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Old style MoneySaving

Archives for September 2011

OS Daily Thursday 22nd Sept
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for Thursday 22nd Sept. 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.…
Best Curry from scratch recipe book?
I'm looking for a recipe book that will explain how to make different curries (preferably Indian) completely from scratch. I've found lots of recipes online for how to make the various pastes which have been great, but I want this as a present for a family member who is seriously into curry and has started doing more…
I've finally cleared out my kitchen cupboards!!
I have been really fed up with my kitchen for ages. There's been so much stuff in the food cupboards that I bought thinking I'd use it and then didn't! So wasteful I know and not at all moneysaving but today I tackled it. There was so much in there I could never find the stuff I actually DID need and all the cereal boxes…
can I make broc/cauli cheese today for sunday?
Pretty much as the title-do you reckon I can do that and keep in the fridge or should I freeze it? :beer:
Very un-shiny taps :(
Anyone have any advice on how I can make my old, very un-shiny, pretty manky bathroom taps lovely and shiny again? Preferably with something not too toxic! But not sure if there's anything non-chemical up to the job! Any suggestions gratefully received :)
Reasonable Food Budget for 1
Hi y'all, I'm looking for advice on what could be a reasonable food budget for me. I think I've been spending around £120 per month on food for just me :eek:. I've heard the 50p per person per meal, but I have absolutely no idea how you would get costs down that much! There are a few hindrances to my ability to cook and…
'10 things for 10 years' anniversary gift...
Hi all, I'm a newcomer to posting here, but have been reading through the OS forum threads - so inspiring, so many amazing tips & ideas! :D Next month is mine & DH's 10th anniversary. I'd like to do something nice for him, and thought maybe a box of 10 little gifts would be nice, one to celebrate each year together. I…
OS Daily Wednesday 21st September
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for Wednesday 21st Sept. 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.…
[FOOD] Is this ok?
I'm a student so I'm not an expert on cooking.. Basically I make a soup base with onions, peas, cheese, and vegetable stock powder. After cooking it I have a sludgy, very rich mixture, which I then put into a plastic tub and freeze. Whenever I feel like a bit I spoon a bit out of the frozen mixture out of the tub, put it…
Money saving with no Freezer?
Hi Guys I'm moving into a new flat but it only has a fridge with small ice compartment. Any ideas how a single bloke can save money on food etc.. without a freezer to freeze leftovers? Cheers for any help
What is a clove of garlic
Sorry for sounding thick, but when you break open a bulb of garlic and it splits in to four segments are each of those a clove or is it the smaller segments that the four segments are made up of that are a clove?
Freezing garden veg for winter
The parentals have a thousand apple trees in their garden (well not literally) and keep giving us cooking apples, I probably have approx 10lbs of cooking apples (maybe 20 apples). They also grow runner beans and gave given us 1.5lbs which is a large bowl full. I am meal planned and shopped for the next 2 weeks and no…
Strong Ties on Seat Pads
I have some gingham cotton seat pads for the kitchen table that long ago lost their ties.... snapped off pretty rapidly, so they are on the floor more often that the chairs. This may seem a silly question but I wan't to sew on some new ties but don't want them to a) snap b) rip the cushion or c) not do their job. Does…
Dumpling recipe?
Has anyone got a leek and potato recipe or an idea how I could make them? For dumplings that is. Sorry if this has already been asked but I've just about to dash out the door again. School meeting thats pointless but the new head has to show off **rolls eye** TIA QP
Food Budget.......Need some reasurance!!
Hi Folks Really just looking for some reasurance. I got made redundant :( and am currently 25 weeks pregnant. DH and I sat down last night to work out our finances and well they dont make pretty reading!! DH wages just about cover our mortgage and bills leaving us the grand total of £125 a month for food. :eek: We have had…
batch cooking for childbirth
hi, rach is due to give birth in november, and we are looking at ways to make life easier/cheaper. one idea we had is to make a load of very large curries, chillis etc and portion them out before freezing. if we did this with say chicken curry, lasagne, maybe pork curry, how long are they safe to be frozen for? and how do…
OS Daily Tuesday 20th September 2011
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for Tuesday 20th September. 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…
ideas for adaptations to fruit brandy drink
A friend sent me a BBC receipe for Blackberry Brandy. I made some today and used half blackberries, half loganberries (defrosted). I wondered if anyone has made blackberry brandy before and if I could use plums or other fruit in it?
OS Daily Monday 19th September 2011
H, this is the Daily Thread for Monday 19th September. 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.…
£50 left for food shopping till the end of the month help!!
Hi everyone! I have had a really expensive month and have got £50 left to spend on food for the next 2 weeks :eek: I really don't know how I'm going to do it, I normally spend £100 per week at least :o I know all you guys here at old style manage your shopping money very well and hope you give me some tips. The trouble is…

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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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