Household Tips to Survive The Credit Crunch, Financial Meltdown
By Keith Fletcher, Home and Gardening ©
Date October 24th 2008

Whatever you call it 'The credit crunch', the financial meltdown', 'the 2008 economy collapse' it has started to mean that a lot of us have started to look at ways to be a little more diligent with our money. Home and Gardening have listed a few cost saving tips and ideas below that can really help you make the most of your money for those rainy days or when you would like to save for that something special. Have you ever stopped to consider how much money you actually spend on a daily basis.

Grow your Own Vegetables
If you have enough space in your garden then planting vegetables could help you save some precious pennies. Planting a few veggies can also be a lot of fun. You can get your whole family involved. Children love to be involved in projects like this and it teaches them some great life lessons. They may also be more inclined to eat their greens if they have played an active role in growing their own produce. In terms of space you don't really need that big area to grow vegetables. A small flowerbed should give you a good crop. You can also freeze vegetables for use at later date. Vegetables ideal for freezing include beans, peas, corn, carrots, turnips, and parsnips

Grow Your Own Herbs:
Why not? Herbs are among the easiest plants to grow! You can buy a small herb plant for the price

Bake your own bread:
Why not try baking your own bread? It's not really that complicated. It's often speedier than getting into your car, driving to the shops the queuing in line, and buying a cheap loaf of inferior bread. There are a wide variety of recipes to choose from. One thing to remember about when baking bread is that even if you go a little bit wrong that 9 times out of 10 the result is usually much better tasting than anything that you would buy at Tesco or Asda. You can save about £2 a loaf. For a married couple, that adds up to over £100 a year.

Avoid Waste/ Freeze your Assets.
After you have finished cooking there may be some leftovers. Don't throw this in the bin. It is said that the average house in the UK can throw away £1000 worth of food in the bin. Freezing is the easiest, most convenient, and least time- consuming method of preserving foods.

Eyes to big for your belly?
When shopping try not to buy too much. It can often be all too easy enter the supermarket when we are hungry and start to buy everything in site. Our eyes are too big for our bellies in other words. Try making a list of the ingredients you need and plan what you will be eating for the week.

Pack your own lunch.
This habit is guaranteed to save you money. Think about this: A basic sandwich in about £3. You will also need to buy a drink which will probably cost you another £2. Now for the calculations £5 x 5 working days x 48 work weeks, minus vacation. That's £1200 per person, per year.

Are you a Coffee Junkie? Don't give up the Coffee, Just make your own!
I am a coffee junkie. I admit it! Those stylish cafes with Norah Jones playing in the background and the coffee bean aroma in the air! It's very difficult to not be tempted. Well don't be, You might as well walk around with 'SUCKER' written on your head. It's addictive I know! However a coffee a day can be an expensive habit. A coffee junkie can rack up over £1000 a year

Try Making your own coffee. Buy yourself some decent coffee a plunger and a nice coffee cup that keeps you coffee warm.

Don't buy what you already have.
Why purchase plastic containers. Many foods are bought in very useable plastic tubs!

Remember: Even buying package foods can be cheaper than eating out.
Restaurants are a wonderful form of entertainment, especially with the ever increasing range of establishments throughout the UK. Try and limit yourself to just eating out on weekends and special events such as birthdays. Try and make sure you have at least a couple of dishes handy that you can heat up for those days that you really don't feel like cooking,

Give up bottles of water.
Bottled water is an environmental nightmare. Fill your own water bottles to take with you. You don't need to spend £1 or more for something you can just turn a tap for.

Be a Financial Detective
Ok that sounds a little over the top but it often helps to keep an eye on how much things do cost. This takes a lot of practice but as you shop try a train yourself to become familiar with how much things cost. If you know he cost of something then you will develop a nose for a bargain.

Stock up. When an item you frequently use goes on sale, stock up.
It's money saved! Even if you need to store 10 bags of flour in your cupboard.

Simple Saver: Put a lid on your pot
Water boils quicker and you will use less electricity if you place a lid on your pot!

What is in season?
Check what is season. Try and buy fruit,vegetables that are in season. It tastes so much better and also tends to be lower in cost.

Appliances can save you money!
Some appliances are investments and should not be seen as an extravagances. Try a soda stream instead of buying expensive fizzy pop, make your own ice cream with an ice cream maker etc

Give gifts that you have cooked or made.
Not only are they greatly appreciated, but they are also healthier and less costly than giving traditional presents.

Final Note: Even if you don't have financial strains these ideas can often be healthier and environment friendly and can help you save for something special. Remember.: "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do, or do without." Money Supermarket list several options for borrowing money temporarily until your next payday for those unexpected events. It is advisable to only borrow what you know you can pay back within a short period of time.