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Old style MoneySaving

Archives for May 2012

Anyone made HM Cottage Cheese?
Was watching a programme on money saving when they said about making cottage cheese. We eat a lot of this especially for breakfast or evening snacks as its pretty healthy and a good protein source. The recipe was easy and went something like: Using full fat milk heat to just before boiling, then add a little salt and add…
vine leaves
We've just come back from a holiday in Crete. One of the things we enjoyed were stuffed vine leaves. I've found some recipes on the net but they seem to use bottled or even frozen leaves. We have a couple of grape vines in the garden so could anyone tell me if I can use fresh leaves-
How to use lovely lakeland cake tin
I gave in and bought myself this lovely Lakeland cake tin: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/16043/Lakeland-Fancy-Deep-Cake-Tin which makes a cake that's sort of 'patterned' on the inside. I can't get on with the Lakeland 'non stick' stuff they sell for spraying on your cake tins, so do I grease it, or grease and flour it, or what…
What is this - a root veg?
Hi, do these look like celeriac? The greengrocer gave me some various unwanted items and these were included. (Will not be passing for awhile to ask). The opened one appears tough and dry so maybe tasteless anyway? Thanks.
OS Daily 31st May
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for 31st May. 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. Everyone’s…
Surface cleansers
No, not the ones for your skin, but kitchen surfaces, sinks, etc. I bought a 1L bottle of Lidl Surface Cleaner today and decanted it into spray bottles. It was immediately obvious when I used it that it was too strong for spray use and frankly, a bit of a waste. I discovered that diluting it at least 50/50 with water it's…
1 weeks food shop for 1 adult
I need to spend the least amount possible for a weeks food shop, for just me. I am not good at cooking (but will have a go) and my freezer is on the blink. I need to feed myself for the 3 meals a day. Will be cutting out all snacks etc so need to try and find food thats filling, but healthy. I wondered if you had any…
Can I save overly sweet iced tea powder somehow?
I mail ordered a huge 3 Kg tin of iced tea powder to get me through the summer without lugging all those heavy bottles back from the store and spending a fortune on them as well. Seemed a bit of a risk to buy the huge tin, but reviews online were very positive and the potential savings in money and convenience pretty…
What cakes can I make?
Hi I am involved in a jubilee bash for Monday and need to make cakes, ordinarily, this would not be much of a problem, but I have ended up committing myself to so much over Saturday and Sunday that the only free time I have to bake will be Saturday evening. Now, while I don't actually eat that much cake, when I do, I like…
egg advice
Not sure I've posted in right place but I was making scrambled egg this am for my little one & when I cracked the egg it was all bloody. I haven't used it but was just wondering if I'd boiled it I wouldn't have noticed until cooked. Has anyone seen this before & is it usual in shop bought eggs? Has really thrown me!
OS Daily Wednesday 30th May
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for 30th May 2012 . 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.…
Freezable lunch time snacks
Hi there. I recently had to move my dd from school dinners to packed lunches because I can't afford the £45 a month :( In her lunch box she currently had a main (sarnie, roll, bagel, pasta) A yoghurt, piece of fruit and a treat. I normally buy whatever is on offer in the sm like a multipack of mini party rings or mr…
Cleaning textured stone wall tiles...
We are hoping to have a bathroom put in this autumn and we are only doing it Once i hope and will possibly live here for another thirty or forty years:eek: After umming and ahhing i have decided i really love the look of split faced stone tiles. They are pricey, but as i say, we aren't going anywhere quickly, and do not…
Cupcake boxes (where did i see them?).
Hi everyone. The other day, a leaflet came through my door for various shops, and on one of them was an advert for white cardboard cupcake boxes (y'know, the ones that you put your muffins in and put in a hamper for a gift). I thought it was from lidl, but went into lidl today and they had no clue what i was talking about!…
Freezer overload!
Hi I have a large chest freezer plus a normal sized one and both are chucka! We have an allotment so I have lots of frozen produce. I have been useless and not used anything up over the winter and now the allotment has started producing again I don't know how I am going to clear it down. I have the following goodies,…
Creative with pumpkin!
Hello all! I have recently discovered that where I currently live pumpkin is just about the most MSE thing you can eat - a big, tasty one is only about a quid, and lasts ages. They are the green, ribbed types not the orange Halloween ones. I've just made some fantastic pumpkin soup, but am looking for ideas on what to do…
OS Daily Tuesday 29th May
Hi, this is the Daily Thread for 28th May 2012 . 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.…
Maintenance OS now Im out of debt....
Ok, Hi! So, I paid off all my debts, hurrah, but Ive noticed that my spending has gone up a bit now Im safely in the black- more oven-cook food, less HM food, a few more ebay purchases - any ideas how I can keep things in check but still have a few of the luxuries we went 4 years without? EG I now get lots of fresh fruit…
Dingy white poly/cotton pillowcases
My dear OH dribbles in his sleep. I have some 'white' poly/cotton pillowcases (nice J Lewis ones) which I have been using as underpillowcases. But they are so badly stained now that I may have to chuck them. I have tried soaking in Vanish and also bio powders. I have tried several 60 degree washes (tho not a 90 since…
Faux Leather Sofa Stinks of Smoke can it be removed??
hello everyone, we bought a 2 piece suite from ebay and have discovered that it all stinks of smoke I have no idea what to do to get rid of the smell?? what can I clean fake leather with and can you ever get rid of the smell of smoke? Nothing removes its all sewn together. Has anyone ever experienced this? there is another…

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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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