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Archives for November 2015

Secret Santa gift ideas please!
If your work's setting one up and you want to get out of it you'll love Squinz's Secret Santa thread. If you are participating, let us know your ideas for gifts: * Under £5 * £5-10. * £10+ If you're going that high! :xmastree::xmassign::snow_laug
Two meals in one slow cooker?
I'm sure I have heard of people that cook more than one meal at a time when using their slow cooker. I mean that both meals go in the slow cooker. I have a huge slows cooker and would like to try and cook a couple of meals in the same cooker. Is that even possible? If so, how?
Carrot Cake Help
Hello, I'm making a carrot cake on Wednesday (using a Rachel Allen recipe) to be eaten on Thursday, I've never made this before and am wondering when I should put the frosting/icing on top (it's made with cream cheese and icing sugar and orange zest) Would it make the cake soggy if I put it on Wednesday or could I maybe…
Dairy-free goodies for Christmas
Hi I was talking to my DGS Ben's girlfriend Katie yesterday and she is a lovely lass, but unfortunately has a great allergy to milk and dairy products . I was wondering if there are any recipes from you lovely folk on here who are perhaps in the same position that I could use to make some Christmas goodies for her.She…
O/S Daily Monday 30th November 2015
O/S Daily Monday 30th November 2015 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…
Weekly Flylady Thread 30th Nov 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 Natty 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;…
Frozen Turkey
I bought a fresh turkey last Christmas Eve and froze it, it has been languishing at the bottom of my chest freezer. Will it still be ok to defrost and cook? On the packaging it says if frozen use with a month and my MIL says she wouldn't cook it. What would you do?
Problem with my slow cooker
Hi all, I love using my slow cooker but I find that all the different dishes I cook all tastes the same. I scrub the bowl (or whatever the inside is called) after every use but maybe I'm doing it wrong? Any hints and tips gratefully received as I made some pea and ham soup in it today and it tastes like bolognese sauce -…
Keeping toilets unblocked
Hi, I'm new to the forum, so Hi! A quick question, our toilet has a habit of blocking and I wondered if there's any way to keep it clear, anything I can put down it like with drains? Many thanks
Meal planning - wk 30th Nov
Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all ages.... I give you... meal planning! Breakfast: Porridge this week. With apple chunks and cinnamon, or banana and blueberry Lunches: Banana, orange, babybel, soup and hm crusty rolls Dinner: Bacon, egg, wedges, beans sausage and root veg mash omelette with bacon, cheese, mushroom...…
Small batch cooking
Got an email from a relative who started University back in September. They're having a problem with cooking. Although they have all the basics i.e food storage, pots & pans, oven and a draw/shelf in the fridge and freezer they're having problems finding and or adapting recipes for small enough amounts so as not to be…
Spend Nothing December
Ok, I am not sure this is possible as such with Christmas looming, but as we don't really do Christmas beyond a few little financial incentives for DD, DSD and 2 x nieces...I should be able to do fairly well. The fact that it is soon to be December means the challenge will be all the more invigorating for the challenges it…
O/S Daily Thread for Sunday 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…
Not suitable for home freezing?
Asda whoopsie, 10p for a bag of chilli mix which is basically sweet potato, onions, peppers and spices from the chiller cabinet to add to mince. Other than maybe the texture going a bit weird, there's nothing in there that's going to poison me, so is there any reason. I shouldn't stick it in the freezer?
Pressure cooker problems
I got an unused high dome Tower Pressure cooker from my friend as she was scared to use it. I was delighted as I had a Prestige one for many years. The problem is that although I have followed the instructions to the letter, I can't get the pressure bit to work. Can anyone who has used one give me any idea what I am doing…
Putting wooden handled cutlery in dishwasher
We have a canteen of lovely teak handled cutlery whixh we would use more often for formal meals if it could be washed in a dishwasher rather than by hand Im wondering whether it could actually be washed in a low temperature dishwasher cycle occasionally without harm. We have very occasionally given the handles a coating of…
Paid Survey Sites; Rewarded Opinions
You don't make a lot of money completing surveys, but you do expect, when you've accumulated enough points to apply for a payout, to get your payment without having to keep writing and writing to a survey company about it! I have been a member of Rewarded Opinions for a very long time now, but I have been waitingweeks and…
O/S Daily Saturday 28th November 2015
O/S Daily Saturday 28th November 2015 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…
Bargain salmon in Co-op
Huge bargain in the local Co-op this morning One pack of salmon for £3.50. But (wait for it) two packs for £7!!
Stew/steak pie
Good morning, can anyone please point me in the direction of a tried and tested stew recipe. I don't normally do the cooking but have a notion to start :D I intend doing a batch cook and freezing in my newly acquired Pyrex dishes. I am going to buy shop made pastry in the first instance and place ove the cooled stew before…

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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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