What are your best cost-saving ideas??

[HerMajesty]

Note to self: If Maj ever offers you a home baked cake...REFUSE IT.

You laugh. When I first moved to the UK, I wanted to make some cornbread. I got the ingredients, but could only find cornflour, not corn meal. I figured it was just another case of different names for the same thing. Well, it ended up being what we would call cornstarch, but I had already made up the batch, and I wasn't going to waste the whole thing. So, figuring cornflour was made of corn anyway (which it probably isn't in the UK!), I just used it. Well, the muffins were edible, but not anything I'd really recommend.......after that, I'd just bring cornmeal back with me when I'd visit the states........

[TexasAda]

"Don't forget - that scrap cost you £xx per metre just like the rest of the length of fabric". (Scrooge like grin!)

That's a fascinating concept and I probably abide by its advice. However, I've also read Amy Dacyczyn's Tightwad Gazette books and something in one of them struck me: as well as being frugal with your spending money, you should also be frugal in how you spend your available space.

It's an ongoing struggle for those of us with hereditary packrat disease. Sometimes I think a minimalist household is calmer than a warehouse type residence, and if you don't have a lot of STUFF around, you can more easily find what you have. This contributes to inner peace and saves money because you don't end up acquiring duplicates or triplicates.

[Tiskets]

Wow, what a brilliant thread, can't wait to try some of your tips. Anyone got a good tip for washing lino flooring other than the expensive cleaner I use now?

Gill

[astral276]

Always feign a call of nature when it is your turn to get a round in at the bar.

[FirstGreenIsGold]

This is off topic, but relates to what Delta posted about dogs and skunks. A few years ago we had a neighbour with a crazy dalmation that couldn't seem to learn to stay away from skunks. (We lived near a coulee and had frequent skunk visitors.) The vet told the neighbour to use club soda on the pooch.

[bykimbo]

You laugh. When I first moved to the UK, I wanted to make some cornbread. I got the ingredients, but could only find cornflour, not corn meal. I figured it was just another case of different names for the same thing. Well, it ended up being what we would call cornstarch, but I had already made up the batch, and I wasn't going to waste the whole thing. So, figuring cornflour was made of corn anyway (which it probably isn't in the UK!), I just used it. Well, the muffins were edible, but not anything I'd really recommend.......after that, I'd just bring cornmeal back with me when I'd visit the states........

Have you tried using Polenta? Italian cornmeal. No idea if it's interchangeable!

[bykimbo]

There's a bumper sticker in the states that I like - it says...."REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE"

Not just the States and not just a bumper sticker. It's the mantra of all greenies, and is known as the "three Rs" of waste management. As opposed to the three Rs of education, of course!

[HerMajesty]

Not just the States and not just a bumper sticker. It's the mantra of all greenies, and is known as the "three Rs" of waste management. As opposed to the three Rs of education, of course!

Neat! Thanks for the info! I first heard it about 15 years ago in Colorado......I know it has been around awhile...and is apparently around the world!

For lino, or anything washable, when in doubt, I just dilute a tiny bit of dishsoap.......even plain warm water is good for cleaning things like floors....you walk on them, so most of us don't go the disinfectant route, I'd guess.........

[HerMajesty]

I've had polenta - cut slices from a tube.....it's a bit like cookie dough consistency......I'll look to see if I can find any without the sticky moisture content......What I use is finely ground, gritty corn (sweet type corn, not wheat corn). Thanks for the tip!

[bykimbo]

I've had polenta - cut slices from a tube.....it's a bit like cookie dough consistency......I'll look to see if I can find any without the sticky moisture content......What I use is finely ground, gritty corn (sweet type corn, not wheat corn). Thanks for the tip!

What you're describing is polenta served ready to eat, or prepared for further cooking (such as fried slices) - it's like comparing cornmeal with your finished cornbread and saying they're not the same thing. Polenta before you prepare it is a finely ground, gritty corn (sweet type corn, not wheat corn). Trust me.