Can we ever change where we came from?

Turtle

I'm actually surprised that standing bottles on end to get the last bit out is seen as being particularly frugal. I just thought it was common sense! I was brought up in a household without much money so maybe it's just ingrained, but I thought it was something every one did.

Savvy_Sue

Tomcatsmum wrote: »

At the moment in the kitchen and bathroom I have upside down bottles to squeeze the last drop out of detergents etc.

Turtle wrote: »

I'm actually surprised that standing bottles on end to get the last bit out is seen as being particularly frugal. I just thought it was common sense! I was brought up in a household without much money so maybe it's just ingrained, but I thought it was something every one did.

I currently have a mega squeegy bottle of hunny and I am NEVER buying one of those again! It's crystallised, so every time I want to use it I have to put it in a jug of hot water, but then I have to turn it upside down or you just get lumps falling to the spout end. Then when it's been upside down in the hot water it sort of explodes out.

Shh, don't tell Martin but tomorrow I intend to throw it away ...

[Deleted User]

I remember my gran having a larder, and she had a store of 20 of things she'd been able to buy cheaper (decades before the like of Aldi opened). That was imprinted on me. I also remember my mum turning sheets when things were really tough (and I agree, they weren't very comfortable). I've made my own clothes in the days before Primark. I've been a lot better off than I am now when working.., but as I haven't for some years I get value out of whatever I spend. On me.

But, I have two boys who don't understand value for money. And that is the ruin of me. They both seem to have ASD and well, if they don't get what they want.., they don't eat or drink a replacement. It hurts to buy branded drinks (even as cheap as possible, they are still twice the price of the own brands you get in Aldi). I remember my then 11 year old being really ashamed when I took him with me to Netto's. Until he saw a Mercedes parked in the car park and I told him, 'this is how you get one of those cars.., save on what you can'. I cook from scratch, batch cooking to save costs. I don't buy unless it can't be repaired.., and yes I do alter my son's clothes to make them fit as they grow.

However, I don't see myself turning sheets. I tend to have built up a spare store so we won't get that desperate.

But I am a little 'skinflinty' and I see no shame in the name. I will be moving soon, realised that instead of just throwing away my leather sofa (purchased because it is hardwearing and relatively dog proof but years later it is getting a bit worn in places.., and not repairable) that I could take it apart and either sell the good bits of leather or use them on its replacement when it gets worn so I can repair that one lol. Yep, some might consider that sad, but I don't care.

Gingernutty

I have two carpet knives - one for general use and the 'nice' one for cutting plastic and metal tubes and bottles to get the last of the 'stuff' out.

I rinse out pesto jars with a little vegetable oil, dilute the last of the detergent with water and have rinsed out the last of the expensive vanilla extract with some of the milk I was using to make a smoothie.

Nothing leaves the house with the slightest bit of product still in it and I will think carefully about packaging design when buying a product.

I hate pump dispensers, especially with some of the more expensive skincare products.

Who knows how much is left when they stop working?

Marisco

Can someone explain how on earth you "turn sheets"????? I know about collars and cuffs, but sheets? My sheets are the same on both sides, and if they got a rip or hole in them, they go in the bag to keep as dust sheets when painting.

Gingernutty

Marisco wrote: »

Can someone explain how on earth you "turn sheets"????? I know about collars and cuffs, but sheets? My sheets are the same on both sides, and if they got a rip or hole in them, they go in the bag to keep as dust sheets when painting.

The sheets get worn down the middle.

The trick is, to cut the sheets down the middle and turn each half so that the best bit of the sheet is now in the middle.

Sew the two halves together again so that the best areas of the sheet halves are sewn together in the middle of the sheet.

You can cut lengthways or across the middle, but you're left with a seam running either the length of the sheet or across the middle.

ETA : No.. I don't do this, although I've seen it done.

Marisco

Gingernutty wrote: »

The sheets get worn down the middle.

The trick is, to cut the sheets down the middle and turn each half so that the best bit of the sheet is now in the middle.

Sew the two halves together again so that the best areas of the sheet halves are sewn together in the middle of the sheet.

You can cut lengthways or across the middle, but you're left with a seam running either the length of the sheet or across the middle.

ETA : No.. I don't do this, although I've seen it done.

You are joking???? People actually do this?????:eek: Good god! Unless you go for a high thread count, good quality sheet, you can pick up sheets these days for next to nowt!!

Gingernutty

Marisco wrote: »

You are joking???? People actually do this?????:eek: Good god! Unless you go for a high thread count, good quality sheet, you can pick up sheets these days for next to nowt!!

Yup. It was routinely done. With the holes from the worn parts patched with older, turned sheets that couldn't be turned again.

Savvy_Sue

DUKE wrote: »

Leather patches? :eek: I always associated them with rich people & longed to have them when I was young, seriously

:rotfl: my wealthiest friend has the tattiest jumpers ever. I'd be embarrassed to let DH wear anything half as bad!

Marisco wrote: »

You are joking???? People actually do this?????:eek: Good god! Unless you go for a high thread count, good quality sheet, you can pick up sheets these days for next to nowt!!

The point is, in 'the good / bad old days', you couldn't pick up sheets for next to nowt. With rationing, you had a stark choice. If they started to wear out, you'd mend them.

My aunt made a dress from a damaged parachute (no idea where she got that from!) I asked if it wasn't obvious that's what it was, and she said yes, but all her friends were full of admiration that she'd made something so brilliant from it!

Gingernutty wrote: »

Yup. It was routinely done. With the holes from the worn parts patched with older, turned sheets that couldn't be turned again.

We were shown the precise seam to use so that it would be as flat as possible. And my sewing machine has a darning option, although I can do it by hand.

Anyway, be VERY proud of me: as well as the honey, a pair of DH's trousers are going in the rag bag. There are several holes in the pockets, and I've said that he can go to a Proper Shop and buy some new ones rather than waiting for me to either mend them or pick some up in a charity shop. Won't stop me poking around charity shops, mind you ...

AubreyMac

Gingernutty wrote: »

The sheets get worn down the middle.

The trick is, to cut the sheets down the middle and turn each half so that the best bit of the sheet is now in the middle.

Sew the two halves together again so that the best areas of the sheet halves are sewn together in the middle of the sheet.

You can cut lengthways or across the middle, but you're left with a seam running either the length of the sheet or across the middle.

ETA : No.. I don't do this, although I've seen it done.

That can only work with plain dye sheets or ones with same pattern all over. Wouldn't work with mine as it'll make some of the pattern look wonky.

Wouldn't doing so just make it too tight for your matress or duvet?