Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

Nargleblast

I second that suggestion re freezing any leftover veg. You can still freeze chopped celery and use it in soups and casseroles, and indeed any veg that comes out of the freezer in a mushy state. Fruit in the fruitbowl too, wrinkled apples etc can be prepared and put in the freezer ready for the next time you have a craving for apple crumble.

Quasar

I must say that the BEST thing I've ever did in terms of food saving, was to buy a freezer and slow cooker. I firmly believe that no kitchen should be without these two appliances. I seldom threw food away before, but now it's down to absolute zero waste. I make lovely stews with all the bits and pieces and off they go, portioned and frozen - my very own cheap but healthy ready meals. :A

Mrs_T_M

Not caught up yet (still reading the first thread!), but one tiny thing that is a money saver here: we save our butter wrappers to use when 'oiling' potatoes before they go into the oven. Each wrapper can be used 3-4 times (depending on how much you want on the skin of the jacket potato). Just rub the inside of the wrapper over the skin of the potato after piercing the skin and before placing in the oven (or microwave).

Hope this helps!

Uniscots97

This is more about making a few pennies, shifting a few pounds (the weight ones) and stopping you from shopping in your lunch break.

If you have a smartphone and use Quidco, do you know you can get paid for walking into a shop? If you work in a big city this is a great way to spend your lunch hour and the good thing about the 'check-ins' is they clear straight away. So if you want to earn a few extra pennies in your lunch hour this is a good way to do it. I did it when in the city the other day and only checked in at the stores on the street I was visiting and earned a £1. Might not sound like a lot but its extra towards bills, savings, presents etc.

Uniscots97

If ever I need hair elastics for my hair that won't snag I cut bands from an old pair of tights. You can cut them as wide as you want and unlike some of the shop bought ones these won't catch in your hair.

homerdog

Wesker wrote: »

I've got a load of these too and was going to use them for bin liners but then realised they have ventilation holes in them. No good for me as i put cat litter in the bin and it would fall through the holes

I just put a tiny bit of selotape or other tape over the bottom 2 holes on each side of the bag - no problems then.

Uniscots97

If you're cooking pasta, put the boiling water in as normal, give it a stir, put it the hob and let it cook for 1 minute maximum with the lid on. Stir the pasta again and turn the heat off. Leave the pot on the hot part of the hob with the lid on. I found that Penne pasta (value stuff) was ready after 15 minutes. Drain and serve as normal. This way I still get my pasta and I don't use as much gas/electricity. Ok the pasta takes a little longer to cook but its worth it to save a few pennies each time you cook. I also turn veg (peas, carrots, broccoli etc) off but halfway through.

consultant31

unixgirluk wrote: »

If you're cooking pasta, put the boiling water in as normal, give it a stir, put it the hob and let it cook for 1 minute maximum with the lid on. Stir the pasta again and turn the heat off. Leave the pot on the hot part of the hob with the lid on. I found that Penne pasta (value stuff) was ready after 15 minutes. Drain and serve as normal. This way I still get my pasta and I don't use as much gas/electricity. Ok the pasta takes a little longer to cook but its worth it to save a few pennies each time you cook. I also turn veg (peas, carrots, broccoli etc) off but halfway through.

Do you use an electric hob? These hold the heat far longer than a gas one, I'm not sure pasta would cook after just one minute on my gas cooker.

Uniscots97

consultant31 wrote: »

Do you use an electric hob? These hold the heat far longer than a gas one, I'm not sure pasta would cook after just one minute on my gas cooker.

I use a gas hob, but the gas pressure in our area is awful.

Baileys_Babe

consultant31 wrote: »

Do you use an electric hob? These hold the heat far longer than a gas one, I'm not sure pasta would cook after just one minute on my gas cooker.

I cook my pasta this way on a gas hob in a cool kitchen, generally I find it doesn't take much longer than the time stated on the packet. I also use the method for white rice, but when cooking brown rice I boil the water (in the kettle shop) add to the pan with the rice, bring to the boil, turn off gas, after 15 minutes bring to the boil again and then turn off gas, cooking time about 5 minutes longer than instruction on packet & lots of gas saved.