Super Scrimpers

BKAT_9

So glad other MSE-er find this programme silly - I think most of their 'tips' are quite off putting if you were just starting to think of thrift - as if the Ketchup thing works out, they need to talk about banking, cutting interest on credit cards, ebaying - my friends havent got a clue about that stuff! (I am no expert but have learnt a lot from this site)

Butterfly_Brain

I must admit I was pmsl at the hair do where one side was shaved !!!!!!!
She could have used a razor herself or got her friend to do it, and as for spending over £100 on hairdo's for half a head:rotfl::rotfl:give me a break.
I was thinking to myself that you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear dears no matter how much money you have..........

As for Barbara and her cheap? cleaning products i would love to know where she gets her Bicarb from, because it is 82p for a tiny tub in Asda so I spend the same in Wilko's for Soda Crystals that are a much better all purpose cleaner

BKAT_9

I found Spendaholics a lot better - I mean I know if was a difference format but there was also lots of tips in the programme and they also looked at the emotional side of spending. Certainly made me reconsider whether I needed or simply wanted something - looking at the extreme spending in the programme highlighted some quite universal aspects of excess.

PixieDust

- why did she put aspirin in the face mask....?
- the friendship bracelet look s7it......
- £1321 on make-up in a year? *faints* in the same period I bought a £2.99 mascara.....
- I only like Barbara
- stick-on jewels (even hot glued on) will NOT stay on for "a good long time" in my experience....she'd have been better off with a different adhesive.
- 6 toms (about a pound) and a lot of effort for 8-10 small portions of sauce versus 740g A5da own brand bottle of ketchup @ 73p. Hardly cheaper unless you happen to have a greenhouseful of toms!
- ditto the bicarb - though it is SO much better to use bicarb
- the "fashionistas" just got on my wick so I zoomed through them.....and the woman in the orange hat.....

PixieDust

The tub Barbara was using was T3sco's - 83p for 200g. If you have a big Chinese supermarket near you (Like Sing Fat), I have seen mega bags in there, but I could never carry them

freyasmum

PixieDust wrote: »

- why did she put aspirin in the face mask....?

It contains acetylsalicylic acid which is anti-inflammatory so it's great for reducing redness and spots and also it makes for a wonderful exfoliant.

NewStart09

Ok, I find the show amusing to say the least but really just how many of us have a sewing machine??

Also funny how they rubbed that soda on the window of the oven but you never saw the result??? It would have been more impressive if they had actually shown the inside of the oven rather than the top of the stove.

Also it annoys me to no end about her harping on about the childrens savings, as both of my kids were born before they started giving out the £250. Try explaining it to a child why they are not entitled but the kids in the year below them are!

Also it is great that they show interesting ways to save money however they are not showing the impact this will have on retailers or other organisations like restraunts and such, the economy is fragile and people are trying to adapt, but where is the empathises on supporting or volunteering to help? The idea is to improve your life not just hoard your money under the mattress for what??? After all you cant take it with you????

NewStart09

Uniscots97

I had to giggle at the bicarb getting liberally sprinkled on the carpet and the male student sweating buckets trying to hoover it off!

anguk

PixieDust wrote: »

- why did she put aspirin in the face mask....?

Many expensive face creams and masks contain Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), as I understand it BHA is salicylic acid, Aspirin is also salicylic acid. If you google "aspirin face mask" there's loads of results, obviously don't try it if you're allergic to Aspirin, like me.

Alison_Funnell

THIRZAH wrote: »

I'm not sure about the plant spray made from rhubarb leaves-don't they contain oxalic acid?The man who made it implied that his spray was safer than the stuff you buy but I'm not sure about that.Oxalic acid is quite toxic.

Can't think why they call the programme "Super Scrimpers"-it's all pretty basic stuff really-make your own, don't spend money you don't have, shop around, cook from scratch etc. Money Saving for Beginners might be a better title.

Has anyone here actually learnt anything new from the programme?

Indeed. We all (Mr, Mum, DD and I) said the same thing about the toxicity from the oxalic acid in the spray on to the veg. Not something I would use without some serious research first. Even then I think I would rather not.