Sneaky ways to save the pennies

asea

Don't you feel bad lying to your other half though? Wouldn't it be better to convert him to your way of thinking rather than try to pull the wool over his eyes?

kbl

I know what you mean FairyElephant, sometimes it's easier just to pretend, my OH takes it a step further tho, he's convinced that the food from Lidl/Aldi is so cheap because it's full of s**t and can't be good for you, he was also convinced that said food wouldn't taste as good, until I proved otherwise. He caught me last month opening a tin of marrowfat peas from Lidl, asked when did I start buying that s**t, got a quare shock when I told him at least a year before and he hadn't noticed :rotfl: . Point proven I'd say!! (BTW, it sounds as if OH is a grouchy sod, he's not really, just a bit judgemental on food, am sloooowly converting him)

NickiM

Not really money saving, but here goes.

I was watching a TV programme a couple of days ago and the chef was saying that when you roll out pastry, rather than getting the work surface all floury and messy, to put the dough between 2 sheets of cling film and then roll it. I tried it yesterday and it is so much easier.

I don't know whether I've just been silly because I've never thought of that!

Lesley_Gaye

talking to my brother yesterday he mentioned an OS way that he heard about a long time ago. He was at the dentist and the hygienist was giving him a lecture on eating citrus as it was bad for his teeth and nearly had heart failure when he said he had a grapefruit for breakfast most days and told him he had to stop immediately and the most he could do was to juice it and suck it through a straw so it didn't touch his teeth.

DB was not overly impressed with this, but did remember something else she said, being a bit of a tightwad himself. She said we should all use a good quality mouthwash, especially last thing at night, but to prevent it costing a lot, she said to clean your teeth in the usual way, then just dip a toothbrush in the mouthwash, wipe it around your teeth, and don't rinse. That way you can get a good quality one and it will last for ever (her words). She said to keep a little bit in a separate little container so you didn't contaminate the big bottle by dipping a toothbrush in it, and I guess it might be an idea to have a very small container for each person doing it, film roll canisters perhaps if they are still around in this digital camera age.

I've been thinking of using a mouth wash (don't at present) as they do seem to do a good job from what I can make out, and aren't just a good marketing job with no substance to the product which is what I thought they were until recently.

Toothsmith

I wouldn't agree with the grapefruit thing.

Citrus fruits are acidic, and can cause errosion if eaten too frequently, but having one each breakfast is not excessive. If he was eating oragnges at regular intervals throughout the day, that would be excessive, but a grapefruit for breakfast isn't.

As for mouthwashes, I think her suggestion was quite good. Nowadays though, there isn't much in a mouthwash that's not in toothpaste. The advice I give to patients is just not to rinse out after brushing your teeth. That way, the fluoride and antibacterials are against the tooth surface for much longer - especially at night - and do a lot more good.

I don't think mouthwashes are necessary at all, apart for a few specific conditions, where the use of certain ones over a short period can be helpful.

EagerLearner

Ok so this may only be those a) inclined and b) with big enough freezers BUT - apparently smelly shoes can be placed in a freezer as this naturally kills germs and freshens them due to low temperatures. Of course shoes are simply placed in a plastic bag then removed after a few hours.

Saves money on sprays etc, but as I say may not be for everyone - I would definately do it if only I had more than a shelf for a freezer!

Also saw a programme saying that frozen fish fillets are often fresher, and much cheaper than fresh fillets. All fish has to be frozen no matter where it is caught, to bring back to land. So we may as well get the ones that don't get frozen/defrosted etc before they even get to us. I am going to try this as will save alot. Also she said that peas, sweetcorn etc (ie any small veggies) are better/cheaper frozen too. Plus for green issues, saves alot of tins etc...

ubamother

I'm really interested in what you say about not rinsing toothsmith - my 8 yr old was told this during a teeth project at school - and I was very surprised. I didn't realise why - now I do so thank you. My only query would be what about all the bits of food and stuff you have carefully dislodged during your brushing - are you not leaving them next to your teeth as well?

EagerLearner

Prob ok to just rinse with water - it's what my mum always taught us after brushing - we used to have a cup next to the sink just for that. I now have 2 bottles of mouthwash that I will get through and but no more - thanks toothsmith!

CoD_2

it's certainly true about frozen veg, i never buy sweetcorn or peas in cans, or fresh really. the only peas that are "better" than frozen are the ones you grow yourself and eat quickly (for us standing next to the plant popping them raw:rotfl: )

frozen fish good too

FairyElephant_2

Hi ASEA

Yes - I did feel guilty being that devious, which is why I had to post on here to 'confess'! I will tell him soon, I promise - as soon as he's eaten some mint sauce and agreed it tastes fine......
I caught him the other day about to throw away some cheese "'cos it looked manky" - and had to explain (yet again) that if you cut off the 'manky' bit on the end, the rest will be fine - cheese was originally made to be able to store 'milk' when there was plenty of it, against leaner times, and would have always developed a 'skin' of manky stuff, for goodness sake!

KLR - I'm lucky in that my DH doesn't mind shopping in Lidl & Aldi, except for certain things like Baked Beans where he only really likes one particuar brand which starts with H....(and can always tell the difference)...and even that has gone by the wayside now I've made him see how much more expensive they are! We only get them when on special offer - I've converted him to Lidl cheap beans with a dash of worcestershire sauce in them!

Sorry if I make him sound awful - he is really the loveliest bloke - just a bit difficult when it comes to food!