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Old style MoneySaving

Archives for March 2005

April Pin Money Challenge
Queenies' Challenge: "Ready for the Challenge details? Here we go. The Challenge will begin at the start of the new financial year (this takes into account the annual increases to your Community Charge, water rates etc. plus any changes in the National Budget.) No point relying on your 2004-2005 budget when things are just…
Chicken & sauce
I made a bit of a killing at my usually pathetic local branch of Tesco's this afternoon: 2 packs of 4 large VALUE Chicken legs each reduced to 30p 4 packs of 8 "Irish recipe" pork sausages, each reduced to 30p 3 pots of Tomato and Mascarpone sauce each reduced to 10p All are now in the freezer, costing a grand total £2.10…
Musty Coat
Bought a fantastic, immaculate Laura Ashley 3/4 Trenchcoat from (you guessed it) Ebay for £5 - bargain! However, it smells very very slightly musty. I was going to get it dry cleaned, but thanks to this month's cash crisis that is a bit of an unecessary expense. (plus also - would that work?) Any one got any ideas as to…
Does anyone still want a slow cooker?
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=77849&_LOC=UK For those who are still without a slow cooker, I thought this was very reasonable.
Grill Element Cleaning
I have a fan assisted electric cooker/grill that has the grill element at the top, my problem is that when i cook anything greasy in the oven or under the grill and the grease splashes onto the element. When i next use the grill it smokes really bad. Does anyone of a way that i can clean this element. Thanks in advance
using up pate?
I have a large slab of it in the freezer and I need to take it out soon. Are there any recipes I can use it in, like meatloaf or anything?:confused:
Can't cook don't cook! Time for change.
Hi folks, Me and my other half have watched with great interest Jamie's school dinners the last couple of nights and It suddenly dawned on me that we have a dreadfully unhealthy diet. Can't commend this guy enough for the work he has put in. The only thing which we can cook is mince. None of us have ever cooked a chicken,…
New Challenge? Organisation...
i was just thinking of a post i made recently concerning using printable forms from the organised home http://organizedhome.com/ i mentioned the freezer and panty forms (printed on the back of junk mail of course!) but i got to thinking that my hall cupboard and my big kitchen cupboard desperately need cleaning out. we…
Ice Lolly Ideas
we've decided that we're going to stop eating sweets in our house except on the weekends as my 3 year old dd has become very greedy and sometimes rather agressive about sweets. we've also decided to stop buying her ice lollies which she loved, i think the colourings are affecting her. so i'm going to buy some ice lolly…
Book on World War Rationing ?
Hi, this sounds a bit mad - but does anyone know of a book on rationing during the world war? Ie. A bit about the history (just cus im interested!) but also maybe recipes etc, little tips for stretching food a bit further - There are a multitude of excellent tips on this site (endless in fact!) but I'm sure there could be…
Making hummus
I was thinking of making a big batch of hummus for my daughter's school lunches during the holidays and freezing it in handy batches. Does anyone know whether that would freeze and defrost ok.
Oldstyle 'witnessing'
I wonder what reaction people get when they talk 'old style' to friends, colleagues etc? Here's a couple of reactions I've had: Recently I was chatting to a friend's girlfriend. She's a civil engineer and we got onto the subject of drainage and unblocking drains etc (as you do). Turns out she uses vinegar and bicarb for…
What can I do with old hoover bags?
Today I emptied the vacuum cleaner. I took the paper bag out and spent 10 minutes pulling all the bits out the little hole. One neighbour thought this was hilarious, the other leaned over the fence and whispered 'You are supposed to throw those away dear'. I replied 'are you mad? Its only 3 years old'. Anyone else re-use…
To dye or not to dye - that is the question.
OK, I bought a lovely white summer dress off Ebay for 99p (hooray) for my hols. It fits perfectly, and looks fantastic - what a bargain. However it is see through :eek: :rotfl: :eek: :rotfl: Now - will dying it a darker colour limit it's see-throughness? I think it might. Which leads me to - how do I do this? Are the…
Itchy Linen clothes
Hi I've just made a major clothes purchase; in TJ Hughes there were some kaftan tops, pants, and skirts, all of which fitted me in various sizes, and gave me confidence for the weddings and things I need to attend and look smart for this year. I'm a short overweight pear shape, and clothes shopping is normally a nightmare.…
Any uses for salted peanuts? ( WARNING - this thread may contain nuts! )
Have 2 very large bags of salted peanuts looking at me every time I open the food cupboard (christmas leftovers BBE April), any suggestions edible or otherwise?
I am Truly a Convert
I have converted to the MoneySavingExpert way of life! I have had my backside kicked into touch on the debt board, now believe that vinegar/lemon/bicarb's are the best cleaners since getting someone else to do it and I am now off into town to buy myself a great big slow cooker! In the meantime I've laughed my socks off and…
Kidney bean recipes????
Hi Everyone, I was just wondering if anyone had any interesting ideas for what to cook with kidney beans, I love them and from a moneysaving point of view they seem to be great very cheap and full of protein, the problem is the only thing I can think of to make with them is Chilli, does anyone have any good recipies. Thanks
Recipe for Brocolli & Apple Soup?
Someone brought some in to work a while ago and it was delish! Haven't seen her for a while and hope to make some this next week. Does anyone have a recipe for this?
April Challenge
As it's the first of April tomorrow can we have the April Challenge made sticky now please?

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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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