Old-style "spend To Save"

ceridwen

Hi scrimperjan

Well - its certainly quite a hefty tome - one can see why the high price - big thick hardback as it is.

It is written from a very different angle to the 2 books you mention- "Self-Reliance" is written from, shall we say, a somewhat more unconventional viewpoint and, I think, a good book. The John Seymour book is a good book - but useless to the typical urban dweller such as myself (an assumption of lots of land and "first kill your pig" as I recall).

This one is written more from the angle of your typical - not that unconventionally-minded - home-owner. It does rather assume you have access to an allotment or large garden. Having said that - the authors are obviously aware that many of us struggle with the idea of growing anything at all - as we have total pocket handkerchief gardens/yards/balconies instead of a proper garden. One of their (admiring) comments being about how much stuff they spotted being grown on a bathtub-size balcony.

Overall - they are likeable realists in their approach. A pretty high proportion of the book (110 pages out of 400) is devoted to growing your own food. The rest is what is basically interesting me - about things like seasonal cooking, the home, wild food, travel, transport, childrens toys. Many of the ideas are simple accessible little things - I was rather lusting after a bookcase one of them had "built" from wineboxes actually - it looked quite stylish to me. As I said - I find their style accessible -it doesnt assume all sorts of technical knowledge and DIY ability I dont have. Their description of making a coldframe for instance is very clear and I was wondering whether even dumb klutch at DIY ceridwen might be able to manage it from their very clear how-to details. Likewise the simple patchwork duvet cover.

Why dont you borrow it from the library and have a looksee before you commit to buying it?

It is a good book I think - "meaty" with information - enough pictures to show whats what, but not too much. I do dislike books that have a lot of "padding" in them to justify their price - the authors who have 20 pages of information to impart - so pad it out to 200 to make a book they can earn money from. These guys dont come in that category. They come over as nice, helpful guys who know you want your money's worth. So it is all "meat" and no padding.

I would describe them as being "aware" - they have their eyes open - but not "doomsters" - the best of the American "can do" attitude (though they are not American). I was left with the impression that I would like to meet them.

(EDIT: Okay guys - is that a good enough review for you? Can I have a free copy of your next book please - to review of course? LOL)

DawnW

I have recently bought this book (looks good, but haven't had time to read it yet). Please don't pay £25 for it though! It is £16.50 on Amazon delivered free!

ceridwen

:mad: :mad: :embarasse :mad: :mad: - £16.50......I think I need a strong cup of coffee.

groatie_queen

Three items which may help with electricity bills:

1) a remoska table top oven - the standard one uses one fifth of the power of a typical cooker oven (470w as against 2.5kw) and can cook anything from soup and casseroles to bread, cakes and scones quickly

2) a slow cooker, for when you are going to be out and want to come back to a hot meal

3) a kelly kettle would be a fantastic investment to allow you to have hot water in a power cut. It needs to be used outdoors and consists of a kettle which has a chimney up its middle, allowing water to be heated really quickly. It sits on a small fire pan and only takes some newspaper and a handful of twigs to produce hot water really quickly. There is also a pot adapter and cooking kit available.

Also consider investing in wind up lanterns and a wind up radio for possible power cuts, or to save electricity!

Re comp therapies, I agree with their value - older people in particular are often touch starved especially if they have lost their partners/spouses, and respond to therapeutic touch like thirsty plants to water .

sunflower76

I'm hoping that I can persuade MrS that spending to save is a good idea as I've just spent £13 (inc postage) on a pressure cooker from eBay. lol

morganlefay

I sometimes find this forum not to be moneysaving because I get all excited and rush out buy gadgets and things which people recommend, and sorry but I'm about to suggest you do the same thing - but it will save money in the long run ! For years I have been unable to make pastry and have just been buying it which is expensive, but this Christmas I've cracked it and all it took was two simple bits of kit. Despite instructions to use lots of flour when rolling etc etc I still found my pastry wouldn't roll, got stuck on the board and cracked, was tough and disgusting. BUT this year I bought a silicone mat (was very cheap from Aldi, ages ago) and a big, long, flat, metal palette knife. Then I use the 'best mincepie ever' recipe (with or without the sugar) and hey presto ! It rolls out fine, I wiggle the knife under it a lot as I go along (or peel the mat off the back) and HOORAH I can do pastry now. (I'm 60something and can cook really well so not being able to do pastry seemed a hideous failure !) :rotfl:

(Mind you I still wouldn't attempt puff !)

Mrs_Thrify

I spent £3 on x2 fleeses @ Asda to save heat as I sewed them as linnings behind the curtains.

Bronnie

morganlefay wrote: »

I sometimes find this forum not to be moneysaving because I get all excited and rush out buy gadgets and things which people recommend, and sorry but I'm about to suggest you do the same thing - but it will save money in the long run ! For years I have been unable to make pastry and have just been buying it which is expensive, but this Christmas I've cracked it and all it took was two simple bits of kit. Despite instructions to use lots of flour when rolling etc etc I still found my pastry wouldn't roll, got stuck on the board and cracked, was tough and disgusting. BUT this year I bought a silicone mat (was very cheap from Aldi, ages ago) and a big, long, flat, metal palette knife. Then I use the 'best mincepie ever' recipe (with or without the sugar) and hey presto ! It rolls out fine, I wiggle the knife under it a lot as I go along (or peel the mat off the back) and HOORAH I can do pastry now. (I'm 60something and can cook really well so not being able to do pastry seemed a hideous failure !) :rotfl:

(Mind you I still wouldn't attempt puff !)

Whoever instructed you to use lots of flour??!!:eek:

Still, glad you've cracked it now! Much more MS than buying readymade!

Merry mincepie munching!

InfamyInfamy

Instead of going out and buying these gadgets, join your local Freecycle group and ask for the items instead....now that is OS money saving!!
:beer:

Hardup_Hester

The food slicer I ordered arrived & hubby has had such fun slicing everything in sight. I'm hoping it will save us money as it will help slice cooked meat & HM bread much more neatly and I bought it with vouchers so it didn't cost any real money.