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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for August 2008

help just dyed a wool cardigan
a blue tshirt has turned a white wool cardie into a light blue one. is there any way to get it back white
Cheap vs Expensive & Small vs Large..
Just wondering whether a cheap showerhead is better than an expensive one/a small showerhead is better than a large one? I also have a low pressure water supply going to the shower, so any ideas/opinions would be appreciated. Thanks :)
Wallpaper protector ??
Hi guys heres one for you to mull over. Is there anything that you can put on wallpaper that will help to protect it from accidental bumps and knocks?. I am only asking as we have had the entire house decorated not 4 weeks ago and already there are a couple of small scratches and scrapes on the wallpaper. Is there anything…
Wall Mounted TV Advice
Hi there, I am currently decorating my liviing room, and to save on space I have decided to put the TV on the wall. I need a professional to do this properly as I don't trust me and OH not to drop it!! What companies carry out this type of work? All of the connections and sockets are in place. I would need them to fit the…
B+Q 15% discount day
Hi does anyone know when B+Q will be holding their next 15% off everything in store day. I want to buy a bathroom suite but am holding out till they announce a 15% off day.
I need a new hoover, help needed
Hi, I really need a new hoover, and would appreciate peoples advice. Basically I want something under £80, but would stretch to £100 if absolutely necessary. My last hoover was an Electrolux Powerplus, but the plastic tubing has split twice since I bought it about 2 years ago. Any advice on a decent domestic hoover would…
Microwave recommendations.
I'm looking at a new combination microwave. 23-27 litres. Does anybody have any recommendations? Preferably under £200.
Engineered vs Bamboo Flooring
Hello, I will be buying some flooring soon and can't decide between bamboo or engineered for my bedrooms. Both are about the same price. I have read pros and cons of both. Apparently carbonised bamboo is 30% weaker than natural bamboo so it looks like buying stained bamboo flooring is out. As relatively the floor is quite…
Toaster recommendations please
After 51 years (yes 51), our Morphy Richards Toaster has given up the ghost , so no more toast !! Can anyone recommend a replacement. As there are only 2 of us now a 2-slice machine is adequate. Thanks
Over paint oil gloss with a water based gloss?
My satinwood has gone a creamy colour after just a couple of months so can i paint over it with a water based one? i spent ages preping and really dont want to start again!!
Damp Proofing a cellar
I'm thinking of reducing the dampness of our cellar. The cellar is in good condition and reasonably well ventilated, for a cellar, but it is damp, especially after alot of rain. It's only used for storage of things like bicycles, tools and I do some DIY things down there. Basically, I'd like to improve its resitance to…
Couple Laminate Floor Laying Questions : Inuslation & Practical ??
I'm considering changing the carpet in our lounge to a wood/laminate flooring but have a couple of concerns. First one is insulation. I looked around DIY store yesterday & notice can get square "spongy" underflooring boards whch apparantly aids insulation, sound proofing & flattens out the floor Can anyone give me an idea…
Twisted/Rotten Floor Joists - how can we support them?
Good afternoon, We have some problems with some floor joists and hope someone can suggest how we could solve it. It is a terraced Victorian house. The room with the problem is ground floor and one side of it adjoins the house next door, the other is an external wall (garden is outside). We've got some boards up and it's…
which wood laminate to go with kitchen cupboards?
Can anyone give me advice as to what wood laminate would work best with my kitchen, i have oak shaker style cupboards. Atm its a walnut laminate a bit to reddy i think???
Putting in alcove shelving - but can't use all 3 sides?
hello all, I'm after a bit of advice/guidance. I want to make better use of our alcove in a spare room, ordinarily I know you'd use three baton around the alcove and put a shelf on top. The problem is the internal wall on the left hand side backs onto our en-suite shower so I'm very reluctant to drill into it as the pipes…
urgent - plumber or electrician?
I'm staying overnight at at a relative's while they are on holiday. I just got a cracking electric shock off the shower. It's one of those ones with extra jets and lots of knobs to control them. As far as I can tell the overhead shower head and the top control knob are live when the shower is running! The heat control and…
Fungi on the ceiling
Hi, We just woke up this morning to find fungi growing on our utility room ceiling. We moved into this house about 2 months ago and the utility room is underneath the bathroom. (Something tells me theres a problem with the shower or bath!) Anyway, I have done some looking around on the internet and can't seem to find out…
Removing a toilet
We are moving into a new house and it has a downstairs toilet. We would like to remove the toilet (keeping it to put back when we move again) and plumb our washing machine there. IS it possible to remove a toilet fairly easily?i figured maybe we could use something to seal off any pipes and then put it back at a later…
Building Over Main Electrical Supply Cables
The electric cables supplying houses in my street run accross the back of the properties at high level We are having an extension built for my daughter and the architect as told the builders who are tendering for the work that they can build the extension roof across the cables, sealing them within the new structure The…
Offer, but can I haggle with large retailer? (time sensitive question)
Morning all money savers. We were out and a about yesterday as we need to replace our bed. Harveys have a bed set that is on offer and very good for the money and was in budget. However we then were advised the mattress on the bed which stated was free with the purchase was not and as such we needed to factor this into the…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

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