It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Flugelhorn

OrkneyStar said:

 I have got to say I am with you about 'splitting the bill debates', had a few times where people ordered a main that cost twice as much (eg a steak) and a starter, yet still expected to split with those of us just having a cheaper main - I started to see why some of them were well off, they expected less well off people to subsidise them!

Oh yes! Remember going to some work evenings out where clearly some thought there was going to be heavy subsidising from others, they had been "liberal" in ordering wine and discovered that those of us who had driven there weren't going to split ALL of the bill

Tahlullah.H

Ooh, liners?  Thank you @Brambling and @JIL.  Something new!  Clearly this is not an unknown issue, or why would they have invented liners?  I will give them a go.  Hopefully, this will solve the problem.  And if not, the Air Fryer will have to go, but for now, it has a reprieve!

cornishchick

Tahlullah.H said:

Thanks, but I am not 'potentially ruining the appliance' by putting it in the dishwasher.  The only thing that is getting ruined is my patience, and their lovely shiny high gloss black finish on the bottom section, which I am happy to lose.

No, I haven't been using fry light, but at the same time, I probably haven't been using enough oil?  I clean it after use, when cooking any type of meat or fish.  But, even chips stick and need to be scraped off on occasion.  And if I don't wash it, I am concerned that whatever remnants/oil splats are left will burn on, making it harder to clean later on.  Perhaps I need to pre-heat?  And if I am doing that, where is the money-saving over the oven?

When considering the top moneysaving things, I would have to include my freezers, my slow cooker and my soup maker.  But, this is not on the list as I am losing far more than I am gaining at present.  However, I will do as suggested and try pre-heating it.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Depending on the size of the base. I put some water in that. Put it back in airfryer. Heat for a couple of minutes. Tip the water out and wipe down the basket and the base with kitchen rolls .done 

Tahlullah.H

Great recommendation @cornishchick.  Thank you.

Jellytotts

That's what I do too @cornishchick. Life is too short to be scrubbing air fryers when they virtually clean themselves.  The problem with a liner is the fat won't drain as it cooks and I assume would splash back onto the heating element which would get smoky.

I bought ours when I was on an ultra low fat diet before gallstone surgery and have used it multiple times a week since, last nights parsnip chips were rather delicious and as I served them up, a splash of water and washing up liquid went in the base/basket and I set the timer for 5 mins. Once we'd finished eating it was just a quick empty and wipe round, dry and put away. 

linz

Just incase anyone hasn't seen this yet - up to 50% off advanced rail tickets starts on Monday 25th and lasts a month. Might help some folk who use the train a lot. Not all routes but covers quite a lot.

https://greatbritishrailsale.nationalrail.co.uk/#/great-british-rail-sale 

sammy_kaye18

Hi all 
have been busy bumbling round the house and husband started his new job today so have been trying to calm his nerves about that but it seems to have gone well. 

Things in the greenhouse are starting to sprout and appear too so that’s good and keeping my daughter busy. 

Also finding that the sunshine is doing wonders for my mental health and thankfully my foot is starting to feel better finally after it’s nail encounter in the garden the other day. 

Have been slowly using up things in the cupboard and the freezer etc. I have about £10 to my name at the minute but have stocked up on a bits so it’s only until Tuesday next week and we are good. Thank goodness for prepping ahead and having a small stockpile and a little spares cupboard of tins. 

Ive also been working my way through my craft stock and have been doing them. I brought a little light that was on sale from £25 down to £3.99 on an Amazon super deal thing - you charge it by mains and then can use it with the battery after that and it puts out a fair amount of light and has three brightness settings. 

Seriously considering buying a few more of them if they are still on offer by payday to use to light around the house and seeing if I can find a solar power charger to charge them with. 

Also need to start thinking about my sons birthday. It’s on May 26th and I don’t know what to get him. He’s a keen mountain biker and doesn’t ask for anything much and he’s missed doing anything really on his last two birthdays due to covid. Any ideas folks? 

Mummy2cheekymonkeys

sammy_kaye18 said:

Ive also been working my way through my craft stock and have been doing them. I brought a little light that was on sale from £25 down to £3.99 on an Amazon super deal thing - you charge it by mains and then can use it with the battery after that and it puts out a fair amount of light and has three brightness settings. 

Seriously considering buying a few more of them if they are still on offer by payday to use to light around the house and seeing if I can find a solar power charger to charge them with. 

Also need to start thinking about my sons birthday. It’s on May 26th and I don’t know what to get him. He’s a keen mountain biker and doesn’t ask for anything much and he’s missed doing anything really on his last two birthdays due to covid. Any ideas folks? 

Do you have a link for the light? I bought something similar from amazon a while ago and its really useful.

Rosa_Damascena

The energy bosses themselves have told the parliamentary select committee that bills are going to be horrendous come October. They have handed the problem straight back to the government to find a solution. The next six months are to be savoured before it gets cold again.

linz

Been out this evening to drop my soft plastics off at the local co-op. Got some sausages, minced beef and bread, baguettes, rolls and hot cross buns from the reduced section, all gone into freezer. Had some of the 60p sausages with a bag of 25p mixed veg for tea. Hoping I can keep having yellow stickered meals as the prices go up. Can't remember the last time I bought full priced bread, it's always being reduced near me. They must always order too much.

Re mountain biking - I don't know what your budget is @sammy_kaye18 but my brother's a keen cyclist and in the past i got him a photo frame made out of a bike chain. It was from a local fair trade shop but they'll be online somewhere in an ethical store perhaps. I've also seen some nice cycling t-shirts in the past, you could try looking on Redbubble or for cycling themed gifts on Etsy?