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Archives for September 2014

Replacement Memory Foam Mattress Cover
My landlord bought us a (very expensive!) memory foam mattress two years ago but I've noticed that, even with a mattress protector between it and our fitted sheet, the top surface of the mattress cover is getting very bobbly like a well-washed jumper and the cotton/polyester mattress protector is sticking to it like…
Food safety
Hello I was going through my freezer & came across some products I had forgotten about& was wondering if they are still ok to eat. They are sausages, burgers, & ready meals which where bought chilled in sealed packaging that is un-opened. I froze them as soon as I got them home before the use by date. The info states they…
Masterchef Australia
Is anyone else watching Masterchef Australia? What a lot of amazing looking recipes from things that would normally be binned
Stratford upon Avon - cheaply?
My sister has just got a new job after 2 years of unemployment but it is over 100 miles from where she currently lives. I am trying to help her as much as I can to save money on expenses, so can anyone suggest anywhere cheap to stay while house hunting ? Or any good estate agents in this area? TIA
Safe to eat?
I roasted a chicken (in my new halogen oven) on Sunday. 60min at 190 C. I don't have a thermometer, but I stuck a skewer in between the thigh and body and the juices ran clear. I had to let it rest for a long time (hours) on the counter, but then carved some, reheated in the microwave and ate. All looked fine and tasted…
Meal plan for a full month
Does anyone do a meal plan for the whole month? I really want to drop my grocery spend this month (and empty the freezer!) but I'm not sure if I have the willpower to stick to a meal plan for a whole month. If you do a full month one, how easy do you find it to stick to it?
Limited equipment meal ideas?
Hi, we are mid-renovation and likely to be without a kitchen for the next month, I have a microwave and slow cooker, but nothing else to cook with. Anyone got some easy, healthyish, not too expensive, child friendly meal ideas that I can use? I'm running low on inspiration!
O/S Daily Thread Tuesday 30th September
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…
A fresh start & learning to be organised
DH & I have realised that we can’t carry on how we are. A best friend of mine (from about 20 years ago) is coming to visit and our house desperately needs organising, decluttering, cleaning, and tidying and the garden done- but mostly organising. We need to change our ways & I really would appreciate some advice! We are…
Flexible food
Our family of three never eat together in the week. DD 15 is starving when she gets home from school at 5 so eats then before she goes out / tackles piles of homework. I get back at 5 ish but don't want dinner that early, so eat at about 7. DH works late very often and eats at about half 8. We try to eat together at…
Feezing Celery . . .
Just the question: Does Celery freeze if chopped please?
The best way to store home made bread?
I am just wondering how you all store your HM bread? I thought I could get away with using a used bread bag, but it made mine go all soft. How do you store yours?
Pickle / Chutney Recipes
Hello everyone, It's getting to that time of year and I really would like to make a chutney or pickle for christmas gifts. Last year I made a red pepper jam for my family - a recipe that came from a friend's mum. This year I'm looking to do something else. Something that might age in flavour over the next few months and…
emergency cake help
hi there i need to make a cake but i've just spotted i have no butter/marg does anyone have a recipe using oil for a sandwich cake - also can this be made with yogurt as i have quite a lot of fat free natural yog (or does the fact it's fat free mean it wont work)
Filling the freezer ready for maternity leave
Our first baby is due in November and I'm hoping to do lots of batch cooking and portion it all off so we can just grab something and reheat it rather than having to faff about cooking when we're otherwise occupied with a newborn :D My poor baby brain has gone a bit blank due to insomnia and I'm struggling to come up with…
Where best to start?
Hi, I've been an ostrich for the last few years but last week I went through bank statements etc. and now I know where I stand financially. It's not awful but it could be a lot better. I've worked through the money makeover so I've sorted out best deals for phone/lecki etc. Now I have to sort things out on a basic living…
Help me make a weeks meal plan from this;
Hi! I'm stupidly left with the money in my purse until Friday which is £1.28 :/ anyway I have a few bits in but not sure how to convert into a weeks worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also I'm on a low carb diet.... 2 adults and 2 small children who eat about 1 adult portion between them. This is what I have in;…
O/S Daily Thread Monday 29th September
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 29th September 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 to Dusty for last weeks thread Each day has a list of tasks which works on how much time and motivation you have. The idea is that even if you are really busy you…
Lentils to bulk out mince meals
Hi, we eat a lot of meals with meat in, and want to save money, I've read so many time about using lentils to bulk out meals like bolognese, but I've never done it. Do you cut down on the amount of mince you use, or do you use the same amount but then instead of a meal for 4 you have a meal for 6-8 people? For a bolognese…

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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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