Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

Carriannelouise

When i cook pasta and rice i always use the same method. i have the perfect measuring cup which works out at two portions so i just use that. the method works best if the rice is washed first but if trying to save water it is not necessary. I always use plain basmatti rice.

For plain rice
I add to the pan 1 cup of rice and 1 and a half cups of boiling water and a pinch of salt. put the lid on and allow to boil. turn off the heat and set a timer to 12 minutes open the pan and fluff with a fork.

For Pilau fry half an onion add 2 cloves and 1 crushed white cardamom pod and 1 crushed black cardamom pod fry for a minute or two add a pinch of saffron threads to half a measuring cup of hot tap water and leave to soak for an hour or longer. add the water with safron in to the pan and add a cup of rice and a cup of boiling water. boil in the same way as above and fluff with a fork.

For thai coconut rice add 3 tablespoons of dessicated coconut to the rice and half a tea spoon of sugar and a star anise. cook as above.

In all of the rice dishes there is no water to drain so nothing is wasted.

If you're serving the rice with an oven baked dish add 2 cups of boiling water per cup of rice and a dash of oil or a nob of butter and put the closed pan in the oven with whatever you're cooking at the time and leave for 20 minutes or so at about 180 degrees. (Middle shelf)

for pasta to each cup of pasta add 2 and a half cups of boiling water and a pinch of salt. put the lid on and bring back to the boil swirling the pan untill it boils. turn it off and leave it for 5-10 minutes depending on the shape and how you like your pasta. there is left over water but this can be used in bread making

Saves on the water bill and the electric and it's always perfectly cooked. i use the same cup to press the rice into to present my dishes perfectly. looks great and im always getting complimented on my perfectly cooked rice & pasta. HTH

phizzimum

Carriannelouise wrote: »

When i cook pasta and rice i always use the same method. i have the perfect measuring cup which works out at two portions so i just use that. the method works best if the rice is washed first but if trying to save water it is not necessary. I always use plain basmatti rice.


For Pilau fry half an onion add 2 cloves and 1 crushed white cardamom pod and 1 crushed black cardamom pod fry for a minute or two add a pinch of saffron threads to half a measuring cup of hot tap water and leave to soak for an hour or longer. add the water with safron in to the pan and add a cup of rice and a cup of boiling water. boil in the same way as above and fluff with a fork.

For thai coconut rice add 3 tablespoons of dessicated coconut to the rice and half a tea spoon of sugar and a star anise. cook as above.

In all of the rice dishes there is no water to drain so nothing is wasted.

If you're serving the rice with an oven baked dish add 2 cups of boiling water per cup of rice and a dash of oil or a nob of butter and put the closed pan in the oven with whatever you're cooking at the time and leave for 20 minutes or so at about 180 degrees. (Middle shelf)

HTH

Thanks so much for this. First time I've managed pilau rice without burning the pan!

tattycath

jane_smith wrote: »

Not money saving exactly but I find it saves time - fold sheets and duvet covers and slide them into the matching pillow cases, then when you need a set of linen they're all neatly stacked in matching sets.

I do this-saves a lot of faffing about and rummaging in the cupboard.

Becky_2

I keep all the envelopes that I receive in the post that you are supposed to use when you are paying a bill. I use them to write my weekly shopping list on.

Aril

When buying eggs remember to check the box to ensure none of them are broken before you pay for them.

Arilx

camNolliesMUMMY

Not necessarily money saving.....My husband buys big tubs of protein shakes (body building), they come in a very sturdy plastic bucket/tub with lid and measuring scoop roughly 2tbsp scoop.
When he's finished the tub I wash n dry the tub and empty my wash powder into it keeping the scoop to measure per wash.
I have two one has non bio for colours and bio for my whites.
I've also got a scoop that I use just for the fabric softner.
I've also kept two extra tubs, one to keep my rice in and one for pasta.
Even gave one too my mum n grandparents for their wash powder.
In a regular box I find the powder gets clumpy at the bottom and you have to break it up, in the tubs this does not happen.
Any large tubs with lids keep them to store your powder in and any thing else......

mrsinvisible

I wash out and leave to dry, 4pint milk cartons/plastic bottles, fill with washing powder (use funnel) easy to pour into washing machine no spill no mess and can control quantity easily.
Also use them for flour, sugar, rice, (clearly labelled) and for soup storing in the freezer. Smaller bottles also for other dried goods. lentils split peas etc.

Uniscots97

This one takes practise but when washing your hair (mine is waist length) try thoroughly wetting your hair then with wet hands pour quarter of your usual amount of shampoo into your hand and lather it in your hands before putting it near your hair you will use far less this way. For my length of hair I can get away with only using a blob the size of a 5p piece doing this.

Drying long hair can take a long time, try gently patting your hair with a clean dry towel doing this and gently combing it through will get rid of a lot of water meaning less time using a hairdryer (I can't get away without using one for my length and type of hair).

If you want your body lotion to go further put it on after a bath or shower when your skin is warm. You'll use a lot less.

curiousralphy

Not sure if it helps anyone but I use a trouser hanger (the one with clips at each end) to hold up my printed recipes when cooking in the kitchen - by putting the hanger on the handle of the higher cabinets it's at the perfect height. Holds a smallish recipe book as well.

Also in summer I use a muffin tin for BBQ's to hold the various sauces/mayo/mustard for burgers etc, keeps them seperate but together in one place. (I find the silicone ones are great as they don't scratch)

charleybear

I too hope I'm not stealing anyones ideas but If I spend cash I promise myself to put at least the small coins I get from change into a savings tin. I also sometimes puts notes in there too. After a few shopping trips its a surprise to how much you can save. I counted that I have saved over £30 doing this in about 4 weeks.