28 and only just worked out how to run a house!

fac73 wrote:

I'm 26 and did Home Economics at GCSE but I don't remember doing a great deal of cooking to be honest... there was a lot more theory than practice. I do remember making bread and pizza but that's as complicated as it got.

I think it may vary by education authority. Our lessons alternated between theory and practical. Our exam was in two parts too - a written exam and a practical exam in which we had to choose, plan and make a two course meal.

However, there were lots of things we never learned - how to stock a storecupboard, budget, use up leftovers, meal plan and shop for a week, etc. The theory was far more science-based.

sammy_kaye18 wrote:

Hi All,



Cleaning is getting there - once the damn mould is sorted out!

Mould grows because the house has a damp problem, or is poorly ventilated or unheated. In my parent's house the black mould grew under the wallpaper in the kitchen till the paper peeled back. I had a house with metal window frames, where constant condensation meant they were always wet in winter and needed cleaning every week. All of them.

There is a product on the market which removes mould but it's highly toxic, not the best thing to have in the house with a toddler as it's sprayed on and gets into the air. The thing which I used, and Aggie and Kim used a couple of weeks ago, is diluted bleach and it does a good job. Sponge it on, leave for a while and wash off. In bathrooms, round the sink and bath soak kitchen roll in neat bleach and leave for an hour or so (while toddler has his nap) it's surprising how clean this leaves the sealant round the edges.

It does stink, so not the best thing to do on a bitterly cold day with the windows closed as bleach fumes are also toxic. Unfortunately if you have to leave some rooms unheated or have a problem with damp coming through the walls or condensation because the exterior walls are unusually cold, the problem will recur.

petite_anglaise wrote:

Thanks for that ladies - thank god i'm not the only one!

Even managed to con the cat into moneysaving this week. He thinks he only likes IAMS (ever so expenive cat food) , but conned him into eating Tesco's own by pouring it into the old IAMS bag first. (Ha, seduced by labels just like I used to be.. he'll soon learn!)

:rotfl:
I must try this with my pair. The female is picky unless its premium ham or Hills cat food its beneath her to eat it.

bobsa1 wrote:

Completely agree.

I'm part of the women can have it all generation and for a long time wasted a fortune on food, threw away left overs and fed kids muck!

Now left overs become soup, very little gets thrown away and I try not to buy as much stuff.

I'm having a massive clear out and been shocked at how much I've got, obviously bought when I beleived the marketing hype that I needed it. I don't

Do have ready meals now and again but trying not too and we all feel a lot better.

Got to say my work mates are shocked and do suggest that it would just be easier to buy it!

You sound a lot like me!;) I wish I'd known all this stuff when I was younger(am 40:eek: ) would certainly have brought my kids up differently and wouldn't have got into debt either! I just didn't have a clue!:rolleyes:
Still its never too late to learn and I've turned our lives around thanks to OS:T

Charis wrote:

Mould grows because the house has a damp problem, or is poorly ventilated or unheated.

Mould also grows in a house with too much insulation!

Many years ago, before all this insulating was standard and the windows rattled in the winter, there were far fewer problems with mould. Now that we have double glazing, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation we have no natural ventilation and we're often worried about leaving a window open in case it's an invitation to a burglar.