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Archives for August 2015

Does anyone have wooden shutters instead of curtains?
I'm thinking of getting wooden shutters throughout our new house instead of curtains because I wanted to keep the house low allergy. It's just occurred to me though that curtains might be warmer? Does anyone have shutters? Do they keep a room warm?
Onion soup disaster
Trusty recipe made many times absent mindedly added wine vinegar rather than red wine tastes awfully of vinegar. Not edible as a soup too sharp. I bought some reduced stewing steak today and thought maybe cook the stewing steak in the Rayburn and then simmer with dreaded soup for half an hour. Will this work?
Where to sell unwanted items?
I have a lot of different unwanted items i'd like to get rid of but not throw away, Where is the best place to sell it? I have Jewellery (primark mostly) Comics Books Some figures i think Some clothes I'd prefer not to use ebay since the fees were high for what I was selling. I need it gone but I'm trying to save money to…
Packing those awkward last minute things!
At last we are going to be moving tomorrow. Having had many, many months to prepare I have KMed the house (well, my stuff anyway and tried to persuade the others!) so we have less than there would have been. Everything from the bedrooms is now boxed or bagged and is downstairs in the living room, but my problem is the…
Old Style Daily thread Monday 31st August
OS Daily Thread Monday 31st August 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,…
Weekly Flylady Thread 31st August 2015
]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 Bossy 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;…
report tax evasion
Sometimes, I buy takeaway from a specific restaurant and I notice that he never accept card payments and he never uses a cashier machine to give me a receipt. Is it possible that he doesn't pay the sales tax to the state? If yes, is there an anonymous place to report him?
Oven drying Victoria plums
Have been given a big carrier bag ful of plums. Some I've open frozen in halves to bag up, and will be making jam but want to try oven drying some. Anybody ever tried it? Does it concentrate the flavour as happens with oven dried tomatoes ? Are they best dried plain or sprinkled with something like cinnamon? Do dried…
how much water do you use?
I got a bit of a shock today when I glanced at our water bill which details how much water our household uses daily. Over the last 6 months we've been using 368 litres a day, it says. That sounds like a colossal amount. There are 2 of us living in a 2 bedroom flat. We pay about £43 per month, currently, for our water. I'm…
OS Daily Thread Sunday 30th August
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…
Sewing lessons
Hi all the beginner sewing thread (and especially the amazing cloth shop that someone posted in it) below made me to think about learning to sew properly so that I can make simple clothes. I can turn up a hem and sew on a button ok and I have made simple cushion covers and curtains - but I don't any confidence in making…
Frying pan needed!
I hope someone can help me, I have tried several frying pans, the latest being a ceramic one. However, whether I use olive or sunflower oil and even tried lard [! ] Eggs still stick, potatoes don't crisp, and omelettes are falling apart when I try to take them out of the pan, [no, they won't slide out onto the plate! ] I…
Working away
Evening all :) I'm really not sure if I'm posting this in the correct place or not :/ From next week I will be working away for 5 days a week, my train tickets and hotel has been booked and paid for by my new employees, but I was wondering what types of food can I buy to eat in my hotel room? Obviously I will have very…
Daily Saturday 29th August
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 cleaning products/tips
Evening everyone! I am currently a self employed cleaner and really enjoy my job. I've had a new client approach me and is looking for someone wHo use eco friendly products, she's all for being eco friendly and has a dog and doesn't want anything harmful or having a strong chemical smell to greet her when she comes in from…
Chicken in a bag...bag burst, is that ok?
I bought a roast-in-the-bag chicken from Tescos, put it in the gas oven at the recommended mark 6, and the bag immediately puffed up and then burst and collapsed. Is that what it's supposed to do? It's the first time I've bought one and I expected the bag to remain sealed until I cut it open at the end.
Sewing blankets together?
I have a camp blanket, it's an ikea fleece (just the cheapy £3 ones) and covered in fabric guiding/scouting badges. I love it to pieces but it's white, this wasn't a problem while the main leader at our guides didn't like camping but we've merged with a new unit and they are camp daft! I'm not unpicking the badges, there…
Can I freeze evaporated milk?
I only want to use 1/2 a tin, can I freeze the rest for another time?
Banana skins splitting open themselves
I bought 3 bunches of bananas with my shopping on wednesday evening and they were in perfect condition when I unbagged them and put them in my fruit bowl. However, I got up this morning to discover that 7 of them (not all from the same bunch) have inexplicably split down the length of their skins :eek: Why did this happen…
Saturday 28th August OS Daily
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…

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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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