Using less of toiletries

How many times have you used an entire handful of shampoo only to wash it all out just a few seconds later? How many times have you used enough body-wash to bathe a hippo? How many times have you drawn an inch-long strip of toothpaste over your brush?
Whatever toiletries your bathroom rituals are composed of, chances are good that you use far more of them than you really need to.




Pay attention
By being mindful of how much of these products you are using each day, you can make them last much longer without changing how well the product works.
Take toothpaste, for example: many toothpaste tubes are designed with openings that deposit a larger amount than is actually required. Using just a pea-sized blob is adequate - using more won't make it work any better. 

By being mindful, you may find that your toiletries last twice as long, which means that you will have halved your annual expense on it.


Date it
They say that what gets measured gets done. When you first open something, write on the date in permanent marker. Not only will this give you an indication of how long something lasts (and, therefore, how much it's costing you per day/application), but you may find yourself going to additional effort to make it last as long as possible.
Once the product is all used up, make a note of how many days it lasted, then challenge yourself to make the next one last just a few days longer. You may be surprised by how far these things can be stretched without compromising on their effectiveness.


Convenience is costly
Where possible, avoid relying on convenience products. Wash your hands instead of using sanitizer, wash your hair instead of using costly refresher sprays, and avoid travel-size products where possible (if you need travel sized items, you can always buy little bottles to decant  your products into).


Go generic
Brand names are always more expensive than generic products. But picking generic products doesn't necessarily mean that you're compromising on quality: take a moment to compare the list of ingredients, and you're likely to find that many if not all of them are identical to those of costly branded products.

Buy when it's cheap
It may seem obvious, but many people make the mistake of buying toiletries only when they need them: if you've used the last of your toothpaste this morning, you're probably going to end up paying more than you should. Instead, you should always be on the lookout for special offers, and even buying in bulk when prices are particularly low. Things like shampoo, conditioner, body-wash and toothpaste last for years so there's no need to worry about these things 'going off'. 


Cupboard clearing challenge
Over the years we seem to accumulate toiletries. Whether they're received as gifts, bought as an impulse purchase on special offer, or you've made a switch the second a new product has hit the shelves. 

Fortunately, most such products have a phenomenally long shelf-life. You can save a lot of money with our cupboard clearing challenge. The rules are simple: use everything you have before buying more.
Don't attempt this challenge if you have special requirements of certain products like allergies to certain chemicals, sensitive teeth or skin, dandruff, etc.

Tips
Finally, let's take a look at a few penny-pinching pointers that didn't seem to fit anywhere else:

• Squash new toilet rolls into an oval shape - it won't turn as easily on the spool so you're less likely to unroll more than you need.
• When using pump-action bottles, only press the pump half way. Alternatively, you can decant the product into a different bottle.
• Cut the ends off empty toothpaste tubes: you're likely to find enough left for two or three uses.
• When you get to the bottom of a bottle of shampoo or conditioner, add a little water and give it a good shake: there's likely to be enough left for at least one more shower.
• A teaspoon full of body-wash should be enough to wash your whole body, even if you're hanging on to a few extra pounds. If you apply it to a puff or sponge rather than your hands, it's likely to last longer. 

Conclusion
Using less of something is always a good way to save money, and as most households spend an astonishing 500 pounds on toiletries every year, it's a good place to start.