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Old style MoneySaving

Some classic, simple ways to save money: thrifting, spending challenges, charity shopping, meal planning and more.

Large family? What food could I take
I'm visiting my daughter for Xmas and she's a very tired lady with 7 children and an excellent partner. She works part time and barely has a minutes peace. She's not even got time to message a lot of the time, so I'm asking you what foods - edit - offerings- I could take , as a mum that might be welcomed. I'm taking a big…
How to use a microwave combi oven?
Hi As everyone else, Im looking at ways to reduec my energy consumption. Ive been using my normal oven, but Ive just realised my microwave is also a combi oven! Its a CDA VK902. Ive looked online but I cant see how to actually cook with it! Do I use it like a normal oven? With a chicken dish (for example) I would put it in…
O/S Daily Tuesday 20 December 2022
Morning Hugs to those that want/need them, those who are poorly and those who are looking after a poorly person x Happy birthday to those with a birthday x Very dark damp and windy start to the day. DH and DS1 getting ready for work, I'm showered, dressed and enjoying my first cuppa and my porridge whilst on here. DS2…
O/S Daily Monday 19/12/22
Good morning, I'm up early after a bad night, taking pain killers with my coffee. All my aches and pains are giving me gyp.However, the tablets will work their magic, to a degree.What's also magic is the way that the snow and ice have disappeared, it's wonderful. I know it was forecast but still good to see.I'm visiting an…
Drying clothes
I know this has been asked many times before, so I apologise in advance. Drying my washing indoors is being a real problem. I have the washed clothes on an airier in my spare room, with the window left open about an inch. T-shirts I put on a hanger and hang from the curtain rail, but even they can take 2/3 days to dry. I'm…
O/S Daily Monday 19 December 2022
Morning Hugs to those that want/need them, those who are poorly and those who are looking after a poorly person x Happy birthday to those with a birthday x Very dark damp and windy start to the day. DH and DS1 getting ready for work, I'm showered, dressed and enjoying my first cuppa and my porridge whilst on here. DS2…
Aldi The Blue Stilton is missing.
i have just opened the Aldi Emporium Christmas Cheese Selection (Mature Cheddar Cheese Mini French Brie Long Clawson Blue Stilton Red Leicester Wensleydale) The Blue Stilton is missing. I do not like the idea of everyone helping themselves before i collect/buy my shopping especially with Covid. Just heads up really for you…
Weekly Flylady Thread 12th December 2022
WOOHOO IT IS 🎄 ....DECEMBER.....🎄 . Welcome to the weekly Flylady Thread. What is FLYLADY? Well, it's our version of the US flylady idea - but we work on the principle that housework is not fun, it's boring, can be time-consuming, is often thankless but, unfortunately, necessary. It's here on Old Style to provide the…
O/S Daily, Sunday 18/12/22
Good morning, we have a light covering of snow here, as forecast.Nothing much planned today, i might make the mince pies I was talking about yesterday. We ended up going to a shopping centre yesterday and I bought a new iron, not very exciting I knowI am going to go to the supermarket today, there's a Morries nearby. I…
Old Style Daily Saturday 17 December 2022
It's only a couple of steps to the kettle, I'll be back.
Microwave Heat Pads
Argos sells a "Fleece Wheat Warmer" for £8. You heat them in the microwave and then they are supposed to help with aches and pains. Touch wood, I don't have too many aches and pains yet, but does anyone use these as a simple way of keeping the chill off during this cold spell? It would certainly be cheaper than running the…
Slow cooker & cold temperatures
Looks like slow cookers don't cope well with very cold weather! yesterday I cooked chicken casserole & it was on for hours. Started with hot veg, chicken & liquid. About 8 hours later I ate some of it: first time ever the meat didn't fall off the bones, it didn't seem that hot, chicken was cooked but not that tender..…
O/S Daily Friday 16 December 2022
Morning Hugs to those that want/need them, those who are poorly and those who are looking after a poorly person x Happy birthday to those with a birthday x Very dark foggy chilly start to the day. DH and DS1 getting ready for work, I'm showered, dressed and enjoying my first cuppa and my porridge whilst on here. DS2…
Vaccuum storage bags
Anyone got any recommendations for really good ones? I’ve had mine for a few years. They have always gradually sucked in air but over months. One now won’t seal at all, the others seem to seal but suck in air and return to normal size almost immediately. I want to store a duvet and pillows.
O/S Daily Thursday 25th December 2022
Good morning, going to make coffee.
Best mince pie recipe ever
There was a recipe somewhere for the best mince pie pastry ever and I had it saved but try as I can I just can't find it. I used to be on laptop but now I'm on my phone and I can't seem to navigate my way around the site like I did on the laptop. Could anybody point me to the recipe pretty please? I've had a rubbish day 😔…
O/S Daily Wednesday 14 December 2022
Morning Hugs to those that want/need them, those who are poorly and those who are looking after a poorly person x Happy birthday to those with a birthday x Very dark foggy chilly start to the day. DH and DS1 getting ready for work, I'm showered, dressed and enjoying my first cuppa and my porridge whilst on here. DS2…
What's your 'cheapest' diet?
This is for people on maybe £10 a week or less for food. Per person. I know this sounds bad but it's a fact of life. Apart from visiting the food bank, here's mine (excluding 'reduced') Spaghetti hoops with microwaved potato. Porridge oats (either raw or cooked if I can afford to top up the Lecky)One banana (per day)Tinned…
Christmas veg special this year?
I remember last year and perhaps the proceeding one most of the supermarket chains did a special on winter veg (potatoes being particularly handy) all at around 20p a bag. Is there any news or word whether the same thing will happen this year? I want to prepare some space so I can stock up if this happens!!!!
Food Shopping in modern times
Rather a sensitive topic, would you call £700 for two people enough for only food shopping, I think I know the answer, however, I would like people's comments by the way this was in 2014.

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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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