Living on a Shoestring

Buying a Bicycle for a Child

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:22:25 GMT

If you purchase a new bike for your child, place their
picture inside the handle bar before placing the grips on.
If the bike is stolen and later recovered, remove the grip
and there is your proof who owns the bike.

I thought this was a terrific idea!

Monique :)

Mini Skirt Belly Band!

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:28:52 GMT

This is a slightly unusual tip that I thought to share with you.
I wear a stretchy mini skirt around my middle underneath my clothes!
At the moment I am an 'apple' shape and due to a medical condition my belly is distended and I look pregnant. I liked the idea of wearing a 'body' under my clothes but they would need washing everyday like regular underwear. They are expensive too.
I found an old mini skirt in my wardrobe from my younger years and wondered if I could use it like a belly band. It's made from cotton with some elastane so it's a comfy fit.
I feel like it keeps in my tummy and keeps me warm under my clothes.
We had a heatwave not so long ago and I was fine wearing it then. Where I would normally perspire under my boobs I was kept dry.
Specially designed belly bands are expensive so I suggest buying a cheap mini skirt (charity shops are a good place to find them in the U.K.) Just try to find one that is the pull-on kind that's nice and stretchy.
I told you it was unusual!

Monique :)

PS: The photo I have enclosed is one designed for pregnant women but if that was a pull-on mini skirt you can get the basic idea.

WW2 Parsley Honey

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:09:04 GMT

I thought to share this recipe that has been used in our family for many years. My Nan made it during the war years and I recently got the recipe from my mom to share with everyone. It's been used as a tonic and an aid to digestion by many a generation in our family. Plus it tastes delicious!

Ingredients:

5 oz. parsley (stalks and all)
Pint and a half of water (20 oz)
1 lb. sugar
1/2 tsp. white vinegar

Directions:

Using a nice large saucepan, add your washed parsley to the pan then add one and a half pints of water.

Simmer the liquid until you think that it's reduced to about a pint of liquid. (Mom has now means of measuring, this is just done by 'eye').

Now strain that liquid into a jug then return just the strained juice back to the pan. Add 1 lb. of sugar and stir until thoroughly dissolved. Add 1/2 tsp. of vinegar.

Bring to the boil then simmer til the liquid looks like the consistency of honey.

Then take off the heat to cool before putting in hot jars (that have been washed in very hot water, otherwise the glass will crack).

That's it!

Monique :)

Buying A Bicycle For A Child

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:15:41 GMT

I thought this was a terrific idea!

Monique :)

One Product SO Many Uses

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:48:03 GMT

I bought a small pump spray and filled it with Listerine. It has so many uses!

I use it as a mouth spray to freshen breath. Extremely thrifty instead of buying all the branded mouth sprays. Saves me a fortune.
Spray under your arms as an alternative to deodorant - if some of you are sensitive to the chemicals in roll-on and spray deodorants.
Spray on kitchen work surfaces to kill all bacteria.
Spray a little under your car seat. As the engine warms up it releases a mint fragrance to get rid of stale odours.
Spray a little on a tissue and dab onto a developing spot.
Use as an anti-bacterial spray for your hands when out and about. In case you sneeze of course, and for general cleanliness (For example- after pushing the supermarket trolley- you have no idea how much bacteria lives on the pushing handle!)
Spray in between your toes and leave for a while then dry thoroughly. For the treatment of athlete's foot or overheated feet. If you are on your feet all day do this in your lunch break and it will revive tired feet too.
Massage a few sprays into your scalp to treat and prevent dandruff.
Spray a little onto a tissue and apply to any insect or bug bite, it lessens the swelling and relieves the itching.

So you see, one product does an awful lot. Now that's what I call being thrifty!

Source: Myself and various other sources (Books and the Internet mostly.)

By MONIQUE63 from Somerset, UK

Breadmaker's Tips

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:12:41 GMT

If you use a breadmaking machine as I do, here are a few tips that help me. Firstly, once a week I measure out my dry ingredients in large recycled (coffee) jars so I have enough bread mixes to last me a week. (It saves me having to measure out the ingredients every day and cover myself in flour!) I measure out a cup of flour with my measuring 'spoon'.

Now here's a great little tip, use the bottom end of a 2 litre empty lemonade/cola bottle to pour the contents in the jar. Cut a washed and dried empty plastic bottle about 4 inches from the bottom with a pair of scissors. Now use this as your scoop. Put a cup of flour inside the scoop then gently squeeze it so the flour just slides into the jar.

My bread requires 2 cups of flour but only put a cup of flour in at a time. Now when each of your jars has the flour inside measure out the rest of your ingredients. For my wholemeal loaves; that is 2 x tablespoons of sugar, 2 x tablespoons of dried milk powder and 1 teaspoon of salt. Always put the teaspoon of dried yeast in lastly.

For extra vitamins in your bread, I add either poppy seeds or dry-fried sesame seeds I had prepared earlier and put a teaspoon of either or both in the flour mixes. I have also added onion powders for my cheesy bread or any variations of herbs for delicious herby bread.

Now for the wet ingredients. I add one cup of warm water to the bread machine's baking tin and 2 x tablespoons of oil. When I add the second tablespoon I drop some on my fingers and I smear the sides of the tin with the oil. Makes the bread easier to remove when baked and cooled.

If I want a loaf, now all I do is add the water and oil to the baking tin then drop the contents of one my pre-prepared jars inside, I set the breadmaker then leave it do it's thing! Simple, easy and I'm not covered in flour! I always have good results and my loaves taste divine! That is unless I have forgotten to put the metal paddle inside after washing it, then I get a half cooked half flour dough disaster instead!

I hope these tips might help my fellow Thriftyfun bread makers!

By MONIQUE63 from Somerset, UK

Odd Sock Job

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:46:37 GMT

Use an old odd sock to use on your dry erase whiteboard.

I don't know why I didn't think of it before because I would use kitchen towel! Doh!

Monique :)

It's A Wrap!

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:12:24 GMT

I use one of those under-the-bed storage boxes for organizing my gift wrapping.

Along with all the wrapping paper (included some I have recycled) I keep scissors and cellotape, ribbons, sticky labels and card tags along with birthday cards and a few left over Xmas cards. It's quite spacious so I have also only now started to collect some gifts ready for this year's anniversaries and birthdays and I keep those inside it too. It fits under the sofa bed in my lounge so I still have space under my bed.

All that I need for gift wrapping all in one place!

Monique :)

Chalk It Up To Experience!

Sat, 23 May 2009 13:53:39 GMT

To save any of your jewellery from tarnishing, pop a length of chalk inside your jewellery box. I have no idea how this works but it does!

So if you buy a box full of chalks - give a stick each to your girlfriends and female relatives for their jewellery!

Monique :)

Substitute Deodorant

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:25:42 GMT

If you run out of deodorant, Listerine makes a great
substitute. Simply rub a few dabs under your arm with a
cotton ball or spray under your arm using a spray bottle.
Be sure that you only apply enough as needed, because too
much Listerine may cause minor under arm irritation.

Monique :)

Porta-Potty for Cats!

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:12:23 GMT

I found this tip in an email today- what a great idea!

Porta-Potties For Cats

The next time you buy a 24 pack of canned pop in the
flat case, remove the cans carefully not to damage
the plastic wrap and the cardboard tray. This makes
a great disposable bathroom for your cat. Especially
if you take them traveling with you.

Monique :)

A-Mayonnaising!

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:01:53 GMT

I have tried many, many ways to get rid of unwanted sticky labels and I've finally found the answer! You guessed it right...MAYONNAISE!

I used to advocate using a little turpentine but it is much harder work.

Put a smearing of mayonnaise over the label (the lighter version mayo works just as well) and leave for 10-20 minutes. Then using either a fingernail or use an old credit or plastic store card- scrape the label off. It's so easy.

For any stubborn residue use that little bit of turps to get the remainder off but this is needed only for quite thick stickers.

A-Mayonnaising! - a cheap and effective solution!

Monique :)

Alarming!

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:32:12 GMT

My mum got my brother up in the loft today to install a fire alarm up there. Until I spoke to her on the phone today I never even thought to do that.

I have smoke alarms in all rooms except the bathroom but never thought of the spacious loft above me. I am 'alarmed' at myself for not thinking about this also.

So, I am passing on this tip - it could save your life one day.

Monique

Stop Ice Crystals in Freezer

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:58:28 GMT

An empty Ice cream container sealed in a plastic bag will stop ice crystals from forming when it is in the freezer. Make sure the container is well sealed. Press the lid gently inwards to make sure all air is out. (You will hear any air escaping then press down to make sure its sealed).

Monique

Natural Shampoo Alternative

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:00:41 GMT

Potato Flour Shampoo

Adapted from "Natural Beauty For All Seasons" by
Janice Cox

Make this non-soap shampoo if your hair is really dry.

Mix 1/4 cup potato flour with 2 cups water in a
saucepan. Mix well with a wire whisk until smooth and
creamy. Gently warm the mixture on low heat for 20
minutes, but do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar. Let the shampoo cool
completely, then pour into a clean container. Use this
as you would any shampoo product.

I have been searching for a natural alternative to shop bought shampoo's because of the main ingredient in them. Sodium Laureth Sulphate [SLS] is an agent in 99% of all shampoos on the market. SLS is known to cause all manner of side effects.

Here's a quote from one site:

Perhaps most worryingly, SLS is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of sodium lauryl sulfate is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

I am glad to have found an alternative for me as I do have dry hair.

I thought to pass this on in case you didn't know about shop bought shampoos.

Monique

A Baked Bean Surprise!

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:01:21 GMT

I just had to share this with you... have you tried baked beans (in tomato sauce) with peanut butter?
It's absolutely delicious :p
I looked in my cupboard to get some mild chilli pepper to add to them but sitting next to it was the peanut butter so I just scooped a few teaspoons in the saucepan with the beans and heated them up. Eaten with toast of course.

Very yummy - go on try it, you might like it too!

Monique

Top 10 Ways to Use up Flat Cola

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:35:49 GMT

Top 10 Ways to Use up Flat Cola

Do you end up tossing out half cans or bottles of flat cola? Save it
to cook with. Believe it or not, flat cola has many applications in
the kitchen. Use it in recipes for savory roasts to decadent
desserts without imparting any cola flavor. Experiment using diet
colas, but keep in mind that long cooking times at high temperatures
can turn diet colas bitter. The cola should be at room temperature
when you begin cooking. Other sodas or seltzer may be substituted in
many of the recipes.

1) Make a Cake
This easy sheet cake is wonderfully decadent and rich. The cola
enhances the flavor of the chocolate without adding cola flavor.
Loaded with chocolate chips, you can use your favorite chocolate
frosting or sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar.

2) Make a 7-bone roast
7-bone roasts are one of the few remaining beef values these days,
economical and flavorful. You won't taste cola, but the gravy is to
die for! Oven-baked pot roast and vegetables is enhanced by a rich
gravy. Can also be made in a slow cooker.

3) Make a ham
Southern ham cooked in cola must be tried to be believed. Bone-in
ham is first boiled in cola with an onion, then baked in a glaze of
mustard, molasses, and cloves.

4) Make a barbecued pork sandwich
Start with boneless center cut pork loin or pork shoulder and
marinate for a day in a mixture of cola, Worcestershire, vinegar,
and garlic. Then slow-roast about 3 hours with a cola and Jack
Daniels sauce for utterly delicious pulled pork sandwiches. Try this
with different sodas, such as root beer and cherry or use brisket
instead of pork.

5) Make a molded salad
Perfect for Thanksgiving, potlucks, or family dinners, make this in
a pretty molded shape for extra pizzazz. The salad uses cranberry
sauce, gelatin, pineapple, nuts, and cream cheese for a rich
texture. Goes together quickly.

6) Make spareribs in the crock-pot
Start these ribs in the crockpot and finish with a cola sauce on the
grill or under the oven broiler. Plan at least a day ahead for pre-
cooking in the crockpot, refrigeration overnight, and then finishing
on the grill or under the broiler.

7) Make a sweet and sour brisket
Cola in the sauce helps tenderize brisket. Flavoring ingredients
include onion, fresh ginger, garlic, Dijon mustard, red wine, honey,
vinegar, soy sauce, and cloves. Ginger ale may be substituted for
the cola. Make the brisket the day before and reheat for best flavor.

8) Make a prime rib roast
Plan a day ahead to marinate this roast in a mixture of olive oil,
cherry cola, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, thyme, onion powder,
garlic, and a special Greek seasoning blend before grilling and
smoking.

9) Make beef jerky
This beef jerky marinade can also be used on meats to be cooked on
the grill or broiled. Marinate from 2 hours to overnight. The cola
helps break down the fibers and tenderize the meat.

10) Make a baked brisket
Cola not only tenderizes this brisket, it also makes a fabulous
gravy. Requires no marination, but plan on up to three hours of
cooking time to cook the brisket.

I copied this from an email today - I thought to share it. (And I have added Cola to my online shopping list which arrives tomorrow, I'll be trying it out with the gammon! )

Monique

Luvverly Laundry

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:58:03 GMT

When I remember- I like to add a few drops of essence to a wash cloth and pop it in my tumble drier. My clothes smell delicious!

If I want to freshen up an item to wear I pop a damp wash cloth in the tumble drier with a drop or two of essence or perfume and put it on for 10 minutes. This works great if you don't want to iron an item-do this instead!

Monique :)

Neat Bedding Tip!

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:34:53 GMT

After drying and ironing your duvet cover put one matching pillow and the folded duvet cover inside the remaining pillow case.

Next time you change your duvet cover, you just take the one pillow case and
the cover and matching pillow case are inside. No need to look for anywhere else!

Monique

One Unusual Way to Keep Cool!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:54:03 GMT

The best way to stay cool is to wet your ear-lobes.

Whether on the beach, in front of an electric or hand-held fan. Wet lobes with water or spittle and then fan yourself cool. You'll be amazed at how quickly you'll cool down.

Monique

Incense Sense

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:12:42 GMT

I use Incense in my home but I didn't like it when the ash would spill over the sides of the holders.

I found a solution to this problem. I have them in decorative bowls filled with sand (free from my local beach) and now when the ash falls it mingles in with the sand.

The sand becomes aromatic and when I walk past the bowls without a stick burning I can still smell the wonderful fragrance.

Monique

Roll up!

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:48:16 GMT

In my airing/linen cupboard I like to roll up my towels into little sausages!

Fold them in half then again then roll them up and stack on top of each other. Makes finding a towel very easy and your cupboard tends to stay neat.

Also I keep my spare bars of soap in between them. Dry soap lasts longer, keeps moths away and smells nice!

Monique :)

Shampoo Alternatives. Request Help too.

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:31:37 GMT

I have read enough about the main ingredient in shampoos to know that I don't want to put the stuff on my head anymore.

People - for thousands of years - managed quite well without these toxic based, chemical filled shampoos we now readily use.

For the time being I am using Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking soda) and plain conditioner.

I used a baby's bottle [without a teat of course] filled with 3 TEASPOONS ( 1 Tablespoon) of Bicarb of Soda and filled to the top with warm water.

That was 8 Fluid Ounces [Equivalent to 224 ml, 1 Cup or Half a pint].

Soak over the hair massaging in the mixture. Add a bit at a time. Continue to massage in for about 2 minutes. I rinsed with cool water. Then apply your conditioner as normal and rinse and towel dry.

My hair does feel alot silkier and less frizzy, but then it would as it's not been stripped of its natural oils by harsh cleaning agents found in shampoos.

I am told it will take about 2-4 weeks til my hair adjusts properly.

Have you a shampoo substitute you can share with me? I would like to view all possible ideas to try.

THANK YOU

Monique

EXTRA READING: About Sodium Laureth Sulfate http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html

5th November 2008 - UPDATE

I have found an alternative that will suit me.

Just Bananas

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:18:08 GMT

When you get your bananas home from the supermarket, before you put them in the fruit bowl - take them off the 'hand' and put them in seperately.

If bananas are left together they ripen faster.

Monique

PS: Apparently if you peel your banana upside-down you don't get those stringy bits. I keep forgetting to do that and only realise when it's too late!

Chlorine Hair Repair

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:42:23 GMT

If chlorine from swimming pools is turning your blonde
tresses green or just giving your hair an unwanted scent,
eliminate the problem with a ketchup shampoo. To avoid a
mess, do it in the shower. Massage ketchup generously into
your hair and leave it for fifteen minutes, then wash it
out, using baby shampoo. The odor and color should be gone.

Found this in an Ezine today.

Monique