Interesting tips re keeping costs down

Field east · 17-12-2014 11:15am #1

A lot of us out there are doing things that keep costs down, makes life more engaging and interesting , can be talking points with our friends, contribute to sustainable living, keeps us closer to nature, enhances our DIY ability, etc. I will start off with a very simple one which is as follows :-
Most of us discard honey , jam and other jars once they have been roughly scraped by a knife.
I now 'scrape them clean' using a rubber spatula. You know that timber handled thing used , for example, to spread cream on the top of a cake. Will hold off on others until I see if there is any interest in the subject

Field east · 17-12-2014 11:23am

Field east wrote: »

A lot of us out there are doing things that keep costs down, makes life more engaging and interesting , can be talking points with our friends, contribute to sustainable living, keeps us closer to nature, enhances our DIY ability, etc. I will start off with a very simple one which is as follows :-
Most of us discard honey , jam and other jars once they have been roughly scraped by a knife.
I now 'scrape them clean' using a rubber spatula. You know that timber handled thing used , for example, to spread cream on the top of a cake. Will hold off on others until I see if there is any interest in the subject

This is first effort at a new thread and have just realised that it is in the totally wrong thread. Will mod please reposition it
PS . Forgot to mention that you could , for example, get enough jam for up to two slices of bread

Boards.ie: Niamh · 17-12-2014 11:30am

Moved to Coupons & Living Frugally.

bilbot79 · 03-02-2015 12:59am

Eat a few raw carrots while you're cooking your bolognese. It will make you less hungry and you can save half the expensive dinner for the next day. Carrots are highly nutritious, low calorie and cheap!

L1011 · 03-02-2015 9:33am

If your bolognese is 'expensive' you're doing something wrong

ItsFrugal · 03-02-2015 5:28pm

Coconut oil - works great as a mouth wash and one of the best fats for cooking with. I'll swish it in my mouth for about 5 mins after flossing. You get coconut breathe and this : "About 50% of fatty acids in cocnut is lauric acid. Research shows that in the body lauric acid gets converted in to a highly potent anti-viral, anti- bacterial and anti fungal substance, called monolaurin. Such pathogens as candida albicans, helicobacter pylori, HIV virus. measles virus, herpes, cytomegalovirus, Esptenin-Barr virus, influenza and many more are susceptible to monolaurin. Lauric acid is alo one of the natural ingredients of human breast milk, protecting the baby from infections."

bilbot79 · 03-02-2015 9:55pm

L1011 wrote: »

If your bolognese is 'expensive' you're doing something wrong

It's not but compared to carrots it is!

madmaggie · 04-02-2015 1:34am

I bought tiny little kilner jars for when I make jam. I found putting jam in a large jar meant that it went mouldy, and was wasteful, where the tiny amounts are eaten quickly. Plus they look cute when put out with scones.

Jellybaby1 · 04-02-2015 9:25pm

I've never bought jars for jam. I just keep all my old jam jars, marmalade jars, mayonnaise jars etc. They just need to be properly sterilised.

Field east · 05-02-2015 9:14am

madmaggie wrote: »

I bought tiny little kilner jars for when I make jam. I found putting jam in a large jar meant that it went mouldy, and was wasteful, where the tiny amounts are eaten quickly. Plus they look cute when put out with scones.

Do not know your personal situation but consider , for next jam session, to enquire from friends, family and other acquaintances about your need for small jars. For example, there are a number of baby food products that come in very small jars - circa 100 mls.
Re moulds, main reason /s could be:-
(1) jam in pot stored for a long time. Jam that is very hygienically made, a 50% plus sugar content and stored in a cool place will last longer.
(2) Wax disc not used. The wax disc with the wax side turned down on top of the hot jam helps to deter mould growth.
(3) the less sugar you use the shorter jam will last.
(4) Insufficient level of hygiene. all containers/ utensils used must be sterilised or heated to the recommended temp and for the recommended time. Scald lids with the synthetic seals with boiling water twice or heat to circa 90degrees C for 15 min

(5) is there someone unbeknownst to you sticking a licked knife into the jam, lid left off the jar for a long time and the jar is left in a warm area. All such actions contribute to contaminating the jam and mould 'spores' are in in most environments and 'looking ' for a substrate to develop on.

Hope you will find some of the above of some use

madmaggie · 05-02-2015 11:08pm

Thanks field east, lots of good advice there, and I will put it into practice.

When I said jam going mouldy I meant opening a pot of jam, and using it once, then having to throw out the remainder for not having used it up. Sounds like you have lots of experience in the jam making department! I learned in school, but still have the odd failure.

Gilma2010 · 05-02-2015 11:45pm

When you're cooking pasta, when the water is at a good boil, turn off the gas and put the timer on. The pasta will still be cooked when the timer goes off.

I saw this tip on http://www.budget101.com and was a bit skeptical.

I tried it with rice, potatoes and pasta. The only time it worked correctly was with the pasta. Cooked perfectly. For the potatoes and rice, they weren't cooked all the way after the timer finished and I had to boil them up for another 5 minutes.

Anyway, I thought it was an energy saving tip worth sharing!

JJJJNR · 23-02-2015 12:39am

If you like a boiled egg, don't throw out the water, use it to make your coffee.

uch · 23-02-2015 5:46pm

JJJJNR wrote: »

If you like a boiled egg, don't throw out the water, use it to make your coffee.

That reminds me, when we were kids we were always told never to get the water that an Egg was boiled in on your hand or you'll get Warts

fire_man · 23-02-2015 5:49pm

Times must be very tough!!

L1011 · 23-02-2015 6:29pm

JJJJNR wrote: »

If you like a boiled egg, don't throw out the water, use it to make your coffee.

Considering that the outside of an egg has been in direct contact with bits of a chicken you normally wouldn't go near; and aren't usually cleaned before sale I'd be more than slightly wary of this.

You've boiled it, so anything nasty should be dead but I can't imagine it being the best tasting!

JJJJNR · 23-02-2015 6:51pm

The water will be enriched with calcium, also the egg shells can be pulverised and made into a calcium supplement, I give it to my Labrador with her normal food.

JJJJNR · 24-02-2015 3:09pm

L1011 wrote: »

Considering that the outside of an egg has been in direct contact with bits of a chicken you normally wouldn't go near; and aren't usually cleaned before sale I'd be more than slightly wary of this.

You've boiled it, so anything nasty should be dead but I can't imagine it being the best tasting!

I better stop eating cooked chicken full stop in that case, actually meat in general esp sausages, uggh, can you imagine. :rolleyes:

L1011 · 24-02-2015 3:20pm

JJJJNR wrote: »

I better stop eating cooked chicken full stop in that case, actually meat in general esp sausages, uggh, can you imagine. :rolleyes:

If the outside of your sausages have porcine faecal matter on them, you've got quite serious problems.

There reaches a point where frugal becomes insanity and this thread exhibits rather a lot of it.

JJJJNR · 24-02-2015 11:48pm

I didn't say that, you did. I think your greatly eggsagerating though, so jog on.

Furzy · 25-02-2015 12:20pm

For those expensive 1890 calls that aren't included in your phone plan visit the website Say No to 1890 (can't post link) - gives lots of local number alternatives for commonly called 1890 numbers.

Furzy · 25-02-2015 12:23pm

JJJJNR wrote: »

The water will be enriched with calcium, also the egg shells can be pulverised and made into a calcium supplement, I give it to my Labrador with her normal food.

Why would you want to give your dog a calcium supplement??

JJJJNR · 25-02-2015 7:36pm

I feed the dog left overs which includes a lot of unused vegetables (potato skins, carrot peels etc) so everything helps.

madmaggie · 26-02-2015 1:41am

Hens. Scraps in one end, eggs out the other. Show me the machine that can do that.:D

Field east · 26-02-2015 9:46am

Get a rubber sole put onto new leather shoes before you start to use them. When they become wafer thin, get them replaced. The uppers / leather sole will then last for ever and ever.

juneg · 27-02-2015 12:02pm

uch wrote: »

That reminds me, when we were kids we were always told never to get the water that an Egg was boiled in on your hand or you'll get Warts

+1
always told never to re use the egg water. If it could have been used for something we would have used it

laughter189 · 28-02-2015 12:02am

I think its time to buy a 3-tier steamer - see they are stainless steel ones in Argos at decent prices

Will save on both electricity / water bills

PeterDuggan · 28-02-2015 2:58am

When boiling the kettle for a cuppa, use the excess hot water to wash a pot or pan. Saves on water, electricity, washing machine detergent pollution ...and time (You can do it while you're standing around waiting for the tea to brew).

murphf · 01-03-2015 4:57pm

JJJJNR wrote: »

I feed the dog left overs which includes a lot of unused vegetables (potato skins, carrot peels etc) so everything helps.

Aren't raw potatoes poisonous to dogs ?

brian_t · 01-03-2015 11:38pm

PeterDuggan wrote: »

When boiling the kettle for a cuppa, use the excess hot water to wash a pot or pan. Saves on water, electricity, washing machine detergent pollution ...and time (You can do it while you're standing around waiting for the tea to brew).

It also means that you will be using completely fresh water for your next cuppa which is as reccomended.

JJJJNR · 01-03-2015 11:40pm

murphf wrote: »

Aren't raw potatoes poisonous to dogs ?

There cooked in a pot first before given to the dog.

Field east · 02-03-2015 8:16am

Use a rubber spatula to scrape out the last of the jam. It's amazing how many families throw out jam pots with a lot of jam still in them

Greenmachine · 02-03-2015 9:31am

brian_t wrote: »

It also means that you will be using completely fresh water for your next cuppa which is as reccomended.

That completely fresh water has probably already been recycled hundreds of times.

mjv2ydratu679c · 02-03-2015 10:53am

PeterDuggan wrote: »

When boiling the kettle for a cuppa, use the excess hot water to wash a pot or pan. Saves on water, electricity, washing machine detergent pollution ...and time (You can do it while you're standing around waiting for the tea to brew).

Just boil enough hot water for one cup, no extra electricity wasted/excess water.

brian_t · 02-03-2015 4:38pm

Greenmachine wrote: »

That completely fresh water has probably already been recycled hundreds of times.

By fresh water I meant not previously boiled.

When making tea it is reccomended to use water that has not been previously boiled as it helps bring out the flavours.

Holy BoBo · 07-03-2015 5:56pm

Putting waste food rubbish down your toilet will save in bin charges.

L1011 · 07-03-2015 6:22pm

Holy BoBo wrote: »

Putting waste food rubbish down your toilet will save in bin charges.

And increase your water charges, your chances of getting a blocked pipe, etc - file this one under insane.

Holy BoBo · 07-03-2015 7:44pm

L1011 wrote: »

And increase your water charges, your chances of getting a blocked pipe, etc - file this one under insane.

How increased water charges? We are not paying by usage for a few more years yet ! No blocked pipes if you are reasonablely careful

Greenmachine · 07-03-2015 7:49pm

brian_t wrote: »

By fresh water I meant not previously boiled.

When making tea it is reccomended to use water that has not been previously boiled as it helps bring out the flavours.

Complete old wives tale, lacking in imperial method.

L1011 · 07-03-2015 8:07pm

Holy BoBo wrote: »

How increased water charges? We are not paying by usage for a few more years yet ! No blocked pipes if you are reasonablely careful

If your usage is low enough (mine is) you won't be paying the full capped price.

You don't know how careful you've been until it backs up.

The sewage system is for human waste, not food waste at that. Stop doing this. You are increasing the workload at the treatment plant, running risk of damage/blockage to the public system etc.

Holy BoBo · 07-03-2015 8:08pm

L1011 wrote: »

If your usage is low enough (mine is) you won't be paying the full capped price.

You don't know how careful you've been until it backs up.

The sewage system is for human waste, not food waste at that. Stop doing this.

I have been going it for years without problem and will continue to do so.

sadbob · 07-03-2015 8:40pm

Holy BoBo wrote: »

I have been going it for years without problem and will continue to do so.

It's illegal under section 7 of the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2013 (SI 71 of 2013) and you will have a problem after admitting such on a public forum.

7. An original producer of food waste arising as part of household waste, shall not—

(a) deposit food waste in the residual waste collection, or

(b) use purpose built mechanical devices to shred or hydrate or otherwise alter the structure of food waste for the purposes of facilitating its discharge in waste water to a service connection, drain or sewer.

_Tombstone_ · 07-03-2015 8:48pm

sadbob wrote: »

It's illegal under section 7 of the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2013 (SI 71 of 2013) and you will have a problem after admitting such on a public forum.

7. An original producer of food waste arising as part of household waste, shall not—

(a) deposit food waste in the residual waste collection, or

(b) use purpose built mechanical devices to shred or hydrate or otherwise alter the structure of food waste for the purposes of facilitating its discharge in waste water to a service connection, drain or sewer.

You could admit raping someone on a Public Forum and not have a problem the way the Courts are here.

Holy BoBo · 07-03-2015 8:50pm

sadbob wrote: »

It's illegal under section 7 of the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2013 (SI 71 of 2013) and you will have a problem after admitting such on a public forum.

7. An original producer of food waste arising as part of household waste, shall not—

(a) deposit food waste in the residual waste collection, or

(b) use purpose built mechanical devices to shred or hydrate or otherwise alter the structure of food waste for the purposes of facilitating its discharge in waste water to a service connection, drain or sewer.

If you go down that route you are saying poo is a food waste. Pure nonsense.

100% of my waste goes down the jacks or up the chimney after being burned in the fireplace.

L1011 · 07-03-2015 8:55pm

Holy BoBo wrote: »

or up the chimney after being burned in the fireplace.

Also highly illegal.

Holy BoBo · 07-03-2015 9:06pm

L1011 wrote: »

Also highly illegal.

Not at all. It's just free fuel to warm the house and reduce bin charges to zero.

L1011 · 07-03-2015 9:11pm

Holy BoBo wrote: »

Not at all.

No, it very very much is. Air Pollution Act 1987.

Your continued admission to illegal acts is not helping you.

Holy BoBo · 07-03-2015 9:16pm

L1011 wrote: »

No, it very very much is. Air Pollution Act 1987.

Your continued admission to illegal acts is not helping you.

Eh this is a money saving thread ! Perhaps you need to join an ecological or legal forum. I all about saving the lids man !

L1011 · 07-03-2015 9:17pm

Holy BoBo wrote: »

Eh this is a money saving thread ! Perhaps you need to join an ecological or legal forum. I all about saving the lids man !

Saving money by illegal means it not what this forum exists for.

In your case, I sincerely hope the full force of the law comes down on your for your polluting ways. The fines for air pollution - and its an if, not a when you'll be caught - are impressively large. Maybe you'll have saved enough to cover it but I doubt it.

Tails142 · 07-03-2015 9:21pm

Lol, burning waste and flushing your rubbish down the toilet. Great tips thanks, next you'll be telling us how you can just gather your black bags and dump them at the side of the road to save on bin charges!

Holy BoBo · 07-03-2015 9:24pm

Tails142 wrote: »

Lol, burning waste and flushing your rubbish down the toilet. Great tips thanks, next you'll be telling us how you can just gather your black bags and dump them at the side of the road to save on bin charges!

I don't have black bags as I am self sufficient when it comes to waste disposal as I have outlined.

Interesting tips re keeping costs down

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