Tips and Quick Questions on “How To Start Being Old Style”

squeezymeplease

Hi all, newbie here looking for some tips and advice!

I have been reading up what I can find here to try be more OS and save some pennies. I know it's not favourable to start a new thread when it's probably been covered before but I have tried searching for stuff and either can't find what I'm looking for or the threads I find are so long it will take me months to read them!!!!

The main things I am looking for tips on I suppose are the following-

When I meal plan and budget, I do fine til I write my list and add in all the toiletries/cleaning products that we need. These are what puts me over budget every week. I have bought star drops before, and have heard about using vinegar/bicarb but don't know exactly how to use them. Do I dilute them? If so, how much? Is there anything I shouldn't use them on? All the threads I've found on these are miles long and the dirt will have grown legs and up and walked out by the time I get one or two pages in!!!

I don't think I can make any savings on toiletries, I have v sensitive skin and dd has eczema which rules out a lot of smartprice products (I have tried almost all of them :rolleyes:) so for dd I use Halos n Horns range, for me I usually try get the few brands that don't dry my skin out when they are on offer and stock up. I can only use medicated shampoo, but I do buy shops own brand in this.

The other thing I wanted to ask was about adding lentils/oats to mince to bulk out. How do I do this? I am not a great cook, while I can cook the things I already know how to cook, I have no idea where to start with new things! I need things explained to me in laymans terms, I still don't fully understand how to "blanch" something :rolleyes:. I have lots of orange lentils in a storage container, but no wrapper so can't even read instructions on that :huh: If I am making spag bol for instance, do I need to boil the lentils then add them to the pan of mince, or can I just pour them straight into the frying pan with the mince?

What about oats? How do they stretch mince out? I tried buying value mince as I couldn't figure out how to bulk it out, but I honestly could not eat it, there were huge bits of gristle all through it, I have a hard enough time getting dd to eat without this putting her off

So any tips greatly appreciatied, and please, pretend you are explaining OS to a 3 year old and I might finally get it

puss14

Hi welcome to OS
Just a few answers for you as Im sure others will be along soon to help out. With vinegar I just use a third vinegar with the rest water in a spray gun and use it for cleaning bench tops, stove, bathrooms, mirrors and for stain removal with laundry. It is so versatile and can be used for most cleaning really. Bicarb can be used in conjunction with the vinegar spray and is good also in the bathroom, stove top etc it is good as a replacement for an Ajax or abrasive cleanser and gives a bit more ommph and is great for cutting through grease. Just sprinkle it where needed and either spray it with vinegar spray or water or just get a damp cloth and wipe it off. I pretty much find vinegar and bicarb are all I need cleaning wise. I also make my own washing det and that saves a fair whack.

In regards to sensitive skin I do feel for you there as my skin can also be
quite sensitive at times. Olive oil is quite good as a cleanser and doesnt irritate my skin and I find if you are trying to economise just to only get the basics that your skin needs. For me thats cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen (altho I have such a stash of products I havent brought anything for over a year:o)

I think if you just try to take it one step at a time in regards to OS as if you try too much it can put you off. Anything you are doing is a step forward and it all takes time, so dont be too hard on yourself.

esmf73

Hi squeezy,

Haven't heard of adding oats to mince unless perhaps it is in a meatloaf. Here is how I add the orange lentils to my mince. I put the lentils (straight from the pack) into the cooking mince, then I add the liquid - so if it's bolognese, I add tinned tomatoes and then I usually add a pint or so of liquid as the lentils will cook and absorb the liquid. For liquid I use stockcube in hot water.

This works great in bolognese, chilli, shepherds pie etc etc. Means I can make a kilo of mince do 2 meals for the 5 of us - if I bulk out on sauce and pasta or potatoes!!!

squeezymeplease

Thank you both for your replies. I will try the lentils next week when I make a spag bol, and I will get cracking with the vinegar and bicarb right away!!!

Thank you both, thats just what I was looking for!

With regard to the toiletries, I just use E45 cream as moisturiser, I get it for my dd free on the minor ailments scheme as I have to put it on her face twice a day too. It's the only thing that stops my skin cracking and stinging in the winter! I'm very bad, I don't use cleanser or toner, and on the odd occassion I wear make up, I use one of dd's baby wipes to take it off!

Thanks again!

Serena51

Re the red lentils. I put them in a bowl and cover with boiling water before I start to get anything else ready. By the time I have chopped, peeled any veg or fried off any meat, the lentils have absorbed the water and gone a bit white around the edges and are ready to add to your mince etc. The longer you simmer the softer they become and it means you can use less meat or justify the purchase of a better quality mince.

Re oats. Cook your meal as usual and then when its half cooked add a handful or so of oats - they will soak up some of the liquid and (so long as you don't overdo the amount of oats0 will bulk up your meat and again save you money.

Hope that helps.

esio_trot

a quick hint with value mince. I buy the Sainsbury's basics range (97p for 400g). It's really thickly minced which we don't like so I add in a capful or so of red wine vinegar when I'm browning the mince - really helps to break down the proteins. Makes great spag bol/lasagne/shepherds' pie etc.

tandraig

hint for taking off makeup - I have really sensitive skin too - olive or sunflower oil is marvellous at taking off mascara, even waterproof mascara and makes short work of all other make up. then i just wash using my normal (unscented) soap and water. my skin feels lovely and at 55 I have very few lines and wrinkles. oh and i dont use moisturiser.
I buy Aldis mince as I find it doesnt shrivel up to nothing has very little or no gristle and enough fat to flavour meat without being too fatty.
as other posters have said - take moneysaving a little at a time - you will soon sort out the tips that suit You!
and dont worry about posting new thread if it has been covered before the housekeeper will come in and tidy up by joining threads!!!!

Linda32

squeezymeplease wrote: »

Hi all, newbie here looking for some tips and advice!

When I meal plan and budget, I do fine til I write my list and add in all the toiletries/cleaning products that we need. These are what puts me over budget every week. I have bought star drops before, and have heard about using vinegar/bicarb but don't know exactly how to use them. Do I dilute them? If so, how much? Is there anything I shouldn't use them on? All the threads I've found on these are miles long and the dirt will have grown legs and up and walked out by the time I get one or two pages in!!!

Hi, just picking out one part to help, havn't read all of the thread so sorry if its already been said

First off, don't try to change everything at once, impossible.

Cleaning etc, yes there is somthing to clean everything, which these bound to be, the manufacturers want you to buy them :rolleyes: I'm a sucker for flash but it will clean my bathroom floor and kitchen floor, and no I do not clean it everyday, I bet a bottle lasts me a couple of months Sainsburys lavender funiture polish is lovely and not much at about 80p
I currently use Tesco Daisy pouches for clothes washing 10 for about £1.50 Havn't used softener for years and years and I can't tell the difference.

Basics/Smart Price etc soap, tooth paste, mouth wash is fine as well.

Also use daisy bathroom spray.

The only two things I do pay for is Simple Soap for me and since I had my hair dyed really really good shampoo. I found tresemme (sp?) on offer and bought that and I've noticed that its so much thicker than the cheaper ones that I'm sure the bottle will last months and month rather than the cheap stuff which runs through your hands.

Oh and I don't buy shower gel, soap is fine and creme bath 34p/litre is what is in our liquid soap dispensers.

HTH

northwest1965

squuezymeplease - Have you tried Turkey mince? I tend to use that for chillis and spag bol. Its a lot cheaper than a good beef mince. Personally I dont like the cheap mince because of the fat and gristle.

I never use a spray polish, have you tried using microfibre cloths instead, great for dusting.

cazspatch

Been reading posts for ages and have even posted before about shopping bills.

The problem is my life is a bit of a mess (actually Big mess)

House is a mess, forget birthdays, Struggle to keep shopping bills down, eat alot of processed meals and takeaways.

To top this of due to hubbys redundnacy we now have very little money ( struggle to keep afloat) so now need to get finances better.

Would love any tips on how to start getting my life straight!

I sleep alot so need to get energy to get started but if everything is in order i am hoping i will be a bit more proud of my house and life!

Supose my question is how to get organised??? I only work 3 days now so have more time to put energy into life sorting.

We are wanting to adopt soon so need to get things sorted before this happens!!

Thanks for tips in advance xx