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Old style MoneySaving

Archives for July 2006

Never knew I was wasting so much!
I know that you are probably all wise to this already so feel free to laugh at me and go :rolleyes: if you like, but today I was gobsmacked at the amount of body cream I found inside an allegedly empty plastic bottle. I decided to cut it up and all the inside was lined thick with the stuff, so much that I reckon it can do…
Butter Tablet Recipe Please
Hi, Done a quick search and couldn't find a recipe on here for good old fashioned butter tablet! I used to have a fabby one but lost it during a house move. It's my step dads favourite and it's his birthday in a couple of weeks so wanted to make it for him as his prezzie ... All help greatly appreciated - thank you
Wool at the Works
Now I have seen it all, the Works have those fluffy silky balls of wool, I don't know what the stuff is called but everyone was knitting scarves with it last year. The best thing was it was 12 balls for £9.99. How many balls does it take to knit a decent sized scarf as I have 3 balls in 4 different colours, would 3 balls…
Recycling envelopes
Does anyone remember those labels Oxfam used to sell so you could easily recycle envelopes? You just folded the label over the opened edge and it would cover the old address and postmark. I wonder if they still exist. It's a lot neater than sellotape and tippex. :D
how to dispose of old knives
I'm having a kitchen clear out prior to moving. I've got a few gadgets etc to sell at a car boot but I have loads of old knives that I haven't used in years that I don't want. (part of naff knife sets that I've been given as gifts over the years!) Some are big meaty chefs knives and I feel it would be irresponsible to try…
steam cleaning
Hi there, I am moving in with my boyfriend - I am so very excited but would prefer to live in my flat as it is 'nicer', but his is bigger. And as I keep reminding myself, it isn't about the place, but the person! Anyway, his flat has very much been a bachelor pad, with him renting the spare room to his mate for tha lsat…
Plum questions - storage
I have a plum tree laden with plums. What shall I do? There are hundreds, they are snapping the branches but not sure if they are quite ripe. Any suggestions for storage, usage and when to harvest? Thanks ps - anyone in Leeds is welcome to a plum if they are passing.
How much basil - help asap please!
I'm making a tomato spag sauce as we speak, but I've just realised I have no idea how much basil to use or how finely it needs to be chopped. To gauge amount I've used 800 grams of chopped toms. Thanks in advance for anyone who can help. Kelly
old-fashioned drain cleaner?
Does anyone know of a traditional drain cleaner for slow running drains? I've tried several of the supermaket's products e.g Mr Muscle drain cleaners etc and i've also tried mixing a solution of boiling water and soda crystals but neither has really helped much. Ideas gratefully received!
Soup recipes
I'm very bad at making soup and looking for some recipes, hints and tips! I've only ever successfully made carrot and coriander but it still wasn't great! any ideas?
Freezing pies and crumbles etc......
I have searched the thread and the index and cannot find what I am after...I have loads of apples picked from a tree to make pies and stuff and want to know the best place to get containers to freeze them in.:o I presume foil will be best as it can be put straight in the oven once defrosted...SO where is the best and…
Does anyone know the link to the useful folded paper notbeook thingy?
I read about it on here somewhere but I can't find it. Does anyone know the link?
poster paint on kids football shirts help needed
As the title says, in the midst of trying to keep my two boys occupied I sent them outside I setup the patio table and let them paint some stones with poster paint. Like an idiot I did not think about changing their tshirts. However I didn't think it would be too much trouble to get out,yeah right. I have tried to put them…
Can I freeze "Chicken Tonight"?
HI Guys, I have half a jar of chicken tonight (creamy pepper) sauce left in the fridge, and i wondered if I could freeze it? On the jar it says that you can freeze it once its been made up into a meal, but doesn't say if you can freeze it as it is.:confused: I don't have chicken left this week to make it into meal, until I…
slow cooker chutney
anyone got a recipe for apple chutney made in a slow cooker? have got an apple tree and this year it's doing quite well, and I love apple chutney, but guess the easy route is to use the slow cooker - any help appreciated :j
Help! White plastic food savers stained orange in dishwasher...
Can anyone help, please? I bought some new plastic food savers and the packet said they needed to be washed before using. They are 'dish-washer safe' so I popped them in the top rack, but stupidly, so stupidly, left a pan in the bottom rack that had contained spag bol.... Now my new food containers have a lovely orange…
Ideas needed plz:-)
Hello, I could do with some help here and I hope somebody may take pitty on me and show me the error of my ways. We are a family of 7 thats moi, dh and our 5 little sprogglets aged 9,7,5,1 and 3 months. ( 9 yr old is a girl the rest boys who eat,eat and umm eat!) I have just been over to debt free wannabe as I would like…
Chicken help urgently needed!!!
Hello, I need a bit of help before 9pm..... A neighbour has asked us to put their chickens in at night while they are away on holiday. We've just been down and although it isn't dark yet all but one of the chickens were waiting by the door of their shed to be let in. But one wasn't, and despite 30 mins of trying to round…
I don't have a freezer
Hello everyone. I've recently moved home (in a hurry and on the cheap) and I don't have a freezer. This is a big problem especially in the current heat. Without shopping for fresh every day, how can I make food last without going off? Even pre-packed lettuce is turning brown well before the use by date without even…
OS/ HM soft furnishings
Having moved into my first proper house 4 weeks ago, I'm trying to jazz it up OS (and cheap!). I have purchased one of those JML easystitch sewing machines (only £20, only does one type of stitch though) and have just had a rather succesful attempt at making 2 cushions for the bedroom. I'm looking at being more adventurous…

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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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