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Old style MoneySaving

Archives for March 2014

Shopping budget - opinions pls
I would love some assistance from savvy shoppers on here. There are two of us in our family (1 adult 1 child). Child is currently going through a fussy stage but my moto is eat what your given or go without until breakfast! I do make his faves of beans on toast and corned beef hash each week though. I buy all my meat from…
Actifry (or Airfryer!) cook times
Hi all. I have an Actifry and am currently testing a Philips Airfryer. How do folks work out or convert cooking times for anything not in the supplied instructions? For instance, chicken thighs? Apparently 25mins in the oven according to the packet. Or frozen/fresh sausages? Or frozen chicken breast! No idea where to…
weekly foodshop cost?
Hi all, Wondered if you could possibly give me some advice.... Every monday i have a DD sent to my own account from our joint account for food shopping, this amount is £80.00 pw but somehow i always end up drawing money out of our joint account as i run out? Where am i going wrong? surely £80 is enough to feed 2 adults and…
Old Style Daily Thread Monday 31st March
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…
Weekly Flylady Thread 31st March 2014
Welcome to the weekly Flylady thread. If you need help organising your week or getting motivated when it comes to housework then come and join us. Thank you Dusty for last week's thread Every room comes back around next week so please don’t stress about catching up These lists are only suggestions and not a must do list;…
Freecycle question..
Hi all, I hope I'm posting this in the right place? I have a question about freecycle & wondered if any of you could share your thoughts. I replied to a post offering a tv & ps3 on friday, and today I received an email stating that in the time it had taken for their post to be approved & posted they had moved home. They…
Forgot to taken chicken out of freezer.
Ok, I forgot to take more chicken out of freezer so only have one defrosted large boneless chicken breast fillet....for evening meal to feed 4. :eek: help please!
No Money For Three Weeks - Help with Menu Please
Hello there lovely Old Stylers, Due to unforeseen circumstances (I started a new job and my car that I need for work needed costly repairs) I have £5 to last three weeks until my wages come in to my bank account. I don't want to borrow any money as it means repaying it back and my monthly budget it already tight; so I was…
2in1 Actifry Issue
Hi all, not sure if this is te right forum to post in.... Just got a 2in1 Actifry today. Made 300g of chips and set the timer to 25mins. Had 5 chicken drumsticks so set the tray time to 18 mins. It beeped after 7 mins to add the chicken. Chicken cooked great, chips were hardly cooked! Any ideas? Almost as if with the tray…
Meal plans wc 30th March
Happy mothers day x :j Another use up week this week to help reign in my spending. Sunday- The family are cooking :eek: Nothing too testing mind just bangers, mash and mushroom and onion gravy with peas. Monday- Corned beef hash, I'll do it today in the sc to heat up after work. Tuesday- King prawn stir fry with samosa and…
Holiday cottage meals
This is a bit embarrassing..... Family of 4, off for a weeks holiday in the lakes at a cottage. But I've got a complete blank of what meals to cook/take.... I've already made up a ragu and cottage pie mix to take with us. Need some ideas for easy to make or prep in advance meals please! Thanks
Old Style Daily Thread Sunday 30th March
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…
Primark reduced thermals
Primark appears to be selling off all their women's thermal underwear. The tops and bottoms were £2 each. Originally about £7 I believe so a significant saving, just in case anyone wants to stock up for next winter. I bought for all my daughters, for ski trips and hiking next winter.
Sewing Machine Help!
Hi Everyone, Last September I bought a Hobbycraft Multi Stitch sewing machine as it was on offer (half price £22) and I thought it was a bargain! I'm a novice sewer - the last time I did any sewing was at school - and this looked like a good beginner's sewing machine. The machine came set up and ready to go (no need to…
New watch batteries keep running out - throw watch away.
I've got a watch that I bought about 20 years ago for £100. Whenever I put a new battery in the battery runs out within a few hours. I guess there must be some sort of short-circuit. Time to dispose of the watch and get a new one? Or could it be that I'm somehow short-circuiting the battery when I insert it? Thanks for…
Handbag repair in West London
I have a handbag and the clasp has broken. It's an ordinary magnetic clip, nothing fancy. I have been quoted £15-20 to replace it. [The place that said £15 is a long way away and would cost £5 in travel anyway.] Does anybody know of somewhere in West London (zone 1-2) that would fix a handbag clasp cheaply? I am surprised…
aaaaaaaaah left freezer door ajar all night!
OMG Hear a funny noise this morning, discovered it was freezer, had got something out late last night and the drawer hadn't shut tightly, nothing is defrosted, thank GOD, but I am just asking will it be okay do you think, and will my elecy bill be huge cos of this, I am guessing freezer has been on overdrive all night,…
Saturday 29th march. Old Style Daily
Old Style Daily Thread Saturday 29th March 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…
Alternative uses for Fabric Softener?
I've switched to using white vinegar in the washing machine instead of fabric conditioner. Can you list other uses for it because I have half a bottle of Comfort and almost a full bottle of Lenor? This evening I did add some of the Lenor to my homemade floor cleaner and my kitchen now smells lovely. Any other uses?
Thermal cookers: have you used one?
Evening everyone! On Twitter this evening Elaine Colliar has said she's making a Thermal Cookery Bag this weekend. Has anyone else used one? How did it go?

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MSE News

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.
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 Payments 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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