Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

VfM4meplse

Aesop wrote: »

and on another facebook group, they were talking about burnt irons.

They said switch iron on, get it warm, not scalding and take a paracetomol tablet and iron it on the ironing board. the black burnt on bits will come off the iron. hey presto, no having to buy a new iron.

I find a quick spritz of WD40 does the trick nicely.

Anne_Marie_2

Wombatchops wrote: »

I hope it hadn't died a death? I don't have any tips to post, but does anyone have any tips for saving water? We are on a meter, and I would love some ideas on how to reduce our water usage and our bills. We are a family members of five. DH and I, DD1 (6), DS (2), and DD2 (1). The kids do share baths.

Permanent water shortage problem in Cyprus, particularly worse in the summer months, so here are my tips.

Fruit and veg washed in a bowl, really dirty veg like potatoes washed in a bowl, then again in another. Water used for watering the plants then.

Shower water - run into container until it gets warm, and used for other household purposes. When taking a shower, I turn off water once wet, lather up, then turn back on again to rinse off.

I don't have a bath, but if I did, I would save the water for flushing the loo, watering the garden, possibly for washing the floors.

Toilet. If you have a larger old fashioned cistern, put something in to reduce the amount of water needed for flushing (an empty plastic bottle filled with water, think used bath water here), or there are products you can buy for this. Empty plastic bottle is cheaper.
Don't flush the toilet after every wee. There's a saying here used by expats - "If it's yellow, let it mellow, if it's brown, let it drown." (I know, it sounds gross).
I use my upstairs loo, rather than the downstairs one, which is good exercise for me, and I'm not rushing to flush the downstairs loo if someone pops in.

This probably won't apply, but water from air conditioning goes into a water butt, which is used for watering the garden.

Wombatchops

Thank you Aesop and Anne_Marie.

Jackie O, can I ask a daft question? Will any vinegar do for ketchup, or should it be a particular variety? By the way, I'm with you on ensuring that every last drop possible cones out of this, jars, bottles, etc. Otherwise it's just a waste. My favourite kitchen instrument is a spatula for that very reason.

kboss2010

Use loose leaf tea instead of bags, it works out cheaper

Eenymeeny

Wombatchops wrote: »

Thank you Aesop and Anne_Marie.

Jackie O, can I ask a daft question? Will any vinegar do for ketchup, or should it be a particular variety? By the way, I'm with you on ensuring that every last drop possible cones out of this, jars, bottles, etc. Otherwise it's just a waste. My favourite kitchen instrument is a spatula for that very reason.

The thrifty Dutch actually devised a tool especially for this purpose. Called a flessenschraper. Years ago their favourite Vla dessert (like thick custard) was packaged into cartons instead of bottles and they complained that they couldn't get it all out! I brought a couple back with me but I think that you would be able to get them online now.
http://www.blokker.nl/nl/blknl/koken-en-tafelen/keukengerei/overig-keukengerei/flessenschraper

Anne_Marie_2

Wombatchops wrote: »

Thank you Aesop and Anne_Marie.

Jackie O, can I ask a daft question? Will any vinegar do for ketchup, or should it be a particular variety? By the way, I'm with you on ensuring that every last drop possible cones out of this, jars, bottles, etc. Otherwise it's just a waste. My favourite kitchen instrument is a spatula for that very reason.

You are very welcome.

Regarding vinegar for ketchup, yes your normal vinegar that you sprinkle on your chips will do the job. No need to be using anything fancy. You can even just use a little water. (We never had all those fancy vinegars years ago, and I remember my Gran and Mum doing this, so it's been around a long time.)

VfM4meplse

Anne_Marie wrote: »

You can even just use a little water. (We never had all those fancy vinegars years ago, and I remember my Gran and Mum doing this, so it's been around a long time.)

My mum used to do this, I was never keen but it would drive my father and brother nuts. These days my sister does it :eek:

But never without the accompanying words "there's life in it".

The last few posts have made me crave fried chunky chips with salt and balsamic vinegar!

Anne_Marie_2

VfM4meplse wrote: »

The last few posts have made me crave fried chunky chips with salt and balsamic vinegar!

You should try chips with pomegranate vinegar....pure heaven. I buy it cheap as chips (sorry ) here, but here's a recipe.
http://homecooking.about.com/od/condimentrecipes/r/blcon101.htm

Uniscots97

I love this thread, its kept me going over the years (10 to be precise!).


When washing clothes on a quick wash the spin can still leave a lot of water in the clothes, I give them a wring out in the sink before hanging them up to dry. It means I'm not spending the extra (on electricity) for another spin or longer wash and faster spin.

Anne_Marie_2

Uniscots97 wrote: »

I love this thread, its kept me going over the years (10 to be precise!).


When washing clothes on a quick wash the spin can still leave a lot of water in the clothes, I give them a wring out in the sink before hanging them up to dry. It means I'm not spending the extra (on electricity) for another spin or longer wash and faster spin.

I am terrible at wringing out clothes, always have been, and age is not helping now, so it's an extra spin in the machine for me am afraid.
I always used to do the hand washing and rinsing out of smalls on holiday, and hubby did the wringing out.