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Archives for August 2006

Christmas Food - buying ahead?
What sort of foods can I buy ahead of Christmas for the holiday season? I'm currently thinking Christmas dinner, just the basics as there are only the three of us, of* Turkey - Frozen/fresh? Supermarket/butchers/farmshop ?:confused: * Roast potatoes & mashed * Carrot & turnip mash * Roast parsnips (OH's favourite) *…
Free software
Hi all, I have been using the following free software for about 2 years and have suffered absolutely no problems with hackers, viruses etc. They are available for free download from: https://www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads/ Then search for: Zonealarm - firewall (doesn't support Windows ME anymore) Spybot - removes…
Quicky question - my panasonic white bread is chewy / whats wrong ?
Hi I recantly bought the panasonic sd253 and have made about 4 white loaves- however they all are a bit chewy, kind of a bit rubbery ! can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong as I use the panasonic white bread reciepe exactly . recipe for large loaf- 1 tsp yeast 500g strong white flour 1 tbsp sugar 25g butter 1 and a half…
replacement for handwash????
i find my lot get through loads of hand wash liquid soap, but i am not keen on bars of soap as they can get really gunky. what is suitable as a cheap replacement. thanx molly xx
R & R on meat - Stupid question??
Hi i have notice on several posts people writting about R & R on meat. Now I am guessing it has something to do with buying it when its reduced, is this right??? or is there some other major offer I am missing out on? Sorry to sound so dim :confused:
Help drawing (and cutting) a straight line
The other month I posted on here about OS soft furnishings. Following on from the advice I bought some Simplicity Sewing for Dummies patterns. Anyway, I have started making my first roman blind. I have cut the panels and sewn them together as instructed, however I have just discovered that the blind narrows by about 2cm…
meal planning and monthly budgeting (bit long, sorry)
hiya all, been lurking for a while and finally decided to post cos I really need some advice :o I read with interest all the budgeting and meal planning threads, and I'm really really strapped for cash now (I had to buy a new car and it's wiped me out) so I could do with some tips for some severe money saving. After all…
LOL @ toddler's secret nursery food!
LOL I had to post to tell you this one... DD1 has a pretty good range of foods she eats to say she's 2 and a half. However despite trying her with salady stuff and rice, she has never eaten these, though she will eat cherry tomatoes and on occasion rice mixed in with her chilli (and the rice we hide in burgers and whatnot…
Slow Cooker Beef Casserole
Today my OH made beef casserole in our slow cooker and the beef was very chewy and rough. We bought reasonably 'good' beef and it had plenty of time to cook. The meat was uncooked when it went into the slow cooker but was covered in seasoned flour. I guess I am wondering a) is pre-cooking that important, b) there was next…
What brand of Tinned Tuna do you buy?
Apologies for such a daft question: I tend to stick the brand names for Tuna ie John West for some strange reason. I'm not fussy when it comes to tinned beans or tomatoes etc. I haven't given any of the other brands a chance (probably due to my mum's opinion about buying branded names) Does anyone buy other brands, if so…
Really chocolatey choc fudge cake
It's my DH's birthday on Friday and I want to bake him a cake. He loves chocolate and can eat it all day long :rolleyes: . Does anyone have a tried and tested extremely chocolatey cake recipe with fudgy type frosting? I've made the Nigella malteser cake before which went down a treat but would like to try somethihg…
Making a home-made secure money box
Right, I'm going to join the £2 coin savers club, as I figure this should go up quite quickly. The thing is, what can I use to save them in? I want something that I literally have to break open before I can empty it. I won't trust myself with something I can easily access. Once it's in I want it to stay in!!! :rotfl: Any…
white vinegar.
hello all , Have been reading the cleaning index with interest and came across the white vinegar instead of fabric conditioner thread. i have a couple of q's and apologise in advance if its already been answered... do i add wash powder as normal and put some vinegar in the conditioner section of the drawer? how much should…
Store cupboard recipe: Chickpea Curry
Totally inspired as I am by all of you I won't buy anything before the weekend when we go shopping, so I rummaged through the store cupboard. Since we do a lot of Indian cooking, I have all the spices at home, but I calculated that this meal cost me a wapping £0.90 for two, plus husband has leftovers for work tomorrow and…
Have you got OS friends?
Of course we all have on here, 'virtual' friends, but are your personal friends OS at all? I will start by saying I am SO lucky to know a wonderful group of people who think its perfectly normal to cook everything from scratch, and we swap recipes and hints, knit, sew, swop kids clothes etc. and are always on the lookout…
Bread disaster, help me please!
My bread maker has gone mental, I was given it a few day ago and have run it twice on the basic setting and it's been fine. But I ran it today on the sandwich setting and during the cooking setting it kept truing my electricity off! I'm going to natter at Morphy Richards about that fact that it turned my electricity off in…
Jam making book
As it's that time of year again can I recommend a jam making book? It's called *deep breath* The Right Way to Make Jams including Jellies,Conserves,Marmalades,Curds,Pickles,Chutneys and Ketchups by Cyril Grange. it's got loads of info and recipies (no beautifully back-lit photos though) and is only £3.99 on Amazon.
Freezing
After looking on here, I have learned a few things, i.e. You can freeze mashed potato! When you want to eat it, do you have to defrost it first or just heat up or what? Does the same applies for when you have frozen cottage pie? You can freeze roast tatties? Does this mean wedges as well? Again, do you have to defrost…
A vegetarian meal planner, please.
Do any of you good people have a veggi meal planner and recipes, please. Not strictly veggie but not keen on meat or poultry, do eat bacon and fish though.
Redcurrant and Blackberry Jelly
I have a pot full of our blackberries and redcurrants simmering away as I type but...disaster I seem to have mislaid my muslin!Can't get out today so any suggestions from you lovely oldstylers please?? I do have my supershiny new mouli which came from Tchibo this morning would that do the same thing??Any help in the next…

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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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