Sneaky ways to save the pennies

babybug

I'm a big fan of Dr Pepper, but you can only buy the expensive branded version. I found out that if you add a couple of drops of almond extract/essence to a glass of value cola it tastes just the same...

This also works with Amaretto, for the grown ups!!!!

MATH

Andy_Hamilton wrote: »

Any idea if putting the cream in a bread machine would beat it enough on a mix only setting?

My breadmaker has a butter programme. I've never used it but assume it just thinks the cream around until it turns into butter.

exlibris

Can't remember if this has been said before. Apologies if it has.

Buy the largest joint you can afford. If possible let it cool before you carve it and then carve it all. Portion into plastic boxes/foil containers in meal sizes. Make loads of gravy cover the meat and then freeze for additional meals. Any small portions can be saved for sandwiches. Do the freezing before anyone can get into picking the bits. You will be amazed how many Sunday roasts you can freeze down.

The larger the joint the less shrinkage there is and portioning it up before serving the main meal means out of sight out of mind.

Ches

EssexHebridean wrote: »

I can remember my Nan doing what she called "turning sheets edges to middle" - basically cutting it down the middle and then sewing it back together again with the two outer edges forming a seam down the middle. hem the two other (worn thin) edges and hey presto. Not sure I could be bothered with that though!

\

I used to do this years ago but the seam down the middle is very uncomfortable.

Lesley_Gaye

When I was going through one of many hardup stages - going through another one now - I thought I would have a go at making my own soap to see if it would be cheaper. As I researched what I would need to make it, I was rather revolted by what manufacturers put in it and was thinking what I could do. Shortly afterwards I heard an article on Radio 4 about a chap who hadn't washed for a year. Eeerugh was my reaction.

What this actually turned out to be was that he showered, but didn't use any soap on his body, just shampoo on his hair. So I decided to try it that day and see what happened. I was delighted to find that I felt just as fresh and clean as I did after using soap, so I decided to keep going and see what happened. That was 30+ years ago and I haven't used any kind of cleanser on my skin ever since, except to remove make up on days that I wear it. I still need to use a little bit of deodorant after about 3 days or I begin to smell, but don't need it every time.

I have tried going without shampoo but haven't found a way to make that work yet, although haven't tried that hard.

My OH doesn't like not using soap, but is currently using shower gel from Lidl at 13p a bottle, so he's hardly extravagant! Also use it in handwash pump dispenser in bathroom.

Also, have had a search around the threads and couldn't see this anywhere else so thought I would post it. Found an ancient pack of citric acid in the back of the cupboard and used a teaspoon of it to descale the kettle - worked a treat.

have recently discovered this site. Love the recipe ideas, I love cooking and read recipes all the time.

Lesley

Lesley_Gaye

Without being too graphic about this, we don't flush the loo until it's been used a few times, unless it really needs it if you know what I mean.

Although this principle tends to go out the window when we have guests as we don't want to appear slovenly!

I think that it is the loo that is the major user of water in households, so it should make quite a bit of difference.

My OH uses prodigious amounts of loo paper, goodness knows what he does with it all - I don't like to ask!

JayJay14

The Americans have a saying:-

"If it's yellow, let it mellow - if it's brown, flush it down!"

Lesley_Gaye

JayJay14 wrote: »

The Americans have a saying:-

"If it's yellow, let it mellow - if it's brown, flush it down!"

yes, that's the one, didn't know how graphic to be!

NickiM

The moment it gets dark, close the curtains to trap the heat in

Ellidee

Lesley_Gaye wrote: »

My OH uses prodigious amounts of loo paper, goodness knows what he does with it all - I don't like to ask!

Lesley thank you for making me smile ! There is a tip somewhere else on here about squashing toilet rolls before you put them on the holder so that they don't 'run' so freely and so less gets pulled off. HTH