NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

Primrose

JackieO wrote: »

I was at my DDs house yesterday after school and was tidying the kitchen up a bit and reallised they had two 95% empty tomato ketchup bottles, plus a half filled one. It looks asthough when a new bottle comes in the boys discard the old one and grab the new one .With my frugal hat firmly on, I decanted the two almost empty ones into the half full one before getting them washed out for the recycling bin.I would estimate there were at least three to four good helpings of ketchup in the bottles,so a squirt of vinegar into each bottle and then by giving it a good shake and then the 'windmill' application (I stand with the bottonm of the lidded of the bottle in my hand and windmill it round until all the ketchup is in one plce ,centrifrugal force :):))Then carefully pour the resulting saved ketchup into the half filled newest bottle .This has worked for me over the years as I hate throwing bottles out with food still left in them .With jam' normally 20 seconds in the microwave with melt it to the bottom.I just hate to waste anything and sevral tablespoons of ketchup will help out.They always buy the same ketchup anyway so have never noticed how it seems to last longer.:):):)If anyone looked in the window they would think 'Oh poor soul she's lost the plot :):):) standing there waving a bottle of ketchup around :):).A squirt of vinegar helps shift almost anything in a jar that you can't reach I have an almost empty jar of red onion chutney which will get the treatment later today as I want all of the remains to go into a casserole that I shall be cooking ,every little helps as they say :):)

JackieO xxx[/QUOTE

I'm glad you're mindful of the unfailing legend in our household
"When first you shake the ketchup bottle,
First none will come and then the lot'll ". rotfl:

Karmacat

katkin wrote: »

My sewing machine has been busy repairing things - like split sided cotton pillowcases, old duvets, tops etc. I also made another 6 multi sized recyclable cloth sanitary towels. I appreciate this must make some of you go ewww But I find they work really well and wash up as new. Now onto making Japanese type slippers (but lined with fleece for friends out of scraps I have in my fabric box. I'll follow this with pretty fabric drawer liner boxes for storing bits in.

katkin, I'm interested! With the recyclables, do you soak them and then wash in a washing machine in the normal way, or what? And the slippers sound fascinating ... any tips? Any linkies?

I cut open the toothpaste tube and got every singe bit out of it before buying a new one :cool:

I like that!

vulpix wrote: »

Went to my Mums today and she gave me lots of material she has had since the 70's.I was sat in her living room and thought A.how big the room is and B.what a lot of stuff she has.Now this is all treasures she has acquired and made ( her skills are second to none) She is the epitome of Not Buying it but oh what a lot of stuff.She has already told me that when she dies she wants me to empty the house not my brother and wife because they will just take every thing to the tip.I will have a big job there.

My family is talking about this at the moment - can I just say, make sure your brother and his wife know your mum's preferences too, otherwise things can get tricky ...

JackieO wrote: »

With my frugal hat firmly on, I decanted the two almost empty ones into the half full one before getting them washed out for the recycling bin.I would estimate there were at least three to four good helpings of ketchup in the bottles,so a squirt of vinegar into each bottle and then by giving it a good shake and then the 'windmill' application (I stand with the bottonm of the lidded of the bottle in my hand and windmill it round until all the ketchup is in one plce ,centrifrugal force :):))

Loving it!


As for me, a lot of today is about tidying and getting ready to resume money-making activities after being ill for so long - so, clearing the kitchen table, and the office. Cutting up lovely old shirts that have holes in for rags, saving the buttons, stuff like that.

The money that I don't spend, if there's any spare after my income collapsed, goes on my pension.

VJsmum

JackieO wrote: »

I was at my DDs house yesterday after school and was tidying the kitchen up a bit and reallised they had two 95% empty tomato ketchup bottles, plus a half filled one. It looks asthough when a new bottle comes in the boys discard the old one and grab the new one .With my frugal hat firmly on, I decanted the two almost empty ones into the half full one before getting them washed out for the recycling bin.I would estimate there were at least three to four good helpings of ketchup in the bottles,so a squirt of vinegar into each bottle and then by giving it a good shake and then the 'windmill' application (I stand with the bottonm of the lidded of the bottle in my hand and windmill it round until all the ketchup is in one plce ,centrifrugal force :):))Then carefully pour the resulting saved ketchup into the half filled newest bottle .This has worked for me over the years as I hate throwing bottles out with food still left in them .With jam' normally 20 seconds in the microwave with melt it to the bottom.I just hate to waste anything and sevral tablespoons of ketchup will help out.They always buy the same ketchup anyway so have never noticed how it seems to last longer.:):):)If anyone looked in the window they would think 'Oh poor soul she's lost the plot :):):) standing there waving a bottle of ketchup around :):).A squirt of vinegar helps shift almost anything in a jar that you can't reach I have an almost empty jar of red onion chutney which will get the treatment later today as I want all of the remains to go into a casserole that I shall be cooking ,every little helps as they say :):)
Well looking out of the window it looks like we are going to get a fair dollop of the white stuff and I have the orthodontists to visit later on today with DGS who snapped his brace playing rugby.

I'll be making a beef casserole later in the slow cooker so at least my kitcjhen will be nice and warm and smell yummy by tonight.
Hope everyone keeps wrapped up warm as there is a biteer wind blowing atm
Take care all
JackieO xxx

I always use up the dregs in soup, chilli, bolognaise that sort of thing

vodkawitch1

Hi all

Love the hen stories Edwink - night heating:) Must try that for myself sometime.
Candygirl - glad your dog is doing well.

NSD here today, just got a few appointments to attend but no reason to spend. DS here for dinner so have some beefburgers (1/2 price waitrose when there offer was on) and will do them with some onions and potato wedges.
Clearing out clutter here and done kitchen yesterday, surprising how many plastic boxes and spoons I had! Down to just what I need now.
Can I cull any more books? probably as I have so many but its hard to part with books
Take care everyone and stay warm

candygirl

Hi guys:j
Normal service has resumed here with loony dog;)She is springing all over, n annoying her doggy Bro:rotfl:
I cnanged to plusnet last month for my home phone n BB, n have just found out i'll be getting about a £100 refund from BT, which is more tha fab after the vets bill:eek:
JACKIEO, I also do the vinegar trick with sauces, the water trick with WU liquid, shampoos, etc, n the nail varnish removertrick with nail varnish;
EDWINK , the new hen soundslike a real character:D

savingqueen

I am saving for several big things. Mainly house repairs and jobs, we need several thousand minimum. Also paying extra on the mortgage, started a couple of years back when DH was at risk of redundancy. We can use any overpayments if we need a payment holiday in the future too. Our pension provision isn't great so the quicker the mortgage is paid off the quicker we can stash that money away. We also save for things for the children, trips out and cheap holidays when we can afford them and little amounts to their savings accounts for their future. Our car is ancient and saving for its replacement. Really we have so many things to save for it feels nearly impossible but I will keep on as little savings do mount up!


Fairly big food shop today but necessary so that's fine. Conformation letter from Beetee today to say we are moving to our new provider in a couple of weeks so more savings to come there :j


I squeeze every last bit out of everything, cut open tubes, stand bottles upside down, add vinegar etc, all the tricks of the trade! I scrape the last of the peanut butter DH has left out for recycling for my toast. When the toothpaste is nearly finished I get a new one out for rest of the family and I cut open the tube and use myself. I don't mind being the user-upper as long as there is nothing wasted!

weesmiler

Hi everyone,

My doctor has given me a sick line until after my grandads funeral, which is a relief, as I don't need to rush back and into the thick of my work, which sometimes involves working with people who are terminally ill, a challenge at any time, but particularly in the aftermath of a family bereavement.

Anyway, I needed tinfoil, so I went to Tesco and bought tinfoil! That, believe it or not, is enormous change for me! If not for this challenge, I would probably have bought things that were on offer on the end of the aisles but I desperately didn't want to spend money. In fact, I'm making OH pay for the tin foil, since he used the last of it! So technically a NSD so far for me. I was also considering a McDonald's for lunch, I seem to be craving their chips just now, but I refrained and came home to have beans on toast from the cupboards. Feeling very pleased with myself. Saved £4.50 odds and about 1000calories!!!

Hope everyone is well,
Weesmiler xx

fairy3

Hi shipmates love the animal antics and happy for hens and dogs - candygirl what a relief. Sorry for peoples loss - HR have a rule book unfathomable to the rest of us and the NHS is no different.
Spent money on myself for first time this year in the form of new Hiking boots, tried loads on, researched them and ended up with a bargain in the form of a junior replica of the adult identical ones at twice the price. My feet are 5.5 so not exactly tiny and they fit perfectly with great reviews so £17.99 well spent and maybe of some help to someone? Just need to walk them in before weekend away at end of March which includes tramping through a forest.
By 'not buying it' am hoping to overpay the smallish mortgage in five years and a 0% CC of £3,500 within 15 months using my pension and additional shifts although officially retired on 24th December 2014. Hard to imagine I have a 5 year plan as this time last year was just managing week to week after struggling in a stressful job, no time and huge outlays due to being time poor, long may it continue.
Broke my fiscal fast after NSD 2 so will count them instead until the stores are run down as keep needing the 'odd' item to complete a meal.
Breaking news is that Tosco are under investigation (again) for the way it treated(s) its suppliers and could face huge fines also they had an electronic crash yesterday with the tills and ability for customers to use cards it just seems to be getting worse for them think they are in stormy waters.
Have a good day everyone - beef joint going into the SC with spices for tomorrow and a quick and easy tea for tonight - Chips and Egg.

edwink

vodkawitch1 wrote: »

Hi all

Love the hen stories Edwink - night heating:) Must try that for myself sometime. /QUOTE]


Hi Vodkawitch


Our hens have a greenhouse Thermo tube as it is safe to use for them as everything is fully sealed. It is positioned underneath where they perch at night with their droppings tray above it. We have it on a timer so it goes on and off to suit the weather.


We also have a lamp that goes on which is on a timer near their hotel so we can count them in at night safely!!


Do you have hens?? Can not remember if you have mention if you have or not!!!


Edwink x

117pauline

I much prefer things that you can judge how much to use like washing clothes liquid. I am just about finished some persil washing tabs which I tried because they were on a money back guarantee but I hate it that I can not reduce the amount I use. I simply do not believe that we need half as much as company's tell us.

OK so here is Number 91 Does this really need washing?

Now before anyone cringes, I am not convinced that all clothes need washing as soon as they have been worn - there are obvious exceptions which we need not list but there are others that really don't need it.