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 :)

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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.

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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 :)

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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 :)

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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

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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

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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 :)

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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 :)

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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 :)

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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 :)

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 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 :)

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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 :)

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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

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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

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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.

To read more follow this link: http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.html

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

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 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

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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

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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 :)

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 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  

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 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

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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

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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 :)

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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.

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.

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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!

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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  

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Well, this is a new one on me.

I needed to remove a sticky label from a plastic box and went to search on Thriftyfun for a quick solution. I would normally use Nail Varnish remover but I know that on plastics it leaves the surface a bit rough. (Excellent on glass though).

One fellow Thriftyfun member suggested Mineral Turpentine. Well, I have normal turps so tried that. Wow... it whipped it off quick as you like.  I had previously soaked the label off but was left with all the icky sticky stuff underneath.  Lightning fast!

Wash the item afterwards with hot soapy water.

Icky sticky labels come off in double quick time with good ol' Turpentine!

Monique 

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You won't mind taking out the rubbish so often if you line the bin with three bags at a time - remove rubbish, and your back-up's already there!

Monique 

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No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Monique

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Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup.
Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Monique

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Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth.
It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

Monique

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Have cookies stuck on the cookie sheet? Try sliding a piece  
of dental floss between a stubborn cookie and the baking  
sheet, then gently pull forward to enjoy an unbroken treat.  

One might be able to apply this to other things too, like getting the pizza from the oven tray off in one piece etc.

Copied from an eZine.

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Before I throw out the junk mail that comes through the post (in the recycling bin of course) I cut out the address.

I save them to use as returns labels when I send out parcels (for eBay etc). Now I don't dread the junk mail coming any more!

Monique

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I store my food tins upside down.

I started storing my cat food upside down because my cat prefers the jelly/gravy more than the meat.    I found it makes the contents come out easier.  Now I do it with all my food tins in the pantry.

Anything for a simpler life!

Monique

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I like to have some tinned peaches sometimes but need to cut down my sugar intake so once the tin is opened I WAS tipping the juice down the drain and washing the peaches in water.

I hate any waste so thought to save it. I bought a lollipop maker from a cheap shop last summer. It is a mould for four lolly's and each one has a lid that acts as a stick once frozen.

Yes, you guessed it, I saved the light syrup from the peaches and froze them. I can't eat them but my visiting nephews and nieces can!

Monique

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I sometimes buy packets of rice (the flavoured ones with dried veggies inside - this is as close to a ready meal as I get!)

I store them in the freezer. I know that rice sometimes harbour nasty bugs inside so if I store them in the freezer it kills them off and I can rest easy.

I also store my brown rice and easy cook rice inside the freezer too in plastic boxes.

Monique

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I just posted a reply to someone looking for ideas for her special cousin's birthday. I suggested making a memory box for her.  I wanted to share the tip so I am copying my reply here for you to see. This could be done for any occasion; Weddings, birthdays or a Get Well soon box for someone in Hospital.

This was my reply:

I did this for my parents one New Year's Eve but thought that you could very well do this for anybody.

I bought a heart-shaped box in a thrift shop. It was filled with heart shaped notepaper and some envelopes.
Over the course of a week I got each member of our family to write a short note to our parents. How much we love them and appreciate all they have done for us. The grandchildren old enough to write something did so, the smaller children drew some pictures.

For your friend you could ask anyone you know that is close to her or even those that just know her and think she's lovely, to write a few lines about how wonderful they think she is.
When I gave this to my parents I was told later it moved them both to tears and it's one of their most treaured items.

You could, of course, use any box and decorate it. Simple with plain paper and a bow perhaps or personalise it with pictures, buttons, decoupagé or ribbon etc.


Monique

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Just a quickie tip here.

I use a old CD to cover my cup of tea keeping it nice and hot.

In the summer it reduces the risk of flies getting in my drink too!

Monique

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Use egg whites. Apply it on with a paint brush.

Suitable for paper and light card.

It's helped out my niece in many an art project!

Monique

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Use Toothpaste!

Dab a little on your silver items them buff off...believe me - it REALLY works!

Monique

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To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge,  
add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to  
your vacumn. It can be bent or flattened to get into narrow  
openings.  

I copied this from a site for handy hints. I love ideas like this. Simple ideas yet very effective!

Another vacuum cleaner tip I use is to pop a cotton wool ball inside the cleaner ( I have a bagless Hoover so I pop it inside) and I add a drop or two of perfume oil on it. The house smells lovely and fresh after I have vacuumed!

Monique

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I live within a budget and a certain amount is allocated to food for the week.

I used to push my trolley around the supermarket with my calculator but so MANY times I would press the wrong button and delete the whole lot and have to start again :(

Well, there's a calculator function on my old mobile phone and once I have pressed in the amount of each item it stays plugged into it-even if I hit a wrong button I can just delete it and plug in the correct amount - without wiping out the whole total.

Why did I not think of this sooner? It has made my life and my shopping trips a whole bunch easier that's for sure!

Monique

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I have found a way to reduce the amount of cabbage smell that eminates in a kitchen when it's cooking!

Wanna know the secret? Freeze it!

Cut up your freshly bought cabbage, wash it, pat it dry with kitchen paper and portion it into ziploc bags -press out the air and seal. Then pop in your freezer.

When you come to cook it it takes about 1-2 minutes in a pan of boiling water OR alternatively stir-fry it in a little olive oil which I like to do. Delicious!

And, quite by accident, I found there's no lingering cabbage smell in the kitchen so now I get to eat cabbage more often in my diet and we all know it's very good for you!

Monique

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I recently dyed my hair for the first time in a long time and I used peroxide to bleach out my natural colour then applied a brunette dye two days later.  Boy, did I notice the difference in condition.

Like straw!

I recently read a handy hint - which could well have been here on thriftyfun. Here's what I did just now.

I put a handful of my shampoo in my hand and then mixed in approx. 2 teaspoons of Bicarbonate of Soda [Baking Soda] mixed together then applied to my wet hair. 

Lathering like normal shampoo. Then rinsed. I used conditioner only on the ends of my hair and rinsed again, then I tipped about 4 capfuls of White vinegar on my hair and waited for it to saturate most of my long hair.

One more quick rinse with cool water. Squeezed out the excess and towel dried.

My hair feels silky soft and lovely and light. There seems to be a marked difference. I will keep doing this from now on.

I just thought to share my experience with this tip.

Monique

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Emergency Bread.  I have used this for over 10 years now after finding the recipe in an antiquarian cook book. It has served me well and it's tasty too.

1lb Flour (Plain)   

1 Teaspoon of Salt 

2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder  

Water or milk to mix.

Sift the flour in a bowl, add salt and baking powder, mix to a soft dough with water or milk; knead lightly on a floured board; form into rolls (don't overwork the flour, when not shaped into perfect rounds the rolls take on a rustic look and you get lovely cripsy top).  [Pre-heat] Bake in a hot oven....check after 10 minutes should take between 15-20.

Remember to grease the oven tray before adding the dough rolls.   At the end i dampen the tops with water and sprinkle with sesame or Poppy seeds.

This recipe can be reworked too. In the past I have added herbs to the recipe and cheese.

These are lovely warm slathered with butter or plain for dipping in soup.

One thing I have found though is these must be eaten on the day they are made, they don't keep. But it only takes a few minutes to prepare and make these so it's not a great inconvenience.

Perfect for when you have no bread in the house and you can't get to a shop, and I tell you these are tasty too.

Monique

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This is a way of keeping Mushrooms dry. If they touch each other in storage they tend to go off quicker.

I store mine in an egg box.  I live alone and this works for me.

Yesterday though I bought a big punnet of mushrooms and just cut them into slices and then popped them into ziploc bags and froze about 5 or 6 portions.

It all depends on the amount of mushrooms you buy or need.

Monique

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Light a long piece of dry Spaghetti when lighting the gas hob or more than one candle. You won't burn your fingers like you would if you were using a match.

Good for an emergency too- when you only have ONE match left!

Monique

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When I go away at Xmas for two weeks to visit family I make sure to completely defrost my freezer. The food is given away to someone in my local Freecycle and the freezer is completely turned off for two of those weeks.

When I come home it's time to give my freezer a good wash through then back on with the electric and a 'big shop' at my freezer food store.

But here's my little trick. To save the build up of ice, after I have washed and dried the insides of my freezer I coat the walls and shelving runners with a good smearing of Glycerin.  Glycerin is available cheaply in your local pharmacy.

No ice build up and I extend the life of my freezer as it's not working so hard.   It purrs like a kitten all year long! =^..^=

Monique

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Every month I keep a log of all money that comes in and all the money that goes out in a book. That way I can keep track of everything.

I purchase a cheap blank paged book (£1) and write the date at the top. Then I list all my outgoings. Water, Gas, Electric, food shopping etc. I keep a note of all other expenses too......the odd pint of milk, bread, stamps etc til the next paypay. This way I can see in black and white where the money has gone.

I also make sure I have a small amount saved each week - no matter how little. This will go towards any unexpected bill or for that rainy day.

Hope this tip helps someone else :)

Monique

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