I haven’t bought elastic bands in years. The Royal Mail has been providing them free for ages. Albeit one at a time.

When a pile of mail drops through the door held together with an elastic band I take the elastic band and put it around the pen jar that I keep in the kitchen. Doing this regularly means I have an elastic band at hand whenever I need one.

This tip wont save you huundreds of pounds but it will stop you having to go out and buy elastic bands when you need them.