2021 Frugal Living Challenge

mumtoomany

@ YORKSHIRELASS Yes, the dishwasher tablets are the vidaXL ones. 

nannygladys

Today's frugal bits.
Eaten left overs for tea and at lunch had eggs that were out of date but we're OK as didn't float and tasted fine. Managed to fill the car up and that should last me until next pay day and sat down for 15 minutes and made two lists a)food that needs eating up  b) meals to use said bits up!! 
I have put the electric blanket on my bed but only use it when I really need it, and washed an old winter jacket/coat that I will mend the pockets on as I haven't found one in my price range and to be honest I've realised it may be quite a few years old but it's still OK! That's it for today, off to take dgd to orthodontist tomorrow so will do a round robin trip whilst I have car out.
Going up to bed, sleep well everyone
Nannyg

Skint_yet_Again

Hello just delurking to ask if anyone has tried cutting dishwasher tablets in half ? Lots on google including past mse threads but not many seem to do it ? 

Thrifty_Taylor

@Deleted_User one tip I've read previously is to cut your firelighters in half, you'd end up with twice the amount & they'd still do the same job!

zafiro1984

mumtoomany said:

@zafiro1984, (if you start using it again) and anyone else with a dish washer, dishwasher tablets are only around £30 for 500 on ebay. They work as well as any other, we've used them for years. 

I wish I could use what everyone else uses regarding dishwasher/washer/cleaning products, but our sewage is on a reed bed system (no main drainage, and no sewage tank collection) and I have to be so careful what goes down the drains so not to destroy the eco system. Any ideas on cheap suitable tablets/powder gratefully accepted. I do use a lot of vinegar and soda bic for cleaning.

One bargain I'm just about to go and collect. A very large dog cage 48" x 34" x 30" with waterproof cover. Not for a dog but for a gander that's decided to terrorise the group and needs to be separated. Cost £10 - bargain, I'll put it on a pallet to keep it of the ground. Geese houses are usually about £200 upwards. DH has a bad back at the moment so can't build me one, but also I think it would have cost more even if he did

tboo

zafiro1984 said:

I wish I could use what everyone else uses regarding dishwasher/washer/cleaning products, but our sewage is on a reed bed system (no main drainage, and no sewage tank collection) and I have to be so careful what goes down the drains so not to destroy the eco system. Any ideas on cheap suitable tablets/powder gratefully accepted. I do use a lot of vinegar and soda bic for cleaning.

A lot of the homemade dishwashing tablet 'recipes' seem to be made of the same ingredients as bath bombs.

Baking soda, washing soda, vinegar, citric acid, salt, essential oils etc

Will these be ok to use?

willow_loulou

I tried half tablets, it was a bad idea! Though may work if you added salt. I can’t be faffed with that with my hands so I stick to my all in one pods. 

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

Mumtoomany if you get your daughter to download an app called Testi it notifies you when there is a cancellation for a test. You can select 3 different test sites and it will let you know as soon as one becomes available. It then takes you straight to the dvla website to change it. 
It was the only way I have been able to get a driving test booked. 

2Scratters

@Tightpants24 We use Octopus for both fuels and if you can get a recommendation from a customer you both get £50 credit on your bill. I can help if needed.
 
We don't have a dish washer and are on a water metre. I am aware there are dishwashers that use just 6 litre of water (just a bit more than a basin). When running the hot water tap we always save the pre hot water to put into the filter jug.
 
We have some left over coal and a great deal of wood. We got lazy last winter, that won't be happening this year we have no excuse at all. 

I have found a local barber in the next village who is happy to cut ladies hair which is already on the short side. A fraction of the cost of a hairdresser.

Today is DH last day in paid work and is retiring due to ill health. We can do this
We will be having a planning meeting weekly to start off with and take it from there.

2Scratters xx

QueenJess

Chipps said:

By the way, does anyone else find the term “staycation” for a holiday in ones own country offensive? Surely a staycation is when you stay at home and go out for days?  A holiday in another part of the country is just that, a holiday!
(rant over!)

Yes, it’s very cringeworthy and it annoys me because it is bounded around like a new thing. I was happily going on holidays in the UK for years and now all these other people are going too and clogging it up.. 😡. I just didn’t bother this year. I prefer the peace and quiet.