best for REAL LIFE
Rachel Howlett spends as little as possible every single day – even reusing tea bags seven times – and the festive season is no exception…
As I stroll through my local town of Biggleswade, I’d like to say I slow down to admire the twinkling lights, window-shop for presents for my loved ones and treat myself to a warm mince pie from the bakery.
But it wouldn’t be true. The reality is that, though the fairy lights are undeniably pretty, I shudder at the cost of them. There’s no window shopping – if I buy any presents at all, it would have been in the sales months ago. And there’s no way I’d fork out for a sweet treat! Instead, I make do with a swig from my trusty thermos flask, full of weak tea made with a bag I’ve wrung seven cups (yes, seven) out of before.
I’m unashamed to admit I’m thrifty and see no reason to change my ways just because it’s Christmas.
My frugal habits began years ago, when I was a child. I got a paper round when I was 12 and bought a couple of albums with my first pay packets but I soon realised it made me happier to save money than to spend it. I got a sense of satisfaction seeing my money mount up, knowing that it would be there for my future. And by always saving, I eventually managed to buy my own flat. And it is that... frugality which has stayed with me my whole life.
I’m a freelance gardener and do some caring work too, but I never know how much I’m going to earn in a month, so I like to keep a cushion in my savings in case times get tough. The cost-of-living crisis has only exacerbated my need for thrift.
Over the years, I’ve honed my costcutting ways. I live alone and usually spend around £13 on my food shop every week by buying yellow stickered food and making sure I use every scrap that I buy. I never peel vegetables as it makes them smaller, and use the stems and leaves in soups. I eat eggs weeks after their best-before date and yogurt a month past it – you can smell and taste if they’re off. Whenever I make pasta, I put it into boiling water, then switch off the gas, put the lid on and leave it for double the recommended time (it still cooks but you aren’t paying for the gas).
Baths are a thing of the past, as they’re far too expensive. I buy bars of soap rather than shower gel, as it lasts much longer. A few months ago, I found a dented can of shaving foam in the chemist, so I asked for money off it to shave my legs with – and got it!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned
I also never turn on my heating, instead wrapping up in blankets and thick jumpers to stay warm. My gas and electricity comes to £25 a month. Once the clocks go back, I don�
