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Archives for July 2009

Jam - waxed circles??
I want to make some jam and when i looked up jam making in my recipe book it said I have to cover the surface with a waxed circle before I lid it :-/ Is this necessary and where would I find such an item :o i was intending on just putting a lid on and having done with it :o
Charity shop vs Freecycle
I just wanted peoples opinions in this. I have a large black bag of clothes as a result of (finally!) de-cluttering my wardrobes. However, I don't know whether to tale them to the charity shop, or offer them on freecycle. What would you do?
How can I use up port and sweet sherry...
How can I use up port and sweet sherry...not neccessarily together :o ). I was given a bottle of each in a hamper form last Christmas, and not sure what to do with them really I can think of sherry trifle - yum - but do you have any others recipes especially savoury recipes please?
help quick? meat juice thickening....
hi all, have cooked a chicken and drained off the juices ready to make gravy, only have realised i have no gravy grans, or cornflour in the cupboard! :o i am as i type reducing the juices, what can i do to make a nice gravy? all advice greatly received! merlin xx
Colmans Sausage Casserole Mix Recipe
I am looking for a recipe which produces a sausage casserole which tastes like the Colmans packet mix. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you x
Calling all Southern Ireland Oldstylers
Hi everyone, I am hoping you can help a poster on here( not me) who lives in Southern Ireland to get the best possible shopping tips and Oldstyle tips to make his budget go further. We have been discussing things on my thread and i really think he would benefit from your wonderful advice. I thought i would post on here as…
Ground cinnamon, Ground nutmeg and minced garlic, What can i do with these??
Just found these 3 unopened jars in my cupboard. Any ideas would be great. Thanks.
boiled water from vegetables
If you buy frozen vegetables and then boil them, can you use the water afterwards for anything?
1970s Habitat Chicken Brick
I know there have been threads about chicken bricks before but I have a specific question: I have had my (Habitat) brick since 1972 but haven't used it for years. There are instructions for modern chicken bricks which need you to soak the brick in water and cook for various amounts of time, but I seem to remember that all…
breadmaker for a single person
Hello Can anyone recommend a breadmaker for a single person, preferably cheap. Also, is it more economical to make your own bread? Does homemade bread keep well? What type of yeast do you use. sorry for all the questions as I have never made bread before. thank you
can you eat healthily and cheaply??
I have followed a few of the threads here concerning eating chepaly and some are excellent but is it possible to eat more healthily without relying too much on bread and carbs? My diet is pretty poor I am first to admit and would love to have more fruit and veg in my diet but how to do it cheaply?
OS Daily Thread - Friday 31st July
Hi there! This is the Daily Thread for Friday 31st July! This is an 'Over the garden fence' type thread where we chat about everything Old Style and maybe a little bit more. It’s a great, inspiring and motivating thread we start each day to discuss what Old Style things we’re going to do today or what we’ve achieved…
I Need The Easiest Brown & White Bread Recipe Pls (BM)
Im just getting ready for when my bread maker arrives........Ive had little success making nice white bread in my BM but im going to try a couple more times before i decide that making my own bread just isnt for me. So can anyone recommend the best fail safe brown and white bread recipes? Many thanks Pix
Tart apple pie...needs to be sweeter
Made a fabulous home made apple pie today with some of our bramley apples glut. However, I used demerara sugar (thought it might be healthier) instead of white and it is rather tart..to say the least. Any ideas how I can sweeten the rest of it...without smothering it in custard. Theres about two thirds left.
ideas for more variety and less cost in my diet?
Hi all, I hope you don't mind me posting. I've been on a diet and changing to healthy eating. From eating total junk most of the time, in a month I've changed to getting my five a day, eating the right proportions, and everything. I've done it with the help of a health trainer and she's agreed I'm doing really well. I've…
Disposable versus washable
Hi all, I am writing to get a kind of poll type opinion on washable versus disposable nappies. I keep reading conflicting information about their merits so wondered how you all felt? Now, what I have read is that the cash cost of washing powder, water, electricity etc for washables is not much less than for disposable.…
Rolled Edge Pan Woes
About half of my baking & oven pans/tins have what I'll call 'rolled' edges. When I wash them, water stays in this rolled bit for ages! This past Sunday I washed one of my roasting tins, dried it and left it set on the counter. Over 5 hours later when it was tipped to one side water dripped out. There have been times when…
Does anyone know how to make crumpets?
hi there, does anyone know how to make crumpets? and if so can you use a breadmaker? My little girl just loves them and I thought id have a go myself!
Green Mung Dal
I have found in my cupboard a 2kg bag of Green Mung Dal (split dried green mung beans I think). I have no idea why I have it in my cupboard, and it has a best before date of Sep 2008. Anyone got any suggestions on how I can use this??? Thanks!
HELP- too many veg!
Oh dear, I am in a very non-old-style quandary. I normally get a veg box delivered every fortnight and have been trying out two companies to see which is better value. They make you set up a regular order but I have been cancelling it if I don't feel I need it and to keep costs down. However, my kitten has been sick this…

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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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