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Archives for September 2012

OS Daily Thread Thursday 27th Sept
o/s daily thread 27th sept OS Daily Thread for Thursday 27th September This is the Daily thread for Thursday 27th September 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…
Paint concrete floor or not?
In not too long, a few weeks, the uilders we have had here for summer will be leaving and we move into our new kitchen, utility, and study (hurrah) however, we are not having a finished floor put down yet, This is mainly because of cash flow, but also because have made no final decision about what we want. The concrete…
How to clean a suede jacket?
I bought a brilliant suede jacket today in a Charity Shop. Rocha John Rocha and it only cost me £5! Problem is, I took it into the cleaners and they want £49.75 to clean it, so not too much of a bargain. Does anyone know how to clean a suede jacket other than dry cleaning? My apologies if I am duplicating; I searched the…
Calendar Help
Hi everyone Been a while since I have been on the site and have misplaced my copy of the mse calendar telling you what to do in each month of the year. Can anyone help me find it. Ive tried looking but will be here for ages.:o many thanks mav
This winter use a pair of gardening gloves as normal gloves
If you're like me and just want a pair of gloves that is a) waterproof b) hardy c) cheap d) simple and e) flexible (in terms of too hot/too cold).. gardening gloves to the job. I wear mine for everything BUT gardening.
Os Halloween adult costumes
My friend has just invited me and my dh to a Halloween party and I don't have a clue where to start needs to be free or as free as can be in. And sew and am quite crafty just my mind has gone blank do any of you fab lot have any ideas please
Martin's Money Show
(I looked but I don't think anyone else has started a thread on this.) Did anyone watch Martin's new show last night? While it was better than Superscrimpers, we weren't very impressed (I had to stop my DH switching it off). It was like an extended version of one of the slots he does on other shows. Virtually no new…
Can i freeze a chilli con carne that has lentils in it?
I am new to batch cooking/freezing meals. Tonight i am planning to make a big pan of chilli, and want to bag up half to freeze for another day. To bulk it out, i will be using red lentils as well as the kidney beans. Is it still OK to freeze it? And do i just pour it into a freezer bag and pop it in the freezer?
How to make it all work!?
Hey guys hope your all ok, and enjoying the week so far. I am completely stuck in a rut at the moment and would love for all your OS' to throw some of your amazing wisdom my way... So here it goes..... As some of you may know, have just been promoted at work (Which actually I thought would be amazing!!) and its not going…
My freezer is broken and all my food has started to defrost!
So i'm slowly cooking it up, i'm ok for most things i'm just cooking what we normally eat and freezing it in portions, but i need a few ideas first off a fresh whole salmon and makeral and second a whole bag of spinage now we only eat this in quiche so unsure what to do with it i might just bin it.
Help power cut
Can somebody offer any advice? Last night we had a power-cut for a couple of hours. Will food in my freezer be ok or should I get it all out, cook it and then re-freeze? I don't have a huge freezer space there is probably a week & a half of meals in there. Thanks.x
colmans season and shake
i really like the colmans season and shake and maggi recipe mixes, but not sure if they are any good for me, i am trying to lose wieght and not sure of the calorie count maybe i am being a bit thick with not understanding the calories. is there any alternatives- homemade ideas which would be less proccessed and not so many…
Help please - curtain laundering!
Hi again, I need some advice on how to wash my curtains, I got them free :j from a hotel which is having a refurb. They are lined with a material that has a slight "rubbery" feel to them and I am concerned that when washed it may stick to itself. They are in very good condition and I would hate to ruin them but I will not…
o/s daily thread 26th sept
OS Daily Thread for Tuesday 25th September This is the Daily thread for Monday 25th September 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…
Anyone use Sainsburys frozen Beef Steak Strips in casseroles?
The bag says best cooked from frozen ie stir fried for 8 to 10 mins. I was thinking of chopping them up and using them in a casserole in the slow cooker, will they be ok cooked slowly like this?
Repair peeling leather handbag
I have a lovely soft leather handbag (originally from the charity shop) but the leather is now cracking and peeling to show the beige lining. I have thought about glueing down the peeling leather but does anyone have any advice on how to repair it?
HELP! How do I get a concrete (painted) floor clean again!?
Right, this may seem like an obvious question but I'm stumped. I run a doggie day care centre which only opened in April and I'm desperate to cling onto my current clients but as dogs keep leaving a grubby shade of brown I'm worrying it'll not help business progress. Things were tickety-boo until the flash floods a few…
Quinoa really bitter
Help!! I'm making lunch for tomorrow and my quinoa is really bitter. I rinsed it but obviously not for long enough! Is there any way I can save it? I have put more water in the pan as it tasted a bit under cooked, I think, I'm a bit new to it but trying to eat healthily!
Help me resurrect my broken brownies !
Hi A colleague from work is leaving tomorrow, we are all bringing goodies in. I decided to make brownies, I've made them before no problem. Tonight, whilst tight for time obviously, my brownies have just collapsed into a heap. They no not resemble brownies, but they do still taste lush. Now, given their appearance the only…
Ration books - where can I get one?
Not sure where to ask this but hoping you can help as this thread is my spiritual home!!! I took my lovely grandson round the Stockport air raid shelters which are fascinating - he's recently done about WW2 at school. He got a lot out of it. On the way out I saw him speaking with the assistant in the little shop there,…

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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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