Sneaky ways to save the pennies

babyshoes

Eenymeeny wrote: »

I don't know if anyone has posted this before but I save the 'spent' batteries from remotes etc. Then use them in clocks, which don't need much power to run. They can often have months of wear in them!

I agree with this one - I once saved a couple of 'flat' batteries from my brother's portable walkman type CD player (this was a *few* years ago) for my little alarm clock, and they lasted me through the first two years or so of university! I was quite miffed when I had to spend money on a new set as my brother wasn't handy with more 'flat' ones. Those lasted until the clock itself gave up the ghost...

tori.k

shankley4ever wrote: »

Has anyone tried using unwanted shower gel , shampoos etc. instead of bars of soap in your gloop mixture? I have loads of these and am tempted to try them, what are your opinions..( I use gloop all the time with excellent results by the way )..Thanks for your thoughts !!

It would think it would foam a nightmare if you try it do post back and let me know, but in saying that a tiny rub of shampoo can take the sweatmarks out of white shirts

Fozz

Have started using the microwave a lot more for cooking veg, they seem to keep their flavour much better and saves electricity. For some reason I always thought it was better to cook them on the hob, but read a book by Glyn Christian who swears by microwaved veg!

shankley4ever

tori.k wrote: »

It would think it would foam a nightmare if you try it do post back and let me know, but in saying that a tiny rub of shampoo can take the sweatmarks out of white shirts

Hmmm...good point..I will post back when I make some and let you know..

Becky_2

Morning all,

Hope you all have had a nice weekend. I have saved money this weekend by drying my washing outside. Yesterday I cleaned the oven and used old manky dish clothes that I keep for the oven rather than throwing them away. I spray the oven cleaner and wipe the oven with an old cloth then throw it away afterwards instead of rinsing it, then repeat the process again and throw another cloth again. Then finish off with a new cloth that I have kept and store hanging on the cleaning bottle to be used next I am doing it (probably in 2011). Last week my shoe sole became a bit loose and normally I would fix this with super glue but my OH suggested that I take it back to the shoe repairer for them to fix it and they did for free and did a much better job than I would have done with the sole.

Eenymeeny

Fozz wrote: »

Have started using the microwave a lot more for cooking veg, they seem to keep their flavour much better and saves electricity. For some reason I always thought it was better to cook them on the hob, but read a book by Glyn Christian who swears by microwaved veg!

I use one of those plastic micro veg cookers (I think jml do them) I actually prefer broccolli, cauli etc done this way. It's more like steamed, and not soggy!

Eenymeeny

SunnyGirl wrote: »

A little thing I do (not particularly money saving) is to be sure that every baked bean is out of the can. I've always had a thing about them being lonely & not fulfilling their beany destiny to be eaten if they're left in the can :rotfl: My dh finds this hysterical btw!

Thanks everyone, I'm working my way through this thread and picking up so many tips! Had to comment on this one as it reminded me of student days! I always turn the tin upside down before opening as that's the mushy bit which sticks to the tin! Don't know where I picked that one up...sad:o

zippychick

Fozz wrote: »

Have started using the microwave a lot more for cooking veg, they seem to keep their flavour much better and saves electricity. For some reason I always thought it was better to cook them on the hob, but read a book by Glyn Christian who swears by microwaved veg!

Hmmm, how do you actually microwave veg? I never know to be able to try! Apart from peas and sweetcorn..... I never know how much wter to put in, do you cover it etc?:o

lilac_lady

Family meal on Saturday was HM lentil soup, £5 (half price) ham, reduced potatoes, (roasted), carrots (30p per bag), reduced broccoli and HM cheese sauce. Pudding was half price Ben & Jerry's ice cream. I fed 4 adults and 2 children and felt that it was a really nice meal. There's no need to spend a fortune when you have people over for a meal.

bellaquidsin

I cook veg in the microwave in a plastic or pyrex bowl with lid, with about 1/4 teacup of boiling water. Hard to give a timing as it depends on how much you're doing. Try 4 mins to start with and increase in minute bursts until just cooked. Remember to give it standing time as it will continue cooking during this time. You soon get used to guaging the timing for the quantity and yes they do retain their flavour. The only veg I don't favour in the microwave is runner beans.

However I did hear not so long ago that there had been research done and it was found that microwave cooking vegetables destroys something like 90% of the anti-oxidants, so I don't use this method so often now.

Does anyone know about this?

Bella.