Eight multi-use items that save time and money

We round up the products that can simplify your life and boost your bank balance.

Some personal ‘upheavals’ mean I’ve been living away from home for the last couple of weeks, out of a small and hastily-packed suitcase.

When you don’t have access to your usual array of household products and personal possessions, you’re forced to come up with some imaginative uses for things.

And it’s got me thinking about the items you actually never use… and the ones you really can’t do without.

So here are eight items that can be used for a multitude of purposes to save you time and money.

1. Shampoo

As I’ve discovered, a mild shampoo can perfectly well triple up as a shower gel and shaving cream.

It can also be used for hand-washing your laundry and plates, scouring the bath and cleaning the car!

2. Honey

As well as being a great spread and sugar substitute, honey has important medicinal properties. It can be used to soothe sore throats, and - because it has mild antibacterial qualities - can even be used on cuts and grazes.

It can also make your skin look good: Before you shell out on a pricey face mask, try making your own using honey, an egg yolk and a few drops of olive oil. This can also be used as a hair conditioner - just make sure you rinse thoroughly!

3. Nail varnish

Clear nail varnish may not be an essential household item, but if you have some already it can be put to a plethora of good uses.

For a start, it can be used as a glue substitute (for sticking down envelopes, for example, or for re-setting loose stones in jewellery). You can also paint it over labels to make them smudge-proof.

A dab of clear nail gloss will prevent screws rusting in moist environments (and coming loose). It will also help prevent cracks in leather shoes getting worse.

On a slightly more personal topic, covering a wart in nail varnish should also prevent it spreading.

Finally, nail varnish can be used as an emergency treatment to prevent hems unraveling, and ladders in tights from spreading.

4. A sarong

A simple sarong can be a multi-use God-send, especially when travelling.

For example, a sarong can be used as a light towel, a bed covering, a skirt or a top. You can tie the corners together and use it as a beach or laundry bag; or use it as a scarf to keep warm.

Alternatively, you could use it as a picnic blanket in the park or on the beach, or wrap it around other clothing items to make a pillow. In an emergency, you could even use one as a tourniquet to stop bleeding.

5. Aluminium foil

Foil can be used for far more things than just cooking. You can cut through several layers of it to re-sharpen blunt scissors, or ball it up to use as a scourer. Just don’t use it on surfaces that are easily scratched!

Foil can be rolled up to create a pouring funnel or piping bag, and used to protect door handles and wall hooks when painting.

Finally, lining the wall behind a radiator with foil will help your home retain heat by bouncing it back into the room.

6. Newspaper

There are plenty of things you can do with a newspaper after you’ve read it and before it goes in the recycling.

Newspaper absorbs smells, so loosely ball up a few sheets and use it in whiffy shoes, suitcases, lunchboxes or drawers.

Alternatively, line your fridge’s fruit and veg drawer with it, and change it regularly. And it efficiently absorbs moisture too, so is great for stuffing into shoes to help them dry out.

Scrunched-up newspaper is also great for cleaning glass, getting rid of grease and smudges. And finally, it’s a great all-purpose packaging material. Don’t pay for foam and bubble wrap if you don’t have to!

7. Double up banking and saving

It’s not just household items that can be used for more than one purpose. Certain financial products have more than one use, too, and can save you time and money if used correctly.

Certain current accounts now offer in-credit interest rates which beat those offered by savings accounts. For example, the Preferred In-Credit Rate account from Santander offers an in-credit interest rate of 5% APR for the first year, on the first £2,500 in the account. You'll also get £100 in cash for switching over.

So, if you have under £2,500 in savings, you can choose to simplify things, rather than opening a separate easy access savings account as well.

Just remember that you’ll need to pay in at least £1,000 every month to get this rate; and it will drop to just 1% after 12 months, at which point you’ll need to look for a new savings option.

8. All-round credit cards

The credit card that’s best for you generally depends on what you’d like to do with it (for example, whether you’d prefer to spend on it, or make a balance transfer of existing debt).

However, certain cards are good ‘all-rounders’, which are suitable for both these purposes. That’s because their 0% periods for balance transfers and new spending last the same amount of time, so you don’t get caught out by negative order of payment, and end up paying more interest that you need to.

At the moment, for example, the Sainsbury's Finance MasterCard for Nectar Holders, the Virgin Money 12/12 credit card and the Barclaycard Platinum with Purchase card all offer 0% deals on balance transfers and new purchases for 12 months. Just remember to pay off your bill in full before the interest-free period comes to an end to avoid getting stung by a hefty interest rate.

Which multi-use items or products are your favourites? Leave a comment and let us know!

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