SUPER SAVER
My whole family uses the same dirty bath water to save cash – we’re such cheapskates we don’t even heat the water up
Watch the video to learn more about the family's money-saving techniques
A MUM has revealed that her whole family bathe in the same dirty water to save cash.
Melanie Rose, who describes herself as an extreme cheapskate, said that her family are never that dirty so sharing bathwater just "makes sense".
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To save even more cash, the Rose's don't even heat their water up, and use ice cold water to wash in.
Savvy saver Melanie even rations out shampoo and conditioner, and one bottle last the whole family six months.
If the rations run out, the family has to wash without it.
Instead of toilet paper, the family use old newspaper that they are able to get for free.
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Speaking to TLC's Extreme Cheapskates, Melanie said that she can afford to buy toilet paper but "we just don't need it".
The family does have electricity, but choose to use lanterns instead, to save on their energy bills.
"There are some people in our family that think our cheapskate ways are a little out there", Melanie said.
"I can see why people think our behaviour is over the top, but I don't care about being normal".
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Instead of using a washing machine, the family washes their clothes in a bucket in the garden.
"It's something we all love doing together", she said.
I’m a cheapskate mum-of-10 - we eat ROADKILL to save cash and I feed my kids weeds too
Instead of keeping their food cold by using electricity, Melanie's husband has buried their freezer under the ground, so that the food can stay cool without the family having to fork out.
"The good thing about this is that it doesn't cost a dime", he said.
One of the most extreme things that Melanie does to save cash, is to pull her own teeth out, instead of visiting the dentist.
"If I have a cavity, I just take a hammer and chisel and just chip at it until it falls out".
Melanie said that she once rendered herself unconscious by using this method, but wasn't fazed, and just finished off the job when she woke up again.
The Rose family survive on just £800 a month, and four of them share one double bed.
How to save on your energy bills
SWITCHING energy providers can sound like a hassle - but fortunately it's pretty straight forward to change supplier - and save lots of cash.
Shop around - If you're on an SVT deal you are likely throwing away up to £250 a year. Use a comparion site such as MoneySuperMarket.com, uSwitch or EnergyHelpline.com to see what deals are available to you.
The cheapest deals are usually found online and are fixed deals - meaning you'll pay a fixed amount usually for 12 months.
Switch - When you've found one, all you have to do is contact the new supplier.
It helps to have the following information - which you can find on your bill - to hand to give the new supplier.
- Your postcode
- Name of your existing supplier
- Name of your existing deal and how much you payAn up-to-date meter reading
It will then notify your current supplier and begin the switch.
It should take no longer than three weeks to complete the switch and your supply won't be interrupted in that time.
"We don't mind cuddling, we're just that kind of family", she said.
Melanie said that there are two other bedrooms in the house, but she doesn't want to use them, as this would up her energy bills.
The family weren't always such cheapskates, but have decided to challenge themselves by seeing how much they can save.
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"It became like a game", Melanie said.
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