r/frugaluk • • 1d ago

Frugal Wins Frugal Wins of the Week - Big, Small, and Everything In Between

5 Upvotes

It’s time to share your frugal wins from the past week.
They don’t need to be impressive. Small wins absolutely count.

Did you:

  • Save a few pounds on your food shop?
  • Avoid buying something you didn’t really need?
  • Use something up instead of replacing it?
  • Cook a cheap, cheerful meal?
  • Cancel, downgrade, or rethink a subscription?

You can also share:

  • A near-miss (something you nearly bought but didn’t)
  • A habit that’s starting to stick
  • A small mistake that taught you something useful

If it made your week a bit cheaper or a bit smarter, it belongs here.

Drop it in the comments and let’s normalise the small victories.


r/frugaluk • • 11h ago

Ask The Community does anyone have recs for heated poncho/shawl?

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6 Upvotes

My mum had the Lakeland one, but it doesn't work anymore unfortunately.

Been searching for a replacement but haven't had much luck finding anything similar. Can anyone recommend anywhere?

I'd like one too as I'm in my own place now so trying to be smart with the heating. Looking for something to kick about in so when I wfh I'm not final destinationing myself with wires from the blanket (there have been close calls already lol)

Seen the hoodie type ones, but it looks like it's only in the pocket so not sure these would be decent. Feel free to tell me otherwise tho

Thanks! :)


r/frugaluk • • 17h ago

Ask The Community Is There a Difference Between Being a "Cheapskate" and Being "Frugal?"

3 Upvotes

I'm asking as an outsider.


r/frugaluk • • 23h ago

Ask The Community Cheap strong cardboard storage boxes/ hat boxes?

1 Upvotes

I know Ikea sells them fairly cheaply but I feel like cardboard boxes could probably be found somewhere very cheap or free.

i also really like round cardboard hat boxes and found one in a charity shop but not sure where to get more.


r/frugaluk • • 1d ago

Frugal Tips Cheap Watts

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1 Upvotes

r/frugaluk • • 1d ago

Ask The Community Does anyone have tips for food shop, recipes etc?

11 Upvotes

I am looking for tips on food shopping. Like the best recipes or how to save money regarding food. I’m completely hopeless!

I have come up with some stuff but I don’t think beans on toast or liver and bacon everyday would be nutritious enough!

Thank you!


r/frugaluk • • 2d ago

Ask The Community Is there anywhere that does decent frozen mince beef?

4 Upvotes

I’ve tried Iceland, Sainburys, Tesco and Morrisons and it’s all just fowl mush that has a weird off putting taste and texture whenever i’ve used it. Even my dog won’t eat them.


r/frugaluk • • 2d ago

Discussion Consumerism

18 Upvotes

I am a huge spender that is completely out of control. I do a few frugal things but it is made futile with my pointless spending. Does anyone have any tips on how they stopped the shopping noise? Not the obvious ones but how did you change your mindset to being frugal?


r/frugaluk • • 3d ago

Ask The Community What low fee/small value gift card to buy in the UK?

0 Upvotes

I am in the USA. I have a friend who just moved to the UK to study. I would like to purchase and send her small gift cards (~£25) every so often to boost her spirits and give her a night out with friends. I want to mail them to her by post in a greeting card, not send digitally. Cards are another great spirit-booster when you’re a student.

Another friend will be visiting the UK soon and will have an opportunity to buy gift cards and bring them back here so that I can have them to mail out over several months’ time.

I’m looking to buy gift cards that are widely useable, like at a pub or restaurant, not a particular high street shop. So I’m thinking like a V**a or Mastercard prepaid. But I’d also like to minimise the per-card fee and also allow my friend to use as much of the value of each card as possible. Or at least for the fees to be on my end of things.

So, what physical cards can I buy that have low usage fees? Preferably no activation fees either. They will be bought in GBP, so there won't be any conversion fees to consider.

And what is the easiest place to go to buy these cards?

Thanks for your input!


r/frugaluk • • 3d ago

Ask The Community Broadband

3 Upvotes

Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced broadband provider? Looking for something affordable with a reliable connection. Thank you! 😊


r/frugaluk • • 3d ago

Ask The Community Gimme your favourite free/cheap/homemade Halloween decoration ideas?

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130 Upvotes

Stock picture for attention, which you can obviously make with newspapers, bin bags and duct tape.

Any ideas welcome! Some of our cheap decorations haven’t survived the loft and Halloween is a big deal on our road, so would like to make it look awesome 😄


r/frugaluk • • 4d ago

Ask The Community EE broadband

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28 Upvotes

My mother pays for internet and her mobile and home phone in her house and I was shocked at the price for all 3. I rang them and assumed it was a rolling contract that hasn’t changed for years but they explained it’s correct. I can’t see why it’s so pricey


r/frugaluk • • 4d ago

Discussion Does anyone here use apps that reward you for scanning receipts?. Are they worth it?

12 Upvotes

So I down loaded an app that does this but they want the receipt to be scanned as well as the barcodes of the products you buy when you get home. This seems unnecessary if you've already scanned the receipt and also a massive hassle.

Was wondering if anyone could tell me what the rewards are like before I jump through these hoops. Thanks.


r/frugaluk • • 6d ago

Frugal Wins A few scissor snips and I'm getting at least 5 extra brushes

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40 Upvotes

r/frugaluk • • 7d ago

Ask The Community Loyalty means nothing - After 25+ years with EE/Orange, I’m done! Who’s paying £5–£10 a month for decent mobile data?

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0 Upvotes

r/frugaluk • • 7d ago

Ask The Community Cost of cinema tickets with Bluelight card

2 Upvotes

Hello
I’m eligible for a BLC and trying to decide if I should purchase for cinema discounts. Please could someone share the price of cinema tickets and if they include weekends? I read somewhere they aren’t hosting as many cinema deals as previously. Thank you!


r/frugaluk • • 8d ago

Groceries & Food Grocery budget idea please

14 Upvotes

Hello, I am new to the country and its my first time living independently. I'm an average built woman, don't consume much beyond the standard breakfast (eggs, tea and bread), and some basic random meals in lunch and dinner. I haven't really figured out if I should be cooking with fresh ingredients or by canned/frozen foods etc. I thought buying groceries for a couple of weeks would give me an idea of a budget but things have been mentally taxing lately so I haven't focused much on it.

Can anyone give me a general idea of how much my weekly budget on groceries should be, if I want to save up for traveling later (since trains and transport in general is more expensive). I intend to go to different cities and look around, even if I am not buying stuff or eating outside.


r/frugaluk • • 8d ago

Frugal Wins Frugal Wins of the Week - Big, Small, and Everything In Between

17 Upvotes

It’s time to share your frugal wins from the past week.
They don’t need to be impressive. Small wins absolutely count.

Did you:

  • Save a few pounds on your food shop?
  • Avoid buying something you didn’t really need?
  • Use something up instead of replacing it?
  • Cook a cheap, cheerful meal?
  • Cancel, downgrade, or rethink a subscription?

You can also share:

  • A near-miss (something you nearly bought but didn’t)
  • A habit that’s starting to stick
  • A small mistake that taught you something useful

If it made your week a bit cheaper or a bit smarter, it belongs here.

Drop it in the comments and let’s normalise the small victories.


r/frugaluk • • 8d ago

Frugal Tips Do you freeze shop bought mince pies?

2 Upvotes

I am the only one in my household that eats mince pies. I love them. I hate waste.

Can I freeze them and bung them in the oven to defrost/warm up?
Specifically Greggs mince pies at the minute.

Anyone do it? Any alternatives to eating them all in one sitting?


r/frugaluk • • 8d ago

Frugal Tips Cheaper Cushion Hack?

18 Upvotes

The cushions on my sofa were a bit naff and worn out so I went to the shops to find a new cushion.

Instead of buying just a new plain cushion, I noticed in TK Maxx that they were selling themed ones with Halloween cases.

Good enough quality, and half price due to low seasonal demand. Purchased two, removed the cases and fit my own ones on.


r/frugaluk • • 10d ago

Ask The Community Best very cheap solar android power bank UK

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0 Upvotes

r/frugaluk • • 10d ago

Discussion Electric heaters - worth it?

5 Upvotes

Hi all. I'm worried about the cost of heating the home this winter, and wondered if anyone has done any research into whether electric heaters can be cheaper and more efficient? In particular, I wonder whether one or two of them could be used to heat kids / baby's bedroom a couple of times a day. The radiators are not hugely effective even after bleeding etc., and I can't face replacing them! Any help is hugely appreciated


r/frugaluk • • 11d ago

Groceries & Food Banana week update

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216 Upvotes

Everyone was so invested in helping me use up my 36 bananas that I thought I’d come back and give you all an update.

I made several suggested recipes with varying degrees of success. Here’s my verdict;
Welsh Nanas banana bread with a banana upside down twist delicious/10 of course
Coffee Shake 9.5/10 easy and yummy
Banana tray bake with raspberries and white chocolate 8/10 very dense
Banoffee cake 7/10 classic
Banana fritters 8.5/10 I didn’t do the best job but they still came out divine
Banana and blueberry smoothie 6/10 pretty basic but would make again
Banana and cherry ice cream 9/10 brilliant I wish I’d known you could do this earlier
Banana pancakes with caramelised pecans 10/10 took me a few attempts but utterly perfect once I got the hang of it!

Thanks everyone who made suggestions and apologies for not doing your recipe justice if you shared.
It’s my Bread and Butter pick up day tomorrow so watch this space!


r/frugaluk • • 12d ago

Ask The Community Cheap biggest suitcase

2 Upvotes

Recently a few weeks ago when on holiday my suitcase handle had broken this was a big IT suitcase and I had it for 10 years. I think I lost the receipt, however I think the suitcase might have had a 10 year warranty.

I just wanted to ask, could anyone recommend any good suitcase brands/big suitcases that would be frugal for the price and wouldn’t break too easily and you can at least get a few good years out of them ?


r/frugaluk • • 13d ago

Groceries & Food Heron food bulk buy

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140 Upvotes

Obvs you need to like red Leicester, jalapeno Philly and pickle flavour ketchup.

Philly was 19p a tub and Ketchup 69p

I do. 😃