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Old style MoneySaving

Archives for November 2013

Meal Plans WB 2nd December
So I may not be following the meal plan religiously, but sometimes with having the baby I can't be bothered to cook big meals and we end up with something simple instead. But we are not having take-aways or ready meals or spending extra money... so a big success in my books :) Sunday - Roast Chicken, Yorkshire Puds & Veg…
Who loves rubber chicken?
Tesc0's are currently selling 2 x 1.9kg chickens, BOGOF. The size varies by small amounts but £6.00 for 2 chickens I thought was great value. I have mine in the slow cooker ready for a quick tea tonight, tomorrow will be roast chicken with all the trimmings and will see what I fancy on Monday. 9 meals out of 1 chicken is…
OS Daily Saturday 30th November 2013
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 welcome, please do come in, put your feet…
Homemade Xmas Gift baskets
Hello everyone :hello: This year we are on a budget for Christmas gifts. I've come up with the idea of making food gift baskets/hampers for the adults and was looking for some suggestions as to what I can put in it. Ideas so far based on my (limited) cooking capabilities: - Victoria Sponge - Chocolate Chip Cookies (can…
Does anyone use a pie making machine?
Afternoon all, does anyone here use a pie making machine? I have been looking at the for ages and really can't make up my mind whether I think they are good or not? I try not to use the oven for just a pie but having one of these would mean I don't need to switch the oven on and they only take about 10 minutes to cook. Any…
How sociable are you?
As a city dwelling OS I find if I talk to people about being frugal and doing things the old fashioned way, they look at me like I have two heads. Everyone seems to talk about careers, moving up the ladder, buying fancy stuff, holiday etc. Basically I have nothing in common with these people. I love it on here and on other…
Decorating a Dalek cake
I bought a dalek cake mould from Lakeland a few months ago and have successfully made a couple of plain cakes using the suggested 8 egg recipe. Now though I want to try and decorate the next one I'm making. I want to make a red and black dalek. Can I use red ready roll icing (and if so will one packet be enough) and then…
OS Daily Friday 29th November
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 welcome, please do come in, put your feet…
Meat Thermometer?
Am wondering whether anyone uses a - preferably digital - Meat Thermometer and whether they could recommend are reliable make of one please?
The Great 'Cheap Christmas recipes' Hunt
Great 'Cheap Christmas recipes' Hunt Whether it's traditional turkey with all the trimmings, or a festive feast dreamed up by a celebrity chef, cooking a Christmas lunch can soon become very pricey. So we'd like to hear MoneySavers' cheap and cheerful recipes to bring the cost down. Click reply below to discuss. If you…
Xmas pudding made from breadcrumbs?
Does anyone have a tried and tested (and thumbs up) recipe for making a Christmas pudding with breadcrumbs? I bought one at a country fair once that was made with breadcrumbs and cider which was yummy. I've found various recipes in books but they vary wildly with the ratios of ingredients, and none use cider. Can anyone…
Mini Oven!
Hi, I'm so excited as I just got an Andrew James mini oven. I only have a plug in hob and halogen oven, so this means cooking just opened up for me! (I have no room in my tiny kitchen for an actual oven) So what can I do with it? The manual just gives basic info and I'm very keen to see what I can with it. My halogen…
Slow cooker advice
Can anyone tell me if it is cheaper to use a slow cooker than it is to use the stove. Not sure how it works with it being on all day or whether it is cheaper to use stove for stews etc. I have seen a 6.5l one in Argos for just £19.99
OS Daily Thursday 28th November
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 welcome, please do come in, put your feet…
3/4 frozen beef joint
I didn't realise my daughter had turned the temperature dial on the fridge (maybe yesterday). My slow cook beef joint was in there and when I found it was about 3/4 frozen. The temperature in the fridge was -2oC. I've stuck it in the freezer now to finish freezing but do you think it will be okay to eat? Thanks
OS Daily Wednesday 27th November
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 welcome, please do come in, put your feet…
My jam & marmalade didn't set
I made apple & plum jam - 3 jars & 18 jars (!!!!) of marmalade (Oranges & a quarter apple). They haven't set:( What can I do? Buy that Certo stuff & reboil? How much do I need for 21 jars? Its sweet enough, so I don't want to add jam sugar:(
OS Daily Tuesday 26th November
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 welcome, please do come in, put your feet…
Recycling old face flannels or towels
I keep lots of rolled up flannels in the bathroom for people to use as individual towels when washing their hands - saw the idea in a nice restaurant. Anyway, the white ones are all showing signs of ageing and I was looking for ideas to use them up. I saw an idea in Granny Chic book to bind the edges with pretty bias tape…
Can't make a decent pan of mince these days!
Mince and potatoes used to be the easiest meal on the world to make, but these days I can't make a decent pan of mince to save myself..I'm not doing anything different than I used to, so is it the mince that has changed? Is it tasteless now? I've tried all the supermarkets except for Waitrose and M and S, and can't see any…

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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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