three or four years ago, these were the kinds of activities guaranteed to draw comparisons with Scrooge McDuck and mark you out as a penny-pinching social pariah, owner of a bathroom best avoided. Fast-forward a few years and now, post-economic global meltdown, watching what you spend is the necessary norm. Which is great news for those of us who’d rather stick to a daily diet of crumbs and the occasional delicacy of peas on toast than risk the culinary and financial unknown of healthy, balanced and moderately appetizing cuisine.
2011 is the year of cutting back. To help you have a prosperous year in the face of all the economic trouble, the @DHLServicepoint Twitter stream has dedicated itself to delivering tips on great ways to save money, as well as letting you know about all the latest deals on parcel delivery available through DHL Servicepoint.
Last week, to let everybody know about this new direction, we launched our May money saving competition, giving you a chance to win £100 in high street vouchers in exchange for your top money saving tips. You didn’t let us down. Here, in no particular order, are some of our favourites…
Money and spending
Don’t get married! And if you do, hide the credit card from the wife! @Ivy106
Only go shopping with cash. Leave your cards at home – that way you can’t overspend what you don’t have @cyderapple
This money saving tip works in my home: buy BOGOF bargains and put the second product in the freezer to keep until you want it @LondonBirdLucy
Shop at outlets for clothes and use Vouchercloud on the Iphone for discounts on pretty much everything else! @Tinky_Pink
Set yourself a budget after compiling a list of your incomings and outgoings & STICK TO IT. Stop smoking and drinking too! @CRYSTALmse
Energy savings
Save money when having a shower & flushing the toilet – request a water saving device… @JoMaries86x
With regards to flushing the loo…if on water meter…if it’s yellow let it mellow…if it’s brown flush it down @onelittlewonder
Save energy: bring pasta to the boil, turn heat off, put lid on, leave for 18 mins. Perfect cooked pasta. @mrsmildredroper
Save money on petrol. Drive slow & people will crash into the back of your car. You get a new rear end or a new car @gumbie23
Only put enough water in the kettle for the drink you are making @shazpaz
Use price comparison websites…Saved over £1000 a year on gas/electricity @melandjake99
Food
Do you need that coffee? A latte each day at £2.50, 5 days a week, for 48 weeks a year costs £600/yr. Cutting 2 a week out saves 240/yr! @V1cki_Lou
Invest in a gastric band. You’ll save cash in the long run because you’ll have no food bills! @Paul4Rach
Top tip: take your own lunch to work and homemade coffee. It saves at least £5 per day. X5 days x52weeks = £1300 per year! @GAarcade
Save money by taking turns with friends to make lunch and taking it to work. It’s like eating out but much cheaper. @aratology
Entertain at home rather than eating out – everyone brings a course to share the costs & no babysitters required! @Hertschick
And the winner is…
Some great ideas we’re sure you’ll agree, but sadly, there can only be one winner. For its combination of wit and hard-hearted practical advice, the title of DHL May money saving competition winner goes to this little gem:
Tell your kids that when the ice cream man plays his tune, he’s run out! Guaranteed to save money @sassyele
Thanks to everyone who entered. It was a real close call in the end, but rest assured we’ll back with another great competition in the not too distant future.
For more information on DHL Servicepoint www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk
To follow us on Twitter and hear about all the latest practical money saving tips, @DHLServicepoint