How to Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way.

HariboJunkie

squeaky wrote: »

Must admit I had the big companies in mind when I made that comment - and it seems a small concession if it's really aimed at helping smaller companies?

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I wouldn't suggest that it is aimed at really helping small businesses (it is only being reduced by 1% for small businesses anyway) but 1% still means alot to me and my business.

As far as the large corporations go I think anything which encourages companies to stay in/return to the UK is a good thing as it will mean more jobs.

Example here.

In Ireland the rate of Corporation tax is so low that many companies moved there, particularly those once based in Northern Ireland which has seriously and adversely affected the employment figures in the Province.

jumblejack

redlady_1 wrote: »

Ok Jumble, I give in...what is a thermal cooker??

A modern equivalent of a haybox which is the size of a slow cooker.

Basically it is an inner steel pot that you cook in. Get everything to a rolling boil then stick the pot straight into the snug outer pot which is insulated nicely. Hours later your food is cooked perfectly using no extra electricity. The heat of the contents is preserved so slow cooking is perfect. I'd been wanting a slow cooker after being inspired by this forum but am so much happier with this option, more economical/environmentally friendly and I can pop in the food in the morning and take the pot with us on outings as it has a big carry handle so is ideal for campers. Not a bad size either, 6.5 ltrs and was only £39.99 off eBay, woohoo!!!

It also works effectively at keeping things cold. I may try a tub of ice-cream in it on shared picnic outings too!!
I now have a veggie curry slow cooking in it so will share the results later!!!

I have just picked up LOADS of candle making stuff off freecycle including waxes, wicks and metal sustainers!!! Yay!! She also gave me 6 Roma tomato plants in exchange for 6 eggs.

Going to pot them up in a minute after I've washed my lunch dishes (the final remnants of my reduced meat chilli used as a toast topper, yummy!)

Larumbelle

jumblejack wrote: »

A modern equivalent of a haybox which is the size of a slow cooker.

Basically it is an inner steel pot that you cook in. Get everything to a rolling boil then stick the pot straight into the snug outer pot which is insulated nicely. Hours later your food is cooked perfectly using no extra electricity. The heat of the contents is preserved so slow cooking is perfect. I'd been wanting a slow cooker after being inspired by this forum but am so much happier with this option, more economical/environmentally friendly and I can pop in the food in the morning and take the pot with us on outings as it has a big carry handle so is ideal for campers. Not a bad size either, 6.5 ltrs and was only £39.99 off eBay, woohoo!!!

I now have a veggie curry slow cooking in it so will share the results later!!!

I have just picked up LOADS of candle making stuff off freecycle including waxes, wicks and metal sustainers!!! Yay!! She also gave me 6 Roma tomato plants in exchange for 6 eggs.

Going to pot them up in a minute after I've washed my lunch dishes (the final remnants of my reduced meat chilli used as a toast topper, yummy!)

We made a haybox cooker last year (well, it was mostly polystyrene, but...) It was a great success for rice and lentil casserole, I never got up the courage to use it to cook meat though! Do keep us posted on how it works, won't you?

GreyQueen

Redlady, thanks for asking jumblejack what a thermal cooker is as I didn't know either. What an exciting idea; free energy. This is the way we need to go.

Sun is shining here and it is one more day nearer the weekend and I too am one of the "saddos" who adore the smell of line-dried laundry. And larders. And tidy airing cupboards. Simple joys.

((Hugs to all)) Hope everyone is having a good day and that the Whoopsie Goddess puts her yellow-stickered benisons your way today........:rotfl:

floss2

starsandmoon wrote: »

Well work are moving me to another office, good news is its nearer to home downside is Iwill have to pay for parking. Icould get the bus and have researched the prices/times etc. Dilemma is parking will cost about £16 a month (work 3 days a week) but will still use petrol and wear and tear, bus is £13 a week (for 7 days). Think Il do a trial run with the bus.

For me the bus would be a no-brainer. We're about to have a 1% parking charge imposed on all above the grade below mine (wouldn't you know it!) for the privilege of parking in the same spot as I did before....but the income has saved quite a few jobs from the axe across our council so I'm not as annoyed as some people are. I know a lot of people are gettihng their bikes out, but we haven't got anywhere to store one, and I haven't got one anyway...

ChocClare wrote: »

It must be warm! Still, at least he was "indoors", if he was driving a lorry. The downside of living by the seaside is that people insist on coming off the beach and walking up the street half naked. I bet they wouldn't think of walking round their own home town in a bikini!

At my old house, which was on the cliffs, you would see very white half-naked people walking to the beach in the morning, and very red half-naked people coming home in the afternoon. You'd think the sun only shone in Bournemouth, so desperate were they to soak up those rays.

If people want to bare their all on the beach then fair play to them, but if a middle-aged man has a stomach which comes into the room half an hour before he does, then I really don't want to look at it while I'm on my way to the post office *shudders* :rotfl::rotfl:

Tell me about it! I'm glad I've not been into town today, but if this keeps up the prom & beach will be heaving with grockles at the weekend.

Have been MIA for a few days - busy weekend followed by a semi-MSE trip to Dublin....DH was working so his fare & one night's hotel was paid, I flew on a cheapy Air Fungus fare:D and entertained myself in the glorious weather around the city while he was otherwise occupied. DH treated us to the tour and a scrummy lunch at the Guiness Storehouse for my forthcoming birthday though :beer:

Have done the budget calculation and apparently I will be £180.59 better off mainly through the change in income tax allowance - not sure where the 59p comes in though! DH will benefit from the increase in both tax allowance and mileage allowance - 5p on 10,000 miles = £500 for him :T

Must potter off & recreate a smaller version of Mount Washmore by emptying the laundry basket....am still on my hols from work so am refusing to spend all my leisure time cleaning & doing housework :rotfl:

jackieglasgow

I don't know if she will be reading the thread or not, but I want to send my love and best wishes to Welsh Camper, who has had a bereavement this week. I know you will all want to send her your love, too. x

jumblejack

UPDATE

The thermal cooked curry is a triumph!

It seemed quite miraculous to open the lid and find steaming hot curry when I'd put it in there first thing this morning.

I had it with GBR (germinated brown rice!). I discovered this awesome food whilst researching spouting seeds a few nights ago.

Apparently you can only do it with brown rice as White rice has been polished with the hull removed. You let it soak for a day or 2 in fresh changes of warm water. The seed just begins to germinate and is then ready for cooking in the usual way!!!

I already have my next batch in soak for later in the week!

The Japanese are really into it at the moment and the health benefits are awesome!

Mmmmmmm! Tasty AND good for you!

littlecal

jackieglasgow wrote: »

I don't know if she will be reading the thread or not, but I want to send my love and best wishes to Welsh Camper, who has had a bereavement this week. I know you will all want to send her your love, too. x

So sorry Welsh Camper,sending hugs and love.


Thank you JackieG.x

Larumbelle

Welsh Camper, best wishes and condolences to yourself and loved ones :grouphug:

Oooh germinated rice! I love sprouting seeds! My favourites are sunflower seeds, broccoli seeds and chickpeas. Thanks jumblejack, I am going to try that! Also you've inspired me to find out what we did with our haybox.

Starsandmoons why not ask work if they can arrange a public-transport perk? I know some offices offer incentives to job share or use public transport or their own steam. I think they get some tax break for doing so, so it might not even cost them anything. Our place offers free cycles and interest-free loans to buy season tickets for public transport. Also our business park has a car-share board on its website so people can find car-shares with people who work in different businesses nearby. Unbelievably I am the only one of our 250-strong workplace who regularly walks to work.

Well, I'm in lots of pain again Got the doc's tomorrow. OH has gone to the chippy for tea as a treat 'to cheer me up'. Fish and chips is his favourite food, not mine! :rotfl: He's such a thoughtful guy.

ceridwen

jumblejack wrote: »

UPDATE

The thermal cooked curry is a triumph!

It seemed quite miraculous to open the lid and find steaming hot curry when I'd put it in there first thing this morning.

I had it with GBR (germinated brown rice!). I discovered this awesome food whilst researching spouting seeds a few nights ago.

Apparently you can only do it with brown rice as White rice has been polished with the hull removed. You let it soak for a day or 2 in fresh changes of warm water. The seed just begins to germinate and is then ready for cooking in the usual way!!!

I already have my next batch in soak for later in the week!

The Japanese are really into it at the moment and the health benefits are awesome!

Mmmmmmm! Tasty AND good for you!

...and any more info on germinated brown rice would be very nice please:D

Goes off kicking self - as part of dinner tonight is brown rice - and I didnt even think of doing that...:mad: