What More Can I Do, How Much Can I Save?

SpursDave

Thanks again! Would like the next computer to be a laptop but as this one is less than 2 years old, will have to wait. What are slow cookers like to use, any good?

Thanks for the airer, looks good. We do air a lot of stuff, but as I said, my works stuff is quick turnover sadly. Often don't get in till late then out very early, stuff barely has chance to get washed! Aussie shower technique is to wet self, turn off shower, soap and clean, then turn shower back on to rinse rather than stand under continuous stream of water.

Good idea with the thermos!

A_fiend_for_life

Taadaa wrote: »

And hoover the back of the fridge and freezer, the coils get very dusty and this has some effect on how efficient it is, not sure how though

I missed that one out even though I've just done the job. Vacuuming did little to mine. I had to wipe the coils with soapy water.

The dust just insulates the coils so they don't lose the heat as readily.

A_fiend_for_life

SpursDave wrote: »

Thanks again! Would like the next computer to be a laptop but as this one is less than 2 years old, will have to wait. What are slow cookers like to use, any good?

A slow cooker cooks at a low temperature for a longer period. You can leave them on all day so when you get home the food is cooked. The flavour of the food is a lot better and it's apparently more nutritious as some vitamins are damaged at higher temperatures.

It would be worth asking on the Old Style board which are the better models to go for and particuarly how cost effective they are compared with conventional cooking.

I haven't used one personally as I would find it too easy to justify eating 3 to 6 litres of stew but from what I've read they're recommended both for taste and, iirc, energy saving.


ETA: I suspect your using a flat screen then. On computers a CRT I think is the main problem. Going from a 19" CRT desktop to a lap top my frugal energy consumption dropped between three and 5 kWh per week.

LeeSouthEast

Slow cookers rule. Get one !

border_collie

Get a REMOSKA from Lakeland.


Really cheap to cook in and gorgeous food. Thread on here somewhere.

basmic

I'd just like to add that when doing your washing in the washing machine, spin at the highest spin speed possible for your clothes.

Higher speeds will get more water out of the clothes, making the drying of the clothes much quicker.

Fire_Fox

SpursDave wrote: »

Thanks again! Would like the next computer to be a laptop but as this one is less than 2 years old, will have to wait. What are slow cookers like to use, any good?

Thanks for the airer, looks good. We do air a lot of stuff, but as I said, my works stuff is quick turnover sadly. Often don't get in till late then out very early, stuff barely has chance to get washed! Aussie shower technique is to wet self, turn off shower, soap and clean, then turn shower back on to rinse rather than stand under continuous stream of water.

Good idea with the thermos!

Do you need to wash everything every day only for it to get filthy again? Or maybe you need another set of work clothes? Just buy something basic from a charity shop or Sports World or Primark - I bet it would be cheaper than using the tumble dryer.

I use the Aussie shower technique already, tho I didn't realise there was a name for it. :rotfl:

Slow cookers aree great, and available from £8 upwards. You can get then in different sizes, one person to family. I don't precook anything - just chop cheap cuts of meat, loads of veg, some liquid (stock cube and water/ wine) and switch on for four to six hours. Soups, stews, bolognese, curries ... with minimal effort and little cost.

thescouselander

LeeSouthEast wrote: »

I got into the habit of boiling a full kettle, making my cuppa, then putting the remaining hot water in a thermos flask. This stays sufficiently hot enough for instant coffee 2 or 3 hours after boiling... not that it ever lasts that long!

But 1 boil makes numerous time-spaced hot drinks, for the cost of a £10 thermos.

Or you could just boil the correct amount to begin with and save yourself a tenner.

JOANNESAPHINE

I used to measure cups out for making cuppas but ended up buying an ecokettle which I've found much easier and was less than £30 to buy from Ethical Superstore I think.

devon27_2

Hi all havent posted in this forum before. Just thought would let you know what we do to save money-

Fitted Energy saving light bulbs and fitting every room in the house
Purchased a new washer and dryer as the old ones werent energy effiecent and use the tumble dryer only when desperate for something if not i have two large clothes racks for wet weather drying and also hang in the airing cupboard and along the banister. In the dry weather use the line. Always switch off lights and appliances when not in use and try to use the microwave instead of the oven if possible. I bought a Morphy Richards ECO kettle brilliant would recomend. We use water wisely using the "ECO 50" setting on the dishwasher and only when full do we put it on which is once every few days as only 2 of us. I try always do a full load of washing as well and we dont have a bath just a shower so save money there. We fitted a new toilet with a dual flush as we have a water meter. In the garden we have 2 water butts. we close the curtains as soon as it gets to dusk and also we try and economise on the heating will try and leave it til 1st week of November before putting it on and use jumpers and blankets when watching tv in the lounge. We also switch electric and gas providers for the cheapest supplies. and we try and make a batch of food and freeze it much cheaper, sometimes you can get cheap meat or vegs in the reduced section and make a soup or casserole in the slow cooker.