If things get tougher?

[Deleted User]

grhhh my post vanished

[Deleted User]

12 pages back. I found it and copy and pasted

campmania sell gelert solar showers for £4 http://campmania.co.uk/Item-4-37-cat...ar_Shower.aspx and they are the same ones selling elsewhere for double that. They still have them and yesterday, I ordered one each for my children (grown up). They will be put into their christmas boxes as we in our family have a max challenge of £10. I know they will be appreciated

I think I`ll go back to sewing today as layers are going to be the order of the day this winter. I have hundreds (its true, roll after roll stacked behind my door) of yards of top quality cottons and some are thick, brushed cottons.I will be making the simple A line skirts that I am so happy with. I love wearing them on the long side and they will be great with a slip and some thick tights

The upside of energy economising is starting to appear ie I feel very healthy and fitter and more energetic. Really not bad at all for 60. It`s down to cycling and winding up the radio and more bean meals

ceridwen come-on now, chest up shoulders out, deep breaths :grouphug:

Its being out of control that is going to make folk angry and depressed. Running to stand still. This winter is going to be a living nightmare for many

sammy_kaye18

This winter is going to be a living nightmare for many

That it most certainly is.

I keep thinking about my sister all day today - shes struggling to make ends meet at the minute and she is a single mum to two young girls aged 2 years and 9 months and she is really worrying. She gets income support for herself and kids, housing/council tax benefit, child tax credit and maintenance for one daughter from her father (eldest daughter has a different dad). She also has my 16 year old cousin living with her at present too as her mother (not maternal to her eldest daughter in the slightest) has basically been neglecting her and taking all the child tax/benefit/maintenance for herself.

Thankfully though my cousin has her head screwed on right and as well as goign to college full time, has gotten herself a job 22 hours a week working in the local shop so is bringing back discounted food at the end of her nightshift etc and has started giving my sister part of her wages to help with bills etc as my sister is basically providing her with a roof over her head, and keeping her safe and warm.

She pays her gas and electric in installments by direct debit so she knows she has gas and electric, food she is trying to cut down on or buy more practically and making exra portions and im trying to get her into OS ways now too. Told her to grow her own stuff (so jealous of her garden space!) and she laughed but when i pointed out how much she was spending on fruit and veg she soon hushed think i will have a convert befor elong.

Have decided that she is having practical present again this year - i did her a baking hamper last year with everything she would need (cake tins/book/baking sheets/ whisk/ spoons etc) and used a mixing bowl as the hamper and put a tesco gift card so she could buy ingredients to practice. Thinkign a home warming present will be good this year though - fleece blankets each, mugs with hot choccie sachets, warm pjs etc. ok off ot the special occassions board now!

brila

I've been wondering whether it would be possible to run a slowcooker off a small solar charger (like Solio, which I've had my eye on for some time for our mobile phones, ipods etc.). I don't have a slow cooker (although am tempted), but understand that they use the same electric as a lightbulb? Any thoughts anyone?

Also looking to get one of those carpet sweeper thingies - I have to hoover downstairs pretty much everyday. Any recommendations?

Am quite looking forward to the downfall of our culture anyway! Love a challenge.

mardatha

It's funny but a carpet sweeper always seems less hassle than hauling out the hoover, uncoiling miles of cable, and plugging it in. I had one & used it every day instead of the hoover. Until a son "borrowed" it to clean a rented cottage and left it there.

[Deleted User]

I was thinking about a push/pull carpet sweeper too. They did the business

I am in the middle of getting the energy costing for the dishwasher at 50 degrees and I put in a 15p tesco tab. The kitchen is like a bomb site as I had to go into the undersink cupboard like a mole, to find the socket. LOL I `found` 3 boxes of washing machine tabs that would have been well used up by now but haven`t because I have been using soapnuts, or a handwash with os household soap in solar heated water

I have put the borax into a lock and lock and stuck a label on the top with dosage instructions. Its amazing the os things that are turning up!!

mardatha

I did my under the sink cupboard the other day ! smug smirk.

[Deleted User]

I am shocked.:eek: DW is finished and these are the accurate costings for a 50 degree was for a full load
13.5 pence energy
15 pence detergent
4 pence for 30 litres water

total is 32.5 pence per load
I did one load almost every evening.

Just taking energy and detergent that is £26 a quarter and just the energy is £12.28 a quarter

gordon bennett!! I`m going to be very selective about using the dw from now on

I priced the energy for a pot of tea for 2 and it is under 1p

Sarahsaver

You can use half a DW tab.
also i have seen someone cook food in a DW but you need the ziplock type bags to seal the food in!
i always refil mine if hubby has fileld it cos i seem to be able to fit twice as much stuff in the DW as he can!

anyone know which is better in the washing machine, a 30 minute programme - i thnk at 40 degrees, or a 30 degree one where the time is 1 hour 40 minutes?

Farway

brila wrote: »

I've been wondering whether it would be possible to run a slowcooker off a small solar charger (like Solio, which I've had my eye on for some time for our mobile phones, ipods etc.). I don't have a slow cooker (although am tempted), but understand that they use the same electric as a lightbulb? Any thoughts anyone? .

The quick answer is no, the voltage will be completely wrong for a start

Solio, from the web site, is 3 volts
http://www.solio.com/charger/explore-solio/tech-spec.html
Any and all domestic UK appliances are 240 volts

Solio max wattage is 6 watts [3volts x 2 amps, Ohm's law]

The electric light bulb analogy refers to 100w bulb, maybe 40w on low

I seem to recall a sunshine driven cooker, but this was for use in places like Uganda / Egypt etc as it focused the suns rays, like a magnifying glass