Frugal Living Challenge 2011 - part 2

cw18

mine's a fairly basic mountain bike, but I've had panniers fitted to the back so I can use it to go shopping

rising_from_the_ashes

LolaLemon wrote: »

I went to h*lfords after sons swimming today to check out bikes, 2 that I liked had discounts n stuff but both around the £200. I have bn in charity shops and on freecycle and gumtree but no luck.
Now I'm unsure what would b best, a mountain bike or a hybrid bike.... does anyone have any recommendations ? (Can I get a basket for a mountain bike so I can get the shopping home hehe? )

redglass wrote: »

It partly depends how hilly the terrain is in your area. Personally I prefer the sit-up-and-beg bikes that you often see in Europe (and they make LOVELY new ones, lighter than the old models and a lot more elegant than mountain bikes IMHO) but my own bike is a mountain type because I chose to live on a hill in the midst of a flat landscape, not my smartest ever decision. I've fitted a mesh basket to the front - it did take a bit of fiddling round and swearing but i can now unclip it and put it back. The shop should be able to tell you what fittings are available for mountain bikes.

Hi Lola, I got a new hybrid bike though our cycle*scheme at work at the end of last year.

I find it much better than the last bike I had (mountain bike) as it's much easier on the bad back being in a more upright position - it's also a step through design which is great for the old knees (ohhhhh, I sound as if I'm 90 not under 40:eek: the joys of arthritis!).

It's also much better for riding on streets etc (bigger wheels = less effort) than a mountain bike is but can also cope with rougher terrain than a road bike.

I've found the following site really useful: http://www.cyclechat.net/index.php? - the following thread has loads of useful advice: http://www.cyclechat.net/topic/14127-my-advice-to-newbies/

Have you tried the Bike Station? http://www.thebikestation.org.uk/edinburgh/ - you've got to go early as the good bike's go very quickly. All have been refurb'ed/serviced etc and you can get a good deal (but you may need to go a few weeks until you get what you're after).

rising_from_the_ashes

Please excuse the following rant but I'm fuming!

Went to view a house which stated there was open viewing on Sunday between 2 & 4.

Got there & no-one was in - wasted an hour & a half and £8 of fuel.

Not a happy bunny & have sent a "stinking" email to the solicitors selling the property.


(rant over, sorry)

slowlyfading

rising - I can certainly see why you're annoyed - that's not helpful at all. It's not fair to advertise something and then not do it, is it? grr.

redglass_2

Sorry to hear about your experience with the house, RFTA. Definitely not on. Try asking to be reimbursed, that should make your point...

Thanks for that very helpful link on different kinds of bikes. I feel like a bike ride now, but can't go...too much to do!

tumptyteapot

nicki wrote: »

Quick question for you ladies (and any gents who are here). I want to buy a slicer so I can cook then slice joints and make my own bread and get even slicers as well as making them last longer. ATM when I slice meat/HM bread its doorsteps and I just can't get the knack of slicing thinner

I have the choice of this one from @gos or I can pay a little more and get this one from Lakeland. I am very tempted by the lakeland one but they appear to me to be exactly the same so I'm wondering whether you think the extra money is worth it?

personally I think it would end up as kitchen clutter and you would be better off saving money and getting a decent knife. Have you used one? Are they difficult to clean?

rising_from_the_ashes

tumptyteapot wrote: »

personally I think it would end up as kitchen clutter and you would be better off saving money and getting a decent knife. Have you used one? Are they difficult to clean?

My DF has one and it's fantastic (if I had joints more often I'd def get one) - you get so many more slices as it can cut them evenly and thinly.

I'll try to remember to ask what kind they've got.

nicki_2

tumptyteapot wrote: »

personally I think it would end up as kitchen clutter and you would be better off saving money and getting a decent knife. Have you used one? Are they difficult to clean?

I used to use a professional once in one of my previous jobs many years ago and it was brilliant. I didn't clean it though as someone else took over the job I was doing as I was needed elsewhere. From what I've read online they are lethal but easy to clean. You just have to be very careful a obviously its a very sharp blade and since I don't have a dishwasher I'd have to wash it by hand.

I used to have one of those V-bladed ones, but it drove me mad as it blunted so quickly and the veg used to get stuck in it :mad: I can chop veg/salad thinnly its just loaves and meat I'm hopeless at :rotfl:

I've been thinking and I've decided to go for the Lakeland one, okay so its slightly more expensive, but with their lifetime guarentee (which I assume would apply to it as well) it would be worth it

miss_empty_piggy

Good Morning all

I haven't been on for a while, sorry to hear the sad times that some of you are having. Hope things getter better soon. Life is so hard sometimes, and it seems even harder lately, and then you read in the paper how the gvt is saying "brace yourself it's going to get worse"!!! Oh Dear. Well for me, DD1's birthday always throws me out and I am dreading checking the budget. Also got plumber coming on Wednesday to service my boiler and see if he can get this heating working properly (he's says it is probably that that is causing my enormous fuel bills).

However, on a more positive note, have finally planted up my hanging baskets with tomatoes, have planted cucumber and pepper shoots, and even planted seed potatoes and carrot shoots (probably FAR too late) but just the fact that I actually have done it is an achievement as I'm a definitely "round tuit" kind of girle. The strawberries and raspberries are absolutely hugemungous, can't wait to do something with them. I have a another area in the garden which has a massive climbing frame, slide and swings on, which I'd love to turn into more veg area but feel guilty for the kids!!! so I guess it's staying (for now). Well, work beckons unfortunately. I hope everyone has a better than expected kind of day. Big hugs to all who need it (and happy belated birthday to Sandra Scarlett). x

tumptyteapot

Slowlyfading, thank you for the recipe! I put the Tea Loaf on to cook before I dropped my son and school and went for a run and came back home to a delicious breakfast!. I used 4oz sugar and I think you could possibly replace it with grated apple too as it's still really sweet. I'll experiment! I'm weight watching and it works out at 6pro points per slice if you have 12 slices to a cake which is a bargain! Half of it is going to my neighbour as a thank you for smoked rainbow trout he makes for us.