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Thursday 14 November 2013

Saving Money, and Shopping Around

Just when I thought I couldn't make any more savings, I started shopping at Aldis.............
I have to say, I hadn't been for about 8 years. I must say, I have been impressed, and will pick out a few of the things, which I believe offer real value, and savings.
As a rule, I observed that milk, and bread, were about the same as Tesco, and Morrison, pricewise. Quality was better than Tesco.
1) Grapes, pears, and mixed peppers-
These offered massive savings, and the grapes were only £1.50, according to Mysupermarket were half the price of Sainsbury, and beat Asda hands down.
2) Garlic bread-
At just 30p each, big value for a long baguette.
3) Free range chicken £5 for 1.5 kilos-
that is £3-£4 cheaper than elsewhere. A real saver, if like us you have to cook 2 at a time.
4) Cereals-
Huge range of granolas, cornflakes,micro oats with fruit, and shreddies. All at good quality, and around £1 each. Depending on where you buy, this is a saving of 50p-£1 per box.
5) Spices-
50p each, that is half the price of tesco, or sainsbury.
6) Chocolate-
We tested it, and as good as the leading brand. Just 69p for aero style, and others £1. They even do dark chocolate.
7) Red Meat-
just £2.29 for a pound of frozen aberdeen angus mince. £2.99 for 400g casserole steak. Very good value packs.
I will lastly mention the hot chocolate, at £1.09 for 400g. Twice the price of Asda smart price, and Tesco value.....but, we think it usurps cadburys in taste. Could it be the coconut?!
Anyway, I am sure there are lots of other savings. I have tried to list the most useful. We tried the battenburg, and the walnut cake after dinner, and thoroughly enjoyed. One of the girls was sad, cos she didn't get to have the, 'girly cake' I had offered 6 of both. Will have to buy more......

Thursday 7 November 2013

Drying Washing

Some smart Alec will say, it is as easy as just putting in a drier. However, I loathe driers, and the electric bills they run up. I prefer to dry clothes naturally. Now if you don't have a drier, and you happen to have a dozen to wash for, it is a good idea to buy a washing machine with an 'A' rated spin. Believe me, it really does make a massive difference, as my towels come out almost dry.

There are a few things I have also learned along the way, to make my drying a bit quicker, and easier. I will list them, as follows:

1) If you are going to be hanging washing out in the morning, always do it the night before. It is a good idea to check the forecast, as if there is going to be wind, stuff will dry quicker, obviously. No point in stacking up 6 loads if there is rain forecast for the next day.
2) Always bring it in an hour before it gets dark. This stops the dew coming down, and making your washing as wet as it was in the morning! In summer, it doesn't apply so much.
3) If it is summer, and there is no rain forecast in the night, consider putting it out in the evening, and leaving it all night.
4) To save time,( and esp in the winter, or showery days) use those hanging sock baskets, with pegs attached. You can get them in the pound store, but i found for a couple pound more, the ones in Wilko are much more durable, and my wilko one has outlasted all the others. You can hang your smaller items on these, and then attach them to an airer in the house, when you bring them in. It makes it easier to just grab them in a rain shower, too.
5) An airer is an imperative. I don't have space for one of those which you hang from the ceiling. I just keep one large one in the hall. A heated airer is a good option, if you are struggling to get stuff dry, though running costs on the electric will apply.
6) We like fleece a lot in the winter, and one major plus, is they dry in no time at all! Forget the big thick jumpers, which take an age to dry, fleece is lightweight, and almost dry from the machine. The girls have fleece onesies, too.

Please feel free to add your tips, and what you do in the comments.