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Old style MoneySaving

Archives for January 2012

How to cope when you have had enough of money saving!
Just feeling a bit down lately,will be glad when we head towards spring. As most of us on here are feeling the pinch and not wanting to waste money,do you ever just feel fed up by it all? I don't like wasting money on things and like to find the best price and always research any big spend item before commiting myself. But…
Bleaching white school shirts
These are polo shirts im refering to and covered on anything from paint to dinner and black felt pen:eek: Im going to have to bleach them im thinking as they really don't look like persils going to shift it alone. So do I bleach them in a bucket now from dry or do I wash them with persil first then when wet add to a bucket…
Freezing Tesco's Chick n gammon pies?
Hi On Sunday last thing, I popped in my local T3sc0s and I picked up a few chicken and gammon pies from the deli counters - they were being reduced from £2 to 20p. :D I've not tried them before and asked the lad at the counter if it's ok to freeze (no storage instructions on the wrappers just bake for 20 mins at med heat).…
OS Daily Tuesday 31st January
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for 31st January. 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.…
can anyone reccomend a slow cooker i can use on the hob
hi my mum has a slow cooker she can fry onions and meat off in first then it goes on a separate base for slow cooking? does anyone else have one of these? thankyou bek
Lumpy Pillows!!!
Hi everyone Can you help me?! My pillows are maybe 4 years old now - I bought them in an M&S sale when I had some vouchers, along with bedding and a duvet. Everything else is fine but the pillows seem to have gone seriously lumpy - I mean literally there are lumps in the pillow! I've tried poofing them up and giving them a…
How would we recognise you?
I was thinking today how many of us pass each other in the street and don't even realise it? I then started wondering if any of us would ever know or realise. Today I saw a man pick up a coin from the street and I wondered if he might go home and use it for his sealed jar challenge or if he might be updating his sig later…
Chocolate free beetroot cake
We have a backlog of beetroot from our local box scheme that needs addressing and as we are not huge beetroot fans other than the tradition sliced in vinegar (someone has to like it like that). Has anyone made a cake with beetroot in that doesn't contain chocolate. I saw Nigel Slater make one, wondered if anyone here had…
Cake recipe using oil??
years ago my nan gave me a basic sponge recipe but it says to add oil?? apparently it makes the cake more moist? does this actually work. i've always left it out but was talking to a friend about it who thinks i made it up. anyone else heard of this??
HELP PLEASE !Recipe using a Blender and Microwave
Please OS ladies and gentlemen, we need your help:eek: Ds3 (17) is doing Home Economics A level and as such has to cook weekly. This week a recipe is needed that uses a microwave and blender as part of the preparation and cooking process. We are very stuck - and he has only a day in which to prepare and get ingredients.…
Saving money at BP garages
Hi, my work currently allows me a small amount of money each day i am working away, for breakfast. All my colleagues have coffee and breakfast spending each day, I don't. I much prefer water and I never have eaten breakfast. I have asked work for a pay increase instead of breakfast but they said no. i am looking to save…
Baking With Wholemeal
Hello, I'll confess, I'm not much of a baker - but I would love to make my own scones, muffins, oaty biscuits using wholemeal flour. I've heard the wholemeal flour can leave your baking a little "stodgy" rather than the fluffy texture you get with white flour. Does anyone use solely wholemeal flour in their baking? Would…
Got to buy new washing machine
The time is coming when I have to seriously think about sending my washing machine to its grave! It is working, in a manner of speaking, but the same cycle seems to be taking from 1hr to about 2 1/2 hours:( This time I want to put a bit of thought into what I buy, last time was simply the cheapest I could afford, have it…
Alternative to Catsan?
Hello OS'ers....can you help? I have 2 cats and use a large bag of Catsan cat litter each week. It's just short of £10 for a big bag and so its rather expensive. I don't like the 'clumping' cat litter as I find it smells REALLY bad after its been used. And I end up with chalky paw prints all over the tiles. Catsan seems to…
What have you made for lunch today?
With the success of the "what are you eating for dinner tonight" thread, I wondered if anybody was interested in sharing lunch ideas. I see threads come up every now and again when people are stuck for lunch ideas. I know there is a thread for packed lunches where people have suggested ideas. If people write what they have…
where have all the bubbles gone?
just wondering really with my washing machine, you used to see it nice and bubbly years ago but now I don't see any! I try and add stuff to the drawer to make it bubbly but nothing! where have all the bubbles gone nowdays?
Colouring salt dough
Hello, I ma going to make handprints in salt dough for my valentines gifts - Can i colour the dough red? if so, when do I add the colour? to the water before I add it to the dough or just to the mixture or will it not work? Also how much should i add?! Im using 1 cup of salt/ 4 cups of flour. Thanks:D
Sauce for Steak!
Hello, Looking for some suggestions/recipies for exciting sauce to accompany steak or beef. We made a lovely roast last night and still have loads left over. Tonight were planning on a beef curry, and with whats left over i'd like to make an exciting sauce to accompany for another night. I remember once, trying a…
New linings for copper pans
Hi, does anyone know where I can get my copper pans relined? I've searched but can't find a company that will do it. Many thanks!
cleaning
Hi, I wonder if you will settle a 'discussion' re cleaning a shower, I say spray and then wipe/dry off, my friend says she uses a scourer & cream cleaner. I thought that scratched the glass? Also what do you think of the clothes you use for the bathroom with just wetting them, would they really clean without any cleaning…

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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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