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Old style MoneySaving

Archives for December 2010

happy new year !!!!
:j:j:j:j:j:j thought it might be busy at midnight, and not sure i`ll still be awake :o
Freezer broken down.
I just found out that my freezer has broken down. As I don't know how long it has been like this (I was alerted by drips from the bottom) I daren't use any of the food that was in it. I am very short of money and don't have much in the way of cupboard standbys. I have to tax the car which leaves me approx £7 to spend on…
Your Moneysaving bargain of the year.
Buying Fabrics
Hello, I want to make my children some bean bags (the type you sit on, not the type you throw!) which fit in with our decoration. I am struggling to find heavy fabrics suitable for the job at a price I consider reasonable - even using ebay fabric shops, it would cost me considerably more to make than purchase readymade. Am…
How do I use a pan steamer please?
Im about to use my christmas present for DD and DS for the 1st time. Its a silver pan steamer from Ikea. The base looks like a sauspan then the 2 other pans that slot in have holes in it. Theres no instructions with it:o and I havent a clue. Im guessing its water in the bottom then veggies in the other 2 layers but am I…
Quick question re ice-cream/custard recipe
Hope it's ok to start a thread on this - if not, please feel free to move. Basically, I have a pot of Tesco fresh custard I know I won't use up at the moment - can I use it as a base for home-made ice-cream? There's more cream in the fridge I could add if needed, but I just wondered if anyone else has ever tried this, and…
MealPlans WB 3 January 2011!
Welcome to the New Year of menu planning :beer: This week we shall be having: Saturday - DH's Birthday - Gloucester Old Spot loin, HG roast potatoes, HG baked parsnips and carrots, HG apple sauce, HG sprouts; Christmas pudding and mince pies. Sunday - spinach and feta tart Monday - HM beef pies Tuesday - spaghetti…
OS Daily Friday 31st December New Years Eve
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for Friday 31st December 2010. 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…
Passing on OS to the next generation
My kids are son 18 and daughter 17 and are the generation where there has been no home economics/cookery taught in school in comparison to what I was taught from 1976 to 1981 of secondary school. It has occurred to me that if they've had to learn how to budget food shop/cook then that has had to come from me. Well I have…
slush puppy type drinks
I know this is not really the weather to be asking this question but I have a esperate craving for a crushed ice/slush puppy type drink. Anyone have any idea how I would go about making one?? My freezer dispenses crushed ice so I tried adding apple juice to it but it wasn't that great. Anyone have any idea?
New black leather gloves leaving black smudges on face
My husband bought some new black leather gloves from M&S today. I noticed that he had a black nose after a while and basically these new gloves were the culprit. I tried them against the skin on my arms etc, and no colour leak, but when I rubbed them against my face, the colour leaked again and left black smudges on my…
making your own wine and chutney?
i'm already thinking of next xmas and was considering making my own wines and chutneys to bulk out but i've never tried anything like this before so was hoping you could point me in the right direction, we have a pear tree so i was thinking of making pear chutney (had a wee google and saw a few recipes) but the jars seem…
Honey Roast ham recipe please
I made a gorgeous honey roast ham last year, but have lost the recipe. I can't remember either where I got it from in the first place which doesn't help. :o From what I recall of it, I didn't need to soak the joint and it was roast at a high temperature to start with and then lowered for the remainder of the time and was…
Role Reversal
I've always been the main cook in our house having set up a deal 12 years ago with the OH that had him doing the washing up and me doing the cooking. However a change in circumstances has flipping our world on it's head and he's going to become a house husband while i take on a new and much more demanding job wih V.Long…
how long too steam a 1 pint beef pudding?
Ok so after my success with the christmas pudding i`m planning to do braising beef and mushroom pudding for new years eve,the beef mix will be cooked in the slow cooker but i can`t find any recipes(3 pint pudding takes 3/4 hrs) to tell me how long to steam 1 pint individual puddings? Would it be 1 hr ?Thanks
OS Daily Thursday 30th Dec
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for Thurs 30th Dec. 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 already.…
Meal Planning Meltdown
Is anyone else getting stressed because all meal planning has gone out of the window? Thanks to the wonderful advice from you OS people I have meal planning down to a fine art. Usually every food item in the fridge, freezer and cupboards is allocated to a meal which will be cooked at some time over a 2 week period.…
New years eve menu ideas?
Hi we have a few friends round for nye and we are cooking the main course and dessert. I think I am going to make a selection of mini desserts or nigellas girdlebuster pie. Can't decide on the main, we have chicken breasts, diced beef, mince in the freezer. One of the guests cannot eat fish so thats out. They often come…
Pilau rice
Takeaway Pilau rice is a thing which varies alot from restaurant to restaurant. Some recipes add 8 or more ingredients, some just add whole spices, some add ground ones. What's your favourite homemade pilau rice and how do you make it?
The Great Declutter Part 3 - 2011
Hi everyone :wave: I have been asked whether I wanted to start a new Decluttering Thread, and as it is still proving useful to some members, have opened a new one for 2011. I keep dipping in and out, and am put to shame by everyone's efforts :o No, I'm still not there yet, but definitely next year ...:rotfl: And I think I…

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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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