Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

Uniscots97

If I snag my tights I save them and cut bands from the legs (try not to cut them too thin) and use these to tie my hair back.


An old toothbrush can be used as a nailbrush, for cleaning around taps, cleaning grout etc (I mark the handle with permanent marker once it gets taken out of the bathroom).


If you like the noodle boxes for your lunch at work (the ones you microwave not the ones you add boiling water to) to save you some money if you buy the wok ready noodles (they have individual packets of 2's or 4's in the packet. Best place to buy these is Aldi's or Home Bargains at around 50p for 2 packets) and the small wok sauce packets (B&M or Home Bargains usually have these for between 10p and 25p a pack. Then use 1 individual packet of noodles and put into a bowl or microwaveable plastic tub and mix through a packet of sauce and microwave for around 60 seconds (800W microwave), remove and stir and microwave again for another 45-60 seconds and enjoy. The noodle boxes can be around £1.50-£2 each. Doing it this way means your noodles cost around 35p-50p a portion. Great if you don't have access to a fridge at work or want a change for lunch.

Quasar

Blimey I read all this again from the beginning. I did post a bit at the start, but been a bit slack lately in posting (you wouldn't think so looking at my post count! :rotfl: ) . Lots of fantastic tips, as usual!

I have been cleaning around a lot and re-decorating. I decided to use bathroom/kitchen quality paint for the entire flat, which is small in any case, as the moisture-resistant paint (mid- range, not the dearest!) will protect the walls from condensation, as I don't have a tumble dryer and hang my washing out to dry here there and everywhere. Besides it's not worth to skimp too much on proper decoration.

Having enormous windows, I find that just water will clean them well. I lash on the water with a sponge, several panes in one go, then go over it with a damp microfibre and then with a dry microfibre. Works a treat.

I make my own kefir, which is much better than yoghurt as it contains far more beneficial bacteria both in terms of quantity and variety. I was lucky to secure some kefir grains and these reproduce quickly so that I have an ongoing batch ready on a daily basis, plus a few batches of stored grains that I have dried and refrigerated and keep as back up. It costs just the milk - which however needs to be organic to avoid introducing antibiotics which will kill the kefir (antibiotics do not discriminate between good and bad bacteria but kill them all).

So a 200ml glass of healthy, organic milk kefir costs me about 17p, it is as LIVE as you can get and far tastier than yoghurt - a bit fizzy too.

silvasava

If anyone buys the Basil plants & they start to take over the windowsill
I chop them down & blitz them in the processor with some good quality olive oil & fill some old ice cube trays with them. There's just about a dessertspoonful in each cube & very convenient to pop in soup, bolognase, lasagne or perk up a cheap bottled pasta sauce

Fruball

Jars such as mango chutney/ikea lingonberry jam/horseradish, tinned tomato puree and other things that you don't use up before you end up having to throw out, put dollops on a baking sheet and open freeze, then pop into a labelled bag back in the freezer so you have some available when needed

Can do same with whipped cream.

mcculloch29

This is too good a thread to slip quietly away so here's a tip to resurrect it. If you don't want to make popcorn on the stove top or don't have a popcorn maker you can make it in the microwave. Put two teaspoons of oil (rapeseed/sunflower) into a big mug (at least 500ml). Add two tablespoons of popcorn grains. Cover with clingfilm and pierce a small hole.
Microwave for at least one minute on high, then remove, protecting your hand as the mug is very hot, and shake the mug (you can also carefully spoon out some of the popped grains if the mug looks a bit full already). Pop it back in the micro on high for at least another minute until no more pops are heard. Tip into bowl and add sugar or salt as desired.
Using this method I found I could re-use the grains that didn't pop first time easily and there was very little waste. Much cheaper than buying the microwave popcorn sachets.

angelaloveschocolate

Thanks for the tip Mcculloch, I've been trying this method but i find that the clingfilm melts What am I doing wrong?

mcculloch29

I have no idea... mine didn't melt and it wasn't expensive stuff, just Aldi's. It was marked as being suitable for microwaves though.

kackleful

I pop Corn in a brown paper bag in Micro! I put 2 Tbls of corn in bag fold top over, and cook on high for 2 mins, or until the popping stops! So easy!

alja

emiai wrote: »

I love this thread, just read the last four months or so posts whilst having a hot choc and duvet night.

I think I may do the same! What a great thread this is! I'm hoping to buy my first home in the not so distant future, so all these tips will be very handy. I think I'll sit down and go through making a note of all these great tips thank you to all the contributors!

sparrer

I looked at the price of wraps over the weekend and decided they looked easy enough ti make, so I bought a fleece for £4, cut it through to the centre of the longer length iyswim, pinned iron-on tape and satin ribbon to the cut edges and ironed it on with a damp cloth and a hot iron. It will match as a throw on my cream sofa when I'm not wearing it on cold winter evenings. It would also make a nice gift for someone's Christmas.